JEDDAH, 3 April 2006 — King Abdul Aziz University has expelled 10 female students charged with unruly behavior on campus. The girls allegedly caused trouble in the bathroom of Building 22 by initiating a quarrel with other students. The incident occurred on March 13, according to a local newspaper.
Announcing the disciplinary action, Dr. Samar Al-Saggaf, women’s dean at the university, said, “The university will not condone the behavior of those who want to create chaos on the campus.”
A committee set up under Al-Saggaf to investigate the incident had ordered that the students responsible should not return to the campus until the investigation was completed. After making a thorough inquiry, the committee decided that the 10 girls should be temporarily expelled from the university. The committee also recommended that part of each girl’s stipend should be refunded.
The girls may, however, complete their studies after the punishment period, but their stipends will be reduced.
The girls will have to undertake some voluntary service at the university as part of their punishment and also sign an undertaking that they will not repeat their conduct. On the day on which the incidents took place, the matter was reported to the security officers and also to the dean’s office.
“The university will do everything possible to maintain a peaceful atmosphere on campus even if it means dismissing half the students,” Al-Saggaf told the students.
“Students are at the university in search of knowledge and the university will not tolerate anyone coming here for some other purpose. It will get rid of those who disturb the peaceful atmosphere,” she added.
