Canterbury University is investigating after students at two residence halls got sick during exams, possibly from food poisoning. Paul O’Flaherty, the executive director for campus life, reported that students at University Hall and Ilam Student Accommodation fell ill overnight.
One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said that after dinner on Sunday, over 200 students were vomiting or had severe diarrhea throughout the night. They described long lines at bathrooms early in the morning.
The menu that evening included chicken souvlaki, rice with bean sauce, and wedges. Some students even shared videos showing vomit falling from hall windows due to the rush to reach bathrooms.
The exam period at Canterbury University started last Tuesday, and many students wanted to know if they could get special consideration for their exams. However, reports suggested the university shifted from calling it food poisoning to gastroenteritis to avoid blame. Some students were told they must attend their exams despite being ill.
One student expressed frustration, saying it was unlikely so many students would get gastro at the same time, especially since those who skipped dinner were not sick.
Another student shared that he left his exam because of the chaos caused by illness, saying it was a “rough” situation.
O’Flaherty mentioned that students who missed exams due to illness can apply for special consideration and may be able to reschedule their exams in the upcoming weeks. However, one student felt this was unfair since he had plans to travel and wanted a derived grade instead.
University Hall houses over 500 students and is managed by UniLodge. Students were advised to contact UniLodge for assistance, such as free electrolyte drinks, bottled water, and packaged meals.
New Zealand Food Safety is also investigating the situation. Deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle stated they are working with the National Public Health Service to determine the cause of the outbreak, including checking food and non-food sources. The hall’s catering provider is registered with the Christchurch City Council.
