HKU plans rule change over 'dishonourable conduct'
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is planning to change its rules so that its disciplinary committee can handle complaints involving "conduct considered to be bringing the university into disrepute".  The university vice-chancellor can pass such complaints onto the disciplinary committee in future. According to a document submitted to the Legislative Council, HKU said it made references to similar provisions of other professional organisations and institutions in drawing up the proposal as part of a bid to amend the University of Hong Kong Ordinance. "A number of local universities have similar provisions in their student disciplinary procedures; and similar provisions also exist in many overseas academic institutions" such as University College London and University of Western Australia, the document said. HKU also proposed expanding the size of the disciplinary committee to allow all professor-level staff to serve in it, and that students committee members be appointed by the Senate instead of the students’ union council. The university said the proposed amendments would be gazetted on Friday and tabled to lawmakers next week.  Subject to negative vetting by councillors, HKU said the amended Statutes of the University of Hong Kong are scheduled to take effect in October.