Otago 'parents and uncles' have students' backs

Campus Watch team leader Peter Corbett and team member Janine Neill patrol the university on February 22. Photo: Gregor Richardson
Campus Watch team leader Peter Corbett and team member Janine Neill patrol the university on February 22. Photo: Gregor Richardson
Whether glass is being broken or students need to be walked home, the university's burly protectors are always on shift.

Campus Watch again increased its staffing recently to prepare for the academic year.

Relieving team leader Peter Corbett said it was a 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year operation.

''We're essentially here for the transition of the students from school at home to the University of Otago.

''We are their uncles, their parents, their grandparents, and we keep them out of trouble. We're not here as the police, we're here as guidance counsellors.''

There are 35 Campus Watch staff, plus a security team of five.

Campus Watch monitors parties and looks for violence and disturbances on and near the campus.

Its staff did not necessarily have self-defence training, but were in constant contact with police, Mr Corbett said.

The memorable days were when the Gardens Tavern, or ''Gardies'', was still in operation, he said.

''When it closed for the night, students would move south to the city bars. At night, fuelled-up throngs would move through and cause havoc.''

Campus Watch offered a drive service four nights a week so students could get home safely.

They were also always available to walk them.

Most students were very friendly, except some who staff had constant contact with due to poor behaviour, Mr Corbett said.

''They might feel a little aggrieved by us.''

When asked if there were any particularly memorable funny moments in his nine years on the job, he said: ''Not that are printable. Let's just say students are very entertaining.''

Team member Janine Neill said the job was ''full on'' during O Week.

''We've had a couple of walk homes. There was one aggressive fellow we had to get police involved with.''

A lot of the job was giving students information about the university, so it helped to have an extensive knowledge of the campus, she said.

Talking to the students was her favourite part of the job.

''They've got so much to offer. They all come from different walks of life, like we do.

''They come up to us and give us hugs and have a chat. If you've walked them home, they'll remember your name.''

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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