Student prank
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
Statistics show that one in five students is in possession of a stolen traffic cone. [19] In fact, the issue of the theft and misuse of traffic cones by students has gained enough prominence that a spokesperson from the National Union of Students has been forced to argue that "stereotypes of students stealing traffic cones" are "outdated".[20]
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.[21] Misuse of traffic cones in Scotland has even resulted in serious physical injury.[22]
A recent report by Student Direct claims that the theft of traffic cones in the greater Manchester area is at an all time high.[23]
The traffic cone theft issue came to such a head in the 1990s that it was brought up in parliament. [24]
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". [25]
[edit] References
- ^ Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library : FAQ Student pranks
- ^ Kiwiblog » Blog Archive » Student Pranks
- ^ Student prank that gave the Chinese a fit of the willies | World news | The Guardian
- ^ Epigram Online - Alarming consequences for student pranks
- ^ Sticky student prank injures teacher | Top Stories | FOX11AZ.com | News for Tucson, Arizona
- ^ Nightmare on student street
- ^ Student's tall tale revealed - The Boston Globe
- ^ http://www.regrettheerror.com/2005/12/students_hoax_l.html
- ^ Federal agents' visit was a hoax: 12/ 24/ 2005
- ^ http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/the_news/news/news49.pdf
- ^ BBC News | Education | Student praised for hoax essay
- ^ Great Rose Bowl Hoax, Museum of Hoaxes, accessed April 2, 2008.
- ^ SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Nation - College student pleads guilty to hoax alleging bomb threat on Chicago's Sears Tower
- ^ Student admits bomb hoax in bid to delay flight » Propeller
- ^ Washington County Sheriff’s Office - Aloha High School Student Brings Hoax Device to School
- ^ Student Created Hoax About Mao’s Red Book - BDL Media China Blog - Looking at the technology, media, publishing, and advertising sectors in China
- ^ 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)
- ^ You Talking to Me?
- ^ BBC NEWS | Education | Rowdy students 'must be tackled'
- ^ Worcester Students Union - The Home for Worcester University Students
- ^ BBC NEWS | Scotland | Edinburgh and East | Falling road cone injures student
- ^ Manchester.com Student News - TRAFFIC CONE THEFTS
- ^ House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 11 Dec 1996 (pt 15)
- ^ BBC NEWS | Scotland | Students urged to cone clean