Controversy Over Inappropriate Remarks by a Professor at a University in Gwangju
A professor at a university in Gwangju has sparked controversy by stating that female students who use menstrual leave will have their attitude scores deducted.
On the 4th, an anonymous post titled "The orientation by Professor 000 from the Department of Business Administration was intense" was uploaded on the online community Everytime, containing this content.
The menstrual leave system, which started in 2006, is a policy created for female students experiencing menstrual pain, allowing absences due to menstruation to be counted as attendance. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]
According to the author, who is a student at Chosun University, Professor A from the Department of Business Administration said during class, "If women want to use menstrual leave, go ahead. I will acknowledge attendance," but added, "However, I will deduct points from the attitude score. I only recognize national duty (reservist) or death within three degrees of kinship."
Professor A continued, "If you want to report me, go ahead. It's ultimately at the professor's discretion."
As Professor A's remarks spread on online communities, controversy has grown among students. One student criticized, "Why make a fuss about a system that the school officially recognizes?" and added, "Many women suffer so much pain during menstruation that they can barely walk, yet he says this without having experienced it himself because he's a man. Isn't that too harsh?"
On the 4th, a post titled "Professor 000 from the Department of Business Administration's orientation was amazing" was uploaded on Chosun University's online community, Everytime. The post has since been deleted. [Photo by Online Community]
A netizen who stated they are enrolled in the class said, "He said he would deduct attitude points for any leave except reservist duty," and pointed out, "While class rules are often at the professor's discretion, using 'menstrual leave' as an example unnecessarily stirs up gender disputes."
Even alumni of the university joined the criticism, commenting things like, "This professor is known for not accepting menstrual leave."
Meanwhile, some male students praised Professor A's remarks, leaving comments such as "That's a wise saying," which further intensified the controversy.
'Menstrual Leave' Also Fuels Gender Conflicts on Campus
Last May, a post titled "11 people took menstrual leave today" was uploaded on the anonymous online university community Everytime, sparking controversy. [Photo by anonymous online university community 'Everytime']
Menstrual leave, introduced in 2006, is a system designed for female students suffering from menstrual pain, allowing them to be excused from class attendance. However, since its inception, questions about its effectiveness and fairness have been consistently raised, sometimes causing gender conflicts.
In particular, some male students point out that some female students use this system even when they oversleep or have severe hangovers. Male students have very limited official reasons for leave, such as physical examinations for military enlistment or attending job interviews.
On university communities, heated debates between male and female students over menstrual leave are common. In May, a post titled "11 people took menstrual leave today" on Everytime also sparked controversy.
However, most universities guarantee the menstrual leave system through academic regulations. In the case of Chosun University, according to Article 47 of the academic regulations, menstrual leave can be used up to one day per month and up to four days per semester.
As the controversy over his remarks grew, Professor A reportedly visited the university's External Cooperation Office to clarify his position. A spokesperson from Chosun University's External Cooperation Office said, "We are fully aware of the controversy, but since the original post was deleted, we cannot confirm the exact remarks made by Professor A."
They added, "Professor A explained that his comments were intended to emphasize and warn about students applying for leave beyond the scope allowed by school regulations."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
