Penalties meted out should not leave permanent mark on students’ records

I refer to the report “NUS disciplines 30 students over inappropriate orientation activities” (Oct 14).

While I appreciate the National University of Singapore’s efforts to make the incidents a priority and to complete a thorough investigation, as well as take disciplinary action, I think it could have avoided putting an official reprimand on the students’ records.

All the other penalties — fines of up to S$2,000, mandatory community service of up to 100 hours, behavioural rehabilitation programmes and submitting statements of reflection — seem to be sufficient deterrents against deviant behaviour while taking care to not leave a permanent mark on the students’ files. That should be the nature of any disciplinary action when it comes to students.

I hope our educational institutions can show more compassion.