Vaughan Elder

The rejection of a call for an independent inquiry into AgResearch's restructuring plan has been called a ''slap in the face'' to the people of Otago and Southland.

AgResearch's admission it largely squandered $15.5 million on buildings in 2007 and 2008 inspires little confidence its latest plan will be a success, two former staff say.

AgResearch's plan to slash the number of scientists at Invermay came under sustained attack at a sheep breeders' meeting in Gore yesterday.

The University of Otago spent $1.4 million on advertising last year, but has declined an official request for the cost of sponsoring the Highlanders.

A survey showing 92.1% of sheep breeders are against shifting Invermay jobs north is yet more damning evidence against AgResearch's proposal, the survey's author, Dr Jock Allison, says.

Taking on a lifestyle property can involve a sharp learning curve, but the Taieri Farm Club wants to help demystify the experience.

The number of University of Otago students caught cheating and committing other dishonest practices increased by more than 50% last year.

Rapid growth in student numbers at Otago Polytechnic means some semester two enrolments will likely not be Government-funded.

The number of University of Otago students taking humanities has dropped by more than 570 in the past two years, dragging down overall numbers.

Otago University's new visitors centre has had more than 3500 people through its doors since it opened in January.

The Otago University Students' Association recreation centre has been reopened as contractors complete finishing touches on a $2 million refurbishment.

A line-up including ''probably the biggest'' United Kingdom hip-hop act has attracted fans from around New Zealand to tomorrow's O-Week afterparty at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

University of Otago professor Tony Binns has had an eventful start to the year.

The relationship between students and the rest of the Dunedin has at times been fraught, tested by couch burnings and riots. Otago Daily Times tertiary education reporter Vaughan Elder takes a look at how the relationship between students and the rest of the city stacks up now.

Police have warned students and other O-Week revellers that anyone involved in lighting fires will be put before the courts.

The students are back in town and set to revel in a week of fun that has become the envy of those studying outside Dunedin.

The University of Otago has come under attack from its own staff for its decision to sponsor the Highlanders and for sharing a space on the team's jersey with an alcohol company.

Contractors are putting in seven-day weeks to make sure the extensive earthquake strengthening and refurbishment of Selwyn College is complete before students move in next week.