I am a disabled student from the University of Idaho, and I have experienced firsthand the massive shortcomings of the University in dealing with bullying and discrimination. The institutional neglect isolated me and eventually caused my suicide attempt. I deserve justice. My bullies need to be punished, stricter bullying policies need to be in place, there needs to be immediate help if ANY student tells a staff member they are so distressed they want to end their life. My Mom almost lost her only child because this school enabled my bullies. They had one meeting with them in September and my bully laughed and told me "they didn't do anything, no one cares about you". We demand the bullies to be suspended or expelled for bullying someone to death. Instead, they are working for the school earning them money. Justice for Marissa means removing the false allegations from my record as well. In addition, sorority members who are cruel to others should immediately be removed from sorority life, athletic programs and all school jobs. 

 I was not able to move into my first apartment because the bullying was so severe. I went to rush and one of my bullies told her friends in a sorority to lie to the Panhellenic Committee to ensure I would be kicked out of rush for "talking about the murders" which is not true and I never even met these people, yet the school had no mercy on me and assumed they were telling the truth. I was so devestated as I survived brain cancer and was excited to be normal. I went back to Texas the next day. I was so traumatized, I laid on the floor and sobbed for several hours and told the 5 people in that room I was feeling suicidal and asked for help. No one even acknowledged my suicidal thoughts. There was no compassion. This was my dream school because it looked like they could accommodate my disability needs and I'd be living in Idaho where my Dad last worked before he died of ALS. Not only have I been bullied- I lost my first apartment, lost thousands of dollars getting my car back, my education is on pause, I cannot do my job (Tiktok mental health advocate) without my bullies making new accounts and taunting me to kill myself. They have tortured the girl who would have been there for them. For seven long months, my cries for help were dismissed despite the extreme emotional turmoil I was undergoing. They refused to even send an email asking students to be kind to each other or stop the rumors. 

After months of desperate cries for help from the school, I committed and less than a month later, U of Idaho held a conduct meeting without me even though I was unable to come due to my disability and recovering from my suicide attempt. In addition, I provided so much proof the bullies violated the no contact and they go unpunished. dddxdd

The bullies - clearly named and identified - were allowed to continue their torment freely. Their actions pushed me to the brink, a torment amplified by the heart-wrenching fact that this bullying was relentlessly happening from 2,000 miles away. This incident is far from isolated; the University's persistent lack of care for students' safety and wellbeing has resulted in the deaths of two more students within the same month.

Such inattention to what constitutes harmful behavior is a gross violation of university ethics and human rights. This institutionalized apathy enables the continuous harassment of innocent students, aggravating their conditions, and leaving them feeling hopeless.

My experience is not unique, but it should be. No student should withstand such pain and endure such negligence from those who are duty-bound to protect them. When we reach out for help, we expect to be heard. We need accountability and effective anti-bullying measures to ensure that no other student has to suffer as I, and others, have suffered.

We demand immediate action from the University of Idaho. We call for the enforcement of stringent anti-bullying policies, thorough investigation of reported incidents, and meaningful action against perpetrators of bullying and discrimination. We deserve to be treated with dignity. Discrimination and bullying should have no place in educational institutions supposed to nurture us.

Enough is enough. Help us hold the University of Idaho and the culprits accountable.
Stand with us against discrimination and bullying. Please sign the petition. 

In conclusion, 

1. The Consequences of Bullying

There are severe emotional, psychological, and physical effects on victims.
Long-term consequences, such as anxiety, depression, or even suicide follow victims for a long time, maybe even the rest of their lives.

2. The Role of Bystanders and Institutions

By ignoring bullying, teachers, school administrators and parents enable bullying by ignoring the problem.
The "bystander effect" which is when no one acts because they think someone else will and in the end, no one intervenes contributes to this problem. If we see discrimination and bullying- we must stand up and help. The bystander effect contributes to a toxic educational environment. The University of Idaho is not unique- many other institutions of education have failed to protect their students. 
3. Holding People Accountable

We are not helpless to solve this problem that costs so many lives. Anti-bullying programs have shown to reduce bullying by 20-23% and victimization 17-20% in schools and workplaces. Schools have an ethical responsibility to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone. There are real world consequences for ignoring this issue such as lawsuits. If I hadn't been saved, there would have been a lawsuit because my death was caused by negligence by the school. d However, it should NOT take lawsuits to get a school to protect ALL students equally.  Explain legal and ethical responsibilities that schools and parents have.
4. Solutions and Prevention Strategies

Discuss programs that have successfully reduced bullying.
Suggest ways that schools, parents, and communities can work together.
Encourage stricter policies and accountability measures

Thank you for your support! I deserve justice for everything I went through.