City University of Hong Kong has completed its investigation into inappropriate conduct during a student orientation camp, with students involved in the incident admitting wrongdoing, apologising to the university and accepting disciplinary action.
The university said its student disciplinary committee had completed proceedings involving those connected to the controversy. It also confirmed that the executive committee of the student society responsible for organising the camp had dissolved following an admission of serious mismanagement.
The investigation followed reports about conduct during the orientation activities that drew widespread concern. One reported incident involved a shirtless male student lifting a female student who was wearing only underwear.
The episode prompted questions about how the camp had been organised and supervised, as well as whether adequate safeguards were in place for students taking part in the activities.
University launches disciplinary investigation
CityU responded by referring the matter to its student disciplinary committee, which examined the conduct of the students involved and the circumstances surrounding the organisation of the camp.
The university said the students connected to the controversy had acknowledged their mistakes and submitted formal apologies. They also accepted the disciplinary measures imposed following the investigation.
CityU did not disclose the exact penalties imposed on individual students. The university said disciplinary details would remain confidential in accordance with established procedures designed to protect student privacy.
That decision means the public will not be given a detailed account of the individual sanctions, although the university has confirmed that disciplinary action has been taken.
The administration said the proceedings were conducted to address breaches of university regulations and the consequences of conduct that caused concern among students, parents and members of the wider community.
Student society admits serious mismanagement
The student society involved in organising the orientation activities also faced consequences.
Its executive committee acknowledged serious shortcomings in the planning and management of the event and issued an apology to the public. The committee then dissolved with immediate effect.
The move effectively ended the existing leadership structure of the student organisation following the controversy.
Orientation camps are commonly used by universities to help new students meet classmates, become familiar with campus life and build relationships before the start of academic studies. Student societies often play a major role in arranging these activities, making decisions about schedules, games and other group events.
The CityU case has placed greater attention on the responsibilities carried by student organisers when they plan activities involving large groups of students.
The university's response indicates that responsibility does not rest solely with individual participants. Organisers can also face consequences when activities are poorly managed or fail to meet expected standards.
CityU reiterates zero tolerance
CityU said it maintains a zero tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour and recognised the concerns raised by members of the public and parents following the incident.
The administration acknowledged that the conduct had caused distress and said students needed to understand the seriousness of breaching university rules, disrupting public order and affecting other participants.
University officials also stressed that disciplinary action should serve an educational purpose. Beyond punishment, the process is intended to make students recognise the consequences of their decisions and take responsibility for their behaviour.
The university said it hoped the students involved would be given an opportunity to reflect on what happened and learn from the experience.
That message comes alongside the university's wider emphasis on personal responsibility, integrity, moral conduct and social responsibility. CityU said these areas form part of its broader educational work and are addressed through different learning and student development programmes.
Concerns extend beyond individual students
The controversy has also raised questions about how student organised events are supervised.
While universities encourage students to take responsibility for extracurricular activities, organisers remain subject to campus rules and are expected to ensure that activities are conducted in a safe and respectful manner.
The incident demonstrates how quickly conduct at a student event can move beyond the immediate group involved. Once reports or images from an event reach a wider audience, the university, student organisers and individual participants can face public scrutiny.
For students, the consequences can also extend beyond the event itself. Behaviour at university activities may affect relationships with classmates, student organisations and the wider campus community.
CityU's decision to combine disciplinary action with additional training for student organisers suggests the university intends to address both individual conduct and weaknesses in event management.
Additional training planned for student organisers
As part of its response, CityU's Student Development Services will organise additional workshops focused on event management.
The sessions are intended for students who organise university activities and will provide further guidance on how such events should be planned and managed.
Training can cover practical areas such as setting clear rules for participants, assessing activities before they take place, managing supervision and responding when conduct crosses acceptable boundaries.
The university's decision to introduce additional training also places greater responsibility on future organisers to understand the limits of student activities before an event begins.
Rather than waiting for another incident to occur, the university said it would strengthen guidance for students involved in organising campus events.
Support available for affected students
CityU has also established a dedicated hotline for students affected by the controversy.
The service will provide psychological counselling, guidance and assistance to students who may have experienced distress as a result of the incident or its aftermath.
The university said the support forms part of its wider commitment to maintaining a learning environment that is safe, respectful and supportive.
The provision of counselling also recognises that the impact of a controversial campus incident can extend beyond the students who were directly involved. Students who witnessed events, became the subject of unwanted attention or experienced anxiety following the controversy may also require assistance.
CityU said students needing support can use the dedicated service for guidance and counselling.
Investigation now concluded
With the disciplinary committee's proceedings completed, the university has formally closed its investigation into the incident.
The students involved have admitted wrongdoing, apologised and accepted the disciplinary measures imposed. The student society's executive committee has also dissolved after acknowledging serious failures in managing the orientation activities.
The university has chosen not to release individual punishment details, citing student privacy and established disciplinary procedures. Instead, it has focused publicly on the broader lessons from the incident, including personal responsibility, appropriate conduct and better management of student activities.
The next stage will centre on prevention. Additional training for student organisers and support services for affected students are now part of CityU's response, giving the university a practical framework for addressing the concerns raised by the orientation camp controversy.