Some of the concerns highlighted in the University’s 2019 Discipline Reports have been targeted by the University with new policies.
One example is the skips around campus at the beginning and end of the year. The Report notes that the skip “service was abused” in 2019, with too much waste and “large volumes” of rubbish. At the time, discussions were ongoing between Waste Management and Property Services to create “solutions for 2020”. To solve the problem, the University has now introduced skip security guards.
The CCTV network around the campus is moving into Phase Two, where the University reviews the performance of the security cameras. The review began on 13 February. The Proctor seemed happy with the way the cameras are functioning, stating that “[s]ome outstanding results have been achieved over the year that would almost certainly not have been achieved without the aid of the CCTV network.”
Students were smashing fewer glass bottles in 2019 than in 2018 or 2017. Glass incidents, which the University defines as “the throwing or smashing of bottles”, decreased from 39 in 2017 to 24 in 2019. Despite the decrease, Campus Constable John Woodhouse, stated that the police “continue to be frustrated at the mindless breaking of glass and windows”.
Breaches of the Code of Conduct for excessive noise also decreased. The Proctor plans to continue to limit noise with a plan developed in collaboration with the DCC, Noise Control, and the Motel Owners’ Association. The process involves meeting with the 25 most problematic flats for noise complaints to outline rules.
Along with general reviews of Code of Conduct infringements, the Report acknowledges the death of Sophia Crestani at The Manor last year. “There is ongoing work with community partners and Sophia’s family, seeking to change the student culture and improve the North Dunedin precinct,” the Proctor stated in his report. “This will be ongoing throughout 2020 and likely beyond.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the University was disappointed with the “noteworthy” rise in couch burnings. The Proctor noted, “largely due to the CCTV network, the Proctor’s Office was able to identify and hold large numbers of offenders accountable.”
Again unsurprisingly, the Proctor stated that “[c]learly uncontrolled use of alcohol and binge drinking is a major aggravating factor in the majority of breaches of the Code of Student Conduct (this has been the case for a number of years).” There were 891 incidents of breach over the past year, up from 875 in 2018.
Incidents of theft increased, a lot. There were 56 incidents in 2018 and 114 in 2019. The Proctor stated in the Report that more reports of theft and willful damage were expected as a result of the CCTV network. The logic is that if there is a potential avenue of investigation, victims are more likely to report property damage and theft.