Deans of various faculties at the University of Malta held a meeting with Rector Juanito Camilleri yesterday to discuss what steps can be taken to avoid disturbances by graduates on campus.

This comes in the wake of a punch-up last week between the Dean of Science Charles Sammut and commerce graduate Glanville Goodlip, 22, which left Prof. Sammut hospitalised and Mr Goodlip charged in court.

The university’s communications office sent out a press statement yesterday to say a meeting had been held with Prof. Camilleri to see whether the university authorities could avoid future occurrence of “disorders”.

“It was agreed that remedies will be sought in consultation with all stakeholders, including the University Students Council (KSU).”

Meanwhile, students yesterday claimed they had been instructed not to enter campus grounds unless in the presence of members of the media, which would keep them “under control”.

Students were, in fact, allowed on campus to celebrate and the university denied having issued such a directive.

“I cannot imagine what was reported to you but I can assure you that our officials would certainly not have involved the ‘press’ in any directive,” the university spokesman said.

It has become a tradition for fresh graduates to celebrate with copious helpings of alcohol and a tour of the island on buses loudly honking their horns.

According to Prof. Sammut’s account, it was a foghorn sounded in his ear which sparked the altercation. Prof. Sammut pushed the student away but the student fought back and pushed him to the ground.

Students who said they witnessed the incident claimed the student was slapped across the face, losing his glasses in the process. The University Academic Staff Association condemned Friday’s incident as an “attack” on one of its members.

Prof. Sammut suffered a fractured left shoulder, a black eye and bruises.