Bullying Policy
I. Purpose
Goucher College is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and productive educational
environment for all members of the college community. Consistent with this commitment,
the college prohibits bullying, cyberbullying, and related misconduct from all sources
and in all its programs and activities (academic and co-curricular).
II. Scope
This policy applies to all students enrolled at Goucher College.
III. Policy statement
Goucher College prohibits bullying, cyberbullying, and related misconduct. Any student,
campus clubs and organizations, or athletic teams that commit acts of bullying, cyberbullying,
or related misconduct are subject to disciplinary action by the college, up to and
including expulsion, and may be referred to the Baltimore County Police Department.
IV. Definitions
Bullying: Written, verbal, or physical act or gesture or electronic communication directed at one or more individuals that is intended to cause or that a reasonable person would know is likely to cause, and that actually causes harm or distress, including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm to the intended victim or others, or harm to the orderly operation of the college. The behavior is often persistent or repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time, but may be a single, severe incident. Bullying includes cyberbullying as defined below. Bullying includes but is not limited to actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
Campus organization: Any social, honor, service, athletic, recreational group, or team.
Cyberbullying: Bullying that takes place over or utilizes any technology, electronic communication,
or digital devices including but not limited to cell phones, computers, and tablets.
Cyberbullying can occur through email, SMS, Text, apps, wire, radio, photo, video,
GIF, meme, or online in social media, forums, websites, or gaming where people can
view, participate in, or share content, and any other electronic communication methods.
Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean
content about someone else. In addition, it can include sharing personal, private,
or intimate information about someone else without their affirmative, voluntary, and
freely given consent.
V. Procedures
If a person becomes aware of conduct that possibly violates this policy, the individual
must file an incident report or email the Dean of Students, (deanofstudents@goucher.edu) as soon as possible. From there, the Associate Vice President of Student Well-Being
& Dean of Students or their designee receives the report, makes an initial evaluation
of the information received, and determines appropriate next steps given the information
received and specific circumstances of the situation.
VI. Resources
Additional resources and related Goucher College policies include:
VII. Responsible office
For more information or if you have questions about this policy, please contact the
Dean of Students (deanofstudents@goucher.edu) or the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
History
Adopted: September 2025.