Existing law establishes the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, and the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as 2 of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state.

Existing law requests the Trustees of the California State University and the Regents of the University of California to adopt and publish policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying to be included within the rules and regulations governing student behavior within their respective segments of public postsecondary education.

The bill would require the Trustees of the California State University, and request the Regents of the University of California, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

Existing law establishes the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California California, and the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as 2 of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state.

Existing law requests the Trustees of the California State University and the Regents of the University of California to adopt and publish policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying to be included within the rules and regulations governing student behavior within their respective segments of public postsecondary education.

The bill would require the Trustees of the California State University, and request the Regents of the University of California, to provide, as part of established oncampus campus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

Existing law establishes the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California and the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as 2 of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state.

Existing law requests the Trustees of the California State University and the Regents of the University of California to adopt and publish policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying to be included within the rules and regulations governing student behavior within their respective segments of public postsecondary education.

The bill would require the Trustees of the California State University, and request the Regents of the University of California, to provide, as part of established oncampus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

GOVERNOR'S VETO

GV Bill Id:AB 2732

Author:(Chang and Low)

As Enrolled Ver:August 31, 2016

2/3 vote

Original Committee Reference: HIGHER ED.

SUMMARY: Requires the California State University (CSU) Trustees and requests the University of California (UC) Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

The Senate amendments make minor technical changes and add co-authors.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Stipulates the policy of the State of California, as specified, that all persons, regardless of their sex, should enjoy freedom from discrimination of any kind in the postsecondary educational institution of the state; and, that students shall be provided notification of the prohibition against sexual harassment as a form of sexual discrimination and to provided notification of available remedies (Education Code Section (EDC) 66281.5).
2. Requires the governing board of each community college district and the CSU Trustees, and request the UC Regents to, in collaboration with campus-based and community-based victim advocacy organizations, provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about sexual violence to students at all campuses of their respective segments; and, specifies that for a campus with an existing on-campus orientation program, this information shall be provided, in addition to the sexual harassment information required to be provided, as specified, during the regular orientation for incoming students (EDC 67385.7).

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: Background. According to a February 2015 report, by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, entitled, "Cyberbullying, depression, and problem alcohol use in female college students: a multisite study," found that cyberbullying and its effects have been studied largely in middle and high school students, but less is known about cyberbullying in college students. The researchers performed a cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between involvement in cyberbullying and depression or problem alcohol use among college females. The study found that college-age females are just as likely to suffer the negative effects of cyberbullying as younger adolescents.

Additionally, based on information provided by the author, with college confession pages and apps that allow anonymous posting, cyberbullying is gaining momentum without people even realizing it because it has been glorified; in certain contexts, it is used as entertainment. Furthermore, cyberbullying has been linked to a markedly increased risk for depression and alcohol use in college students.

Need for the measure. According to the author, cyberbullying has been linked to suicide, alcoholism, and depression in college students. The author states, "Students are already undergoing a tremendous transition as they have just entered into adulthood, and many are away from home for the first time." The author argues that college-aged students should receive training on cyberbullying while they attend a UC or CSU.

This measure will equip students with preventative information should they find themselves in a harmful cyberbullying situation. Additionally, this measure provides that students are aware of their options by including educational information about cyberbullying during campus orientation.

Current practices of the UC and CSU. The UC and CSU continue to provide in-depth orientation for students in sexual harassment and assault, but presently, Committee staff understands that most of the campuses do not currently provide information regarding cyberbullying during their orientation for students.

Efforts in other states. The State of New Jersey has passed legislation that adds cyberbullying to the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying and providing notice to students at their postsecondary institutions of higher learning.

Additionally, there is federal movement to provide more guidance to college-aged students regarding cyberbullying and its negative effects.

GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE:

This bill would require the California State University Trustees to provide educational and preventative information about cyberbullying to students, as part of campus orientations, and request the Regents of the University of California to do the same.

