Dalhousie University continues investigation of massive outdoor party in Halifax
Dalhousie University says its investigation of a rowdy weekend street party will be thorough but not necessarily quick.
Thousands of students swarmed residential streets on Saturday in an unsanctioned party. Ten have already been charged with various offences.
The university is considering further action under its code of conduct, as it looks at what punishment could await those who went too far.
Verity Turpin, vice provost of student affairs at Dalhousie University, is not mincing words.
“The university is extremely disappointed in our students," said Turpin, adding the massive outdoor party was clearly illegal and unsanctioned.
“When we found out about this party, we messaged our students directly and ask them not to attend."
Turpin said Dalhousie University warned students that there could be consequences if they attended the outdoor party.
“We are now well into the process as outlined in the student code of conduct," said Turpin. "We are putting together those complaints so they can be investigated.”
According to Turpin, when the investigative process is completed, punishment of students could be severe.
“Interim sanctions and permanent sanctions. They could range from suspension from campus," said Turpin. "They could range from suspension from classes as well as expulsion from university.”
Legal expert Wayne MacKay said the language in the code of conduct is clear when it comes to the expectations of students.
Specifically, "if activities have a significant impact on the university or its reputation," said Mackay who is also the former president of Mount Allison University.
MacKay also said universities have jurisdiction, even for parties that take place off-campus.
“Anytime you are out as a student, you are representing your university," said Mackay.
"You should behave in the same way as anyone who is attached to and properly representing that situation.”
Many students at the party were wearing Dalhousie University t-shirts. MacKay said that means, whether the students knew it or not, that meant they were presenting this party as a Dalhousie event.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
Families shocked after Niagara Falls hotel cancels bookings made year in advance of solar eclipse
After having the foresight to book their Niagara Falls hotel rooms more than a year in advance, several families planning to take in the solar eclipse next month were shocked to find out their reservations had been cancelled.
B.C. rescuers face 'high likelihood' of failure to reunite orphaned orca with pod
The race to reunite an orphaned orca calf that’s stuck in a shallow lagoon with a neighbouring pod has entered its fifth day, and a marine scientist says the clock is ticking.
Video shows police interrupting auto theft in progress outside Toronto home
New video footage obtained by CP24 shows the attempted theft of a vehicle in a North York driveway earlier this month that was ultimately interrupted by police.
Majority of Canadians believe in life after death: Angus Reid survey
A new survey from the Angus Reid Institute has found that a majority of Canadians believe in some form of life after death, a proportion that has held steady for decades.
MyPillow, owned by U.S. election denier Mike Lindell, formally evicted from Minnesota warehouse
A court ordered the eviction Wednesday of MyPillow from a suburban Minneapolis warehouse that it formerly used.