Student prank
University students have a long association with pranks and japes.[1][2][3][4][5] These can often involve petty crime, such as the theft of traffic cones and other public property,[6] or hoaxes.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] In fact, practical jokes play such a significant part in student culture that numerous books have been published that solely focus on the issue of student pranks.[17][18]
In some university towns, misbehaviour on the part of students became such an issue that a report has been released which studies the issue. The report, Studentification: A Guide to Opportunities, Challenges and Practice, by Universities UK, focuses on six British universities as case studies.
[edit] Theft
One classic target of student theft are traffic cones. The issue of the theft and misuse of traffic cones by students has gained enough prominence that a spokesperson from the UK National Union of Students has been forced to argue that "stereotypes of students stealing traffic cones" are "outdated".[19]
Some universities have gone as far as to devote entire pages of legislation and advice for students with regards to the consequences and laws involving the theft of traffic cones.[20] Misuse of traffic cones in Scotland has even resulted in serious physical injury.[21]
A recent[when?] report by Student Direct claims that the theft of traffic cones in the greater Manchester area is at an all time high.[22]
The traffic cone theft issue came to such a head in the 1990s that it was brought up in parliament.[23]
In 2002, Fife Constabulary declared a "traffic cone amnesty" allowing University of St Andrews students to return stolen traffic cones without fear of prosecution. A police spokesman had said that the theft of traffic cones had become "an almost weekly occurrence".[24]
[edit] See also
- Bullying in academia
- Senior prank
- Capping stunt
- Hacks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- California Institute of Technology pranks
[edit] References
- ^ Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library : FAQ Student pranks
- ^ Kiwiblog » Blog Archive » Student Pranks
- ^ Watts, Jonathan (1 November 2003). "Student prank that gave the Chinese a fit of the willies". The Guardian (Beijing). http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1075600,00.html. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Debbage, Kaleb (26 February 2007). "Alarming consequences for student pranks". Epigram Online (189). Archived from the original on Sep 27, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927215209/http://www.epigram.org.uk/view.php?id=1503. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Ayala, Jamie (June 14, 2007). "Sticky student prank injures teacher". The Press-Enterprise (California). Hemet: FOX11AZ.com. Archived from the original on Sep 27, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927223648/http://www.fox11az.com/news/topstories/stories/kmsb-20070614-PEjc-prank.338b9df.html. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Bidmead, Claire (2001). "Nightmare on student street". HERO - Higher Education and Research Opportunities in the UK. Archived from the original on May 31, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060531143101/http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/archives/2001/nightmare_on_student_stre901.cfm. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Saltzman, Jonathan (December 24, 2005). "Student's tall tale revealed". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/24/students_tall_tale_revealed/. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Student's hoax leaves paper red". Regret The Error. December 28, 2005. Archived from the original on Jan 06, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060106080300/http://www.regrettheerror.com/2005/12/students_hoax_l.html. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Nicodemus, Aaron (December 24, 2005). "Federal agents' visit was a hoax". The Standard-Times (New Bedford: southcoasttoday.com): p. A1. http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-24-05/a01lo719.htm. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Tate in a state of Leeds student hoax". 2002-10-25. p. 5. http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/the_news/news/news49.pdf. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Student praised for hoax essay". BBC Online. October 14, 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/474853.stm. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Great Rose Bowl Hoax, Museum of Hoaxes, accessed April 2, 2008.
- ^ "College student pleads guilty to hoax alleging bomb threat on Chicago's Sears Tower". The San Diego Union-Tribune (Boston). July 12, 2007. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070712-0846-bombthreathoax.html. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Student admits bomb hoax in bid to delay flight". Propeller.com. 2006-10-24. http://news.netscape.com/story/2006/10/24/student-admits-bomb-hoax-in-bid-to-delay-flight. Retrieved 23 November 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Aloha High School Student Brings Hoax Device to School". Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Washington County. December 17, 2004. Archived from the original on Jan 11, 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20050111224854/http://www.co.washington.or.us/sheriff/media/2hs_hoax.htm. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Student Created Hoax About Mao’s Red Book - BDL Media China Blog[dead link]
- ^ Nightwork: A History of Hacks and Pranks at MIT by T.F. Peterson (Paperback - 1 April 2003)
- ^ If at All Possible, Involve a Cow: The Book of College Pranks by Neil Steinberg (Paperback - 1992)
- ^ "Rowdy students 'must be tackled'". BBC Online. 24 January 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4640168.stm. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Worcester Students Union - The Home for Worcester University Students[dead link]
- ^ "Falling road cone injures student". BBC Online. 19 November 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6163030.stm. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Cone Home". Manchester.com Student News. http://www.manchester.com/student/News-cone.php. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 11 Dec 1996 (pt 15)
- ^ "Students urged to cone clean". BBC Online. 23 May 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2004218.stm. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
