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FAQ on Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Residential Hall Security
Our Stand on Harassment
1. What is NTU’s stand on harassment?
- NTU takes a zero tolerance stance towards harassment.
- Harassment – the violation of trust and mutual respect – stops us from doing our best work and
undermines the values of our University community.
2. What are some of NTU’s existing anti-harassment measures?
- NTU has policies and procedures specifically dealing with anti-harassment for students (intranet) and employees (intranet).
These were last revised in January 2019.
These were last revised in January 2019.
- The policies include a non-exhaustive list of examples of harassment, such as bullying, stalking and
sexual harassment.
sexual harassment.
Our Stand on Sexual Misconduct
3. What is NTU’s approach to dealing with voyeurism and other sexual misconduct cases?
- NTU has a zero tolerance stance towards all forms of harassment, including bullying, voyeurism and
sexual misconduct.
sexual misconduct.
- NTU’s Student Disciplinary Processes and Sanctions Framework provides for expulsion of students
found guilty of sexual misconduct where warranted. Examples of misconduct for which an offender may
be expelled include (but are not limited to) the following: commission of multiple acts of misconduct,
sharing of voyeuristic videos taken, sexual assault and other serious forms of sexual misconduct.
- NTU’s approach in dealing with sexual misconduct cases is built on four pillars: education, prevention,
discipline and support.
discipline and support.
i. Education: Briefing for approvers, student leaders and organisers of programmes aimed at new
students when they first arrive at NTU, such as freshmen orientation; mandatory briefings on
harassment and misconduct, and new online module on anti-harassment for student organisers
and freshmen participating in orientation programmes from July 2019.
students when they first arrive at NTU, such as freshmen orientation; mandatory briefings on
harassment and misconduct, and new online module on anti-harassment for student organisers
and freshmen participating in orientation programmes from July 2019.
ii. Prevention: various hall security measures are in place to provide a safe and secure living
environment for our students (see details in section below). NTU further emphasises a culture of
mutual respect and support, which includes advocating and encouraging students to look out
for each other;
environment for our students (see details in section below). NTU further emphasises a culture of
mutual respect and support, which includes advocating and encouraging students to look out
for each other;
iii. Discipline: Disciplinary sanctions meted out against student offenders in the past have included
termination of candidature, suspension, expulsion from the hostel, mandatory counselling and
rehabilitation. In the case of employees, sanctions may include demotion, suspension, termination,
mandatory counselling, reassignment of duties and an official reprimand. The student disciplinary
termination of candidature, suspension, expulsion from the hostel, mandatory counselling and
rehabilitation. In the case of employees, sanctions may include demotion, suspension, termination,
mandatory counselling, reassignment of duties and an official reprimand. The student disciplinary
framework undergoes periodic reviews to ensure continued relevance of the rationale for its
policies and efficacy of existing procedures.
policies and efficacy of existing procedures.
iv. Support: Existing processes are in place to ensure pastoral care support for both the victim and
(alleged) offender. A peer-helping programme trains volunteer student peer-helpers who can
serve as a bridge between an affected student and counsellors.
(alleged) offender. A peer-helping programme trains volunteer student peer-helpers who can
serve as a bridge between an affected student and counsellors.
Lodging a complaint
4. How does someone lodge a harassment complaint?
- Multiple channels are available to any member of the University community to report any
concerns or complaints of harassment.
concerns or complaints of harassment.
- A student facing or witnessing harassment may report it by contacting the Ethics and Compliance Committee (Online form), their immediate professor or school officer for assistance.
Visit the Student intranet for details of the anti-harassment procedure.
- A University employee facing or witnessing harassment may report it to their immediate
supervisor, reporting officer, College Dean, School Chair, Centre
Director, Department Head,
Office of Human Resource, or the Ethics and Compliance Committee.
Visit the Employee intranet for details of the anti-harassment procedure.
- All reports of harassment will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with.
Victim support
5. What kind of support will the University provide the victim?
- In any harassment case, support will be provided by counsellors from the University Wellbeing
Centre and the respective school’s pastoral care team.
Centre and the respective school’s pastoral care team.
- An experienced staff member will assist with practical measures such as the making of a police
report, arrangements for non-contact with the harasser etc.
report, arrangements for non-contact with the harasser etc.
- In cases where criminal conduct is suspected or reported, the University may refer the case to the
police, if the complainant has not already done so.
police, if the complainant has not already done so.
Corrective action
6. What sanctions may be given by NTU to a perpetrator?
- All disciplinary cases are taken seriously, and disciplinary action will be taken against offenders
after considering the circumstances, the severity of the infringement and mitigating factors, if any.
after considering the circumstances, the severity of the infringement and mitigating factors, if any.
- Disciplinary sanctions meted out against student offenders in the past have included termination of
candidature, suspension, expulsion from the hostel, mandatory counselling and further
rehabilitation.
candidature, suspension, expulsion from the hostel, mandatory counselling and further
rehabilitation.
- An offender may also be barred from leadership positions in student committees and credit-
bearing internships.
bearing internships.
- In the case of employees, corrective action may include demotion, suspension, termination,
mandatory counselling, reassignment of duties and reprimand.
mandatory counselling, reassignment of duties and reprimand.
