Universities have appointed a community affairs officer to reduce anti-social behaviour - ahead of one their biggest "problem days".
The officer, appointed jointly by Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast, will work with students in south Belfast.
UU and Queen's regard St Patrick's Day in the Holylands as a major problem day. Drink-fuelled trouble has plagued the area in recent years.
More recently the area has been largely calm, although there have been some arrests for offences including disorderly behaviour and assault.
The universities said the area had a diverse population and, while all incidents of anti-social behaviour were not solely down to UU and Queen's students, both recognised the need to ensure their students behaved responsibly.
The new officer role is designed to facilitate the resolution of student related complaints.
Queen's director of marketing Isabel Jennings said early identification of students responsible for anti-social behaviour was critical to resolving and reducing incidents.
"While the majority of students who are found to have been involved in anti-social behaviour do not re-offend, any initiative that can prevent them from getting into this situation should be fully supported," she said.
UU provost Professor Alastair Adair added: "By working together we can help create a better quality of life for all residents, including students, in the university area."
