Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Fresh warning to students after 4th night of disorder
Universities pledge action over trouble
UNIVERSITIES warned action will be taken against students who bring them into “disrepute” after another night of Freshers’ Week disorder.
College bosses united after police were forced to deploy extra resources to the Holylands, Stranmillis and Ormeau Road areas of Belfast since Sunday to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
Queen’s University Belfast said those misbehaving off campus will be “subject to the full rigours” of a strict code.
And the University of Ulster warned it will “not tolerate anti-social behaviour”.
The statements come as Queen’s Freshers’ Week draws to a close, while preparations begin for the University of Ulster’s new intake next week. Over four nights of disorder, the PSNI reported 14 student houses to the college while 23 individuals also came to their attention.
Police made one arrest and dealt with 10 complaints of disorderly behaviour and criminal damage.
Officers also issued notices for disorderly and indecent behaviour and on-street drinking, while there were 20 seizures of alcohol. A Queen’s spokesman said they would “fully investigate any complaints or reports of anti-social behaviour”.
He added: “A strict offcampus disciplinary code is in place and if any Queen’s student is found to have brought the university into disrepute they will be subject to the full rigours of this code.
“Queen’s has a comprehenthe sive programme of work in place to educate and support students living as part of the local community.
“We work in close partnership with Queen’s Students’ Union, Ulster University, PSNI, Belfast City Council and other key stakeholders on a daily basis to promote student safety and welfare.” An Ulster University spokesperson said students had been warned of the risks.
They added: “Ulster University does not tolerate anti-social behaviour and has robust disciplinary processes in place to deal with any incidences reported to us by the council or the PSNI.”