Students fear Knox College's traditions are under attack, after the Presbyterian Church moved to ban initiation ceremonies, scrap elitist symbols and tighten rules on alcohol.
The changes have also seen college master Bruce Aitken placed on leave while the college's governing council has been replaced by a commission of the church's general assembly, headed by a long-serving church official from Auckland.
Concerned students have responded by forming a Facebook group to oppose the changes, with nearly 1000 people signing up since its creation on Sunday.
The page's creator argues the changes represent a "total paradigm shift" and an attack on perceived "elitist and outdated" traditions within the college.
"We disagree and believe that the long-held traditions are worth preserving."
Assembly executive secretary Martin Baker, of Wellington, told the ODT the changes did not represent an attack on the college's best traditions.
However, some had been identified that "are probably not consistent with the best practices, in terms of running a modern-day college for students" and would have to change, he said.
Some traditions involved health and safety issues and the consumption of alcohol, he said.
"All traditions evolve and change over time and I think the changes that we are talking about are good, healthy, positive changes."
The college opened in 1909 to provide accommodation for men training to be Presbyterian ministers and other students.
More than 6000 students have passed through the doors in the years since, including women since 1983.
According to the Facebook page, the changes include a ban on "feather-ruffling" initiation ceremonies for new arrivals to Knox, as well as the use of the term "fresher" to describe new students.
A bar in the Buttery - a small room within the college complex - has been closed, while traditional names for the Buttery, as well as the Porters Lodge and Ab Epistulis, have been changed to the canteen, reception and administration officer.
A requirement for semi-formal dining attire at Knox has been dropped, and the Knox College Students Club has lost control of its budget.
Students at the college this year have been issued with a handbook outlining the updated rules, which emphasise the "many significant changes" designed to improve the college experience.
Mr Aitken declined to comment yesterday, and his replacement, acting master Jamie Gilbertson, warden of Arana College, could not be contacted.
A statement on the Presbyterian Church website said the church's council of assembly had met on January 14 to consider the findings of a review of Dunedin's Knox College.
The review, conducted every seven years, had this time identified "certain areas of concern" at the college.
That led to the creation of a commission, headed by Dr John Kernohan, a long-serving Auckland church official, and including representatives from the University of Otago and the Knox College and Salmond College Council, to implement a "change of culture".
The Knox and Salmond council had agreed to delegate all powers to the commission, meaning the commission now governed Knox.
Mr Baker said the commission was still working through the changes, with some expected to be implemented within days and others later this year.
The University of Otago did not initiate any of the changes, but had been "very involved" in the process, offering policy advice and information about best practice for colleges, he said.
One aim was to align the college's rules on alcohol with those of the university, particularly around the wellbeing, safety and care of students.
That included closing the Buttery bar, and tightening rules on when and where alcohol could be consumed elsewhere within the college, he said.
Other changes, such as the removal of the requirement for more formal attire while dining, were about making the college a "welcoming, nurturing and supportive" environment.
Mr Baker denied claims from some on the Facebook page the changes were part of a concerted attack on the "Scarfie" culture in Dunedin, led by the university.
"Everyone involved, I've got to say, really wants the best for Knox and really does value what it stands for. I don't think anyone's out to damage the best things that Knox represents."
