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Important: New Students Participating In Orientation Activities

Important: New Students Participating In Orientation Activities

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Understanding Orientation Activities at HKU

Each year, student organisations (e.g. faculty/academic societies, hall/college students’ associations, sports/cultural/independent clubs/associations) organise a number of orientation activities, usually just before the beginning of the first semester. The purpose is to help new students adjust to university life by acquainting you with the ideals, resources, people and opportunities of HKU. 

Before enrolling for orientation activities, you are strongly advised to refer to the website of CEDARS for a list of orientation activities acknowledged by Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS). The student organisers of these orientation activities have pledged to comply with Orientation Regulations for Student Societies 2024 published by CEDARS and Co-curricular Support Office (CCSO). 

Principles

The University and student organisers of CEDARS-acknowledged orientation activities have agreed to adopt the following principles during the orientation activities: 

  1. Prioritise the health and safety of individuals.
  2. Recognise participants’ free will and well-informed consent at all times.
  3. The values of respect, diversity and inclusion shall be embraced and demonstrated in the delivery of activities.
  4. At no time should the dignity, rights and life of an individual be infringed upon.
  5. At no time should the new students be forced to participate in any activities through coercion, disturbing behaviors, or misleading information.
  6. Student Societies shall be strictly prohibited from:
    1. Keeping/consuming/distributing alcoholic drinks, tobacco, drugs, and any other obscene, unwelcome, dangerous or illegal items; Student Societies shall strive to prevent the presence of these prohibited items in Orientation Activities and Registration Day.
    2. Disturbing or commenting on other Student Societies or their events.

In addition, HKU has zero tolerance for orientation activities that possess any elements of harassment, abuse, violence, discrimination or other misbehaviors in violation of the University Policies.

Health, Safety & Well-being

When enrolling for CEDARS-acknowledged orientation activities, new students shall sign a health declaration form and waiver distributed by the organisers. New students shall take responsibilities for their own health, safety and well-being by making a well-considered and well-informed decision on joining the orientation activities.

New students have the rights to refrain from participating in certain parts of the orientation activities or withdraw from the programme if necessary.

New students may refer to the Lists of Essential of Contacts for emergency and non-emergency assistance. 

Refund Policy
New students are entitled to request and receive refunds for orientation activities (excluding membership fee) before orientation activities commence. The refund amount will be determined as follows:
  1. If the refund request is submitted before the end of Registration Day (i.e. on or before 23:59 on 11th August 2024), the student will receive a full 100% refund.
  2. If the refund request is submitted 48 hours or more before the start of the orientation activity and after the end of Registration Day, the student will receive a 75% refund.
  3. Refund requests submitted within 48 hours of the activity start time may be declined at the discretion of the Student Society.
  4. Article (a) shall prevail in case of any conflicts between Article (a) and (c).
Orientation Incident Reporting Channels
New students who feel that any part of the orientation activities is in violation of the principles and policies mentioned above can report their observation to CEDARS directly via the following contact methods: