News

Otago students have returned to the streets of Dunedin in full force. Following an impromptu street party and several couch fires last Monday at around 10.30pm, police arrested six students involved on Castle Street.

A crowd spilled out from a flat-warming and gathered around the fires, which were lit near the corner of Castle Street and Howe Street. By the time fire service arrived at the scene, the crowd had grown to over 400.

Police arrived soon after. While at first they were content to speak to the suspected fire lighters, after more police resources arrived, they began a controlled push down Castle street to disperse the crowd. The host of one of the parties argued that “it wasn’t our fault our party was pumping.” Not impressed by this excuse, the Proctor had the boys in to his office, and issued an official warning to the occupants of the flats involved, and has indicated that fines will be applied if similar events take place again.

Similar disorder in previous years has spurred the University to crack down on such behaviour, in order to both protect the safety of its students and ensure that emergency services are put to good use rather than being wasted on deliberate fires.

Five students involved with lighting fires are due to meet with the University Provost, who has the power to exclude students from University for offences of this nature.

Otago University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Harlene Hayne, expressed her frustration over the incident. “It was extremely disappointing considering (Orientation) events so far have been so well attended and students for the most part have been enjoying themselves in a sociable and lawful manner.”

The Proctor shared this sentiment, pointing out that “people who light fires are either crazy or don’t like being at university very much.” Having observed one young man jumping over a fire that was expelling pieces of shrapnel, the Proctor commented that “his chances of fatherhood may well have been limited.” But worse consequences are feared: “At some point, someone’s going to get killed.”

The Police Sergeant at the scene seemed to have similar fears, commenting: “We don’t want to arrest anyone but someone is going to get hurt here.” He felt that his job had degenerated into “Basically babysitting” 2nd Years.

Campus Cop Max Holt believes that the fuel behind the fire was out-of-town students from other universities, wanting to enjoy the full scarfie experience. OUSA President Logan Edgar admitted that “Old Loges loves being scarfie but couch fires put other students’ health at risk so it’s fucking dumb. It just means in the future The Man’s going to be tougher on students.”