University students to be disciplined – University of Reading
31 October 2007A group of University of Reading students who behaved irresponsibly in Reading town centre last week are to be disciplined.
The group, who all belong to the University's football club, were told today (October 31) they face possible suspension after disgracing themselves and the University during a drunken night out on Thursday last week.
The University football club's 60 members were today called before Vice Chancellor, Professor Gordon Marshall, in a special meeting.
Professor Marshall told the meeting: "You need to know that I am very angry. You are a disgrace to the University of Reading, and you should be ashamed of yourselves. You have done serious damage to the reputation of the University and of the vast majority of its law-abiding and responsible students.
"In one night you have undone months of hard work by the University – and cost us all the goodwill we and your fellow students have built up."
In a statement afterwards he added: "Our students are in a privileged position and they have chosen to abuse that, while also bringing the good name of this University, their fellow student body and the football club into disrepute. The University and the Students' Union are both appalled by this behaviour and it is only fitting we take this action to make it clear it is intolerable."
Sally Pearman, RUSU President, said: "This year we have worked increasingly hard trying to improve relations and communication between ourselves and the local community, now this small minority of students have tarnished the good work of so many."
The following will now happen:
• The University will now initiate suspension proceedings; this may result in individuals being banned from the University premises for up to four weeks
• The Football Club will compensate the people of Reading by raising money for the Reading Mayor's Charities, Healthy Lifestyles and Sport for Young & Old, and Reading Initiative for Tsunami Action (RITA)
• Reading University Students' Union have suspended the Football Club travel fund and will take individual disciplinary action for those involved
• Club members will be compelled to attend an NHS lecture on the dangers of heavy drinking
• Football fixtures for today have been cancelled, meaning all teams will lose points in their league
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