Statement on student incident

In response to media queries on an alcohol-related incident that involved members of the Students’ Union, the following media statement was issued:

Statement

The University takes all allegations of misconduct very seriously.

While an alcohol-related incident took place in October last year, it was not reported to the University then, but to the NTU Students’ Union.  The Union had taken the necessary action in line with its disciplinary procedures last year.

Like all official student clubs, NTUSU is a registered student organisation and elects its leadership in accordance with its constitution and rules. The University does not endorse or approve its candidates. Subsequently, in September this year, a complaint on the same incident was filed with the University, stating that the respondent had caused the complainant to drink more alcohol than she had intended by telling her that it was water.  The complaint did not allege any form of sexual misconduct.

The University immediately investigated the complaint in line with NTU’s Student Discipline Policy and Procedures. Both the respondent and complainant were interviewed during the investigations, together with statements from the four eyewitnesses who were present at the said social gathering.

At no time during the gathering was the complainant alone with the respondent. There was no allegation or assertion by the complainant or any of the witnesses that the respondent had tried to do anything so that he could be alone with the respondent.

The investigation also did not find evidence of sexual misconduct as alleged in some social media posts. The respondent has since been counselled.

The University has also extended wellbeing support to the students connected with the incident.

The University is concerned by some comments posted online and urges online users to refrain from making speculative and unsubstantiated allegations.