NUS accepts recommendations on handling of sexual misconduct cases
SINGAPORE — The National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Board of Trustees has accepted the recommendations made by a committee convened to review the school’s policies on sexual misconduct.
The review had been called for following a high-profile peeping Tom case involving two students that took place on the NUS campus earlier this year.
“The Board accepts the Committee’s recommendations in full. We feel that the recommendations are informed, balanced and robust,” said Hsieh Fu Hua, the NUS board’s chairman, in a note to students and colleagues on Monday (10 June).
“It reflects our community’s common desire for tougher penalties for offenders and greater support for victims, and for fostering an enduring culture of respect and support on campus.”
10 recommendations listed
Earlier on Monday, the NUS Review Committee on Sexual Misconduct submitted its final list of 10 recommendations to the board.
These included imposing a minimum one-year suspension for serious offences and possible expulsion for aggravated or more severe misconduct; allowing victims a greater voice in the disciplinary process; and providing a greater support network for victims along with rehabilitation services for offenders.
The committee also called for improvements to campus security while also supporting the move by NUS to introduce a “Respect and Consent Culture” module, which will be made compulsory for all its staff and students.
With regard to past disciplinary cases, the committee said that it had consulted with external legal advisors and determined that cases already dealt with by the NUS Board of Discipline “cannot be reopened”.
Since the committee was convened on 30 April, it has studied global best practises at leading universities and consulted subject matter experts, said the committee’s chair Kay Kuok in a note to students, staff and alumni.
“The Committee also consulted extensively with the NUS community through 15 in-person engagement sessions and an online survey of students conducted by an independent research consultancy,” she added.
“The University will share the results of the survey with you in the coming days.”
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