Views on Recent NUS "Orientation Camp" saga

Recently, it was published widely on the news about an incident that happened during an activity by some NUS students from Kent Ridge Hall, featuring some incoming freshmen and their seniors. It was alleged (note the case is still pending investigation) that during an activity, participants had to form the longest possible line using personal articles. Some participants started to undress to various states of nudity on Sentosa beach. The activity was eventually called to a halt by a facilitator, but not before catching media attention. There was then an uproar online online about the activity, as NUS had gotten into trouble for 'lewd' orientation activities back in 2016.

I will share my views on this issue below, from a factual standpoint, and my interpretation on what the outcome on this incident should be.

  • The activity was not held during an Orientation Camp. It was held the day after the camp, with the participants not wearing any NUS-related clothing.

This shows immediately that this activity was not planned for an orientation camp, and hence no staff were on hand to control the flow of the activity. It does not even fall under the jurisdiction under NUS, for NUS has no right to say what its students can or cannot do out of school-related activities. Therefore, the frame we should be looking at those involved is of civilians rather than participants of an NUS sanctioned camp.

  • According to the penal code, it is an offence to expose one's private parts in public. In this case, the activity was held in a public location, Sentosa.
From the above, we should look at those involved from the view of civilians. They are liable for prosecution in this case, since they did undress and indecently expose themselves in a public location (according to news reports). Though I doubt that the police will actually haul them up for investigation (no police reports were filed at the moment), we can now interpret those involved as civilians who potentially committed an offence.

I note, however, that while the incident was not held during an NUS-endorsed camp, the students involved are still representatives of NUS. Much like how after office hours, teachers still represent a school, and after office hours, public servants still represent the government.

Therefore, if NUS wants to take action against those involved for ruining the school image via conducting a potential offence, they are allowed to do so, since this concerns school image and the students' conduct. 

However, they cannot punish the students with the view of this was an orientation camp, for this incident happened while they are civilians. 

Therefore, if my views are correct (though they are bound to have flaws), there shouldn't be any impact on the remainder of NUS orientation this year, nor should there be any changes to the rules and regulations. At most, there would probably just be an advisory sent out to all camp facils about the importance of upholding NUS' image and decorum.

But what would I know, I haven't even entered the University yet.

Time to look forward to my camps in 2 years' time though!

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