NUS to crack down on sexualised games

FireIce SG

National University of Singapore (NUS) is promising that "strong disciplinary action will be taken" against those responsible for inappropriate orientation activities.

This follows a report in The New Paper concerning sexualised orientation activities. Activities that have continued despite complaints over the past decade.

One student complained that her peers were made to re-enact a rape scene as a forfeit, while another was asked whose bodily fluids she would like to drink.

Netizens expressed outrage with many calling for swift action to be taken against the camp organisers.

Readers also contacted The New Paper and said that it was unbecoming of the school.

Madam Josephine Ng, 46, a mother of two daughters aged 12 and 14, told TNP that the activities are ridiculous and embarrassing.

"When I read the article, I could not believe it. I've read past reports, and this is not excusable," she said.

"Enough is enough. It has been a whole decade and yet nothing has changed."

"Such activities have a long term impact, not just on students, but on Singapore's image as well."

Mr Seah Kian Peng, member of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Education, expressed surprise that such "unnecessary and humiliating" games have not stopped despite complaints over the years.

He told TNP: "They have definitely crossed the line. During the planning process, the leaders should just ask themselves – is this something they would want their younger siblings to go through. If they had a daughter, would they want her to experience this?"

Earlier this evening, NUS released a statement:

The National University of Singapore (NUS) takes an extremely serious view of the recent media report and feedback on instances of offensive and completely inappropriate orientation activities.

Orientation is intended to welcome and introduce our freshmen to the NUS community. The University expects that orientation activities are carried out in ways that are fully respectful of the dignity of all those participating, regardless of gender.

We do not condone any behaviour or activity that denigrates the dignity of individuals, and that has sexual connotations. Our students, particularly freshmen, must feel safe and secure at all times during orientation. If they decide to opt out of an activity, their wishes must be respected.

As is the practice each year, before the start of this orientation period at NUS, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) had conducted sessions with the students involved in organising and leading orientation activities, including student orientation leaders from NUS Students' Union, Clubs, Societies, Freshmen Orientation Committees, project directors, and Residential Hall Junior Common Room Committees.

During these sessions, OSA went through with the student leaders the do's and don'ts of orientation, as well as banned activities. It was mandatory for these students to go through the written materials with examples of "do's and don'ts". Students were also made aware that strong disciplinary actions will be taken against offenders. In addition, all proposed orientation programmes and activities had to be endorsed and cleared by the relevant supervisors, such as Hall Masters and Vice Deans, as well as OSA, before they could proceed. Students were asked to remove inappropriate activities.

Separately, from the beginning of the year, OSA had worked with the Deaneries in Faculties, and the Masters of Halls and Residential Colleges on the necessary steps needed to ensure the acceptability of all planned student orientation activities.

We are very disappointed that despite these efforts, instances of offensive and completely inappropriate orientation activities that were not submitted nor endorsed have surfaced. We take these reports very seriously, and are carrying out thorough investigations. Strong disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible.

OSA has met with the student leaders of the ongoing and remaining camps, and briefed them on the guidelines for acceptable orientation activities. NUS staff will also be on site at these camps.

Any student who has concerns with orientation activities can contact the NUS Office of Student Affairs at [email protected] on a strictly confidential basis.

TNP

FireIce SG

NUS to take "strong disciplinary action" against ones responsible for lewd orientation games http://str.sg/4SNv

Angmokow SG

How to track?

talk and threaten only

P.Tam SG

I agree with this writer's POV - http://www.fivestarsandamoon.com/2016/07/nus-annual-sex-camp-will-always-continue/.

If this issue keeps coming up, year after year, it just means that the school has not effectively eradicated this issue. Don't blame it on freshies who don't speak up - not all are vocal about how their feel for fear of being ostracised or receiving heavier punishments. The onus is on the school to ensure a safe environment for all students. How is "kicking open her leg and doing push ups while lying on top of her" acceptable behaviour in one of the world's "best" (supposedly) universities in the world?

NUS, please wake up. A warning letter is only as good as ink on a paper. Please do something to protect easily victimised students if you actually care about them.

FireIce SG

indeed a disgrace that a "world-class" uni students have potatoes for brains to think of such "games"

however, it's a well-known "tradition" for orientations games to be a bit more physical and adult
(and not just in NUS........)

any freshies who feel uncomfortable also have the right not to participate and inform the school admin immediately

^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~ SG

kids growing up, that's why school orientations games tends to be more sexual...

look at the working world... Do they do such things???

ok ok, maybe some got

FireIce SG

when in the working world even more happening loh

like oh-are-gee-wai (u know, like the uni hall days )

P.Tam SG

@Fireice: Agree! But if it is an unhealthy tradition, should discontinue the tradition lor...i don't think that's how orientation camps should be lah.

