Dear Critic – I headed down to Castle street last weekend, and needless to say, shit was pretty loose down there. I noticed that Campus Watch and the cops were all over the place! What’s up with those guys? What do I need to watch out for being the unassuming young blood that I am?
– Troubled Fresher
Your concerns are not unwarranted. The increasingly exuberant (read: uncontrollable) behaviour of your fellow scarfies in recent years has prompted a simultaneous decrease in the University’s tolerance. Accordingly, you ought to know a thing or two about your “rights” when it comes to these figures of authority, for when you get in the shit.
The Code of Conduct (COC) binds all students at Otago. It forbids students from being “unreasonably disruptive to other members of the University or the local community” or being “otherwise unlawful”. This gives the University power to punish students who get too ridiculous while OTP.
Campus Watch’s primary purpose is to ensure the safety of students, staff, and University property. This entails monitoring the debauchery around certain troublesome areas of North Dunedin, so they are often the first point of contact for the University when somebody misbehaves. If asked, you must present some form of ID to Campus Watch. But you are not obliged to say anything, or give explanation as to anything they allege against you.
The Proctor will then request you meet at his office within a week. In general, urinating in public will result in you making a donation to the OUSA Food Bank. A first instance of, say, smashing a bottle will get you a $200 fine. Lighting or fuelling a fire, however, will almost definitely result in a long suspension from the University. You will be sent to the Provost who can make a recommendation that your presence at University be reviewed. Any decisions made by the Provost may be appealed.
If there’s anything else you need to know, just ask a second-year law student – they are, after all, the well-informed and all-knowing prophets of truth.
– Alice O’Connell
(This is not actual legal advice. If you’re in the shit, consult a lawyer)