Otago University 'to back down' on student code plan

Otago University may be back-pedalling on its proposed new code of conduct for students in the face of legal concerns.

The code was drafted in a bid to address unruly student behaviour in North Dunedin.

It was due to go before the university council tomorrow, and papers for the meeting carried a recommendation from vice-chancellor Professor David Skegg that it be adopted, the Otago Daily Times reported.

But the newspaper said it understood that the code to be considered would be different to the code recently released by the university.

The changes would relate to the reach of university discipline regulations beyond the campus.

Students have argued that the university is moving outside legislation by seeking to have the proposed code cover behaviour beyond the boundaries of the institution.

- NZPA