There is a silver lining for expelled students to be readmitted to UoN to complete their studies as reported by the Standard. This will only apply to students who have served at least one year of expulsion, shown remorse, and demonstrated a change of character. The pardon advisory committee (PAC) has set guidelines that will see these students appealing to the chair of the senate, and the committee will recommend a free or conditional pardon to an expelled student. They can also propose postponement punishment of a student, either for a specified or indefinite period, or substitute a less server form of punishment. To be eligible to file a pardon petition the student:
- must demonstrate they have exhausted all internal administrative mechanisms;
- must exhausted all administrative and legal mechanisms in place at the university on violation of the Code of conduct;
- must have been accused of an offense and the process of conviction already completed;
- must be required to state specific reasons for which pardon is sought and attach any relevant documentary evidence that indicates how a pardon will help them accomplish student life.
However, students facing criminal cases in court are exempted from this pardon.
The PAC guidelines state that the committee’s verdict is final with no appeal against their decision. The committee will review all the petitions presented and determine the students’ worthiness for relief. Written views of the victims of the violation will also be taken into account during the pardoning process.
VC Prof. Kiama said that the special committee sittings are soon rolling out with starting point being cases filtration and hearing them and this is part of this wider reform agenda for the University. “It is, therefore, the responsibility of the university and its governance organs to pardon as part of its integral social, economic, and cultural policies on expelled students,” said Kiama after making reference to some of the country’s leaders once students were expelled for various mistakes but after reforming their character excelled in their studies becoming the best brains in our country.
“We cannot punish them forever. If we fail to give them (students) a chance then we will kill their aspirations and hopes of the communities they come from,” he concluded.
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