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SINGAPORE: A group of Tembusu College students has formed a Community Support Working Group (CSWG), following criticism of the university’s response to the firing of fellow university student, Dr. Jeremy Fernando.
The National University of Singapore (NUS), of which Tembusu College is a part, fired Dr. Fernando after an internal investigation of two complaints alleging that he had “behaved inappropriately as a teaching staff,” a NUS spokesman said on Sunday (October 18). .
The spokesperson added that it was found that Dr. Fernando’s conduct “did not meet the standards of professionalism that the university expects from a faculty.”
READ: Student group asks NUS to show ‘transparency and accountability’ in handling the case of a teacher fired for inappropriate behavior
In an email to students and alumni Tuesday evening, Dr. Kuah Yee Han, from Alumni Relations at Tembusu College, said: “The goal of the CSWG is to build an effective and consultative community response, through the provision of of platforms for Tembusu students and alumni to give feedback or contributions on various topics, in order to enact changes, when necessary, in those areas ”.
The group will work with university leadership to “coordinate a multi-layered recovery effort,” to “rebuild and / or strengthen trust” within the university community, he continued. The email also invited students to provide comments and suggestions on “community life and safety” and how sexual misconduct issues are handled at Tembusu College.
“We would like to assure you that the safety and well-being of college students is, and always has been, at the heart of what we do,” Dr. Kuah wrote.
The CSWG comprises a group of current Tembusu students, including those from the college student committee, the residential team, and LoveTembusu, a mental health awareness group.
OBSERVATIONS “ESPARAS”
The CNA had previously requested comments from NUS on Monday, regarding criticism of its response to the firing of Dr. Fernando.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, Students for a Safer NUS (SafeNUS) said the university’s initial comments on the matter were “scant” and urged it to take “proactive steps” in this case.
“The first statement from any staff representative was delivered about two weeks after they were fired,” he said.
“It was lacking in providing information on follow-up measures, and it was posted only after people on social media had already taken this incident lightly.
“While we fully understand the importance of confidentiality in such cases to protect the identity of survivors, it is not the same as silence on the subject. Responsibility and support are needed for students to feel safe. “
Adding that it was “disappointed by the lack of clarification and accountability shown by Tembusu College following the dismissal of Jeremy Fernando,” SafeNUS said: “We call on all NUS students to demand transparency and accountability from the university.”
Tembusu College is one of four residential colleges in University Town, an extension of the main NUS Kent Ridge campus.
