University of Hong Kong bypassed normal disciplinary procedure in banning student leaders from campus, insiders say
- The students, under investigation for a resolution mourning the death of a police attacker, were given no chance to defend themselves, says governing council member who resigned
- Another source notes the absence of a disciplinary committee in the case, saying the council was taking a ‘top-down’ approach
Sources spoke to the Post shortly after HKU’s governing council on Wednesday ruled that all student leaders involved in last month’s passing of a resolution mourning the death of a man who stabbed a police officer would be banned from stepping foot on campus or using any of its facilities and services.
But HKU council chairman Arthur Li Kwok-cheung on Thursday said the decision was about risk mitigation for the university and should not be seen as disciplinary action.
The move prompted law lecturer Eric Cheung Tat-ming to resign as a council member on Wednesday night.
Cheung said he had asked the council to postpone the special meeting as it was arranged in an abrupt manner and he was unable to attend. He also asked if he could take a look at the report confidentially, but the council insisted on going ahead with the meeting without allowing him to do so.
“I told the council that I disagree with any punishment decisions they made, as the students involved did not have any chance to defend themselves through regular procedures,” he told the Post. “That was disappointing. The students were wrong, but they should be given a chance to explain.”