SGA passed legislation last Tuesday to recommend the creation of a course in Arabic. They also considered legislation that would address cyber bullying and harassment.

The legislation authorizing the creation of the course in Arabic (No. SSR-104-10), states that if funds are not available to hire an instructor, an instructor whom is already employed and qualifies as a competent instructor in Arabic may teach the course.

SGA then read the legislation dealing with cyber bullying (and will vote on it Tuesday.

The cyber bullying legislation requests that the Division of Student Affairs and its appointed committees and subordinates add the definition of cyber bullying and harassment to the Spectrum Student Handbook.

It also asks that Student Affairs amend University Policies and Procedures Section PPP-44 (Information Technology Code of Ethics) Section VI Paragraph B to include the prohibition of cyber bullying and harassment and to expressly forbid such activity.

This legislation was sponsored by Senators Dalton Collins and Brian Bowman.

Collins wrote they cyber bullying legislation in response to recent events that had occurred and felt it was necessary to have this implemented the university’s policies.

“It came from the national media, as well as situations that have taken place on campus,” Collins said. “Currently, the student handbook offers protections of this kind under state and federal law, but there is no specific campus protection for it as of right now.”

Collins, who talked to Student Affairs and is on the committee to rework the student handbook, said cyber bullying not mentioned in student handbooks.

“The Information Technology Code of Ethics just has a respect for privacy of others clause, but it doesn’t go into any detail with what that is for,” Collins said.

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