N EWS
Environmental Bandits Pollute Otago Campus By Bella Macdonald
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University policies state that any chalking, writing, posting of bills, painting of any University building is prohibited. However, chalk on pave-
eneration Zero have tested the theory that all publicity is good
ments is acceptable due to its temporary nature.
publicity, after defacing University buildings with promotional propaganda on the evening of Sunday September 9.
Critic spoke to the Proctor, who encouraged alternative forms of publicity such as flyers, banners and radio advertisements. He suggested
Generation Zero members from the University of Otago have been
that activists should plan their actions more carefully to avoid counterpro-
punished by the Proctor after their publicity stunt promoting a three day
ductive results: “People are protesting against hydrocarbons in air – they
youth climate summit, Power Shift, left the area around Union Hall and
should think about what we use to remove their work.”
the Richardson buildings defaced.
The punishment for graffiti is usually for the perpetrator to cover
The “graffiti” involved a chalk, flour, and water mix, as well as a mud
the cost of removing the graffiti, while repeat offenders could face other
mix that over time grows into moss. This eco-unfriendly concoction was
penalties such as fines or community service. In extreme cases, a student’s
spread on pavements and up the walls of university buildings, leading up
continued presence at the university could be in jeopardy.
to Power Shift logos. The graffiti was designed to launch the Otago region’s
The Proctor explained: “If we permit one or two things, it opens the
promotion for the event, which is to be held between 7-9 December in
floodgates and Dunedin will look like the drive from Auckland Airport into
Auckland.
the City, a sea of graffiti.”
Generation Zero’s National Co-coordinator, Louis Chambers, told Critic
Chambers stated that their punishment of repaying the removal costs
that the goal of Power Shift, which has been organised by Generation Zero
was “legit as the University has a strong policy, but we thought chalk could
and 350, is “to educate and mobilise 1000 youths between 16-30 years
have been okay as it is temporary.” He says the $250 fine is expected to
old, from all over the Pacific, and for them to go out and promote climate
be paid by those involved.
change within their own communities.”
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critic.co.nz