Allegedly raped international student attempts to get back into university

AUCKLAND: An international student who was kicked out of the University of Auckland after she attempted suicide following an alleged rape says she will fight to keep her place at the university.

The student, who cannot be named, came to New Zealand in 2015 and was in her fourth year pursuing a double degree in health science and science.

She was admitted to a mental health unit in October 2019 where she was allegedly raped, after which she attempted suicide.

In December, she was told by the vicechancellor that her enrolment was terminated because she ‘‘did not promptly inform the International Office’’ about the change of her mental health.

The student, who had earlier told The New Zealand Herald she wanted out because she found the university environment ‘‘too toxic’’, said she had a change of heart after discussions with her family.

‘‘My family wants me to just finish my final year and get the degree. It is very difficult for us to transfer (to another overseas university) as it will cost more time and money,’’ she said.

‘‘They have asked me to be more realistic. My primary goal is to continue to study at the University of Auckland.’’

She has lodged an appeal against her termination and said she has not heard back from the university.

The Auckland University Students’ Association wrote an open letter urging the university to consider the student’s appeal and review policies that led to her termination.

The association claimed the university made the student sign an agreement in July 2016 requiring her to ‘‘promptly inform the University of any changes to the state of her mental health’’. If she did not, it could cancel her enrolment.

The letter has been shared on social media, and sent also to the Vicechancellor, Minister of Education and Minister of Immigration.

A university spokeswoman said it would not be making any further comment on the matter at this stage.

Vicechancellor Prof Stuart McCutcheon said the university ‘‘will not and must not breach our duty of confidentiality to our students, regardless of whether details of this issue have been shared elsewhere’’, he said.

‘‘We therefore cannot enter into a conversation with members of the media or social media community or respond to speculation. Our correspondence with the student remains in strictest confidence.’’

‘‘The decision to terminate her enrolment was not taken lightly. It was based on explicit, recent advice from her own medical team who advised that the student was at high risk if she continued to study in New Zealand.’’

Prof McCutcheon said its assessment followed meetings and conversations with the student’s medical team and family.

‘‘Exceptional circumstances meant we could not continue to meet our obligations to her under the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016,’’ he said. ‘‘The 3l raises a number of important points, and we will be addressing those with the student herself, in confidence.’’

The national association for international education professionals Isana said it was concerned with the lack of support services for international students. The association said there was an urgent need for ‘‘wellresourced support services’’.

‘‘International students have specific academic, social, economic and cultural needs,’’ it said.

‘‘Isana members are concerned that while NZ institutions continue to accept increasing numbers of international students, the support services for these students remain inadequate.’’

The association said its members faced poor resourcing and training while having to manage heavy workloads.