As Otago University students revel in their last week of freedom before lectures begin on Monday, moves are being made to clamp down on student drinking and unruly behaviour.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is calling for the permanent liquor ban in the central city to be extended to cover the main student area in Dunedin North.
Mr Cull says a liquor ban would make the area safer for young people.
"I don't want to be in a situation in a year's time where people say, when someone dies or gets badly injured, why didn't you do something?" he told Radio New Zealand.
A liquor ban in Dunedin North would mean it would be illegal to drink or carry open alcohol containers on the street.
However, Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) president Logan Edgar doesn't believe a total liquor ban will solve alcohol-fuelled disorder problems.
"This is a sticking plaster and anyone's joking themselves if they think that this is going to solve all of our issues or any of our issues," he said.
An OUSA petition opposing the mayor's proposal has already attracted more than 2000 signatures.
Mr Edgar says university expulsions and measures such as banning glass in street areas should be used to rein in student behaviour.
Otago University vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne says the university is yet to decide if it supports the liquor ban idea.
She says disorderly behaviour, such as couch burnings and bonfires, is unacceptable and must stop.
Professor Hayne says the university will continue to use sanctions and expulsions to deal with students acting in an unacceptable manner.
Dunedin City Council will begin consultation on the liquor ban proposal on Saturday.
NZN