Otago University cancels law camp

Monday, 5 March 2018

The University of Otago is investigating 'concerns' raised over behaviour at law school camps. (FILE PHOTO)

Otago University has cancelled its annual law camp after concerns were raised about jelly wrestling and nude drinking games at the alcohol-fuelled event.

Pro-vice chancellor humanities Professor Tony Ballantyne confirmed in a statement on Monday that the Society of Otago University Law Students (Souls) had cancelled its annual camp after the university withdrew its support for the event.

An annual Otago University camp for law students could be canned after complaints about excessive drinking, nudity and jelly wrestling.

'Due to the concerns raised in the last 48 hours, we believe that a rethink and redesign of the event is required.'

Ballantyne said the university was not in a position to comment on individual staff members, but warned against those making 'potentially defamatory remarks and breaching natural justice rights and due process'.

Have you attended university law camps? If you are willing to share your experiences, email newstips@stuff.co.nz

* Russell McVeagh barred from University of Canterbury campus

* Scathing letter from Auckland University to Russell McVeagh

* Law Society says system 'should be improved'

* Alison Mau launches #metoonz investigation**

Parents raised concerned with the university last year and more concerns had been raised over the last two days, Ballantyne said,

Alexandra Mills told RNZ she attended the 2014 camp. She said it was raucous and drunken, but great fun and she was unaware of anyone being uncomfortable or harassed.

She said there was a lot of nudity and drinking, but rain meant the jelly wrestling was cancelled.

She said outgoing Dean of Law, Mark Henaghan, attended for the talent show, which involved nudity. Henaghan, 63, will leave the university at the end of the year to take up a professorship at the University of Auckland Law School.

'The dean was just a passive by-stander in the audience watching it. So there was nothing really he could have done. If anything people went a bit further to try to be funny . . . or shock the dean,' Mills told RNZ.

The NZ Herald quoted a former student anonymously saying during the 2014 talent show, four girls stripped to their underwear and had stars over their nipples.

Souls has run the annual camp for the last 10 years. Students paid for their own accommodation and alcohol, but the university provided a security guard and catering.

Ballantyne earlier said concerns were raised last year and 'substantial work was undertaken with the student organisers to ensure that excessive drinking and nudity were addressed'.

Souls president Tim Austen said this year's camp was scheduled to start on Friday and run over the weekend.

Without the support of the university, the executive could not run the camp and would contact affected students, he said.

'We understand that many students will be disappointed. As a student representative body, the comfort and safety of our students is Souls' number one priority.'

Anyone with concerns about any Souls-run events were encouraged to speak up, he said.

'THERE WAS A LOT OF SOCIAL PRESSURE'

A student who took part in the 2012 camp said her experience was more akin to 'what you see in those American movies', according to the NZ Herald.

Some activities were fun but others – including one where five groups of 30, led by senior students, each put forward a girl to take part in jelly wrestling – were 'bizarre' and uncomfortable.

'There was a sense of confusion and some were a little grossed out by it – obviously no-one wants to call it out because there was a lot of social pressure.

'All the senior fifth year students pulled out chairs right next to the pit while everyone sort of sat back.'

A university spokeswoman said Souls had not received any complaints.

The allegations come as many of the country's law schools, the University of Otago included, sever ties with law firm Russell McVeagh as a review into sexual misconduct allegations at the law firm begins.

Students working in the firm's summer clerk programme in 2015-16 complained about inappropriate sexual behaviour and misconduct by staff in its Wellington office. Allegations include sexual harassment and that staff engaged in boardroom sex with students.