Nationality of Chinese International Students Listed, Sparking Accusations of Inciting Hatred
University Responds: "Listing Nationality Is Customary... Will Review the Practice"
Soongsil University has come under fire for allegedly inciting hatred after listing the nationalities of students disciplined for smoking in the dormitory on an official notice. The university stated that there was no intention to discriminate, but said it would reconsider its practice of indicating nationalities.
An image of a disciplinary notice at Soongsil University dormitory listing nationalities. Soongsil University Everytime
According to the student community Everytime on December 15, a disciplinary notice was posted at Soongsil University Residence Hall on December 8 regarding two residents who were expelled for violating dormitory rules. The notice included part of the students’ names, their room numbers, and the reason for their expulsion.
Under university regulations, "smoking inside the dormitory" results in 18 penalty points, and students caught more than twice are subject to expulsion. Both students disciplined in this case had reportedly been caught smoking more than twice.
The controversy centers on the fact that the students’ nationalities were specified in the notice. Some critics argue that disclosing nationality can lead to the exposure of personal information and may fuel conflict or discrimination against students of certain nationalities, thereby inciting hatred. Most university dormitory notices typically only include part of the student’s name or otherwise minimize personal information.
In response, Soongsil University acknowledged, "We understand that listing nationalities on the notice can be seen as problematic," but clarified, "There was no special intention to shame Chinese international students by posting their nationality."
The university added, "It has been customary to include nationality in dormitory notices, and there have been no complaints about this practice until now."
Soongsil University stated that it will discuss the issue with students and reconsider the practice of indicating nationality on disciplinary notices.
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