Helmets for scooters at Otago University

Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Helmets are to be made available to University of Otago students and staff using Lime scooters as the institution reopens for the 2019 academic year.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the university strongly recommended e-scooter users wear helmets and was making them available to borrow from a range of locations across campus, including residential colleges.

"University branded helmets will also be available to purchase from campus retail shops.''

Prof Hayne said the Dunedin campus was considered a pedestrian precinct and users of e-scooters, skate-boards and bikes were expected to dismount and walk.

"Additionally, the campus will be geo-fenced as a "no park'' zone for Lime scooters. Acceptable parking hotspots will be designated on the campus perimeter.''

For everyone's safety, scooters would be locked out between 12am and 5am every night, she said.

As the university welcomes students back for the 2019 academic year, Professor Hayne provided other advice to ensure their experiences were both "fun and safe''.

"Students come to Otago from across New Zealand and the world, to receive not only a world-class education, but to have a safe and enjoyable student experience.

"Look after yourself and look after your friends. Be a good bystander.

"Call out bad behaviour when you see it. Call out people who put themselves or others or our environment at risk.

"Treat each other and our community with respect.''

Prof Harlene Hayne
Prof Harlene Hayne
Prof Hayne said the university provided outstanding pastoral care to all students, both in and out of the classroom, and had common-sense rules covering general life on campus, as well as in the Code of Student Conduct.

Campus Watch, which works 24/7 in the North Dunedin community, offers pastoral care to the university community, including a free walk home service, a Safety Patrol, and assistance as and when required 365 days of the year.

The Safety Patrol covers the student flatting area, ensuring the streets and house frontages are clean and tidy, proactively discouraging criminals from frequenting the area, and ensuring student behaviour is kept to a reasonable level.

The university also has its own Campus Cop who acts as a vital link between the police, university students/staff and the community.

To maximise the safety of the community, the university has a Code of Student Conduct, allowing it to proactively address student behaviour without involving the court system.

The common-sense rules that form the Code of Student Conduct are distributed to every incoming student, and are available for review on the university's website.

Breaching these rules may result in consequences, including fines or community work, or exclusion from the university.

North Dunedin is often targeted by thieves looking for flats with relaxed security. Deterring them can be as simple as making sure the last person to leave the house, locks the door.

Campus Watch has free UV pens available to mark valuables if required.

Health and wellbeing

Student Health provides a comprehensive range of primary health care services including doctor, nurse, mental health and well-being, and psychiatry appointments. It works within the university, but is also independent so confidentiality is assured.

The university strongly recommends all students, particularly those living in residential colleges, be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. Vaccinations are available at Student Health.

Te Whare Tawharau is a sexual violence support and prevention centre for the university student community. It provides support, advocacy, education and research related to sexual violence on campus.

A walk-in centre is available for any student impacted by sexual violence. The centre is staffed with trained volunteers who will listen, and who can provide information and referrals for additional support.

As well as conducting workshops in residential colleges, Te Whare Tawharau also offers training for handling issues related to sexual violence.

The centre works in collaboration with other relevant services on campus, including Student Health, Disability Information and Support, University Volunteering and the Proctor's office.

Comments

Who is paying for these helmets? I was in Brisbane last night and 90% of the Lime scooters parked up have Lime supplied Helmets - the moto bikes have moto supplied helmets in the Gold Coast. Why because the Brisbane and Gold Coast council has got Balls and obviously will not be walked over. If Brisbane council can dictate helmets so can the DCC- if the DCC has no say then the Mayor has no pull and should be relieved of his duties because he aint looking after his people.

 

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