University issues warning over students’ initiations
ANOW-DELETED podcast in which Cardiff University students discussed initiation practices that saw an egg hit a bartender in the face has led to the university warning of disciplinary action.
Former students used a podcast to discuss the various “impressive” and “creative” punishments and initiations they faced in their sports teams while studying.
One former Cardiff University football player, Fergus, explained that during his first-ever freshers social, the new boys were led down an alley and pelted with eggs and salad cream.
He explained: “As bad as it sounds... it did just get rid of the people that they didn’t necessarily want there.”
At a later social, Fergus recalled an innocent bartender getting caught up in the crossfire when one player threw an egg which ended up striking her in the face, The Tab reports. Knowing the reputation the clubs had, Fergus said when they go somewhere “we know we’re never going to be invited back again”.
While the original YouTube video has been deleted, the TikToks sharing the stories still remain on the social media app, gaining thousands of views. Videos of a former Warwick rugby player discussing his experiences also remain.
He explained several “impressive” and “creative” punishments he witnessed during his time at the university. In one named The Fountain of Youth, Jack said: “You get someone’s testicles, and you stretch it out. You get someone to lie beneath. You get a Jaegerbomb and you pour it over their testicles and someone has to drink it from beneath.”
He also described The Seed, where a player was forced to curl up in a ball, completely naked. Then, “someone would come over and throw a pint over you, like you’re flowering the seed, and then you’d have to slowly grow up into a flower, fully naked.”
When approached for comment, podcast host James told The Tab: “We understand how this episode could be taken out of context, however, as the disclaimer at the start of the video said: ‘All stories discussed in this episode are a complete fabrication and none of them ever actually happened’ – and this is true, the podcast is purely for entertainment purposes.” This disclaimer, however, does not appear at the beginning of the TikToks.
A Cardiff University spokesman told the site: “We are not aware of the instances described in this podcast – and they appear to be historic. While the Cardiff University football club has faced disciplinary action in the past due to poor behaviour, it has worked in partnership with the Students’ Union in recent years to ensure its current leaders and members fully understand the expected standards of behaviour and the consequences of not fulfilling those obligations.
“We are clear that initiations or similar behaviour have no place at Cardiff University. The university and Students’ Union have policies in place related to conduct and behaviour. Any student found to be in breach of those policies will be subject to disciplinary action.”
A spokesman for the University of Warwick added: “The University of Warwick does not tolerate hazing. All students who join the university agree to comply with our Dignity at Warwick policy, which outlines the values we expect our community to uphold, along with a code of conduct for the Students’ Union.”