Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., October 07, 2008 Tishrei 8, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:42 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 12:50 02/10/2008
U.K. university probes 'initiation' video of student in Nazi garb
By Reuters
Tags: israel news, nazi 

A university is investigating a video of binge-drinking undergraduates taking part in a bizarre initiation ceremony with a student dressed as a Nazi officer.

The University of Gloucestershire said on Thursday it would try to trace the students who were marched through the streets with plastic bags over their heads as part of a sports club ritual.

The footage, broadcast on the BBC, showed a group of students taking orders from a man dressed in a peaked cap, black leather boots and a Nazi-style jacket with a red armband bearing a swastika.
Advertisement
Some of the group are shown drinking and being sick while they are lined up against a wall. At one point, they are led in single file down the middle of a residential street.

A spokesman for the university, based in Cheltenham, said initiation ceremonies were banned and it would investigate the events shown in the video.

"The university takes the issue of intimidation and bullying extremely seriously," said spokesman Paul Drake. "Disciplinary action may be brought against those who are found to be leading initiation ceremonies and who continue to perpetuate unacceptable intimidatory and coercive practices."

While drink-fuelled initiation ceremonies have been a fixture of university life for many years, the National Union of Students said it was time for a nationwide ban.

"They put students at serious risk and exclude students who don't want to take part in that binge-drinking culture," NUS President Wes Streeting told the BBC.

James Durant, president of the university's student union, said it took the incident seriously, but stressed that most rituals don't involve alcohol or extreme behavior.

"We go to great lengths to ensure our sports captains understand that initiation events that include intimidating or bullying behaviour will not be tolerated," he said.
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Forgotten peace
French FM: I fear distracted world may forget Mideast peace process.
Settlers vs. Shin Bet
Daniela Weiss: Shin Bet behind attack on left-wing advocate prof. Sternhell.
  1.   Instead of bashing Israel, UK Universities should look at mirror 16:54  |  Vittorio 02/10/08
  2.   vittorio 18:38  |  potobac 02/10/08
  3.   true colours 20:00  |  jehiel chaleff 02/10/08
  4.   #2 Potobac 00:28  |  Seth 06/10/08
  5.   seth 4 13:32  |  potobac 06/10/08
 Read & React
Burston: Obama-hate, and Sarah Palin's War on Terror
Responses: 171
Amir Oren: Nuclear deterrence attributed to Israel doesn't affect its enemies' plans
Responses: 40
Livni to France's Kouchner: I oppose Olmert's peace plan
Responses: 120
U.S. Jewish group recruits former Israeli defense officials for pro-Obama ad
Responses: 55
Editorial: Livni mustn't decide to strike Iran out of a desire for prestige
Responses: 24


More Headlines
00:07 NATO chief: Given Iran nukes, we can't ask Israel to disarm
16:21 Hezbollah source: 'Big surprise' awaits Israel if it attacks Lebanon
22:23 Thousands rally in Rabin Square to ask Shalit for forgiveness
10:43 Obama-hate, and Sarah Palin's War on Terror
20:39 Lebanese union to sue Israel for 'claiming ownership' of falafel
22:27 Abramovitch building mega-yacht with world-class security system
19:56 Haifa Chief Rabbi at Vatican: Wartime Pope let Jews down
20:44 U.S. warns Syria against sending ground troops into Lebanon
17:37 Orthodox join growing Israeli trend of spending Yom Kippur in hotels
00:11 VIDEO / Gaydamak submits candidacy for Jerusalem mayor, as trial opens against him in Paris
11:21 Was Egyptian ex-Mossad agent murdered in London?
12:17 Palestinians sue Israel for not evacuating West Bank outpost
22:07 Jerusalem property tax debts delay transfer of Sergei complex to Russians
14:23 Heftsiba's Yona convicted of litany of charges including fraud, theft
14:22 Austrian teens visit Auschwitz - then vote for Joerg Haider
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Fattal Hotel Chain
Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
and get all your money back
US CITIZENS
Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
www. israel-property.com
Hebrew Summer courses
From $39.95
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved