Student prank
University students have a long association with pranks and japes.[1] These can often involve petty crime, such as the theft of traffic cones and other public property,[2] or hoaxes.[3][4][5]
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the UK National Union of Students has been forced to argue that "stereotypes of students stealing traffic cones" are "outdated".[6]
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.[7] Misuse of traffic cones in Scotland has even resulted in serious physical injury.[8]
The traffic cone theft issue came to such a head in the United Kingdom in the 1990s that it was brought up in parliament.[9]
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".[10]
See also
- Bullying in academia
- Senior prank
- Capping stunt
- Hacks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- California Institute of Technology pranks
- List of practical joke topics
References
- ^ Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library : FAQ Student pranks
- ^ Bidmead, Claire (2001). "Nightmare on student street". Higher Education and Research Opportunities in the UK. Archived from the original on May 31, 2006. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ Saltzman, Jonathan (December 24, 2005). "Student's tall tale revealed". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Worcester Students Union – The Home for Worcester University Students". Archived from the original on May 5, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Falling road cone injures student". BBC Online. 19 November 2006. 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. Retrieved 23 November 2010.