Universities told to curb drink-sodden initiations

UNIVERSITIES must curb dangerous student initiation ceremonies because of the risks of heavy drinking, according to new guidance.

They should be prepared to fine or throw out clubs and societies which persistently allow risky or coercive behaviour among members.

Administrators should also be clearer about the sanctions for bullying and inappropriate antics at alcohol-fuelled initiation events.

The advice from Universities UK (UUK), the umbrella group for vice chancellors, follows the death of Newcastle University first-year student Ed Farmer in December 2016. The 20-year-old went into cardiac arrest from the ‘toxic effects’ of excessive alcohol after an ‘initiationpub crawl organised by the institution’s agriculture society.

The inquest last October heard how participants drank vodka from a pig’s head and bobbed for apples in a bucket of urine and alcohol.

Coroner Karen Dilks said there was a lack of awareness about the ‘inherent risks’ of binge drinking.

UUK set up a national working group in response to her findings, supported by Ed’s parents Jeremy and Helen, and led by Newcastle University head Chris Day.

Its report, published today, says clubs and societies must be held more accountable for the actions of their members.

John de Pury, of UUK, said this means taking disciplinary action against societies as well as the individual involved in ‘abusive or risky behaviours’.

He added: ‘It’s about looking at each case... if a club has got persistent bad behaviour, then you sanction that club.’

Clubs and societies should also share information about ‘dangerous initiations’ with university officials.

It also said disciplinary processes and sanctions ‘should be agreed and owned jointly across the institution and its students’ union’.

Other recommendations include increasing the availability of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks in student union bars and offering an anonymous reporting system for students with worries about dangerous initiation ceremonies.

Mr de Pury added that it was important to educate students about ‘risky behaviours’ and encourage them to take ‘a greater responsibility for their actions’.

‘Educate students on risky behaviours’