The Tanner Center

In a world wracked by hostility and violence, the Tanner Center is dedicated to providing University of Utah students, faculty and the broader community with the inspiration and education needed to become advocates for peace, nonviolence, and human rights. The center seeks to provide avenues for the open discussion of important issues dividing the community, the nation, and the world.



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Student Scholarships


A huge congratulations to our scholarship winner, Sara Mann! She wrote a beautiful essay and will hopefully help change the way society addresses cyber bullying!
Sara Mann


The Tanner Human Rights Center 2012 Scholarship is sponsored by the College of Social and Behavioral Science. The scholarship was awarded through an essay competition for an incoming in-state freshman to the University of Utah. One scholarship will be awarded at $3,500.00.

Cyber-bullying – the use of social networking, e-mail, and other internet technologies to harass, embarrass, and demean others – is a growing problem among young people. About one third (32%) of all teenagers who use the internet say they have been targets of a range of annoying and potentially menacing online activities-such as receiving threatening messages; having their private emails or text messages forwarded without consent; having an embarrassing picture posted without permission; or having rumors about them spread online. On March 22, 2011, Senate Bill 304 (SB 304), which adds cyber-bullying and hazing to an existing anti-bullying prevention policy, was signed by Gov. Gary Herbert. SB 304 was proposed by Utah State Sen. Ralph Okerlund (R-Monroe), who is said to have been motivated to take action after learning the sad fate of a young boy from his district who was the victim of cyber-bullying. The child was so severely harassed over the Internet and at school that he saw no other escape than to commit suicide.


Essay Question:

Of course a new law alone won't be enough to eradicate cyber-bullying. What concrete, practical steps can individuals, especially young people, schools, and other institutions, take to reduce the frequency of cyber-bullying and the harm it causes?

Essay Guidelines and Deadline

  1. Essays will be judged based on writing quality (grammar, usage, and clarity), originality, and specificity
  2. Paper must be no less 1000 words and no more than 2000 words
  3. Essay must be an original piece of work
  4. Essay is due March 15, 2012

Eligibility and Requirements:

  1. Incoming freshman to the University of Utah
  2. Must have state residency and have attended a Utah High School
  3. Must be registered as a full time student at the University of Utah in Fall
  4. Recipient must be a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country who is lawfully present in the U.S.
  5. Recipient may be asked to present their paper to local k-12 schools or at the University of Utah

Award:

One time award of $3,500.00 paid directly to student a day after the last day to drop classes

Application Information

All submissions must be done electronically. In the body of the email please put:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email Address
  • High School from which you will graduate
  • Attach your essay to the email and send to humanrights@csbs.utah.edu