Code to penalise unruly scarfies

Students are specifically prohibited from lighting fires and throwing bottles, on or off campus, under a tough University of Otago draft code of conduct.

Also banned are firing projectiles, generating "unreasonably disruptive" noise, vandalism and any form of threatening behaviour or assault.

Those who fall foul of the code could be shown the door.

"If somebody behaves in an anti-social and dangerous fashion, we could give them a yellow card and say come back next year," Vice-Chancellor Professor David Skegg said yesterday.

The university is likely to adopt the code after its senior academic decision-making body, the senate, and Professor Skegg approved the draft this week.

Sanctions under the code range from a reprimand to fines, community work or expulsion.

"I believe that the introduction of this code will be in the interest of all students, and will also safeguard the unique relationship that exists between the university and the people of Dunedin," Professor Skegg said.

Most students had fun without endangering others, but the behaviour of a minority of students during a recent Saturday night illustrated what was completely unacceptable, he said.

On that weekend, police in riot gear charged a group of about 300 students, after some had lit fires and thrown bottles at emergency service staff.

"I have now watched video footage of the events on that evening and congratulate the police, who showed considerable restraint under provocation and defused the situation," Professor Skegg said.

"If the university and the student body do not also take responsibility, the police will be forced to adopt measures that would have an adverse effect on the life of this city," he said.

The university has been considering its stance on student behaviour since last year, when Professor Skegg set up a working party to "consider concerns relating to unruly and anti-social student behaviour in North Dunedin".

The working party recommended a new code be drafted and a second group, including two student representatives, was formed to do the work.

The final decision on the code will be made by the university council this month.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES