Otago University's porn ban slammed as 'draconian'

Anton Hovius. Photo / ODT

The University of Otago's ban on pornography in residential colleges is being slammed as an attack on student freedom.

Genetics student and former Toroa College resident Anton Hovius, 19, yesterday attacked what he called "draconian" alcohol and internet usage policies at Dunedin's residential colleges.

Internet access at the colleges -- most are university owned -- runs through the university's network.Certain websites, including file sharing and pornography sites, are blocked.

University student accommodation director James Lindsay rejected Mr Hovius' concerns, saying the primary aim of colleges was to provide an environment where students could focus on their studies.

Mr Hovius, who recently unsuccessfully stood for OUSA's colleges officer position, said he was not the only one who felt this was an unfair restriction on student freedom.

"I know a couple of friends who have been given warning notices from [Information Technology Services] down at the university, informing of their inappropriate use of university resources."

As adults, students in halls should not be limited from using the internet as they saw fit, which included accessing pornography and file sharing sites.

"It doesn't make sense when you are paying $340 bucks a week [which covers full board and food], to have the university interfering with what you are doing in your private time."

There was also "widespread" concern over increasingly harsh alcohol polices at many of the colleges.

Examples included only being able to consume a maximum of three drinks in the colleges and kicking drinking students out as early as 7pm, but in most cases about 9pm.

Rather than improving the situation, the policies forced students on to the streets (and Botanic Garden) and encouraged "risky drinking behaviours".

"At around about 9pm you will have a procession of drunken hooting short-dress clad females, with two bottles of wine stumbling their way into the [Botanic Garden]."

Instead, a middle ground should be found where students were allowed to drink in the colleges longer, in what was a supervised environment.

Mr Lindsay said Mr Hovius appeared to "have overlooked the primary aim of a college environment".

"This is a scholastic community that offers the best opportunities for students to succeed in their academic studies and enjoy their time while being considerate of others.

"Of course, when a large number of young people live together in close quarters rules are needed for the good of the community," he said.

This was particularly the case at this time of year when students were studying for exams.

"The rules are not unrealistic and do not create a binge drinking environment. In fact, we find the vast majority of students take the opportunity to work hard and focus on their study."

On the issue of internet usage, Mr Lindsay said young adults who chose choose to live in colleges "are expected to adhere to reasonable rules around accessing internet sites".

Mr Hovius' concern about alcohol restrictions in colleges was shared by incoming OUSA president Paul Hunt.

"From OUSA's perspective we are concerned about ensuring there are safe environments for students to drink in."

* The university implemented a system which blocked websites and downloads which breached its internet usage policy in 2012.

This caused the volume of its "off-campus network" traffic to decrease by 32 per cent from 464,159 gigabytes in 2011 to 315,847 gigabytes in 2012.

Last year traffic stayed steady at 315,164 gigabytes.

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