Fresh students for the 2011/2012 academic session of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, Port Harcourt, have been admonished to have strong will and resist the temptation to indulge in cultism and other acts inimical to the progress and development of the institution.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Rosemund Dienye Green-Osahogulu, gave the admonition while declaring open a one week pre-academic orientation for the students at the Post Graduate School hall of the university, recently.

The Vice-Chancellor, who recalled how the school started, said the university had zero tolerance for cultism and other vices, warning that students will be shown the way out if found involving in cult activities.

She urged them to have respect for constituted authorities as indiscipline would not be tolerated, adding that ten students were last year expelled from the university, twelve rusticated, while some were sent home due to academic failure.

The V.C. enjoined the fresh students to make their parents proud by imbibing the culture of hard work and good morals as they are the role models that will teach the future leaders of this great country.

Also speaking the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawanson Briggs while speaking on the topic, “Academic Activities and Expectations from the Students, said the university expected them to study hard and graduate with first class honours and not to indulge in examination malpractices.

He advised them to attend classes regularly as seventy five percent class attendance is mandatory for all examinations.

The Registrar of the university, Barrister Ikem Adiele, while speaking on University Regulations and the Requirements for Graduating within Stipulated Time, cautioned them to abide by the rules and regulations made for the smooth operation and conduct of the university, adding that failure to do so would amount to appropriate punishment.

He remarked that it was in their own interest to ensure that they acquaint themselves with these rules and regulations especially having been told by the vice-chancellor that the degree of the university would be awarded to those found worthy in both character and learning with character coming first as it is the substance that will carry them on, when they have forgotten most of the things learnt in school.

Barrister Adiele Further said that rules and regulations would help mould their character and help them conduct themselves in an acceptable manner and informed the students of a disciplinary committee headed by the vice-chancellor and presided over by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor charged with the responsibility to determine appropriate punishment for those who fall short of the law or any of the regulations of the university.

He reminded them that some of them had been selected to be given university education through communal effort pointing out that record they set would affect those coming behind them who are also longing to be given such opportunity.

The registrar urged them to ensure that they complete their programme within record time so that they could take charge of the modern schools being built by the state government upon successful graduation.