The Gown Student Newspaper at Queen's University Belfast

NEWS: Meeting with Holylands and Stranmillis students takes place in PFC

A meeting took place in the PFC this evening for students living in streets in the Holylands and Stranmillis which have generated the most complaints. Community Relations officer Gordon Douglas lead the meeting, with VP Community Laura Hawthorne and SU President Shane Brogan both in attendance.

BY CATHERINE WYLIE

With approximately 107 students filling the lecture theatre, Mr Douglas spoke of the media’s power in tainting the repuation of QUB students and indeed the University as a whole.

“Negative reports give ALL students bad name,” he said.

“I recognise the problem of overcrowding with HMO properties, and there is to be no more HMOs but it’s too late.”

He commented on the importance of being aware of who is living on your street. “You must be aware of who is living around you.  I know one example in Stranmillis whereby six first year boys live next door to a family who have a small child.”

Mr Douglas condemned behaviour such as drunken shouting on the street, letting off fire extinguishers and pulling aerials off cars.  He commented on the fact that too much noise occurs when students make their way from their house to a taxi when going out at night, and then when returning home.

The issue of environmental awareness was also raised as Mr Douglas said, “I walked around the Holylands before the semester began and you could literally eat your dinner off the ground. Now, however, there is rubbish, papers, and broken glass. Attitudes need to change.”

Students were warned of the consequences of misconduct and were told that should they receive a written warning it will remain on their academic record. However, it was pointed out that adequate evidence would be required before a written warning would be an option.

Mr Douglas revealed that during the last acadmic year 69 QUB students received fines, from £25 up to £500. 41 written warnings were issued, and there was 7 reprimands and 5 suspensions (2 of which were for a full year).

Since 1st August, there has already been 178 complaints and 2 students have been suspended.

Shane Brogan told the students in attendance that after the St. Patrick’s Day incident this year, the Union received 800 letters of complaint from students.

Mr Douglas said that this Sunday night sees the return of the warden scheme which costs QUB £75,000 per year.

The meeting ended with a Q&A session in which only one student asked a question.

Tags: anti-social behaviour, Gown, holylands, Misconduct, newspaper, qub, Queen's, queen's university, Stranmillis, student, The Gown

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