National Chengchi University (NCCU) today confirmed that it has referred a complaint about a lecturer’s comments on menstrual leave to its Gender Equity Education Committee, saying it firmly stands against discriminatory speech and behavior.
Chu Li-shi (朱立熙), a part-time lecturer at the university's Department of Korean Language and Culture, today apologized after saying on Facebook on Wednesday that receiving eight menstrual leave requests from students in one day was like having "eight blood-stained sanitary pads thrown at my face. Disgusting."
He planned to issue midterm warnings to students who took menstrual leave three times in the first half of the semester, Chu said in his original post.
Photo: Taipei Times file
He also accused students of exploiting what he called a loophole, as grades are not affected by menstrual leave.
Chu's comments sparked outrage online, with people accusing him of misogyny and a lack of respect for human rights.
The NCCU Student Association last night said that Chu's remarks might make students feel humiliated and discourage them from taking menstrual leave, a school policy that allows female students to take one day off per month without providing supporting documentation.
It reported the incident to the department and university, the association added.
The department director has spoken with Chu, stressing the need for mutual respect between teachers and students, NCCU said.
Chu today wrote in an apology on Facebook, saying that his previous comments were made “out of anger” and were “clearly inappropriate.”
He said he would comply with the committee’s investigation and would not “run away,” although he hopes the matter will “end here.”
Procedures regarding “campus gender issues” have been initiated, NCCU said.
The case has been handed over to the committee and is to be handled in accordance with regulations, the university said, adding that it maintains its firm stance on gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness on campus.
Additional reporting by Yang Mien-chieh and Fion Khan
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