Bullying and Cyber-Bullying

Bullying fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create conditions that negatively affect learning, thereby undermining the ability of students to achieve their full potential. Limestone University prohibits bullying and cyber bullying on the basis of traits expressly protected by the federal civil rights laws, including on the basis of race, national origin, sex, or disability.

Bullying is defined as repeated and/or severe aggressive behavior likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control or diminish another person, physically or mentally. It often includes comments about race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability. It often involves an imbalance of power, aggression, and a negative repeated behavior.

Cyber-bullying is when an individual is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another person using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It may consist of covert, psychological bullying conveyed through websites, on- line chat rooms, or multiuser domains where individuals take on different characters and on-line personal profiles. It is verbal (over the telephone or cell phone), or written (flaming, threats, racial, sexual or homophobic harassment) using the various mediums available.

Examples of Social/Professional Sites are Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X.

Examples of Technology Usage are prank phone calls, text messages, picture messages, messages with graphics/sounds.

Limestone University will respond promptly, effectively, and equitably to any complaints of bullying and cyber bullying conduct. The University will pursue all necessary and appropriate actions to cease this conduct.