On Thursday, March 28^th 2024, the Ashesi Judicial Committee (AJC) heard and deliberated on allegations of harassment, violence, and assault involving two students from the Class of 2025 during the 2023/24 Spring Semester.

 

Background to the case:

During a heated disagreement in their dormitory that quickly devolved into a scuffle, Student A was reported to have attacked Student B with a nail cuticle remover, with another roommate present. Student B (who had first attacked the other student), subsequently threatened Student A with a knife but was unable to follow through as the third roommate disarmed him/her. Despite several recurring attempts to de-escalate by the third roommate, the two students continued to scuffle. Student A subsequently also retrieved a knife and proceeded to attack Student B further, inflicting multiple severe injuries. Student B, bleeding, immediately sought medical attention at the Natembea Health Centre, and a report was shared with the Dean of Students. Both students were asked to submit statements pending a hearing with the AJC.

 

At the hearing:

Student B admitted to using inappropriate language and initiating a physical altercation with Student A. Student B explained the part they had played in the altercation, admitting that they had been verbally abusive with Student A. The Committee also learned that the two students had been in conflict since the start of the January–April 2024 semester, with Student B often bullying and harassing Student A.

 

Student A maintained that they were acting in self-defence. However, the Committee found the severity of injuries inflicted to be more retaliatory than otherwise. Student B had severe wounds that required suturing, and the Committee noted with concern how fatal the altercation could have been.

 

The AJC deliberated on the following infractions of policies in the Student Handbook:

• “The University seeks to sustain an environment in which harassment has no place. Those who harass others will be subject to serious sanctions, which may include adjudication by the AJC leading to suspension or dismissal.” (Section 10.11).
• “Students are prohibited from engaging in physical violence against others. Those who do will be subject to serious sanctions, which may include adjudication by the AJC leading to suspension and dismissal.” (Section 10.9).

 

Verdict & Recommendations

After carefully reviewing all the case facts, the AJC concluded that both Student A and B are guilty of violating the University’s social code of conduct. The AJC also determined that Student A should be expelled from the University, taking all the facts of the case into account. The AJC determined that Student B should be suspended for two semesters and will not be allowed to reside in any student dormitory on- or off-campus upon their return.

 

Advice to the Ashesi Community:

The Committee would like to advise that:

• Students should always abide by the social code of conduct and all other institutional policies outlined in the Student Handbook. In this instance, bullying, verbally harassing, threatening, and assaulting another student directly contravened the social code of conduct and should have been avoided.
• Students should work to manage their emotions and temper and seek guidance in self-management. Students should always manage their emotions and temper and report any issues of harassment, violence, or aggression through the appropriate channels for the appropriate measures to be taken.

 

This case provides a lot of learning for the entire community, and the hope is that it is reflected as such. Our code of ethics is central to our mission: to train a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders in Africa and to cultivate within our students the critical thinking skills, concern for others, and the courage it will take to transform a continent. This code applies to all, no matter the circumstance.