Port Harcourt, NIGERIA – The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has launched a more extensive crackdown on “social corruption” such as indecent dressing, cultism and examination malpractices.
On the wake of two weeks of advocacy campaigns round all faculties of the University, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Georgewill Owunari has mandated the Dean of Students Affairs and the University internal security to confront students (male or female) who appear in the University environment in an indecent way and have the student(s) face disciplinary action.
The VC warned the students against indecent dressing, cultism and examination malpractices, stressing that the University was ready to apply appropriate sanctions against offenders.
He reminded the students that indecent dressing, cultism and examination malpractices constituted a breach of the matriculation oath taken by the students and urged them to be committed and focused on their studies.
He therefore admonished all female students to always appear responsible by dressing modestly and appropriately at all times.
The Vice Chancellor said the University is painstakingly working against all forms of sexual harassment and other social vices on the campus, adding the UNIPORT has zero tolerance for any form of unconventional behaviours.
Recently, a student, testing the boundaries of the law by wearing tight clothes was caught by the Vice Chancellor who immediately reprimanded her.
Justifying his action, the Vice Chancellor said, “It is about maintaining academic decorum. No one was expelled. The student was told to go and change and come back to class which she did. We have policy on indecent dressing in the University and all students know it. The response to dressing today in the University is fantastic.
“We did two weeks of advocacy campaigns round all faculties. Real campaign! Spent time and resources in collaboration with the students’ union. We are still monitoring exams going on and wherever we went the students were ecstatic and well-dressed and we commended them and encouraged them to keep up.
“The university community is happy that we are stopping a menace that’s speedily eroding confidence on the university system. Those who think otherwise we wish them to come to the university and see things for themselves. UNIPORT is working,” he said.
He said the university is providing dynamic, challenging, and state-of-the-art learning experiences for students, supported by academic and non-academic staff who deeply value the success of the students.
Vice Chancellor action has garnered commendations. “Thank you our amiable Vice Chancellor for matching words with actions in support to an earlier sensitization and awareness campaign your beloved wife carried out some weeks past. You’ve indeed demonstrated your concern for all round wellbeing of your students,” a lecturer in the university said.
Another university staff added, “Lecturers should join to stop this by chasing such immoral dressers out of classes. We are not training prostitutes here. In most universities security men are used to turn them back from the gates. God will surely bless our Vice Chancellor for taking this step.”
Report by Chidipeters Okorie
Discussion about this post