04 December 2023 , 13:39
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A ban on blue clothing has been lifted at a university following a two-month crackdown after fears over boozy behaviour.
Cardiff University's student union overturned the temporary ban on blue shirts and chinos after concerns about "reckless, dangerous and incredibly irresponsible behaviour" from partying students on campus. The union said in October it would be refusing anyone in the sporting attire into its club.
The ban followed reports of up to 15 dressed in the 'uniform' staging a drunken scrum to get into the campus' YOLO bar. Since the incident, committee members of Cardiff University's Rugby Club have stepped down while the society has suspended social events for the remaining academic year.
One member and eyewitness said: "A load of freshers were waiting in the queue for the SU last Wednesday, and they had a bit too much to drink. There was about 10/15 of them that started a 'maul', so essentially it was a load of boys pushing against each other in the queue tackling each other."
Members of the Rugby Club have been asked to not host any "social activity in the club's name" until after Christmas whilst the club works "collaboratively" with the university and unions, The Tab reported in October. A spokesperson for Cardiff's Students' Union said: "The Students' Union is proud to support over 60 sports teams and 200 student societies each year, these activities positively contribute to the student experience at Cardiff University.
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"It would not be right to comment on any individual complaints that are being handled with any of our sports teams or societies. However, to be clear, no club is currently under investigation over the nightclub incident which led to a temporary clothing restriction.
"Any complaints or restrictions given to any club will be in response to wholly unrelated events. As with all our activities, our paramount concern is to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our community.
"If any allegations of inappropriate behaviours arise, they are treated with the utmost seriousness and in accordance with our established procedures." Since the ban, the Students' Union said it had seen a "marked improvement in behaviour" in queues for the club.
A Cardiff University RFC spokesperson said: "We are working collaboratively with the Students' Union, Athletic Union, and the university to develop a positive and inclusive environment for all members of the club. To enable this to be the case, the committee have voluntarily stepped away from positions and asked that members do not have social activity in the club's name until after Christmas.
"We do look forward to supporting the boys on the field and hopefully celebrating some wins this week in tough fixtures."