Dave Scott’s 2024 annual report said the university had nearly "stamped out" flat initiations, and "gains were made" surrounding student behaviour, safety and wellbeing, but St Patrick’s Day remained troublesome.
"The day sees a series of private events.
"These events have a foundation in binge drinking and bring with them disorder, risky behaviour such as climbing on to roof tops, dismal rubbish management, noise related issues and disorderly behaviour."
Mr Scott said the student services division, supported by residential colleges and Red Frogs, provided pastoral care and safety support of the Brackens Lookout event.
"This year [2024] all rubbish associated with the event was sorted and recycled in alignment with the university sustainability aspirations.
"There are no easy solutions to this growing event, but we will continue to work with community partners seeking improvement."
In mid-April last year, the Hyde Street Party was "well executed with few issues arising" and calling off the Agnew St keg party was "a significant win in terms of student safety, community harm and the drain on emergency services".
In the 2023 annual report, Mr Scott raised significant concern about flat initiation or "hazing" events.
However, the 2024 report said "significant proactive prevention" work was undertaken by the proctor’s office, supported by Campus Watch and Residential Colleges to "stamp out" these events.
Flats identified as likely to host an initiation event were visited, with a face-to-face conversation on rules and expectations provided along with a letter and copy of the Student Code of Conduct.
This was followed up with an email to all students living at the flat to ensure everyone got the same message.
The 20 most likely flats received a second prevention visit a month after the first.
"These dangerous, harmful events were significantly reduced in 2024, with only one host flat referred to the Provost for serious misconduct for preparing to deliver an initiation event, where the proctor’s office intervened to prevent the event occurring."
The flat’s five second-year students each received a suspended exclusion for the second semester of this year and were all required to complete 40 hours of community service under the proctor’s direction.
"While there almost certainly were events held on private properties — behind closed doors — the proctor’s office will continue to work on the problem in 2025 with an ambition to eradicate the trend."
The proctor’s report was submitted to the university council yesterday.
At yesterday’s university council meeting, vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said broken glass around North Dunedin was "one of the biggest issues".
He said there was work being done to address this issue through agencies such as The Sophia Charter, Otago University Students’ Association and Campus Watch.
He commended "the vast majority of students" for their good decisions and sense of community.