There is little doubt that the proliferation of technology has generated new concerns and new forms of bullying and harassment. State law, however, already requires governing boards of public postsecondary institutions to adopt and publish policies on harassment and bullying.

It is common sense for institutions to include the most current and relevant issues in these policies and educate students during orientation. I believe that cyberbullying and other pertinent issues can be adequately covered without an additional specification in law.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0005084

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 2732

Author:(Chang and Low)

As Introduced Ver:August 11, 2016

Majority vote

Original Committee Reference: HIGHER ED.

SUMMARY: Requires the California State University (CSU) Trustees and requests the University of California (UC) Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

The Senate amendments make minor technical changes and add co-authors.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Stipulates the policy of the State of California, as specified, that all persons, regardless of their sex, should enjoy freedom from discrimination of any kind in the postsecondary educational institution of the state; and, that students shall be provided notification of the prohibition against sexual harassment as a form of sexual discrimination and to provided notification of available remedies (Education Code Section (EDC) 66281.5).
2. Requires the governing board of each community college district and the CSU Trustees, and request the UC Regents to, in collaboration with campus-based and community-based victim advocacy organizations, provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about sexual violence to students at all campuses of their respective segments; and, specifies that for a campus with an existing on-campus orientation program, this information shall be provided, in addition to the sexual harassment information required to be provided, as specified, during the regular orientation for incoming students (EDC 67385.7).

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: Background. According to a February 2015 report, by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, entitled, "Cyberbullying, depression, and problem alcohol use in female college students: a multisite study," found that cyberbullying and its effects have been studied largely in middle and high school students, but less is known about cyberbullying in college students. The researchers performed a cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between involvement in cyberbullying and depression or problem alcohol use among college females. The study found that college-age females are just as likely to suffer the negative effects of cyberbullying as younger adolescents.

Additionally, based on information provided by the author, with college confession pages and apps that allow anonymous posting, cyberbullying is gaining momentum without people even realizing it because it has been glorified; in certain contexts, it is used as entertainment. Furthermore, cyberbullying has been linked to a markedly increased risk for depression and alcohol use in college students.

Need for the measure. According to the author, cyberbullying has been linked to suicide, alcoholism, and depression in college students. The author states, "Students are already undergoing a tremendous transition as they have just entered into adulthood, and many are away from home for the first time." The author argues that college-aged students should receive training on cyberbullying while they attend a UC or CSU.

This measure will equip students with preventative information should they find themselves in a harmful cyberbullying situation. Additionally, this measure provides that students are aware of their options by including educational information about cyberbullying during campus orientation.

Current practices of the UC and CSU. The UC and CSU continue to provide in-depth orientation for students in sexual harassment and assault, but presently, Committee staff understands that most of the campuses do not currently provide information regarding cyberbullying during their orientation for students.

Efforts in other states. The State of New Jersey has passed legislation that adds cyberbullying to the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying and providing notice to students at their postsecondary institutions of higher learning.

Additionally, there is federal movement to provide more guidance to college-aged students regarding cyberbullying and its negative effects.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0004074

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 2732

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 9-0, 6/8/16

AYES: Liu, Block, Hancock, Huff, Leyva, Mendoza, Monning, Pan, Vidak

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 5/5/16 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill requires the California State University (CSU) Trustees and requests the University of California (UC) Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventative information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requests the UC Regents, CSU Trustees, and the governing board of each community college district to adopt and publish policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying to be included within the rules and regulations governing student behavior within their respective segments of public postsecondary education. (Education Code § 66302)
2. Requires the governing board of each community college district and the CSU Trustees, and request the UC Regents to, in collaboration with campus-based and community-based victim advocacy organizations, provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventative information about sexual violence to students at all campuses of their respective segments; and, specifies that for a campus with an existing on-campus orientation program, this information shall be provided, in addition to the sexual harassment information required to be provided, as specified, during the regular orientation for incoming students. (EC § 67385.7)

