Specific Concerns and Allegations

We, the undersigned students, wish to formally raise our concerns regarding the conduct of the Dean, the manner in which she addresses and treats students, and the way in which residence rules and disciplinary matters are handled. We believe that the following concerns require a fair, impartial and thorough investigation.

1. Conducting Breathalyser Tests in the Boys’ Residence

We believe that she oversteps the boundaries of her authority by conducting breathalyser tests on male students in the boys’ dormitory, despite the residence having its own Dean of Men. We are concerned that this undermines the role and authority of the Dean of Men and raises questions about whether the appropriate procedures and responsibilities are being respected.

2. Monitoring Students Through Surveillance Cameras

She has stated that she does not sit in her office watching the surveillance cameras, but that when she sees something suspicious, she approaches the students involved to investigate. We are concerned about how these observations are interpreted and how students are approached and questioned. We believe that any monitoring and subsequent intervention should be conducted fairly, professionally and in accordance with college policies.

3. Listening to Students’ Private Conversations

We are concerned that she listens in on our conversations by standing outside or near our dormitory doors. We believe that this behaviour creates an uncomfortable living environment in which students may feel that their conversations are being monitored and that they cannot speak freely in their own residence. We request clarification on the boundaries of staff monitoring, students’ reasonable expectations of privacy, and the standards of professional conduct expected from residence staff.

4. Discussing Residence Issues With Staff

We are concerned that she discusses or gossips about dormitory issues and matters involving students with the staff. We believe that sensitive residence matters should be handled discreetly and shared only with individuals who have a legitimate reason to be involved. Such discussions may compromise students’ dignity, create unnecessary gossip and undermine trust between students and residence management. We request that the college investigate how confidential or sensitive student matters are being handled.

5. Sarcastic and Petty Communication With Students

We believe that she frequently uses sarcastic tones and makes petty remarks when communicating with students. We are concerned that this approach makes interactions unnecessarily hostile and leaves students feeling disrespected rather than guided or corrected. We believe that, regardless of a student’s conduct, staff members should address them professionally, calmly and respectfully.

6. Portraying Students as Difficult When They Defend Themselves

We are concerned that when students attempt to explain themselves, defend their actions or provide their side of a situation, she portrays them as argumentative, disrespectful or difficult. We believe that students should be allowed to explain their perspective without their attempt to respond automatically being interpreted as confrontation. This creates the impression that students cannot raise questions or defend themselves without the situation being turned against them.

We request that the college ensure that students are given a fair opportunity to explain their actions and that staff distinguish between genuine disrespect and a student respectfully expressing their side of the story.

7. Making Comments About Students Reporting Concerns to Pr Blose

We are concerned about her repeated comments along the lines of, “You can go tell Blose because I know you guys will.” We believe that such remarks come across as sarcastic and dismissive of students’ right to raise concerns with the appropriate person or authority.

These comments make us feel that reporting issues or seeking assistance from another member of the college administration is viewed negatively. We believe that students should be encouraged to use the appropriate reporting channels without being made to feel guilty, intimidated or ridiculed for doing so.

8. Favouritism and Inconsistent Enforcement of Rules

We believe that she shows favouritism towards certain residents and does not apply residence rules consistently to all students. We are concerned that some students appear to receive more lenient treatment than others in similar circumstances.

For example, we have concerns that when certain students appear to be under the influence of alcohol, she tells them to go to sleep rather than addressing the matter in the same way that other students’ conduct is addressed. We request that the college investigate whether incidents involving suspected intoxication are handled consistently and in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures.

9. Allowing Favourite Residents to Break Rules Regarding Day Students

We were instructed not to allow our day-student friends into the dormitory. However, we are concerned that when residents she favours bring day-student friends into the residence, she tells them to be quick and not to be seen by other people.

We believe that this creates a double standard in which some students are expected to follow the rules while others are seemingly permitted to avoid them. If this conduct is confirmed, we believe it undermines the credibility of residence rules and creates a perception that compliance depends on a student’s relationship with the Dean rather than on the rules themselves.

