To state that Casley Hayford Hall of the University of Cape Coast is associated with rowdism is to state a fact that many people would believe.  That the Hall has suffered from several banning orders not to celebrate their Hall Week or go on procession is also a fact.  But how has the student seen the action as of the University authorities in their dealings with matters of the Hall. 

This last episode gives an opportunity to assess what is actually going on as far as the perception of students of Casford and the University authorities go.  Yesterday, the Cape Coast University authorities issued a statement closing down the Casley Hayford Hall. 

Among other reasons given were that the Casford students had engaged in violent behaviour during their Hall Week celebration.  Prominent among these violent behaviour were the throwing of stones, petrol bombs, destruction of University property and the issuing of threats  to the Hall Administrators.  The students were also accused of indecently exposing themselves, blocking the access road infront of the Hall, spreading human excreta in front of the hall Master’s Office and refusing to allow the Hall Master to enter the Hall.  According to the statement these happened after the University had ordered the Hall from continuing the Hall celebration.   

Granted that these acts and behaviours were so against the University rules was closing the Hall, the option left to the University?  This is a question that has to be answered by the University authorities.  The Hall Executives have also asked whether the University authorities were fair to them.  According to them in the cause of the commotion, the leadership were made to meet the authorities ostensibly to find a way of resolving the issue.  But they alleged this turned up to be a trick to arrest them. 

Eleven of the leaders were arrested and sent to the police station and made to write statements after being charged with an offence relating to violent behaviour.  They claimed they are on self-recognisance bail pending their report back to the police station tomorrow.  Whatever the legal implications of the arrest may be the question is how has the actions of the students and the reactions of the University authorities affected the smooth running of the University. 

First it must be stated that school is still in session.  Serious preparations are being made for Semester examination while last batches of quizzes are being written.  What then are the implications of the complete closure of the Casley Hayford Hall that accommodates students in the thousands?.  A visit to the school last night depicted a sad picture.  Students who had been drenched in rain had to squeeze themselves on any available table, chair or space in the cafeteria building in which they sought solace.  Much as the spectacle was sad, could one not say that the students brought that on themselves?  This is where the dilemma in the matter comes up. 

The students clearly erred but is the application of collective responsibility for the action of some of the deviant students the only option for the University authority?  Hopefully if the culprits could be identified and dealt with while the innocent students could get back to their rooms, it would be better for all.  Again if permanent solution could be devised to curb Casfodians rowdism the better it would be for all.  These comments are being made knowing clearly the mandate and responsibilities the University authorities have to maintain law, order and discipline.

By: Philip Baidoo - A Journist