Otago students drop code challenge

Otago University students have abandoned their legal challenge to the university's controversial code of conduct.

The code was introduced in 2007 after an escalating number of disorder incidents involving Dunedin students. It gave the university the power to require students to give up their studies either temporarily or permanently as a result of off-campus incidents.

The Otago University Students Association challenged the university's right to use the code but lost its case in the High Court last October.

In December, the association decided to appeal the court's decision in favour of the university.

However, president Harriet Geoghegan said the association's executive had now decided to abandon their appeal because of the cost - "both financial and in terms of relations with the university".

Ms Geoghegan told the Otago Daily Times the disagreement with the university had created tension and had "severely impacted our ability to make progress on issues that affect both the university and the students".

"We've gone as far as we can really in terms of opposing it and the appeal would have cost a huge amount."

Ms Geoghegan said the "crucial outcome" now would be to have student representation on the three-member appeals board reinstated so students were fairly represented when the board dealt with disciplinary matters. They were excluded in 2006.

The university had suggested, there was "scope to negotiate" the issue, she said.

University vice-chancellor Professor Sir David Skegg yesterday described the association's decision as "very good news".

- NZPA