CROWDED conditions at a computer centre have been blamed in part for allegations that a male lecturer had touched female students.
Nine students of a class of 53 at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University complained last December that the lecturer had patted and touched their waists, shoulders, backs, hands and legs during sessions in the centre's seminar laboratory.
Since the charge was made, the layout of the laboratory had been changed to allow more space between the computer sites, said Professor Cheung Kwan-hin.
Professor Cheung said any patting had been seen as 'friendly'.
University president Poon Chung-kwong, in a letter sent last week to all staff, said: 'Having considered the physical layout of the computer laboratory where the problem occurred and the totality of circumstances leading up to the allegations . . . the group did not establish that the alleged acts took place with intent.' Professor Poon urged staff to be more aware of female students' feelings and perceptions.