We request clear and consistent enforcement of the rules for every resident, regardless of personal relationships or perceived favouritism.

10. Introducing Rules That Are Not Clearly Provided for in the Student Handbook

We are concerned that she introduces new residence rules and expectations that we cannot find in the Student Handbook. We believe that students should be able to understand the rules governing their residence and should not be subjected to unclear or inconsistently communicated requirements.

We request that the college clarify the authority under which additional residence rules may be introduced, how such rules should be communicated, and whether they must be approved by the appropriate college authority. We also request that the college distinguish between reasonable day-to-day instructions and new rules that materially affect students’ rights or responsibilities.

11. Concerns Regarding the Supervision of Her Child in the Residence

We are concerned that her child roams around the residence hallways without what we consider to be adequate supervision, leaving students feeling responsible for ensuring that the child remains safe.

We believe that the responsibility for supervising a child should rest with the appropriate adult or guardian and should not be informally transferred to students. We request that the college clarify the arrangements for the child’s presence in the residence and ensure that appropriate supervision and safety measures are in place, without placing an unreasonable responsibility on residents.

12. Treating Students According to Their Previous Offences and Past Interactions

We are concerned that she treats students differently based on their previous encounters with her and their past disciplinary offences. We believe that students may continue to be judged by their history, even when a new situation should be assessed on its own facts.

We acknowledge that previous offences may be relevant where college policies permit them to be considered. However, we believe that every new incident should be assessed fairly, objectively and consistently, with students given an opportunity to explain themselves. Past disagreements or personal impressions should not result in unfair treatment, prejudice or assumptions about a student’s conduct.

We request that the college investigate whether students are being treated impartially and whether disciplinary decisions are based on evidence, established procedures and the circumstances of each incident.

13. Concerns About Student Dignity, Fairness and Professional Conduct

We believe that the combined effect of these concerns has damaged trust between students and residence management. We are concerned that sarcasm, perceived favouritism, inconsistent rule enforcement, comments about reporting concerns, and the handling of students who attempt to defend themselves create an environment in which students may feel uncomfortable raising legitimate concerns.

We believe that students should be treated with dignity, courtesy, fairness and consistency, regardless of their past conduct or relationship with a staff member. We request that the college assess these concerns against the relevant provisions of the HCHE Student Handbook, particularly its expectations regarding respectful and professional conduct and the rights and responsibilities of residence students.

Our Requests to the College

In light of the concerns outlined above, we respectfully request that the college:

1. Conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations raised in this petition.
2. Review the Dean’s conduct and clarify the scope of her authority and responsibilities within the residences.
3. Investigate concerns about favouritism, inconsistent enforcement of rules and the treatment of students based on previous incidents.
4. Clarify the procedures governing breathalyser testing, surveillance, student privacy and the handling of sensitive residence matters.
5. Review the manner in which students are addressed, particularly when they attempt to explain or defend themselves.
6. Clarify the process for introducing and communicating additional residence rules.
7. Ensure that appropriate supervision arrangements are in place for the Dean’s child while the child is in the residence.
8. Ensure that students can raise concerns through the appropriate channels without being ridiculed, unfairly labelled or treated adversely for doing so.
9. Provide a formal response outlining the findings of the investigation and any appropriate corrective measures.

Conclusion

We submit this petition because we believe that these concerns deserve serious attention and a fair investigation. Our intention is not to oppose reasonable discipline, legitimate safety measures or the responsibilities of residence management. Rather, we seek an environment in which rules are applied consistently, students are treated with respect, staff members act professionally, and concerns can be raised without fear of being dismissed or unfairly judged.

We believe that accountability should apply to everyone, regardless of position, and that no student should receive preferential treatment or be disadvantaged because of past offences, previous disagreements or their relationship with a staff member.

We therefore call upon the college administration to investigate these concerns impartially, uphold the principles set out in the Student Handbook, and take appropriate action wherever misconduct or procedural failures are established.

Signed: The Concerned Students of HCHE