Should New Zealand universities be supporting a practice that their own academics wouldnt find ethically acceptable? Thats the question being asked by the NZ Skeptics in noting that self-proclaimed psychics and mediums are using university facilities for their performances.

The latest to take advantage of the credibility provided by a university setting is Kelvin Cruickshank, best known for his performances on exploitainment show "Sensing Murder". Cruickshanks promotional tour includes venues at Waikato and Victoria Universities.

"Its sad to see places of critical thinking, such as universities, supporting the tawdry psychological manipulation which underpins the psychic industry," says Vicki Hyde, NZ Skeptics Chair. "Their own psychology departments wouldnt let this sort of stuff past their ethical reviews. We understand that universities need to make a buck by hiring out their facilities, but youd hope that, as our institutions of higher learning, theyd have some standards."

The popularity of "Sensing Murder" has "literally swamped" Cruickshank with clients. According to the publicity material, his show in Victorias Memorial Theatre is designed to allow him to "reach out and touch more people at once", at $65 a head. Although not one solved crime has been attributed to the television franchise, the psychics involved have seen the publicity give a huge boost to their careers. Deb Webber now claims a five-year-long waiting list of desperate people hoping to hear from their loved ones. She doesnt mention the Australian television sting which saw her happily talking to dead people who were fictional creations presented to her by an investigative reporter.

"These people may genuinely believe they have special powers, but their abilities are sadly lacking", says Hyde. She points to one episode of "Sensing Murder" where Cruickshank announces that a murdered child had clearly enjoyed watching "What Now?" the popular childrens television programme. Unfortunately for Cruickshanks credibility, the childrens show hadnt gone on air until nine months after the little girls murder. In the same episode, he talked about the family dog, but an off-camera interjection identified the pet as a cat.

"Psychics make opportunistic use of personal tragedies. This sort of guessing game is reprehensible and distasteful. The universities and the media may treat it as a piece of entertainment, but they dont know, or dont care, about the harm this industry causes when its allowed to exploit people without any challenge."

Hyde has had many contacts over the years with people worried about friends and relatives who have been exploited emotionally and economically by the psychic industry. The international website Whatstheharm.net tracks the people harmed by false information and deliberate deception, with a section devoted to psychics.

"Sadly we know that desperate people who need to believe will be taken in by these shows," says Hyde. "Perhaps the latest tour will suffer the same fate as that of medium John Edward, whose recent Auckland show was cancelled - as it said on the website, honest! - `due to unforeseen circumstances."