TWO James Cook University students have been expelled from their residential college after poking fun at the college's religious values in a music competition.

Despite their college winning their section of JCU's annual inter-college concert competition three weeks ago, the students were given their marching orders by the principal of St Mark's Residential College, who told them the performance had brought the on-campus residence into disrepute.



One student appeared alongside about 40 fellow students in a musical theatre sketch that involved dressing up as the Spice Girls and The Village People.



The other student appeared with a band performing a piece that had homosexual overtones.



The annual competition, involving performances from all of JCU's on-campus residences, has five categories: dance, musical theatre, choir, instrumental and band.



Both students, who had lived at St Marks for at least three years, were shocked to learn after the competition that they were no longer welcome at the college.

Trent Jorgensen, 20, was devastated when told he had to remove all his belongings from his dorm room.



"I'm homeless, in every aspect of the word," he said.



"I'm actually banned from the college grounds as well.



"So not only have I been kicked off, but I've not even been allowed to see any of my mates."



The other student, who does not want to be named, was informed of his expulsion while he was holidaying on the Gold Coast.



Both students are appealing against their expulsion.



St Marks principal Paula Anderson, in a statement yesterday, said the chairman of the college council, the reverend Bishop of North Queensland, William Ray, was convening a three-person panel to consider the students' appeal.



"It is not appropriate for the college to comment in any way on the situation until their appeal is heard," she said.



JCU Student Association president Jesse Cook said the expulsion did not appear to be justified.



"I don't think students should be expelled from colleges for dressing up and just having a bit of fun," he said.