Drunken Cambridge students ticked off

Students at a Cambridge college have been told off for getting drunk and neglecting their studies.

Academics at St Catharine's College - concerned about the college's slipping position in the university's league tables - have issued a warning that drunken behaviour will not be tolerated.

The college dean, Dr Pete Tyler, who is responsible for non-academic discipline, has written to all 410 undergraduates emphasising his concern.

The college will not allow this sort of bad behaviour to continue

Dr Pete Tyler

The move follows several cases of drunken disorderliness at St Catharine's.

In the first week of term, two undergraduates had to be taken to hospital with alcohol poisoning.

Later a student had to be carried out of a formal dinner because she was so drunk and a fourth was sick in the toilets.

"And this occurred at a time when St Catharine's is sinking to the bottom of the academic league table," said Dr Tyler in his letter.

'General bad behaviour'

Undergraduates were also ticked off for general bad behaviour, rudeness and lack of concern for others.

"The college will not allow this sort of bad behaviour to continue," he said.

The student body of St Catharine's is just as self-respecting as that of the next college

Paul Marchand, college rugby captain

"Silly drinking games are not allowed.

"Rudeness and unmannerly behaviour to college staff, or other serious misconduct will result in immediate ejection from formal hall," said Dr Tyler.

Captain of the college rugby team, Paul Marchand, said students at St Catharine's were far from rude and were concerned such messages had reached the general public.

"The student body of St Catharine's is just as self-respecting as that of the next college and we have been disappointed with the portrayal of our college over recent days," the second-year engineering student said.

'Fine traditions'

"The dean's letter of last week was merely designed to try and promote the ethos of good behaviour and respectful living that is part of this college's fine traditions," he said.

The college was the most welcoming he had experienced, he added.

One first-year student said: "It's really been blown out of all proportion. I do not think it's a big deal."

"We think the dean has a right to say what he has to say," he said.

Last year St Catharine's fell from 11th to 18th position in the Tompkins Table of 24 colleges.