Friday 11-11-2016 - 12:35

Background

 

In July the Students’ Union received correspondence from the Pro Vice Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience) and the Chair of Durham City Partnership raising serious concerns about the Champagne Society summer ball at Hardwick Hall. The Durham City Partnership was established in response to the tragic events of 2014/15, and the Chair was sufficiently concerned by the details of the Champagne Society ball that he resolved to bring this matter formally to the attention of the Students’ Union’s Chief Executive.

 

The Students’ Union Chief Executive was asked by the University to investigate the matter on the basis of the potentially life threatening combination of excessive alcohol and students entering the water at Hardwick Hall. Whilst the Champagne Society Exec engaged positively with Students’ Union staff, the Police and Hardwick Hall in the run up to the event, it became clear that the risk assessment put in place had not been delivered on the night.

 

As the legal entity ultimately responsible for the Champagne Society, the Students’ Union has taken this matter extremely seriously and recognises the potential legal and reputational challenges presented. Senior Students’ Union staff members and Student Officers have met with the Police and reviewed matters internally. As a student-led organisation, the Students’ Union believed that it was important for student leaders to debate this matter and decide what, if any, sanctions are to be taken against the Society.

 

Actions at Assembly

 

At the first Assembly of the term, this issue was brought to the Assembly members to determine what action the SU will take on this matter, with several courses of action presented. The Student Officers presented their ‘preferred option’ recommending ‘Education and Probation’ of the society. The wording of the recommendation was;

“As an organisation we are committed to supporting student led activities but regard student welfare with utmost importance. With this in mind we feel the society must demonstrate their responsibility and commitment to the safety of those participating in their events. We would like the society exec to have the chance to implement lessons learnt from the event in June 2016, with the support of Union staff to ensure risks are sufficiently mitigated at future events. We emphasise the importance of ‘probation’ in this circumstance; Champagne Society must demonstrate significant improvement. On balance, our student-led ethos coupled with the severity of this incident, we feel this is the most proportionate option”

This motion was passed by Assembly with over 80% of the vote in favour, and Champagne Society executive have met with Union staff and Officers regarding next steps.