This bill requires the CSU Trustees and requests the UC Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventative information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, as frequent users of social media and digital technology, college students are vulnerable to cyberbullying. The author asserts that this new form of harassment has been linked to suicide, alcoholism and depression among college students. According to a University of Washington study on college age women, cyberbullying and its effects have been studied largely in middle and high school students but attention is needed in the college population. This bill seeks to ensure the CSU and the UC students are aware of cyberbullying and its prevention.
2. Existing efforts to address student conduct. CSU and UC have policies on student conduct and discipline procedures that, among other things, prohibit harassment, intimidation or terrorizing conduct, on or off campus. Both CSU and UC indicate that each campus works to ensure that students become familiar with their campus’ student conduct policies and are aware of available resources for reporting misconduct. It’s unclear whether this information is provided to students at the beginning of the year during orientation. However, Senate Education Committee staff notes that existing law requires CSU and requests UC to include sexual harassment information during the regular orientation for incoming students. This bill adds cyberbullying to the list information required at orientation.

Given that UC and CSU standards for student conduct address harassment, intimidation and other forms of student behavior, should efforts solely focus on cyberbullying? Is legislation necessary to define which issues are covered as part of college orientation?

1. Efforts to address bullying in K-12 education. Current law prohibits discrimination in public schools on the basis of disability, gender, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes. Additionally, the California Department of Education (CDE) is required to monitor whether school districts have adopted a process for receiving and investigating complaints relating to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Existing law authorizes schools to suspend or expel students for acts of bullying, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act. The CDE is further required to develop an online training module on bullying and cyberbullying for school staff, school administrators, parents, students, and community members.
2. No definition for cyberbullying. This bill does not define cyberbullying. Existing law, however, defines bullying by an “electronic act,” for K-12 education to mean the creation or transmission of a communication originated on or off the school site, by means of an electronic device including but not limited to a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager. Although this bill provides no definition for cyberbullying, college campuses may need greater flexibility in providing educational materials to students in order to keep pace with digital technology as it evolves.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/15/16)

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

California College and University Police Chiefs Association

California State Student Association

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/16)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 5/5/16

AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Arambula, Atkins, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Quirk, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Beth Gaines

Prepared by:

8/15/16 20:44:48

**** END ****

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 2732

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 9-0, 6/8/16

AYES: Liu, Block, Hancock, Huff, Leyva, Mendoza, Monning, Pan, Vidak

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 5/5/16 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill requires the California State University (CSU) Trustees and requests the University of California (UC) Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventative information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requests the UC Regents, CSU Trustees, and the governing board of each community college district to adopt and publish policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying to be included within the rules and regulations governing student behavior within their respective segments of public postsecondary education. (Education Code § 66302)
2. Requires the governing board of each community college district and the CSU Trustees, and request the UC Regents to, in collaboration with campus-based and community-based victim advocacy organizations, provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventative information about sexual violence to students at all campuses of their respective segments; and, specifies that for a campus with an existing on-campus orientation program, this information shall be provided, in addition to the sexual harassment information required to be provided, as specified, during the regular orientation for incoming students. (EC § 67385.7)

This bill requires the CSU Trustees and requests the UC Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventative information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, as frequent users of social media and digital technology, college students are vulnerable to cyberbullying. The author asserts that this new form of harassment has been linked to suicide, alcoholism and depression among college students. According to a University of Washington study on college age women, cyberbullying and its effects have been studied largely in middle and high school students but attention is needed in the college population. This bill seeks to ensure the CSU and the UC students are aware of cyberbullying and its prevention.
2. Existing efforts to address student conduct. CSU and UC have policies on student conduct and discipline procedures that, among other things, prohibit harassment, intimidation or terrorizing conduct, on or off campus. Both CSU and UC indicate that each campus works to ensure that students become familiar with their campus’ student conduct policies and are aware of available resources for reporting misconduct. It’s unclear whether this information is provided to students at the beginning of the year during orientation. However, Senate Education Committee staff notes that existing law requires CSU and requests UC to include sexual harassment information during the regular orientation for incoming students. This bill adds cyberbullying to the list information required at orientation.

