UNIPORT bans hugging on campus

The University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, says it has launched its policy document against sexual harassment.

The institution said amorous hugging between lecturers and female students has been prohibited and now an offence as those found guilty will be punished severely.

Professor Ndowa Lale, the University’s Vice-Chancellor during the launch of the policy document at Ebitime Banigo hall said the University decided to raise the bar on sexual harassment so as to ensure that the young men and women put under the lecturers are protected.

Lale said the law is specifically made to protect students from antics of sexual predators who use their privileged positions to blackmail or railroad their unwilling students or subordinate staff into granting them sexual favours.

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He said the University in the policy document defined the rules of engagement in terms of the acceptable relationships between lecturers, administrators and students, including visitors.

Prof Lale, however, promised to sanction earring staff, adding that the document encompasses robust checks and balances that will protect those who are innocently accused.

The VC said any accused person will be presumed guilty until he/she proves their innocence under the established rules of fair hearing, adding that lecturers and administrators who did not remember to tell their tailors to sew zippers in front of their trousers should be ready to bear the consequences of their amorous liaison with female students.

He warned that the same applies to students who harass lecturers to award them undeserved grades, saying they should equally be ready to face the music if and when caught in the act of self-advertisement to their lecturers.