Senator Plans to Re-Introduce Bill to Protect College Students

Anti-bullying experts discussed the problems associated with bullying and shared information on resources available to prevent harassment in schools and online at a forum at Montclair State University on Feb. 7. The forum was organized by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg and his staff. 

The senator issued a press release and said he is planning to re-introduce the “Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act,” a bill he proposed last year to protect college students from harassment and cyberbullying.

“Bullying is an obstacle to learning that robs young people of their dignity and self-esteem and it must not be tolerated,” Lautenberg said.  “This forum addressed important steps that can be taken to create a safer environment for young people.”

Nearly 400 educators, students, community advocates and others attended the event. Officials from the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Trade Commission were also among the participants in the forum.

The hosts for the event were Valerie Vainieri Huttle, State Assemblywoman for District 37 and Steven Goldstein, Chairman and CEO of Garden State Equality. Panelists for the forum were:

• Kevin Jennings, Asst. Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools, U.S. Department of Education
• Derick Rill, Congressional Specialist, Federal Trade Commission
• Parry Aftab, Founder Executive Director, WiredSafety
• Jennifer Keyes Maloney, Asst. Director of Government Relations, New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association
• Sergeant Gregory Williams, NJ State Police

The proposed legislation would require colleges and universities to have anti-harassment policies in place and provide funding for schools to establish or expand programs to prevent harassment of students. According to a 2004 Rowan University study, 27.5 percent of college students had seen students being bullied by other students.