City University of Hong Kong disciplinary panel probes orientation camp after viral video

The City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has launched an investigation into an orientation camp activity that was pictured in a viral video showing a shirtless male student carrying a female student in a bra.

The City University of Hong Kong. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

In response to media enquiries, CityU said it had set up a disciplinary panel to meet with the camp’s organisers.

“Depending on the seriousness of the incident, disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with University procedures,” the university said in an email on Wednesday.

The statement came after an Instagram user uploaded a video on the platform captioned “disco night.”

In the video, a shirtless man carries a woman wearing a bra as people in the background – wearing identical yellow t-shirts and holding glowsticks – cheer loudly.

A video showing a shirtless male student carrying a female student in a bra during an orientation camp organised by City University of Hong Kong students. Screenshot: sleepla7head, via Threads.

According to local media, the students were taking part in an orientation camp organised by the Management Sciences Society.

‘Inappropriate behaviour’

The academic year for universities began on Tuesday. Student groups typically organise overnight orientation camps for freshmen before classes start, with activities often taking place off-campus.

In the statement, CityU said student groups hosting orientation camps must abide by a code of conduct. They must also complete designated training, including an anti-sexual harassment workshop organised by local equality watchdog the Equal Opportunities Commission.

The university said “serious mismanagement and inappropriate behaviour” took place during the orientation camp in question.

“We are also deeply concerned about the unnecessary disturbance experienced by participating students,” CityU said, adding that conduct that “undermines student dignity” will not be tolerated.

Reports of sexual misconduct and bullying at orientation camps in the city’s universities regularly make headlines.

In 2023, after police made arrests linked to two incidents of reported sexual harassment at the University of Hong Kong and Education University of Hong Kong, the Education Bureau said it had ordered universities to step up oversight of student-led orientation activities.