Initiation ceremonies have been considered risky by UK universities. Students joining these institutions have been asked to be on the watch out of initiation ceremonies as they are perilous.
For instance, in 2016, at a Newcastle University’s agricultural group initiation ceremony, Ed Farmer died because of excessive drinking.
Initiation ceremonies should be forcefully condemned
According to Karen Dilks, the coroner of Farmer’s death, universities ought to avail first-year students with forceful cautions about the risks of alcohol consumption.
Newcastle University has collaborated with other UK universities in publishing vital guidelines about the possible physical dangers associated with initiation ceremonies. Moreover, coercion and bullying are attributes that have been likened to occur.
Following the death of Farmer at an initiation ceremony, his parents, Jeremy and Helen Farmer, have depicted their frustrations at Newcastle University’s inactivity of stemming this problem. They also condemned the student union for continuously planning initiation ceremonies.
Nevertheless, they are hopeful that the guidance availed by the universities can be instrumental in saving lives.
They noted that if students were educated about the risks of excessive consumption of spirits in short durations, then many of them may be salvaged from being victims as was the case with their son.
The guidance does not call for a ban of initiation ceremonies
The guidance availed by UK universities assert the dangers presented by initiation ceremonies. However, it does not call for an outright prohibition as had been suggested by some parents.
The primary objective of the guidance is raising awareness among staff and students of the dangerous behaviors that happen in initiation ceremonies.
The notion depicted is that an entire ban would not be helpful because initiation ceremonies would shift to private places, such as off-campus accommodation. This would make monitoring cumbersome.
On the other hand, some UK students are experiencing mental health challenges as they have been compelled to wait for nearly twelve (12) weeks for them to get help from their respective universities.
This has proven detrimental as considerable concerns have been raised about how these students may become suicidal because of these delays.
