04/12/2025
【Statement on the University’s Notice to Suspend the Operations of Students’ Union】
The Hong Kong Baptist University Students’ Union abruptly received notification from the University at 7:00 p.m. on 4 December, 2025, announcing the indefinite suspension of the Union’s operations. The suspension includes the takeover of facilities managed by the Union, such as the Union’s office, the printing room and bulletin boards. The University has also demanded the Union officers to remove their personal belongings and vacate from the office by 5:00 p.m. on 6 December (see attached Photo 4). The Union strongly condemns this unreasonable action and responds as follows:
1. University’s Claim of the Union’s Weak Legitimacy
Since the academic year of 2021–22, the University has stopped collecting membership fees on behalf of the Union, causing a significant drop in the number of members. In response, the Union has lowered its membership fees and actively promoted the recruitment of members this year, leading to a rise of membership nearly sixfold, compared with the previous year. Moreover, the Union includes representatives from academic societies, interest clubs, and hall councils, showing its broad representatives of the Union, which contradicts the University’s assertion of the Union’s poor legitimacy.
2. University’s Claim of the Union Neglects Student Welfare
This year, the Union has already organized two recruitment sessions of Executive Committees and six trial activity meetings, which is currently preparing for the SU Banquet scheduled in December. However, the event was postponed due to venue disapproval from the University, stating “documentation issues.”
Moreover, the Union maintains close relations with affiliated societies, providing resources and equipment loans, actively providing welfare to fellow students. Yet, the University chose to ignore these facts.
Furthermore, on 1 August 2024, the University has already taken over two of the Welfare Co-operation Shops, which was previously operated by the Student Union, with the reason of “poor management”. Recently, under the excuse of “Space Reallocation,” the University has reclaimed several premises managed by the Union, including Students’ Union Office (Room 501), Council Office (Room 503), and Storage Room (Room 504) in the Yeung Shui Sang Building at Ho Sin Hang Campus. These actions further restrict the ability of the Union to serve our fellow students, harming the welfare of students.
The Union has engaged in repeated communication with the University and submitted detailed proposals for planned student activities. Despite these good-faith efforts, the University abruptly issued a unilateral order to suspend the Union’s operations, leaving the Union unable to comprehend with such a hasty move.
3. University’s Claim of the Refusion of Union to Comply with its Regulations, Particularly on Financial Management
The Union has organized several meetings with the University, particularly on 18 November and 21 November, 2025 to discuss the Constitution with regards to the financial matters. During the meetings, the Union has reached a mutual agreement with the Office of Student Affairs to make amendments to the Constitution with regards to the financial matters. A receipt-based reimbursement procedure would be implemented. The Students’ Union Council has already initiated preliminary discussions and drafted proposals on related amendments. Thereby, the Union has demonstrated that the related matters have been followed up actively, which is contradicted to the University’s allegation.
The University’s decision to take full control of all Students’ Union facilities was made without sufficient communication—merely by posting a notice outside the Union office and sending a simple email. It demanded the Union to vacate within less than 48 hours. This immediate decision has failed to consider the time, manpower, and logistical effort required for relocation. Had prior discussion taken place, the Union would have been fully capable of providing adequate explanations. The University’s irrational action raises concerns about potential ulterior motives behind this forced suspension.
The University’s reasoning is unfounded and arbitrary. It disregards the efforts of Students’ Union officers and the welfare of students, endangering the Union through unreasonable administrative action. Not only the University’s unilateral and uncommunicative attitude would deeply disappoint the Union’s dedicated members, but also dishearten our fellow students inevitably. The Union strongly condemns the University’s deceitful and untrustworthy handling of this matter and urges the University to reflect on its attitude toward students. We call on the University to communicate with the Union directly, to ensure the normal continuation of its operations.
Hong Kong Baptist University Students’ Union
5 December 2025
