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Relevant Excerpt

Bullying Definition

Bullying has been the subject of considerable public discussion and is often misunderstood. There is a difference between experiencing mean behavior and experiencing bullying. Bullying occurs when a person is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to extreme negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself. Bullying is unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.

Bullying can take many forms including verbal conduct, such as, but not limited to, physical threats, incitement, illegal intimidation, discrimination and harassment, or defamation, libel, or slander. However, as a public institution, UCM upholds freedom of speech rights grounded in the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution and similar state laws. Exposure to mere speech that a person disagrees with or finds offensive does not constitute bullying. 

Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions and may include hitting, pushing, slapping, and tripping. The University takes bullying very seriously and does not condone any behavior that compromises the educational opportunities of others.