Dec%202012 by CIT Students' Union

CIT Students’ Union Magazine Volume Fourteen, Issue 4

Merry ! s a m t s i r h C

in this issue:

• Important Exam Info & Advice • • Dear CIT, Why am I so Miserable? • Look after yourself at Christmas • Sports & Societies News • Picture Galleries and much more...

Snow Ball Thurs 6 th Dec at eclipse

H av e yo u b ee n a na ug h ty or ni ce st ud en t?

Contents CIT Students’ Union, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland. Telephone: 021 433 5274 Email: supublications@cit.ie facebook.com/CITSU Web: www.explicit.ie expliCIT Production Design & Advertising - Keith Brown CIT Students’ Union President - Danny O’ Donovan (supresident@cit.ie) Vice President Education - Killian Hughes (sueducation@cit.ie) Vice President Welfare - Niamh Hayes (suwelfare@cit.ie) Projects Officer - Richard MaCarthy (suprojects@cit.ie) Communications Officer - Laura Horgan (sucommunications@cit.ie) Entertainments Officer - Martin Daly (suentertainments@cit.ie) Entertainments Manager Mick O’Mahony (Event@cit.ie) Advertising Opportunities CIT has almost 17,000 full and part-time students with over 1,500 staff. Why not use expliCIT to promote your business to this large audience? Copy deadlines, advertising rates and technical specifications are available from our website www.expliCIT.ie or upon request from the Publications Office. expliCIT magazine is published monthly by CIT Students’ Union. The views expressed in the magazine are those of their authors and are not necessarily those of CIT Students’ Union. All articles and pictures are the property of their respective owners and should not be reproduced without their permission. Winners of our competitions from expliCIT 3:

Crossword: Seema Bhayla, Biomed, €30 BrainTeaser: Colm Brosnan, BS2A €50

4 SU Officers’ Address 5 L ook after yourself during Christmas

7 Important Exam Info

16 CIT Socs Volunteer Prog 18 Sports news 19 Societies news 20 Problem page 21 letters to the Editor 22 competitions

8 ‘Like’ this to save the world 9 Christmas Exam tips 11 Student Competitions 12 photo gallery 14 Dear CIT, why am I so miserable?

Your first port of call... Caretakers reception in the main building Tel: 432 6219 The Students’ Union & Chaplaincy Team will be helping you to relax before the exams…

Exam De-stress Week 11 - 13th Dec

Tues 11th Dec O’Connaills Hot Chocolate Stand, Outside Library, 10am-2pm De-Stress Zone, Main Corridor, 12-2pm including the PleaseTalk ‘Note-To-Self Campaign’

Weds 12th Dec De-Stress Zone, Main corridor, 12-2pm including free tea/coffee & massages Thurs 13th Dec De-Stress Zone, Main corridor, 12-2pm

Students’’Union

Of f icers Address

Hi All, Welcome to the last edition of expliCIT for Semester 1. The term has flown and we hope you have both enjoyed and benefited from your time here in CIT. Below are a few topics we have been working on over the past few months.

Bus Éireann

Upon receiving lots of complaints we met with Mr. Tim O’Leary the chief bus inspector at 7.45am on the 25th of October, to survey and analyse the 205 service to CIT. We made some alterations to the timing/frequency to buses serving the route and service is now at a satisfactory level, as per feedback. We are currently liaising with the same inspector to make alterations to the 201 and the 208. Marese Bermingham, who is responsible for improving student retention, has cleverly placed her support with the students on this issue, which puts us in a stronger position. Any major changes to these services will be well communicated to the student body in due time.

