Otago student faces prospect of disciplinary action

Otago student faces prospect of disciplinary action

Thursday 9 October 2014

The University of Otago takes the issue of objectification of women via Facebook and all social media very seriously and in cases where the University can identify breaches of the University’s ethical behaviour policy, its students will face firm disciplinary action.

The University’s Proctor has reported late this morning that so far, one complaint has been received from one female student about a now-defunct secret Facebook group, and he is happy to speak with any other Otago students whose privacy was breached as part of this Facebook page should they wish to speak to him.

One male student involved with the site faces disciplinary action by the University after an initial investigation.

Disciplinary action for breaches of the ethical behaviour policy, which prohibits this type of behaviour, ranges from suspension, fines and permanent exclusion from the University.

“ While it appears that a small number of this Facebook group were actively engaged in posting private photos of women without the woman’s knowledge or permission, all of those who supported this group in any way should reflect on the hurt and humiliation that they have been party to through this site,” the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne says.

“We are taking these allegations very seriously and where we can identify breaches of the University’s ethical behaviour policy, we will take action to set an example to the University and wider community that this sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable on every front.

“We are extremely disappointed that the behaviour of a few has sullied the reputation of the University and cast aspersions on the remainder of our student body who continue to excel in their studies and who, both inside and outside the classroom, behave in moral, ethical and a community-minded way.

“This incident highlights a serious social issue around the objectification and degradation of women in New Zealand society and via social media in particular. Forums in which people are exploited or degraded are all too common across the social media that young people use, and this is a sad indictment on society today.”

Professor Hayne says the University does not endorse any form of “sexist culture” – and considerable pastoral care is provided by a range of services on campus to ensure the Dunedin residential student environment is safe.

“That is not to say that sexual offending does not exist within the community as a whole, because it does. But as a society, we must all grapple with this issue. Incidents of this nature are certainly not confined to Dunedin, nor are they confined to Universities.”

If a formal complaint is made about any student contravening the University’s Ethical Behaviour Policy, this can be investigated under the Code of Student Conduct and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

“We remind students that as members of the University community they are obliged to avoid behaviour that undermines an environment of safety, respect and dignity. Anyone with concerns about someone’s behaviour can contact the Proctor’s Office or a member of the University’s Ethical Behaviour Network to discuss these.

We encourage anyone who feels that a Facebook page violates the company’s terms of service in regard to ‘using photos without permission’, abuse, harassment, or nudity/pornography to also report this to Facebook. A good source of information on how to do this can be found at: http://www.netsafe.org.nz/how-and-where-to-report-website-abuse/

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