Undie 500 not returning to Dunedin

The Engineering Society of Canterbury (ENSOC) has today advised the University of Canterbury that, in light of events at the weekend, the Undie 500 Charity Drive will not be returning to Dunedin in the foreseeable future.

ENSOC President Carl Shrimpton says the society is very disappointed that the Undie 500, ENSOC and the wider student body have been brought into disrepute by the actions of a small minority.

"But as a responsible club we have taken action and will in future organise an alternative event that won't involve Dunedin.

"We would like to thank all those who have worked with us in our attempts to make the Undie a safe event. The Police, the University of Canterbury, the students' associations at both Canterbury and Otago universities, and the Canterbury District Health Board have been proactive in their respective approaches, and we are grateful."

University of Canterbury Students' Association President, Steve Jukes, supports ENSOC's decision, and says it would be irresponsible for the charity drive to continue in its present form.

"We are unable to account for those people, students or otherwise, who have used the event as an excuse for violence and anti-social behaviour."

The University of Canterbury is welcoming ENSOC's decision which, it says, was inevitable after the weekend's events in Dunedin.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr believes it is no longer in the interests of UC students personally and professionally to be associated with the event in its current form, either as participants or organisers.

"While holding such an event is entirely legal and the University has no power to ban it, the risks to innocent bystanders even of mere association do not justify the efforts of ENSOC, University staff and the police who sought to keep the event safe and free from violence."

Mr Shrimpton says ENSOC will begin developing ideas for a new charity drive event that does not involve travelling to Dunedin, encourages innovative thinking and allows participants to socialise in a safe and responsible manner.

ENDS

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