FireIce SG

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has suspended its annual Orientation Week next week. This comes on the back of reports of inappropriate behaviour at previous orientation camps.

The Straits Times understands that an emergency meeting was called by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) on Friday (July 29) afternoon, and a decision was made to cancel the five day event.

Orientation Week, or O Week, is the final orientation camp before the school semester begins, with camps held individually by each of the faculties.

It culminates in the university's Rag and Flag Day, which is the NUS Students Union's major annual charity fund-raising event.

Rag and Flag activities, however will still go ahead.

Complaints had surfaced in a report by The New Paper on Tuesday (July 26), about increasingly sexualised activities at recent NUS orientation camps.

NUS said in a statement on Friday (July 29) that all student-organised team-building activities for freshmen are suspended "with immediate effect" until further notice.

This was after it received information about unauthorised and unsupervised freshmen activities, despite having issued earlier instructions on this matter.

It also confirmed that a video circulating online of people getting dunked in a pond, was a residential activity that took place in Sheares Hall on Wednesday (July 27).

"We are deeply disappointed that some of our students have flouted the rules and behaved in an unacceptable manner in organising freshmen activities."

It said that those found responsible will be brought before the University's Board of Discipline.

FireIce SG

NUS to make orientation "more meaningful" http://ebx.sh/2avCLIA

FireIce SG

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has handed down various penalties to 30 senior students responsible for inappropriate behaviour during its freshman orientation period in July.

The disciplinary sanctions included one-semester suspensions, fines of up to $2,000, official reprimands - which remain on the students' records - and statements of reflection.

It also included behavioural rehabilitation programmes focused on respect and socially-acceptable behaviour and up to 100 hours of service at volunteer welfare organisations.

The penalties were issued after investigations by the university revealed that the students had breached its Code of Student Conduct.

The activities happened during its Arts Camp and Union Camp, and also at one of its student hostels, Sheares Hall.

The New Paper reported in July that orientation games at some of the NUS orientation camps had become sexualised.

In the report, one freshman said she was asked whose bodily fluids she would drink, while another watched her peers re-enact an incestuous rape scene as part of a forfeit.

NUS later suspended all student-organised freshman activities including a five-day event called Orientation Week.

In a statement on Thursday (Oct 13), NUS said about 400 senior students and freshmen were involved in its investigations.

It conducted interviews with students and analysed social media content and videos.

Some students were found to have behaved in an offensive manner, while others were guilty of "organising and participating in improper orientation activities that potentially put other students' physical welfare at risk".

None of the students involved filed appeals against their punishments.

The NUS statement did not say how many students received each type of punishment, nor the identity of the students punished.

"The University will not be revealing or commenting on the details of individual cases to safeguard the privacy of the students involved in the disciplinary proceedings."

The disciplinary process took place between August and early October.

Professor Tan Eng Chye, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, said in the statement: "Many of the students involved have expressed regret and apologised for their unacceptable behaviour.

"We hope that they will learn from this episode and grow into responsible and respectful individuals."

He added that the Orientation Review Committee, which convened in August "to consult, review and make recommendations to further improve freshmen orientation", is expected to submit its report to the university later this month.

TNP

FireIce SG

other countries ones oso bery hiong!

The Straits Times
Thursday, Oct 13, 2016

First-year undergraduates were asked to take off their underwear and drink water spat from another student's mouth during a Jinwen University of Science and Technology's freshmen orientation camp earlier this month.

Photos documenting the event were posted on social media website Dcard, and immediately sparked controversy.

The orientation camp, a common event in Taiwan held by more senior undergraduates to welcome freshmen into the department, was jointly held by the school's four departments from Oct 7 to 9.

Some students told teachers that they were disgusted by what they were asked to do during the three-day camp. The school sent cars to drive students home, apologised to parents and punished the event organisers.

"They made us lick one another's toes and socks," said a netizen claiming to have participated in an orientation camp two years ago. "Or lick another person's face from the ear lobes, to the chin, and finally to the area above their upper lip."

"They told us we must participate in the game, despite having boyfriends and girlfriends, or else we would be punished."

A freshman, surnamed Wu, who participated in the event earlier this month, criticised organisers for having a "revenge mindset", stressing that organisers should not be able to force freshmen to do such things simply because they had to go through it when they were themselves freshmen.

"The orientation camp loses its purpose and will only serve to tear the department apart," said Wu.

FireIce SG

Keeping orientations fun and safe http://ebx.sh/2ftJPbr

^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~ SG

so deprived that they need to find other avenue to hanky panky