University to clarify expectations

A zero tolerance approach to sexual misconduct and online abuse will now be spelled out in the University of Otago’s updated code of student conduct.

Rubbish at student properties will also be under a disciplinary spotlight in the new rule book.

But university registrar Chris Stoddart said student behaviour such as sexual misconduct, online abuse and dangerous initiation practices were all already prohibited under general code of conduct provisions.

However, the university’s position on each would be made more clear in this year’s update of the code of conduct and discipline statute now under way, Mr Stoddart said.

The university’s rules of student conduct applied both on and off campus, with the understanding that the university’s jurisdiction over members of the student community only applied where there was a sufficient connection with the institution, Mr Stoddart said.

The proposed rubbish provisions were intended to support students being responsible members of the community, Mr Stoddart said.

They were aimed at situations where failure to deal appropriately with rubbish negatively affected others, or presented a health and safety risk.

Otago University Students' Association president Michaela Waite-Harvey said the university should be working on ways to reduce rubbish in the student precinct and focus on harm reduction.

But she said the students' association continued to oppose this being done through a punitive model such as a code of conduct or the discipline statute in their current forms.

"We do not believe the university has the right to infringe on the behaviours of students in their private residences," she said.

"We will be encouraging the university through our submission to minimise their oversight of student private lives and instead invest in initiatives that will actually change the culture and behaviours on campus."

After a vice-chancellor-led review, and wider consultation now under way, an updated conduct statute will be considered for approval by the University of Otago council later this year.

The university is seeking feedback on its proposed conduct statute until May 7.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz