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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jon Brady

Dismay as Dundee university student union cans 'city's safest' club nights

Hundreds of students have signed a petition calling on Dundee University's student union to reverse a plan to scrap its club nights.

Dundee University Student Association (DUSA) says it will replace its regular nights with "high value unique events" throughout the year.

In an email sent to student union staff earlier this week, DUSA bosses said demand for its events had been "in decline for some time pre-pandemic".

They also said recent reports of spiking by injection across the country were "really worrying" - but insisted these did not play a part in the decision.

However, local students are dismayed at DUSA's decision to scrap its club nights, regarded as some of the safest in the city because of its stringent security checks, including verification of student IDs on the door.

Over 600 have signed a Change.org petition calling for an emergency meeting to discuss the future direction of student events.

Petition author and uni student Jake Mace said: "For many people, club nights at the Union are considered the safest, cheapest and most well-regulated student nights out in the city.

"Replacing these club nights with 'festivals' to be held throughout the year is a poor replacement for those who want to regularly socialise with their friends in a nightlife setting and in a safe environment.

"Uproar online amongst the student body since the announcement has proven that there is an appetite for consultation."

Olivia Robertson of student safety group Abersafe (supplied)

Olivia Robertson, organiser of local student safety movement Abersafe, said DUSA's decision was threatening to undo its reptuation.

"I'm outraged that, rather than improve safety, DUSA has just moved to remove the nights," she said.

"By removing the nights they're removing that safety net and that representation from the university."

Olivia says students feel "uncomfortable" to go out at the moment, owing to recent reports of spiking - including, possibly, by needle.

"I was out on a night that someone else was spiked and the idea that it could have been me was shocking," she added.

"It really does spark anxiety and hearing more people say they're experiencing this is building a large issue among the student population."

Partygoers are still planning to boycott local venues on Wednesday as part of the nationwide Girls' Night In movement, which aims to pressure nightclubs and pubs into taking more action to stop spikings.

Olivia said: "This isn't an attack on profits or anyone's business. It's about building awareness and to encourage people not to go to these places until they are made safer.

"It's about solidarity between us and the people of Dundee, to say: 'You need to take us and our concerns seriously, because this is not on'."

Dimitris Vidakis, president of the union, said in a statement: "This decision is not in any way linked to recent events and the proposals were being considered prior to the reports of spiking by injection.

"We are continuing to operate presently, and we are increasing the safety measures that we already have in place."

Chris Gourley, head of student experience at DUSA, told the Record students who worked the bars at club nights would not be out of work.

"The industry has seen declining numbers of visitors to their clubs for quite some time," he said.

"Our student population is constantly evolving and we have seen a steady and consistent decline in numbers of students who abstain from alcohol completely."

The union is introducing tightened security measures in response to recent reports of spiking including random searches, enhanced safety training for staff, a funded taxi scheme to get people home if they run out of money and training in the 'Ask for Angela' scheme to get people out of dangerous situations.

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