Behavior beyond classes

Alumni, students call for action

Seventy-six students and alumni of Xiamen University have written a letter to the university's president, calling on the institution to make regulations to prevent sexual harassment.

Their letter follows allegations that a history professor had enticed female students into having sex with him.

The allegations have sparked controversy on the Internet, with a host of netizens condemning the professor's alleged behavior.

Li Furui, who initiated the letter from the 76 people, said she is glad that the university has launched a probe over the case.

"The university should make the investigation results public and handle the case fairly, or its reputation will be damaged," said Li, who graduated from the university in 2011.

The 76 people wrote to Zhu Chongshi, president of Xiamen University, saying that setting up a mechanism to prevent sexual harassment is an effective way to protect the university's reputation.

The letter suggested that the university make regulations to forbid teachers from having intimate relationships with students.

The letter also said the university authorities should allow people to report sexual harassment cases and make the relevant investigations and punishments known to all faculty members and students.

The university is facing mounting pressure after the case, and it must take action, said Qiu Lufeng, a law professor at Nanjing University who graduated from Xiamen University in 1980.

Li Furui said that according to her research, no university on the Chinese mainland has made rules to prevent sexual harassment.

"Hopefully, Xiamen University will take the lead and set an example for other universities," Li said.

The letter was mailed to the university on July 24 and had not received any feedback by press time.

Xiamen University President Zhu Chongshi was not available for comment.