University to review Clocktower security

Vernon Squire.
Vernon Squire.
The University of Otago is reviewing security at the University of Otago Clocktower Building after the theft of 98 exam papers from an office.

University deputy vice-chancellor, academic, Prof Vernon Squire said he had signed off approval onWednesday for the security audit.

The Clocktower Building was already ''pretty secure'', including swipe card access for doors, and security doors both externally and within the building, Prof Squire said.

He emphasised the security audit was not just about ''what had occurred'' last Saturday, but would range more widely into other matters, with the main focus on ''the safety of our staff''.

Balance was needed in any consideration of overall security, because ''we don't want to close off the campus'' or ''lock down'' all facilities.

An educational institution needed to be fairly open for students and staff to use facilities.

Asked about how it was believed the exam scripts had been taken, given the present security, Prof Squire said part of the Clocktower Building had been open during last Saturday afternoon, the last day of examinations.

All details of the circumstances of the theft were not fully known, and he had heard a range of scenarios raised on campus about what might have happened.

One of those possibilities was that someone could have entered part of the building when it was open, such as during the afternoon, and left later, with the exam scripts, after the building had been locked.

He did not know exactly what had happened and could not discuss any matters that were before the courts.

He did not know the cost of repairs to damaged doors within the building.

It is understood the stolen exam scripts were recovered near the Otago Harbour.

Prof Squire said the papers had been largely destroyed by water, and were in many little pieces.

It had rained heavily in the area.

Prof Squire said that, as a former university student, he could put himself in the position of students who had had their exam scripts taken.

''It's been stressful for all of us.''

This was a ''terrible'' situation, but the university was ultimately ''not responsible'' for what had happened.

All the university could do now was to support affected students, discuss the options with them and help them deal with the situation.

Every staff member who had dealt with the matter had been affected by it.

''This is an unprecedented situation,'' he said.

Prof Squire joined the Otago University staff 28 years ago and the theft was the first such incident at the university in that time.

He was aware of a case in Auckland some years ago where exam scripts were stolen from an academic's car.

A 23-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with burglary.

She is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court next Tuesday.

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