As a National University of Singapore (NUS) alumnus, I regret that freshmen can no longer feel safe at all times during orientation (“NUS suspends all student-organised events for freshmen”; July 30).
This poses a concern to parents with children aspiring to further their studies at NUS. I am not surprised, however, that its orientation games have become increasingly sexualised.
Going by the degrading acts imposed on freshmen, their seniors’ knowledge of sex comes with low morality. Not valuing one’s body results in not valuing the feelings of others.
And so freshmen have been exposed to and corrupted by such traditions followed mindlessly over the years. Mutual respect and upholding the dignity of others should not be things that are learnt only at university.
But why blame older cohorts when each of us has a bright mind to come up with creative orientation ideas? Why not take responsibility for one’s lust that causes innocent parties to be traumatised?
Students should know their limits and rights, so that they will not bully others nor be bullied.
Parents should explain to their children the pros and cons of attending any camp, so that they know the dangers involved and what to do when boundaries are crossed.
While parents must take primary responsibility for inculcating values, NUS must now rebuild its credibility, as it has repeatedly broken the trust of the public.
Previous complaints have been swept under the carpet, and regrettably, the Education Ministry did not respond to NUS’ negligence. Singapore cannot be a country that ignores its shortcomings.
I am disheartened to see our students more concerned with their fun and hard work put into their camps than empathising with their fellow schoolmates. Education without a sound character is a shame.
Original letter:
"As an alumnus of the National University of Singapore (NUS), it is a regret that freshmen can no longer feel safe and secure at all times during orientation ("NUS suspends student-organised orientation activities after 'inappropriate' behaviour"; July 29)
This poses a great concern to parents with children aspiring to go to NUS for further studies.
Mr Daryl Yang, the coordinator of the G-spot, a Yale-NUS student organisation, holds a liberal stance whereby consent is the key to having sex. It comes as no surprise that NUS orientation games are increasingly sexualised over the past decade. From the degrading acts done towards the freshmen, these seniors have 'knowledge' of sex that comes with low morality. Mutual respect and upholding the dignity of others should not be something that is only learnt in university.
Minds have been perverted through the influence of such organizations like G-spot where life is only about sex. Not valuing the body of oneself results in not valuing the feelings of others. The result is freshmen being exposed and corrupted by such traditions followed mindlessly throughout the years. Why blame the generations above when each of us has a bright mind to come up with creative ideas for orientation? Why not take full responsibility for one's lust of flesh that results in the traumatisation of innocent parties?
Every student should know their rights and limits so that they will not bully others, nor be bullied. I urge every parent to lay out the pros and cons of attending any camp with his children so that they are aware of the dangers involved and what to do when boundaries are crossed.
While parents must take primary responsibility in inculcating values since young, NUS has to build its credibility all over again for its trust with the public has repeatedly been broken. All the previous complaints have been swept under the carpet and it is regrettable that the Ministry of Education (MOE) did not intervene. Singapore cannot be a country that refuses to acknowledge its shortcomings. It is indeed disheartening to see our students more concerned about their fun and hard work than empathize with their fellow schoolmates. Education without a sound character is a shame." http://m.todayonline.com/voices/nus-negligent-not-intervening-earlier
