The University of Otago is imposing a campus-wide alcohol ban for the Rugby World Cup, and it looks likely to continue once the tournament ends.
At a meeting last week, the University Council unanimously adopted Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne’s recommendation that an “Alcohol on Campus Statute” be implemented on campus. The law will be in place until January, when Prof Hayne expects it will be repealed and replaced by a new set of regulations for 2012.
Students found in breach of the campus-wide ban may be dealt with under the University’s disciplinary powers and Code of Conduct. Penalties under these regulations include fines, community service, and expulsion from the university in worst-case scenarios.
The Dunedin City Council asked the University to implement an alcohol ban as part of wider restrictions through the city and North Dunedin for the Rugby World Cup. The regulation approved by the University Council will prohibit all persons from bringing, possessing, or consuming alcohol on any part of the campus. Critic understands that exemptions apply for people carrying alcohol in unopened containers, and consumption of alcohol within university buildings would not be affected in line with the current policy.
Student representatives on the University Council, Jonathan Rowe and Katie Reid, have raised concerns about the implementation of the regulations, questioning whether the Rugby World Cup had been used by the university as an opportunity to promote a wider agenda against alcohol. Prof Hayne admitted there had been “long-standing concerns” about the consumption of alcohol on campus, especially with regards to groups of people congregating to drink.
Prof Hayne said that the principal intent of the statute was to “make plain that the university campus is not available as a place for groups to congregate and consume alcohol, and to support the taking of measures against those who may attempt to do so.”
Non-students found drinking alcohol on campus would be asked by Campus Watch staff to stop and leave the university grounds, while the statute would also provide police with a “greater ability to respond to any who may fail to co-operate.”
Campus dry. Scarfies cry.
