Up for discussion: Bullying goes to college

Bullying is ugly. It can be a hate crime. At its worst, it leads some victims to suicide.

Bullying happens in the schoolyard, on the street and over the Internet. And it also happens on college campuses.

Emil Rodolfa, a licensed psychologist and director of Counseling and Psychological Services at UC Davis, offers some advice for parents whose students may be bullied and highlights campus resources that can provide help.

Bullying typically is the result of someone who feels unsure or inferior trying to intimidate someone whose differences are frightening. “They’re afraid,” says Rodolfa, “and they attack rather than try to learn.”

“There’s bullying everywhere,” Rodolfa says. “The research on bullying is that more often it peaks in middle school or early teens, and then kind of levels off in high school by junior or senior year.”

At colleges

Rodolfa says bullying on college campuses can be homophobic or sexist in nature.

On the UC Davis Quad on an October evening, two unidentified men pushed and grabbed two people while yelling abusive comments having to do with race and sexual orientation. The UC Davis Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Rodolfa adds that bullying can include any type of behavior meant to intimidate someone else. UC Davis has a zero-tolerance rule against hazing — activities which may cause physical harm or personal degradation.

In October, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights issued a letter to remind educators, including those at colleges and universities, that bullying may rise to the legal definition of discriminatory harassment.

Talking about bullying

Sometimes students do not want their parents to know that they are being bullied or intimidated because they don’t want them to worry. For those who do talk about bullying, Rodolfa says, the most important thing parents can do is listen carefully.

“Sometimes, students don’t want their parents to do anything, they just want to feel hurt,” Rodolfa says. “Knowing that they have some support behind them gives kids strength.”

Rodolfa says parents need to urge their children not to feel ashamed to seek support, redress or advice if they believe that they are being bullied.

Campus resources

Rodolfa emphasized that there are a variety of campus resources available to help students.

• Students can contact the UC Davis Police Department if they feel that they have been the victim of a crime. The Campus Violence Prevention Program, part of the police department, offers support services for students who are being bullied, harassed, intimidated or stalked.
• Student Judicial Affairs enforces student conduct standards and handles complaints about violence or harassment. Reports can be delivered in person, mailed, faxed or e-mailed.
• Counseling and Psychological Services also offers services to students who are feeling victimized.
• Students can also turn to the Women’s Resources & Research Center and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Resource Center.
• Resident advisors in Student Housing have also been trained in dealing with issues relating to bullying.

More broadly, UC Davis has launched a Hate-Free Campus Initiative to engage the campus community in activities, training and forums designed to confront acts of hate, promote civility and respect, and build a more inclusive campus community.