Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Knox alumni oppose changes to social functions

Updated at 6:07 am on 16 February 2012

More than 1000 former students of Dunedin's Knox College have formed a group opposing changes to long-standing traditions at their hall of residence.

The Presbyterian Church has replaced the college's governing council with a commission to implement the changes at the hall for Otago University students.

According to the students' Facebook group, set up on Monday, the commission plans to ban initiation ceremonies and enforce tighter rules for social functions associated with the college.

Changes include banning use of the word fresher, a name given to new students.

Executive secretary of the Presbyterian Church Martin Baker says there is no reason for people to be anxious about the changes.

He says the college's best traditions will be preserved.

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