National Maritime College Ireland

On the 6th of November we travelled to NMCI which we learned is a public/ private partnership. We spent the day talking with the campus reps, staff and other students. It came to our attention that the pool table and cues are continually getting vandalised and is a drain on Students’ Union funding as it is almost €400 to re-cloth the table. Afterwards we met with the Managers from LendLease (private company), Sean Cremin and Patrick

Mitchell where we discussed some issues raised by the students. The following items were agreed... • A microwave unit to be placed in the restaurant area at the north end for student use. - Done • Pool Cues for pool table in student common room; LendLease will cooperate with SU to hold cues at reception and they can be released on the production of valid student card. - Done • LendLease will provide a hole punch and stapler in library at NMCI. A method of securing it will be devised. – Work in progress The pool table has been re-clothed and the students have been informed that any further damage will result in the table being removed.

Residents

We had a meeting with the Melbourne Residents Association to discuss Anti-social behaviour in the Melbourne road area. Not so good in the wake of “Xmas day” seeing as there was riot police on Melbourne Road. Not a good image being portrayed for CIT students overall but we managed to communicate effectively that these students are a minority and it would not be right to tar all students with the one brush. It was also agreed that we would bring them in for a coffee morning during Rag Week. Moral of the story, be careful and respect thy neighbours.

CIT SU Welfare Campaigns

CIT SU Positive Mind & Body Week was held a few weeks ago. The aim of the campaign was to educate you about physical health and mental health, how the two are so closely linked and how to look after both. We hope that you found the week useful. Our next welfare campaign is Exam De-Stress Week which will run from 11th to 13th December. For this week we will be teaming up with the Chaplaincy Team to help you relax during your study periods and before the stress of exams comes on top of you. Watch out for the free massages, tea, coffee and goodies throughout the week in our De-Stress zone in the main corridor and O’Conaill’s Hot Chocolate Stand will be on campus too. For full details check out the poster in this edition of expliCIT. Remember to look after yourself during exam time. Don’t let your health suffer because you are stressed or feel like you have no time to look after your body or mind. At this time it is more important than ever to eat well, drink lots of water, keep active and get lots of sleep. For some more tips check out our “How to Stay Healthy During Exam Time” in this magazine. On closing notes we would like to thank everyone who supported our events throughout this side of Christmas and would like to wish you all the best of luck in your exams. Happy Christmas, Danny, Killian & Niamh

CIT

RaG Week Coming soon..! 28th - 31st Jan 2013

Our main charity is Arc House (Cork Cancer Support Volunteers)

Christmas

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Exams by Niamh Hayes

xams are upon us and most of you will be freaking out by now. Please don’t! Exams aren’t everything. Although don’t get me wrong, it is important to try your hardest and put everything into them. But if your end result isn’t exactly what you were hoping for, don’t worry. At least you did your best. Here are some of the best tips I can give you to make sure you look after yourself in the run-up of, during and after the exams. Before: • Don’t Panic: It’s time to get the head down and start studying. Try not to leave everything to the last minute. Make out a timetable for yourself and try to stick to it. There is no point panicking. The bulk of the hard work will be done by now so just ensure that you go over everything and know as much as you can. • Your Health Comes First: When studying for exams, make sure you take regular breaks. This will not only make you feel better, but it will also ensure that your concentration levels are at their optimum level. Get away from the books for 10/15 minutes and go for a stroll or get some food. Sleep is also so extremely important. Try not to stay up too late and aim to get eight hours of sleep a night. If you get a good night’s sleep, you will be able to get a better days study in the next day. • Diet and Exercise: These two things are so important to keep on track during exam time. It will be tempting to eat lots of convenience or fast food as you will find yourself with little time on your hands for cooking. However it is extremely important to make sure you make this time. You can cook very easy, healthy meals in 15-30mins. Check out this, and previous editions of expliCIT for recipe ideas. Exercise is good for taking your mind off the study, and will ensure your body is in tip-top shape for the gruelling few weeks that lie ahead. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym, go for a walk, even if it’s to the local shop, or to a friend’s house. You will feel so much better after it.