- In cases where criminal conduct is suspected or reported, the University may refer the case to the
police, if the complainant has not already done so.
police, if the complainant has not already done so.
University community’s role
7. How should the University community work together to curb harassment on campus?
- As part of our campus community approach, all members of the University community, including
students, faculty and staff, have a role to play in creating an environment free from harassment.
students, faculty and staff, have a role to play in creating an environment free from harassment.
- We believe in building a culture of mutual respect and support.
- Any member of the University community who witnesses any harassment may report this to their
immediate professor/supervisor, reporting officer, College Dean, School Chair, Centre Director,
Department Head, Office of Human Resource, or the Ethics and Compliance Committee.
immediate professor/supervisor, reporting officer, College Dean, School Chair, Centre Director,
Department Head, Office of Human Resource, or the Ethics and Compliance Committee.
- Members of the University community are also encouraged to intervene if they witness any
harassment, if it is safe to do so.
harassment, if it is safe to do so.
8. How are students informed and involved in anti-harassment efforts?
- Creating a safe campus environment is a top priority at NTU. NTU believes in building a culture of
mutual support where students are encouraged to watch out for one another.
mutual support where students are encouraged to watch out for one another.
- Briefings on harassment and misconduct for student organisers and freshmen participating
in Transition and Orientation Programmes (TOP) are mandatory.
in Transition and Orientation Programmes (TOP) are mandatory.
- From AY 2019 / 20 onwards, all students are required to take an online module on
anti-harassment. The module, designed in consultation with student leaders,
includes a video and information on what constitutes harassment, how to respond when one faces
harassment (including avenues to seek help and make a complaint), and support resources for
victims of harassment.
anti-harassment. The module, designed in consultation with student leaders,
includes a video and information on what constitutes harassment, how to respond when one faces
harassment (including avenues to seek help and make a complaint), and support resources for
victims of harassment.
- The University management also involved the NTU Students’ Union in the review of NTU’s
anti-harassment policy and procedures, as well as our student disciplinary framework.
anti-harassment policy and procedures, as well as our student disciplinary framework.
Residential Hall Security
Security measures
1. What are the existing security measures in place at the halls?
- All hall rooms are installed with electronic locks.
- Male and female students stay on different floors.
- All women’s toilets and most men’s toilets in the halls require key fob access.
- Patrols have been stepped up, and patrol guards have been instructed to check that all women's
toilet doors are securely locked and only accessible using key fobs.
toilet doors are securely locked and only accessible using key fobs.
- Security guards are stationed at the halls from 9pm to 9am.
- CCTVs cover most of the common areas in the halls of residence.
- Most halls have access control at entry points into residential spaces, which minimises unauthorised/unescorted access.
Visitors
2. What are the hall rules on visitors?
- Visiting time is from 7.30am to 11.30pm.
- No external visitors allowed. Visitors must be from the same Hall precinct.
- Residents are responsible for the conduct of their visitors.
- Under Hall Rules and Regulations, residents are not allowed to pass their room key to anyone, or
leave their room key lying around, such that it may be taken away without the residents’
knowledge or consent.
leave their room key lying around, such that it may be taken away without the residents’
knowledge or consent.
- No one is allowed to stay in the room, if the rightful occupant is not around.
3. Are there plans to require all hall visitors to register during visiting hours?
- This is something that the University plans to look into, in consultation with students.
- Currently, many students who are non-residents go to the halls to study and participate in various
CCAs and social activities.
CCAs and social activities.
- Residents are responsible for the conduct of their visitors.
- Most halls are designed with access control at entry points into residential spaces, which
minimises unauthorised/unescorted access.
minimises unauthorised/unescorted access.
4. What should I do if I see someone acting suspiciously?
- At NTU, we believe in building a culture of mutual support where students are encouraged to
watch out for one another.
watch out for one another.
- Residents are advised to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious persons or activity
to Campus Security (tel: 6790-5200).
to Campus Security (tel: 6790-5200).
Security patrols
5. Do security officers patrol the halls, and are they stationed there during the day?
- Security guards are stationed at the halls from 9pm to 9am. Based in the Campus Security office,
they also patrol the halls during the daytime.
they also patrol the halls during the daytime.
- Patrols have been stepped up, and patrol guards have been instructed to check that all women's
toilet doors are securely locked and only accessible using key fobs.
toilet doors are securely locked and only accessible using key fobs.
6. Will NTU review the security arrangements in the halls?
- The University is reviewing the campus’ security needs, including installing more CCTVs in
suitable locations, to enhance campus safety and security.
suitable locations, to enhance campus safety and security.
University community’s role
7. How are students reminded about safety and security?
- Campus Security regularly works with the Singapore Police Force and our volunteer student safety
ambassadors on security and safety outreach campaigns, e.g. through the Students on Patrol
programme.
ambassadors on security and safety outreach campaigns, e.g. through the Students on Patrol
programme.
- Students receive periodic reminders that security is everyone’s responsibility.
- Residents are also advised to remain vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious persons or
activity to the Campus Security hotline.
activity to the Campus Security hotline.