Hogwarts Castle Acquired by Queen's University

After two years of renovations, the castle became home to the Queen's International Study Centre.

Located in East Sussex, England - about 100 km south of London - the rich history surrounding the Herstmonceux Castle area and the impressive structure of the Castle itself offer special appeal for students participating in ISC programs.

As March 31, 2005 came to a close - Queen's University in Kingston Canada took possession of Hogwarts Castle, opening up new opportunities for students attending both institutions.

Selected Queen's Faculty of Education students will spend their placement at the Hogwarts Castle school, teaching  Muggle Studies as a part of their new curriculum.  

And Hogwarts' students are now able to spend a semester of post-secondary education at Queen's University. Many of these students have already arrived in Kingston for classes set to begin the next morning...

However this student exchange resulted in a number of unique incidents dealt with by Campus Security as the night continued...

12:23 AM - "GAELS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN":

Campus Security received a number of calls reporting a loud gathering of students on Tindell Field.

The Security Supervisor and a Patrol attended to discover a large crowd of Queen's Students initiating the new (and consenting) Hogwarts arrivals - including "purpling" their faces, lining them up to get 'Mohawk' hair cuts, jacket & cape slamming, and other activities.

The students were compliant when asked to clear the area by Security staff, and dispersed to other locations on Campus.

1:15 AM - "AU REVOIR DOGS":

The Emergency Report Center received an active intrusion alarm at an Animal Care building on Campus. The Security Supervisor attended immediately and arrived on scene to observe three Hogwarts students loitering just outside the building's main entrance, and exited the Security vehicle to question them.

Just after attaining ID from the individuals, the Security vehicle's front door was heard being slammed shut and it was driven off (erratically) towards the center of main campus.

It was spotted by a Student Patrol in the Mackintosh Hall parking lot, where they managed to pulled it over and have the ignition turned off. Upon closer examination it was realized the vehicle had been 'car jacked' by three dogs from the Animal Care area. It was soon determined the animals had been "enchanted" by one of the Hogwarts students who readily admitted to the prank.

When the Security Supervisor attended the scene with the student in question, he was directed to remove the enchantment and the dogs were transported back to their original location. 

The incident details and the names of the students were passed on to AMS Judicial for possible disciplinary action.

2:43 AM - "SONIC BROOM":

A number of tenants at John Orr Tower call the ERC to report a small group of loud individuals engaged in suspicious behaviour at Richardson Stadium.

The Security Supervisor and a Patrol attended West Campus, arriving within a few minutes to discover a group of Hogwarts students involved in a sport that involved chasing a small sphere on their brooms.  

The group was cooperative when asked to cease their game - which they referred to as "Quidditch" - after being informed  their loud shouts and laughter had been disturbing the sleep of nearby residents.

One of the students managed to grab the still darting sphere, and the group quietly returned to main campus.

7:50 AM - "OWLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL":

A Faculty member called Campus Security to report she'd entered a lecture theater to set up for an early class and discovered an owl perched on the back of one of the seats.

A Pest Control contractor was called in to capture the owl, which was surprisingly tame, and turned it over to the Security Supervisor. The department's Lost and Found Coordinator later determined the owner was one of the new Hogwarts student.  

Security contacted the student, Harold Potter, who stated it was common practice to have their "familiar" attend a class to pick up homework, if the students realized they would not be able attend themselves.

Arrangements were made for the student to pick up his owl later that day.

NEW ACCESS SYSTEM INSTALLED IN RESIDENCES

After the recent acquisition of Hogwarts Castle, a new secure access system has been designed and will be installed at the main entrance of every Residences Building on Campus.

Beginning today, all students residing on both West and Main Campus will be issued a short rhyme to be spoken to a large painting placed outside each building's main entrance. 

Upon the rhyme's completion, those doors will unlock and allow the students to  enter the building.

The paintings have been donated by the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and enchanted by Hogwarts Professors who are chaperoning their exchange students while they attend Queen's University classes.