Given that UC and CSU standards for student conduct address harassment, intimidation and other forms of student behavior, should efforts solely focus on cyberbullying? Is legislation necessary to define which issues are covered as part of college orientation?

1. Efforts to address bullying in K-12 education. Current law prohibits discrimination in public schools on the basis of disability, gender, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes. Additionally, the California Department of Education (CDE) is required to monitor whether school districts have adopted a process for receiving and investigating complaints relating to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Existing law authorizes schools to suspend or expel students for acts of bullying, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act. The CDE is further required to develop an online training module on bullying and cyberbullying for school staff, school administrators, parents, students, and community members.
2. No definition for cyberbullying. This bill does not define cyberbullying. Existing law, however, defines bullying by an “electronic act,” for K-12 education to mean the creation or transmission of a communication originated on or off the school site, by means of an electronic device including but not limited to a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager. Although this bill provides no definition for cyberbullying, college campuses may need greater flexibility in providing educational materials to students in order to keep pace with digital technology as it evolves.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT: (Verified 6/28/16)

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

California College and University Police Chiefs Association

California State Student Association

OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/28/16)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 5/5/16

AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Arambula, Atkins, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Quirk, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Beth Gaines

Prepared by:

6/29/16 15:46:04

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Carol Liu, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No:

Subject:

SUMMARY

This bill requires the California State University (CSU) Trustees and requests the University of California (UC) Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1. Requests the UC Regents, CSU Trustees, and the governing board of each community college district to adopt and publish policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying to be included within the rules and regulations governing student behavior within their respective segments of public postsecondary education. (Education Code § 66302)
2. Requires the governing board of each community college district and the CSU Trustees, and request the UC Regents to, in collaboration with campus-based and community-based victim advocacy organizations, provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about sexual violence to students at all campuses of their respective segments; and, specifies that for a campus with an existing on-campus orientation program, this information shall be provided, in addition to the sexual harassment information required to be provided, as specified, during the regular orientation for incoming students. (EC § 67385.7)

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the CSU Trustees and requests the UC Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, as frequent users of social media and digital technology, college students are vulnerable to cyberbullying. The author asserts that this new form of harassment has been linked to suicide, alcoholism and depression among college students. According to a University of Washington study on college age women, cyberbullying and its effects have been studied largely in middle and high school students but attention is needed in the college population. This bill seeks to ensure California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) students are aware of cyberbullying and its prevention.
2. Existing efforts to address student conduct. CSU and UC have policies on student conduct and discipline procedures that, among other things, prohibit harassment, intimidation or terrorizing conduct, on or off campus. Both CSU and UC indicate that each campus works to ensure that students become familiar with their campus’ student conduct policies and are aware of available resources for reporting misconduct. It’s unclear whether this information is provided to students at the beginning of the year during orientation. However, staff notes that existing law also requires CSU and requests UC to include sexual harassment information during the regular orientation for incoming students. This bill would add cyberbullying to the list of required information at orientation.

Given that UC and CSU standards for student conduct address harassment, intimidation and other forms of student behavior, should efforts solely focus on cyberbullying? Is legislation necessary to define which issues are covered as part of college orientation?

1. Efforts to address bullying in K-12 education. Current law prohibits discrimination in public schools on the basis of disability, gender, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes. Additionally, the California Department of Education (CDE) is required to monitor whether school districts have adopted a process for receiving and investigating complaints relating to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Existing law authorizes schools to suspend or expel students for acts of bullying, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act. The CDE is further required to develop an online training module on bullying and cyberbullying for school staff, school administrators, parents, students, and community members.

1. No definition for cyberbullying. This bill does not define cyberbullying. Existing law, however, define bullying by an “electronic act,” for k-12 to mean the creation or transmission of a communication originated on or off the school site, by means of an electronic device including but not limited to a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager. Although this bill provides no definition for cyberbullying, college campuses may need greater flexibility to keep pace with digital technology as it evolves.

