Kicked out student fighting back

University of Auckland student alleges she was raped; wants to keep studying It is very difficult for us to transfer . . . as it will cost more time and money.

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, said 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 said: “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.

“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 but says she has not heard back from the university. The woman came to New Zealand in 2015 and was in her fourth year of study. She was admitted to a mental health unit in October 2019 where she was allegedly raped, following which she then attempted suicide.

The Auckland University Students Association is 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” and that if she did not, then it could choose to cancel her enrolment.

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

Vice-chancellor Professor 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”.

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

“The open letter raises a number of important points, and we will be addressing those with the student herself, in confidence.”

Meanwhile, the national association for international education professionals Isana said it was concerned with the lack of support services for international students.

In a statement, 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.” — NZ Herald

Internationational student