University response to the report of the AC3 Opening Ceremony Review Group

Dear colleagues, students and alumni,

CityU set up a five-person Review Group chaired by Professor Ray K M Yep on 12 May to review the logistics, operations and security arrangements of the AC3 Opening Ceremony held on 6 May 2013. After two months of diligent work, the Review Group submitted its report to the University today, setting out its findings and making a total of 13 recommendations for improvement. The University accepts the report and will set up an inter-departmental working group to actively follow up on the recommendations.

CityU has always upheld freedom of expression and diversity of opinion. We expect students to express their views on social issues in peaceful and rational ways. We understand and appreciate students’ concerns about social issues in general and their pursuit of justice in this particular incident. In addition, the University has always adhered to the principle and practice of having an open campus and will continue to open its facilities to relevant parties.

We understand that there were inadequacies in the security arrangement of the AC3 Opening Ceremony and in the manner individual incidents were handled. We wish to express our regrets again for any unpleasantness that may have marred the event. On behalf of the University, I offer an apology to the concerned students, staff, media and guests. I would also like to thank all colleagues who were on duty in support of the Opening Ceremony on that day. In the spirit of continuous improvement, we will take appropriate measures based on the report’s recommendations to improve our organisation and management of campus events in the future.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Review Group for their hard and thoughtful work in the past two months. The report has been uploaded to CityU NewsCentre so that our entire community may access it. On behalf of the University, I would also like to express my gratitude to all parties who have offered their advice and staunch support for CityU. Let us work hand in hand to keep improving campus management in the future.

Professor Way Kuo

President and University Distinguished Professor

12 July 2013

學術樓（三）啟用典禮檢討小組：校方回應

各位同事、同學、校友：

城大於5月12日成立一個由葉健民教授領導的五人小組，負責檢討2013年5月6日舉行的學術樓（三）啟用典禮的籌劃、執行及保安工作。檢討小組經過兩個月的工作，今天向大學提交報告，報告羅列了多項研判及共十三項改善建議。校方同意接納報告，並將成立一個跨部門的專責工作小組，積極跟進報告的建議。

城大作為一所獨立自主的大學，一向尊重言論自由，維護多元觀點，期望同學能以和平理性方式就社會關注的議題表達不同意見。我們理解學生對社會議題的關注，亦肯定他們在這次事件中對公義的追求。大學亦將繼續奉行開放校園原則，讓有關人士使用大學對外開放的設施。

我們了解學術樓（三）啟用典禮中的保安工作安排及個別環節處理方法有未盡善之處。對學術樓（三）啟用典禮中發生的不愉快事件，大學再次表示遺憾，本人並代表校方向有關的學生、教職員、採訪的傳媒及出席的嘉賓，表示歉意，亦向當日所有參與工作的同事表示謝意。城大將會本着一貫努力學習，不斷改進的精神，因應報告提出的建議作出改善，務求日後在校園舉辦活動時，有關安排與運作會更為妥善。

本人在此感謝檢討小組各位成員這兩個月的辛勞工作，檢討小組報告已上載於城大新聞網，以便查閱。本人代表大學感謝各方的意見和對城大的愛護及支持。期望我們未來共同努力，繼續改善校園管理。

郭位

校長及大學傑出教授

2013年7月12日