SUPPORT

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

California College and University Police Chiefs Association

California State Student Association

OPPOSITION

None received.

-- END --

Date of Hearing: April 27, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2732

Author:(Chang) – As Introduced Ver:February 19, 2016

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the California State University (CSU) Trustees and requests the University of California (UC) Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Any costs to UC and CSU would be minor an absorbable.

COMMENTS:

Purpose. According to a February 2015 report, by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, entitled, "Cyberbullying, depression, and problem alcohol use in female college students: a multisite study," found that cyberbullying and its effects have been studied largely in middle and high school students, but less is known about cyberbullying in college students. The study performed a cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between involvement in cyberbullying and depression or problem alcohol use among college females. The study found that college-age females are just as likely to suffer the negative effects of cyberbullying as younger adolescents.

According to the author, cyberbullying has been linked to suicide, alcoholism, and depression in college students. The author states, "Students are already undergoing a tremendous transition as they have just entered into adulthood, and many are away from home for the first time." The author argues that college-aged students should receive training on cyberbullying while they attend a UC or CSU.

Analysis Prepared by: Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 12, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Jose Medina, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2732 (

Author:Chang) – As Introduced Ver:February 19, 2016

SUBJECT: Public postsecondary education: mandatory orientation for students

SUMMARY: Requires the California State University (CSU) Trustees and requests the University of California (UC) Regents, to provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about cyberbullying to students at all campuses of their respective segments.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Stipulates the policy of the State of California, as specified, that all persons, regardless of their sex, should enjoy freedom from discrimination of any kind in the postsecondary educational institution of the state; and, that students shall be provided notification of the prohibition against sexual harassment as a form of sexual discrimination and to provided notification of available remedies (Education Code (EC) Section 66281.5).
2. Requires the governing board of each community college district and the CSU Trustees, and request the UC Regents to, in collaboration with campus-based and community-based victim advocacy organizations, provide, as part of established campus orientations, educational and preventive information about sexual violence to students at all campuses of their respective segments; and, specifies that for a campus with an existing on-campus orientation program, this information shall be provided, in addition to the sexual harassment information required to be provided, as specified, during the regular orientation for incoming students (EC Section 67385.7).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Background. According to a February 2015 report, by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, entitled, "Cyberbullying, depression, and problem alcohol use in female college students: a multisite study," found that cyberbullying and its effects have been studied largely in middle and high school students, but less is known about cyberbullying in college students. The study performed a cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between involvement in cyberbullying and depression or problem alcohol use among college females. The study found that college-age females are just as likely to suffer the negative effects of cyberbullying as younger adolescents.

Additionally, based on information provided by the author, with college confession pages and apps that allow anonymous posting, cyberbullying is gaining momentum without people even realizing it because it has been glorified; in certain contexts, it is used as entertainment. Furthermore, cyberbullying has been linked to a markedly increased risk for depression and alcohol use in college students.

Need for the measure. According to the author, cyberbullying has been linked to suicide, alcoholism, and depression in college students. The author states, "Students are already undergoing a tremendous transition as they have just entered into adulthood, and many are way from home for the first time." The author argues that college-aged students should receive training on cyberbullying while they attend a UC or CSU.

This measure will equip students with preventative information should they find themselves in a harmful cyberbullying situation. Additionally, this measure provides that students are aware of their options by including educational information about cyberbullying during campus orientation.

Current practices of the UC and CSU. The UC and CSU continue to provide in-depth orientation for students in sexual harassment and assault, but presently, Committee staff understands that most of the campuses do not currently provide information regarding cyberbullying during their orientation for students.

Efforts in other states. The State of New Jersey has passed legislation that adds cyberbullying to the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying and providing notice to students at their postsecondary institutions of higher learning.

Additionally, there is federal movement to provide more guidance to college-aged students regarding cyberbullying and its negative effects.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file.

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960