Do not cross the line of law even in student revelry

The president of the university shows support for a graduate who came out. [Photo/CFP]

An online post accusing some of the male students at Huazhong University of Science and Technology of collective sexual harassment by "occupying" female dormitories, splashing water on them, and blocking the doors to rooms - a traditional way of celebrating graduation at the university - provoked much criticism. Comments:

Invading the girls' dormitory, taking off their clothes and swinging underwear around... all these acts by male students violated the significance of this welcome activity, and posed a security risk as the excited students could easily engage in excessive misconduct. It also seriously affected or offended who are those against this form of revelry.

sohu.com, Oct 30

Many Chinese students don't deliberately highlight the gender difference in their activities. Actually, some female students participated in the activities, too. Students who do not like to take part in such activities can choose not to. The graduation activity is part of the tradition of Huazhong University of Science graduation and an integral part of its campus culture.

The Paper news agency, Nov 1

No objection should be made to young people having fun but there is a limit to how far they should go; and they should respect others. The water splashing activities themselves have nothing to do with sexual harassment, but that does not mean it wasn't abused in such a way. During the whole incident, some girls' reluctance to participate should have been respected but they were not.

ifeng.com, Nov 1