What Does It Mean To Step Up?

#UMNStepUp is a campus-wide initiative on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus that has the goal of creating a safer and more inclusive community.

Step Up is a Prosocial, Bystander Intervention Program

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Confused? We understand; that's not the best way to describe the Step Up program, but it is the shortest.

We'll break it down for you. It's easy to step up once you understand what Step Up is!

Prosocial Behavior

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Prosocial behavior is any act performed with the goal of benefiting another person.

This includes helping someone (anything from opening the door for someone to providing support in an emergency situation) and cooperating as a team to achieve a goal.

What's most important about prosocial behavior is that it's altruistic, meaning it's done without anticipation of reward or recognition.

Bystander Intervention

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Bystander intervention is when someone who notices a problem goes from just watching (aka being a passive bystander) to becoming an...

Active Bystander!

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We think active bystanders are superheroes!

Anyone at any time can be an active bystander. Many problems we face could be mitigated or actually prevented if someone noticed what was going on and intervened in a timely manner.

Even what seems like the smallest acts can make you a superhero in someone else's life.

Let's Summarize It!

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People who step up are heroes because they watch out for those around them. When they notice a problem, they intervene either directly or they delegate to a more appropriate resource, like a counselor, a coach, or the police.

Now that you understand what it means to Step Up, practice it in your own life. Become an Active Bystander and be a hero in someone's life today!

For more information, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and request a free training for your student group, office, team, or class at our website!