The University is shielding the MSSS from being monitored by SU

Not all student groups are automatically affiliated with the SU. Rather, the International Students Association (ISA) and MSSS, for example, are Department-associated Groups registered by the Dean of Students’ Office (DSTO) with a panel under the Committee on Student Affairs. Like other groups affiliated with specific departments, DSTO, as their sponsor department, provides support, assistance and guidance to ISA and MSSS for activities they organize for their members.

Both groups are required to submit activity plans and reports to DSTO for monitoring, and MSSS did not receive preferential treatment.

The University has made registration of all students from Mainland, Macau, and Taiwan to the MSSSUG automatic and mandatory.

The University has long upheld the principle that registration of a student to a specific society will not be automatic or mandatory. Students are free to register to any society, only on a voluntary basis. (Oct 18, 2019 statement)

The University gives MSSSUG access to students’ personal information.

This statement is simply unfounded. The University has not, does not, and will not give any student society access to the personal information it holds. Members of the University should rest assured that the University complies strictly with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong in handling personal data. (Oct 18, 2019 statement)

Relationship between HKUST SU and the University and its membership