Students turfed out for being far too quiet and studious

Kate Stewart

As many of you already know, my eldest life form is currently mingling with the masses at Massey University, one face among many, nameless to most.

I wrongly assumed, for me however, it would almost be a case of, out of sight-out of mind. If anything I worry about him now, more than ever, despite his adult status.

The travelling from here to there, what kind of company he is keeping, is he partying too much and studying too little, does his meagre budget afford him sufficient protein and vegetables to fuel his brain? I even find myself following the weather in Palmerston North, wondering if he is warm enough.

I have imagined wild weekend parties with food money being spent instead on alcohol. Vital lectures being missed due to hangovers and him just falling in with the wrong crowd.

I remember sharing my relief with you when he and his best friend were able to secure positions in a student flat that didn't resemble a fall-out shelter. It was, of course, too good to be true.

A couple of weeks ago he informed us that both he and his bestie had been given notice to vacate the premises. Mid semester, this was a disaster.

It's hard enough to find a suitable home at the beginning of the year let alone half way through it, not to mention the extra financial stress of coming up with bonds and connection fees.

The most shocking part was the reason they were asked to leave.

I hope you're sitting down because this is one of those cases where the truth is stranger than fiction. I kid you not.

There was no bill for damage to the property. No rent arrears, no unpaid bills.

They were told to vacate because they were too quiet and studious. Yep, kicked out for not being party animal enough. Needless to say, I was just gob smacked. I'd never heard of anything so ludicrous.

Two responsible young men, choosing to take their education seriously. Preferring to quench their thirst with knowledge rather than booze and opting to spend what little down time they had quietly playing Xbox and watching DVDs.

Needless to say, the two of them opted not to try the living with others scenario again. Heaven forbid they face eviction a second time for merely trying to succeed in life.

And so they have now relocated to a little flat they can call their own.

Here it is hoped that they can live out their university life in relative peace and quiet. Safe in the knowledge they don't have to chug back a keg every weekend and vomit in high volumes to be accepted into the drunken halls of student society.

May their new found refuge allow them to study, free from guilt, whenever they choose, without the fear of been judged by others as nerdy party poopers.

To think that we have this mentality where getting p**** is almost a prerequisite when it comes to securing student housing.

This is exactly how and why our notorious drinking culture has come to be what it is.

It's expected, almost taken as given thing, that to get on in life and "fit in" the youth of today will, by choice, peer pressure or a combination of both, buy into the "normality"of drug and alcohol abuse and the student partying lifestyle.

God help us all if our future lies in the hands of such a mentality.