SOULS Law Camp has been cancelled after a meeting between the executive of the Society of Otago University Law Students and the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Tony Ballantyne.
The SOULS Executive made the following statement in an email to all law students:
"The Society of Otago University Law Students (“SOULS”) has run a Law Camp in previous years. Law Camp is for students in their second year of law and provides an opportunity for those students to meet each other and bond before what is a challenging year ahead. The 2018 SOULS Executive (“the Executive”) relies on the support of the Law Faculty and wider University to run Law Camp. The 2018 Camp (“the Camp”) was scheduled to commence this Friday and run over the weekend. The Executive had worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and enjoyment of students were maximised at the Camp. We had redeveloped the itinerary for the Camp scheduled for this weekend and put further protections in place to ensure this goal was met. Members of the Executive met with the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Professor Tony Ballantyne today at 12:15pm. They discussed with the Pro-Vice Chancellor the renewed vision and agenda the Executive had for the Camp. At this time, the Pro-Vice Chancellor and the University are not prepared to support the Camp. Without this support, regrettably, SOULS is unable to run the Camp this year. SOULS will be in contact with the students directly affected. We understand that many students will be disappointed. As a student representative body, the comfort and safety of our students is SOULS’ number one priority. SOULS encourages any student to speak up about their concerns with any event we run and should be assured the 2018 Executive will take any concerns very seriously"
Tony Ballantyne also released a statement, saying:
"Today I met with members of the executive of SOULS. At the end of that meeting, I expressed my concerns were significant enough that the University believes that withdrawing support from the Law camp was the appropriate way forward. In response, SOULS have decided to cancel this year’s event. Of course, they are understandably disappointed but it is my strongly held view that on the basis of concerns raised with me this weekend we need to rethink and redesign the event for the future. SOULS has recently done a tremendous amount of positive work to improve the event, but I think there is more work to be done. I have extended the offer of my assistance to SOULS to help with future events that are designed to promote a collegial, inclusive and positive culture.
I know that this was a particularly difficult decision for your executive group to make today, and I ask that you have some understanding of the challenging situation that they are in. However, I feel very strongly that change is needed to make future events respectful, safe and comfortable for all parties.
Law at Otago has an outstanding tradition of research and teaching and it produces outstanding graduates, year after year. I deeply value the Law Faculty and I am keen that we work together to ensure that it is in the best position to serve the intellectual and professional needs of its students as we move into the future."