Sydney University and its residential colleges will work more closely to stamp out sexual crimes and binge drinking.
The relationship between the university and its colleges is being examined in the wake of allegations in today's Sydney Morning Herald that a pro-rape Facebook group was set up by students of St Paul's college.
It is understood there will be moves to make the relationship between the institutions stronger and the colleges more accountable on issues such as sexual harassment and drinking.
Since May the colleges, university and police have been working together to combat the binge drinking culture and examine liquor licensing issues.
One of the colleges has been funded to work on a joint project with mental health expert Professor Ian Hickey, examining the link between mental health and alcohol.
Michael Spence, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Sydney University, spoke out strongly today against the behaviour of some residents of the prestigious residential colleges.
"I am appalled by the reported behaviour and apparent attitudes of some students," he said.
"There can be no excuses for sexual assault — binge drinking is at odds with our commitment to rational behaviour."
He also argued that the colleges should not shelter or protect aggressors.
"There should be no additional protection of any kind for students who break the law," he told ninemsn in a statement today.
"They must be accountable for their actions and should be treated just like every other member of the community."
Traditionally the colleges have operated separately from the university.
Some were set up by separate acts of parliament and have housed captains of industry and heads of banks.
St Paul's was home of former prime ministers Gough Whitlam and Billy McMahon in their formative years.
Former students have spoken about the "lawlessness" of the colleges and the potent mix of unlimited alcohol and no rules.
"The rules are there are no rules unless you break them," said an electrical engineering student at Sydney University who lived at a college between 2001 and 2003.
"That's the rules for communal living. It's more collective guilt to rein you in, otherwise the college machinery reins you in.''
The head of one college said in 2005: "It's a balancing act — I've learnt the art of selective vision, selective deafness and one has to be very tolerant to the urges and surges of young people between the ages of 18 to 25 in general who are here sometimes with their first exposure to freedom."
The introduction of female students into formerly all-male colleges of St John's and St Andrews in 2001 was an attempt to establish some gender balance.
Colleges at the University of Melbourne have also admitted women for the last 20 years. St Paul's remains the only all-male residential college in Australia.
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