University's vow: We'll deal with louts

Almost 70 people will appear in court this week facing charges relating to the weekend's rioting. Photo / Otago Daily Times

The University of Otago will come down hard on students whose "loutish behaviour" at the weekend threatened the university's reputation, vice-chancellor Professor Sir David Skegg says.

The small number of students who behaved in a "totally unacceptable way", throwing bottles or lighting fires, would be dealt with under the university's disciplinary powers, he said last night.

"The university takes whatever action is appropriate under its code of student conduct, irrespective of whether a student is appearing before the courts. These are quite separate processes."

Sixty-seven people will appear in the Dunedin District Court this week facing Undie 500-related charges including breaching the liquor ban, disorderly behaviour, obstruction and wilfully setting fire to property.

The university is already facing a legal challenge from the Otago University Students Association to its decision to expel for one semester a male student caught throwing missiles during the toga parade in February.

The association has asked the High Court to decide whether the clause, which the university says allows it to discipline students for anti-social behaviour off-campus, is legally enforceable.

Students continued to blame police for heavy-handed tactics while police bosses defended their stance yesterday.

A group of female students said their friends had bruises from police batons. They said police went on to people's properties unnecessarily and were over-zealous in restraining.

Emergency response commander Inspector Alastair Dickie defended police actions. "If they [students] want to get in the way and get a bit ruffled up, too bad," he said. "It's lucky that's all that happened to them, basically."

Bottles were thrown at police from private properties, and many residents refused to go inside their homes.

Ambulance staff took 15 people to hospital with injuries from being hit by "missiles" or cuts from the broken glass left on the road, he said.

Mr Dickie also defended the use of pepper spray, saying it was the best of three options - the others were dogs or batons - and caused temporary irritation.

Professor Skegg said it was sad the "loutish behaviour" of a small number of students threatened the university's reputation. "Fortunately, the reputation of a great institution built up over 140 years cannot be destroyed by a small number of students in a single weekend."

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES