DCU’s Accounting and Finance Society disciplined for misconduct

It has been reported that Dublin City University’s Accounting and Finance Society (A&F) behaved inappropriately during their EGM.

And the university as well as other students are calling them out for their misconduct.

A&F held an event during which they had a competition to determine who would become the first-year representative. And as there was drink involved, things quickly escalated.

A leaked video showed a first-year stripping down to his boxers before falling over. Then another student removed her top and the two began kissing while the rest of the society cheered them on.

However, this was just one of the many rumoured tasks to have taken place.

According to DCU’s newspaper The College View, students were split into pairs and in the first challenge, they had to pop a balloon between each others’ hips.

Winners were then split into two groups of ‘single’ and ‘taken’. The single group had to shift someone to continue on. And the taken group had to ring partners or family members and reportedly, break up over the phone or falsely admit to cheating.

The final three couples were then made to sing a song in front of those present. And while some stripped their clothes in the footage, it is unclear whether this was asked for or voluntary.

DCU issued the following statement in response to the society’s misconduct:

"This is a matter which Dublin City University takes extremely seriously. Inappropriate behaviour of this nature is not tolerated by the university. The issue was dealt with promptly and decisively by the University’s Society Life Committee (SLC) which is directly responsible for the governance of student societies at DCU.

“The SLC met on October 9th to address the issues that arose and voted unanimously to suspend all of the social activities of the Accounting and Finance Society for the remainder of the semester.  

“Furthermore, it was also decided that the students involved in organising the event in question should undergo a training workshop focusing on the topic of Respect and Dignity at Dublin City University.

“DCU is fully committed to all students and staff abiding by an ethos of dignity, courtesy and respect at all times and to operate to the highest possible standards."  

Many students have commented on the society’s Facebook page, some saying not to 'judge' those who were present and others asking people to 'stop defending what happened'.

However, the biggest response has been from DCU’s Feminist Society, who have started circulating a petition calling for:

“The immediate resignation of the entire A&F Society governing executive committee, who presided over this event, a portion of the budget allocated to A&F Society be appropriated to run more consent classes on campus, and to expand the availability of the program throughout the year."

The society also asked that "A&F society chairs, class representatives and members of DCUSU Executive and Sabbatical teams undergo further consent and respect training and that the appropriate resources and supports to be made available to all the students affected by these events.”

The petition already has almost 400 signatures out of its 500 goal.

While DCU’s statement has confirmed disciplinary actions taken against the society as a whole, the university has yet to announce disciplinary measures for individuals involved.