Diverse events aim to prevent and address bullying

Growing up, Jamie Nabozny was targeted for being gay and harassed. Ultimately, he ended up hospitalized and in surgery from a beating. Nabozny fought back to help others and ensure everyone receives a safe education, whatever their sexuality. His life has become a documentary, "Bullied: The Jamie Nabozny Story."

On Monday, Feb. 4, Nabozny will be on campus as part of Geneseo's Bullying Wipe Out event. A full day of lectures, discussions, film screenings and other sessions are planned as a community forum on confronting bullying in schools and in workplaces. Activities are hosted by the Center for Community.

Morning sessions include a "Bullying in the Workplace for UUP Bargaining Unit Members," as well as a screening of "Bullied." During lunch, faculty panelists Meg Stolee, professor of history; Ken Kallio, associate professor of psychology; and Wes Kennison, faculty fellow for international studies, will lead a discussion about "Academic Freedom: Can Vigorous Debate Turn Into Bullying?" Afternoon events include workshops on educating students with a social conscience to stop bullying, recognizing and preventing bullying in K-12, as well as the role of student leaders and resident assistants in preventing bullying and intervening in bullying situations.

The night wraps up with a guest lecture by Nabozny, who was recently named a Defender of Human Rights by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.

A quick rundown of events:

• 8:30 a.m.  "Bullying in the Workplace for UUP Bargaining Unit Members (Union Hunt Room)
• 10 a.m.     "Bullied: The Jamie Nabozny Story" screening (Union Ballroom)
• 12:30 p.m. "Academic Freedom: Can Vigorous Debate Turn Into Bullying?" (Union Ballroom)
• 2:30 p.m.   "Inspiring a New Generation: Educating Students With A Social Conscience to Stop Bullying" (Union room 114)
• 4:15 p.m.   "Recognizing, Preventing and Intervening with Bullying for K-12 School Staff" (Union Ballroom)
• 5:45 p.m.   "Preventing and Intervening With Bullying and Harrassment: The Role of Student Leaders and RAs" (Union Ballroom)
• 7:30 p.m.   "Bullied: The Jamie Nabozny Story" guest speaker (Union Ballroom)

The day of events is co-sponsored by Residence Life, GOLD Program, Student & Campus Life, Center for Community, Student Association, Activities Commission, Ella Cline Shear School of Education, Geneseo Chapter of United University Professions and New York State United Teachers