UNIVERSITY College Cork (UCC) President Patrick O’Shea is preparing a major clampdown on student anti-social behaviour by introducing new fines and restrictions that aim to ease the longstanding concerns of local residents.

Community gardaí and college chiefs have been working to ease the fears of residents ahead of RAG week in February.

A spokesperson for the college said: “UCC has introduced a number of initiatives to respond swiftly and decisively to students who are in breach of university rules, such as anti-social behaviour.”

The university is introducing a new €50 fine, to be paid to the student hardship fund, by students who cause disturbances for neighbours.

If a student refuses to accept responsibility, or for more serious matters, the issue will be immediately escalated to the ‘Campus Watch Committee’ or ‘Disciplinary Committee’.

Head of Community Policing, Stewart Philpott, said: “UCC is tightening the rules around students in houses. They are being made more answerable to the college.

“They seem to be taking a more hardline approach. The new President, Patrick O’Shea, is very much of the community and he believes the college shouldn’t be causing trouble .”

“He seems to be very much on board from that point of view.” 

The college is also introducing an awareness campaign with the support of the Students’ Union, called Respect and Responsibility (R&R), among the student body.

This is to promote the notion that while rest and recreation is encouraged it needs to be balanced by respect for self, for residents and students must take responsibility for their behaviour.

“Students will be informed of the changes and warned that they will be held accountable for any breaches of the rules. They have a responsibility to abide by the student rules,” the spokesperson said.

Acting Head of Student Experience at UCC Paul Moriarty said: “UCC is a university for the community and in the community and we are committed to building positive relations with our neighbours,”.

The spokesperson also detailed efforts including a new Student Residential Services and Community Relations Office, set up last summer, to work closely with Community Gárdaí, local resident groups and the wider community.

The new Community Relations Officer attends resident association meetings and acts as a conduit between UCC and our neighbours and is responsible for Campus Watch, in particular, the administration of informal and formal resolution procedures.