By Speak-up On Sexual Harassment, LASU VC Tells Students
The round-table dialogues between the Lagos State University Management and the Leadership of the Students’ Union on Friday continued, primarily, to address issues relating to the students in a bid to ensure that the University continues to enjoy peace and unprecedented developments.
A special meeting between the University Management and the 28th LASUSU Executives was held on Wednesday, 10th January, 2018.
At this month’s edition of the “Breakfast Meeting”, a monthly interaction between the Prof. ‘Lanre Fagbohun-Led University Management and the Students’ Leaders, issues bothering on start-up funds for the Union, Issuing of Password for students to access their Profiles, Development of Students’ Union Website and Creation of Lagos State University Past Questions and Answers (LASPQA), Upgrade of the University Sport Centre preparatory to hosting the Pre-NUGA Games, Issues of Indecent Dressing, Rehabilitation of the Union buses, Payment for University Scholars, Health Insurance for the Students, Sexual Harassment, amongst others, were raised and addressed.
Responding to concerns that female students often face sexual harassment from some lecturers, the University Management was unambiguous to inform the Students’ Leaders of the need to encourage fellow students to speak up whenever they face such issues. Reiterating the position of the Acting Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr. ‘Femi Obayori, the Registrar, Lewis Akinwunmi Oladapo, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, urged students to open up to the University Authority whenever they faced harassment.
“You must open up and opening up means you must have confidence in this System. The Management is ready to protect you and address such allegations regardless of who is involved. Go and enlighten your colleagues on what to do and where to report.”
While calling on the Students’ Leaders to understand what their roles entail and be on top of their jobs in representing their colleagues, the Vice Chancellor charged the students to be credible.
“What will work for you is credibility as a Leader. You must be credible and have a proper understanding of Standard Operating Procedures. That is when your colleagues can trust you and you can act on their behalf without being misled.”
The Vice Chancellor also assured that Payments to the University Scholars will come up during the next Matriculation.
“We are unable to do so many things at the same time because we are limited by funds. But we are working towards paying the University Scholars during the next Matriculation.”
Speaking during the meeting, the President of the Students Union, Mr Samuel Olalere assured the Management Team of their readiness to protect the good name of the University at all times.
“We are passionate about selling the brand LASU to the outside world. We will work together with the Management to protect our brand without allowing any group of individuals to hijack our Union.”
Rounding off, the Vice Chancellor expressed optimism and satisfaction at the comportment and presentation of the Students’ Leaders as he added, “What I have seen this morning gives me great hope that this University has a future.”
The Bursar, Mr. Adetayo Hassan; the Acting Librarian, Mrs. Bello; Deputy Registrar, VCO, Mrs. Anat Adesunkanmi and other Senior members of the University Management were also at the meeting.
