In a decisive win for those caught in the hullabaloo of last year’s drunken University Games controversy, VUWSA has scored an important legal victory over one of the Rotorua motels involved in the fracas.
In a decision made in the Disputes Tribunal in late February, Rotorua’s Cleveland Motel was ordered to refund VUWSA a sum of $4114 from the $6724 it charged the association for cleaning and the non-utilisation of the final night’s accommodation.
Team Victoria Team Manager Brent Hayward was satisfied with what was an expected victory.
“I think we delivered a very comprehensive case. It seemed from the proceedings that things were going well. We had a couple of hearings and were confident throughout, and the end result is probably about what we expected,” Hayward said. VUWSA President Jasmine Freemantle was also happy with the decision.
“We’re quite pleased about this because VUWSA was portrayed in quite an unfair light surrounding University Games last year. We sent over 300 people to University Games, and there were one or two people who got a little bit too drunk and it ended up affecting everyone,” she said.
Cleveland Motels argued it was entitled to charge VUWSA for the damage and cleanup work left in the wake of the drunken carnage, and did not feel obligated to refund the association for the last night’s accommodation.
VUWSA’s claim focused on the veracity of some of the costs estimated by Cleveland Motels, stating there was inadequate proof to substantiate some of the costs charged for cleaning and damage.
VUWSA also argued the eviction that prevented students from utilising its fourth night of accommodation “was not justified by any breach of the rules reinforced by a special notice on the evening of Day 3, or a real threat of further damage.”
Cleveland Motel claimed that a “reliable source” from within Team Vic had informed security personnel of a plan amongst those staying to “trash” the motel “as impetus for the eviction.”
Team Vic member Martin Wilson was identified by Cleveland Motel as the student who had tipped security off, but in a statement given to the Tribunal, Wilson denied having any discussion with Cleveland Motel security, or indeed hearing of any Machiavellian plot to trash the motel.
When contacted by Salient, Cleveland Motel management were less than consolatory about the decision, or indeed students in general.
“You fucking students are the scum of the earth,” the man said.
“You fucks, you scum of the earth. Look what you little pricks did down in fucking Dunedin! Scum of the earth, go save the world! Go save the fucking whales!”
Hayward cited similar difficulty with engaging in civilised discourse with Cleveland Motel management.
“Their manner, and the way they communicated with students and team management was very hard to compromise with,” said Hayward.
“They weren’t interested in developing any amicable solutions [with us]. Their inability to compromise really was the reason for the evictions.”
Hayward hoped that in light of the decision, the pall that had cast itself across Victoria University’s students would be lifted.
“I just hope that the decision from the Disputes Tribunal paints a more clearer picture regarding student behaviour at Rotorua, and student conduct at the motels,” Hayward said.
“I think the media made it seem like it really was a big event, when really it was small incidents and overreactions from the moteliers. I hope this lets other moteliers know the full story and that they will be more willing to take us in the future.”