TRYing to keep quiet :: Wessex Scene Online

TRYing to keep quiet

23rd December 2006
Paloma Kubiak

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Dec 05 - Motions of Dissent in Union Council
Dec 06 - CU in court!
Dec 06 - Death in Bevois Valley
Dec 06 - Student house burns
Nov 06 - An uncertain future?

More by Paloma Kubiak

The University Rugby Society adopted the role of ‘street marshals’ in the area surrounding the Students’ Union recently, after being identified as the worst offenders in terms of noise and disruption after a Friday night out drinking.

The SHHH! campaign saw 45 players take to the neighbouring streets of University Road, Church Lane and Glen Eyre Road to ask students to keep the noise down as they walked home from the Cube, following the banning of two rugby players from the Union for unruly activity.

The noise marshal scheme is the latest attempt to secure the future of the Students’ Union’s late night license. Under the new Licensing Act 2003, the license can be reviewed and revoked if there is enough evidence to suggest that students are making too much noise and disturbing local residents. Several objections have been made in the past, and in the worst-case scenario the Union could have to close down or stop serving alcohol at 11.30pm.

Rugby Captain Ady Tomsa hoped that the team’s exemplary behaviour would influence others to act in the same way. He commented: "We are seen as the worst offenders and if we can be quiet, then other students can too."

SUSU President Ben Rogers praised the rugby team’s efforts in his report to Union Council, saying: "The team decided to take the punishment but did this far beyond the call of duty and did the Union a very good service, have set a good example and have helped the local community."

He warned however: "If the Cube closes down or has its hours reduced this would mean financial ruin for the Union. AU and societies budgets would be slashed. All the money that you spend goes straight back into your union, so do your bit and keep quiet on the way home."

Highfield Residents Association Chair, Jerry Gillen, also commended the ingenuity of the scheme.

The Union is promoting the SHHH! scheme with t-shirts branding Dr Karl Kennedy’s slogan ‘Good Neighbours, Good Friends’. It is also appealing for volunteers, who will be supplied with free t-shirts and references. Please contact Ben Rogers: pres@susu.org.