TTU students taking stand against bullies

It's great to see college students taking action on an initiative they feel so strongly about.

COOKEVILLE -- Bullies. They're everywhere.

But a couple of Tennessee Tech University students are taking a stand, organizing a conference to help stop the havoc.

To pull it off, they'll need lots of help from the community -- presenters, speakers, parents, students and other volunteers interested in the cause.

Co-coordinator Justin Sweatman, who also serves as youth coalition coordinator for Power of Putnam, the county's local anti-drug coalition, has high hopes for the event. He said the issue of bullying ties back into the work of the coalition.

"There's a big correlation between substance abuse, bullying and violence in general," he said. "One doesn't cause the other, but they're related."

Sweatman said the idea for the conference came from fellow TTU student and event co-coordinator Shayne Bilbrey, a local activist and advocate for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) youth.

"His original intention was for it to just be about LGBT youth, but I expanded it to include minorities, sexual assault and cyber bullying," Sweatman said.

Several TTU groups are already on board to help in what is being called the Bully-Free in Tennessee Conference. The event is set for Jan. 20-22 on the campus of TTU.

"We are working with the Office of Minority Affairs, the Women's Center, as well as the psychology and society departments," Sweatman said. "We also have a huge partnership with the University Service Center. Michelle Huddleston, service coordinator, is going to be helpful in the entire process."

Sweatman and Bilbrey are also partnering with GLSEN Middle Tennessee (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) and the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

"Any kind of youth-serving agency or education-related group is welcome to join the cause," Sweatman said.

That's why it's important to get the word out early -- so potential presenters, speakers, educators and volunteers can be making plans to participate.

"If you are an educator or a professional who deals with violence in schools or anything related to that, we would be overjoyed to receive a workshop or speaker proposal from you," Sweatman said.

Also needed are plenty of general participants, who will benefit from an entire day of workshops.

"And that's open to any student, parent, educator, activist -- anybody," Sweatman said. 

By the end of the day, participants will have designed their own action plans to improve bullying conditions in their schools. They'll also receive ongoing assistance for the implementation of those plans.

"We will keep in touch with them through April 20, which is Global Youth Service Day, and offer technical support and guidance," Sweatman said. "Then they will report back to us on any changes they see and how school administrations are handling the new systems."

A call also goes out for financial help for the conference. The estimated cost is $3,400, so Sweatman is asking for donations to cover food and other miscellaneous expenses. Community fundraisers are encouraged.

General volunteers are needed to assist during the conference too.

"We're looking at getting college students, but anybody is free to help," Sweatman said.

Why should Putnam County be interested in bullying?

"Because it affects everyone," Sweatman said. "Even if you're not a student or parent, you are still in a community where students are being bullied, and it's your responsibility."

And the conference isn't just for locals -- it's a statewide affair.

"Problems don't stop at county lines," Sweatman said. "Bullying is everywhere. But if we can start at home, maybe awareness will spread."

The main day of the conference is Saturday, Jan. 21, but Jan. 20 and 22 are also being utilized to help drive home the point.

"We just want to make a safer, friendlier environment so students have a better learning experience," Sweatman said.

Registration begins in mid-December and is $25 for the general public, $10 for college students not attending TTU, and free for all TTU students and middle and high school students in Tennessee.

Anyone interested in helping or needing more information may email stop.bullying.in.tennessee@gmail.com, visit facebook.com/TNBullyingConference or call Sweatman at 931-704-8814.

Read more: Herald Citizen - TTU students taking stand against bullies 

Source: http://www.herald-citizen.com/view/full_story/16570700/article-TTU-students-taking-stand-against-bullies?instance=latest_articles