Columns

T he proctor said that during Orientation, “the behaviour of most students was great.” The week had its problems, though, including a great deal of broken glass and excessive noise. The noise be came particularly troublesome for commercial operations in the student quarter. Hotels, in particular, suffered with reported cases of guests leaving due to disruptions. The proctor warned that no matter what time of day the noise occurs, “if it’s unreasonable, Noise Control can visit.” Noise Control visited a great number of student flats during the past few weeks, with many flats having their speakers confiscated. Tenants were also charged for the inconvenience caused.

The throwing of bottles was also a problem during Orientation Week. The proctor warned that it’s “not just the instance of throwing the bottle itself” which is harmful; “the glass shreds car tyres, wheelchair tyres” and also “cuts feet.” In areas where a great deal of glass was present, students were “equipped with brooms” to clear the streets. The students were also advised of the penalties for throwing bottles, as it breaks the university’s Code of Conduct. $4,500 worth of fines was issued to students during Orientation Week. One female student has also been referred to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor to “review her stay at university” after repeat offending.

The police investigation is continuing in relation to the fires set during Orientation Week. A fire on Leith Street left severe damage to areas of a flat, which was fortunately empty at the time. The proctor noted that the fire was caused by individuals lighting fire to a piece of furniture on the porch, and then fuelling the fire with different items until the house caught alight. He advised that students remove furniture from their porches or backyards. In a separate incident, a group of students were found walking the streets with a toilet roll that was on fire. When asked their reasoning, the students said it was being used to light their cigarettes.

On Castle Street, two young men were advised that “socks and shoes alone does not mean you are dressed,” as they wore their birthday suits in daylight. The individuals were “supplied with boiler suits” and placed in police cells.

The first-year students were said to have been on their best behaviour and it was “mainly second and third years” who had issues.