On 7 January 2016 the Ashesi Judicial Committee (AJC) ruled on a case of social misconduct, which occurred in December 2015. The AJC concluded that the student, a member of the Class of 2017, is guilty of the theft of a cell phone and of knowingly providing false information to Ashesi officials, to the AJC, and to other members of the Ashesi community. After deliberating, the AJC decided to expel the student.
As stated in Ashesi’s policies,
Theft is a crime under the criminal code of Ghana and is abhorrent to the Ashesi community as it erodes the trust among community members. Students who are found to have stolen property (or attempted to) from members of the university community are subject to an AJC hearing which could lead to dismissal. Section 9.4, Ashesi Student Handbook.
A student may not knowingly provide false information or make misrepresentation to any University office. Students are obligated to provide University personnel with truthful and accurate identification upon request. Students who are found to have provided false information may be subject to dismissal. Section 9.2, Ashesi Student Handbook.
Sanctions
- The student will be expelled with immediate effect.
- The student will repay the victim for the costs incurred.
The committee’s decision and the severity of the sanctions were based on the overwhelming evidence presented to the panel, and the multiple incidences of lying. The fact that the acts were carried out at a time when there was a heightened sense of anxiety about campus theft, and a week following another AJC case in which the implications of lying to officials and undermining fellow students’ ability to perform were highlighted, also contributed to the deliberation.
The AJC would especially like to advise students of the following:
1. Lying to Ashesi officials is absolutely forbidden, as are acts which are deliberately meant to mislead officials or fellow members of the Ashesi community.
2. Pranks which contravene Ashesi policies and rules will not be overlooked.
3. Carrying out acts which undermine the ability of students, staff and faculty to perform their studies and work will be treated out with utmost seriousness. Removing, withholding or hiding personal property of others in the community is likely to be considered theft.
4. Theft is considered a serious crime in Ghana, and similarly a crime at Ashesi. In this vein, students should understand that all social, ethical and academic infractions will be treated seriously at Ashesi.
The mission of Ashesi University College is to train a new generation of ethical leaders. At Ashesi we are committed to upholding the values of ethical behavior and integrity which are paramount to our success as an institution.
