'No Make-Up or Short Haircuts': Female Students Protest 'General Rules' at a Women-Only Saudi University

Female students at Najran University to the southwest of Saudi Arabia launched a hashtag through Twitter to protest a list of general rules issued by the administration saying that it limits their freedoms in the women-only university and goes against the reforms undertaken in the country recently.

Translation: "Dear Najran University. Can you please catch up with what American and British universities had in 1920?"

The list issued by the administration of Computer Science & Information Systems College at Najran University states the different behaviors that go against the rules including attendance limits, in addition to some vague rules like prohibiting students' participation in "any activities outside of the university". The list also lists wearing make-up, having short haircuts or tattoos, wearing "unfamiliar" clothes or accessories as actions that lead to warnings. The list makes it clear that any behavior that could be associated with homosexuals will not be tolerated.

Translation: "I feel like I'm reading a military rulebook. This language of warnings and punishment can only be used in military camps. Universities are educational institutions where people study science and culture. It can't enforce these rules as if it's a cult. I really want to understand how universities think it's okay to allow or prohibit certain clothing styles, haircuts, religious views, or sexual orientations!"

The list prompted a strong online reaction, with students explaining that rules issued by the university are out-dated and violate basic human freedoms. Social media users also noted that these strict rules are not in line with the most recent reforms embraced by Saudi Arabia in regard to women's rights and freedoms.

Translation: "They write all these regressive statements and then add it's consistent with the kingdom's vision. This is nothing like it."

Translation: "I think this goes against personal freedoms. Why do they get to have a say in it?"

Saudi Arabia has 30 public universities and 12 private ones and they are all gender-separated. According to a 2015 Saudi Ministry of Education report, female students made up about 52% of graduates in  Saudi public universities.