Tyler Clementi's death brought issues of cyberbullying and suicide among gay youths to the forefront of national scrutiny. For the first anniversary of his death and because October is Bullying Prevention Month, Cooper's producers approached Rutgers about hosting a town hall-style meeting about bullying.
"Rutgers boasts a rich diversity in our campus community," President Richard L. McCormick said, according to MyCentralJersey.com, "and we strive to promote the free exchange of ideas in an atmosphere of civility, inclusion and mutual respect. The university is gratified that CNN recognized this and invited us to host this important event that is part of a wide-ranging national campaign to combat bullying."
18-year-old Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in 2010 after his roommate, Dharun Ravi, taped him having a sexual encounter in their shared room and posted it to the internet. Clementi announced his intentions in a Facebook post, writing "Jumping off the gw bridge sorry" on September 22.
Ravi is charged with 15 offenses, including bias and intimidation. As of September 9, Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Glenn Berman ruled that the charges against him will not be dismissed over Ravi's contention that the taping was unintentional. A final ruling has been scheduled for October 20th.