Look After Yourself during exam time

During: • Don’t Panic: When you sit down at your desk, a huge overwhelming feeling of nervousness will more than likely start to creep up on you. If this happens, take some deep breaths to calm yourself. Think of it this way, it’ll all be over in two to three hours. • Stay Refreshed: Bring some water with you into the exam hall. Sip it regularly to stay hydrated and on top of your game.

If you are feeling a little stressed in the run-up to the exams, please call up to the Students’ Union, first floor of the Student Centre. Or ring on 021 4335270 You can also make an appointment with our Careers & Counselling Service. Call 021 4335772 Speak with our Chaplaincy. Call up to the Info Desk in the Canteen, the Chaplaincy Office on the first floor of the Student Centre or call 021 4335756

• Stay Focused: If you feel like you have nothing else to say, take a few minutes to yourself. Try to clear your mind and more information will come to you. After: • Don’t Panic: There will come the point when you leave the exam hall and stress over the little things that you forgot or made mistakes in. The one thing you should not do is open your books to see if you got the answers right or not. The exam is over, even if you did make a mistake, it’s too late to fix it now so don’t drive yourself crazy. Leave the books where they are. If you have another exam, move onto studying mode for the next subject, or if you’re finished, go celebrate! • Stay Safe: Most of us have the tendency to go mad after our exams. Of course you should celebrate, you’ve just finished Semester one, and it’s Christmas time, but make sure to do things in moderation. If you’re heading out on the town, take it easy. Drink only what your body can handle and make sure you stay in a group. There is no sense in going around the city’s streets by you self. It is important to remember that you have to return to Bishopstown in January so don’t do anything stupid! Remember all those plans to go to America or Australia can be cut very short if you get into trouble.

IMPORTANT

Exams

Be aware that if you are found during the examination with a phone (switched on or off), iPod, notes or any such material, you will be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Key things you can do to make your life easy during your Semester 1 Final Examinations: • Know the CIT Examination Code of Conduct (already emailed to you) • L eave your mobile phone, iPod and I’m not other valuables at home. If you must bring them to CIT, drop them in with allowed into your bag etc., at the bag drop in the centre in the main corridor in Exam Centre! D Block. This service is free to all examination candidates. • Your timetable is available at http://examtimetables.cit.ie READ IT CAREFULLY as every year there are students who get their dates and times wrong! • Arrive in good time at your examination location.

Unfortunately, during last semester’s examinations, a number of students found with mobile phones or other material at their examinations, had their examination result declared void and will have to re-sit.

DON’T BE CAUGHT OUT! BE AWARE OF THE REGULATIONS. AND FINALLY… GOOD LUCK IN YOUR EXAMINATIONS

Cork Institute of Technology, Examination Office

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‘Like’ this to save the World

’ve noticed a startling online trend lately. You could call it a form of Digital Activism in the loosest sense but it’s Digital Activism in its laziest form, the Like petition. In the modern world, people want to feel like they’re making a difference and working to somehow change the daily barrage of bad news stories they are exposed to on a daily basis. Giving to charity out of guilt is well documented,

we’ve all been accosted in the street by “Chuggers” or Charity Muggers and paid our Street Tax to “Share”, “Concern” or one of the countless charities on the streets in return for a sticker that immunizes us from shame. Saving the world has in the last few years has been transformed to incorporate millennial sensibilities. Pink water bottles donating money to breast cancer, nappies that donate

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packs to overseas hospitals or orphanages for every pack you buy and even one of the mainstays of Irish life, computers for schools vouchers picked up at the checkout in your local supermarket, are all targeted marketing tactics devised with one purpose in mind, to make you spend more money. These businesses have calculated that they can drastically increase their revenue by adding new customers to their base when they align themselves with a charity by donating a small percentage of their profits to it. It’s from this mindset comes the “Charity Like”. Petitioning Coca- Cola to create a breast cancer awareness can if a status gets two million likes or telling Justin Bieber he “has to” visit a cancer patient fan if the arbitrary figure of ten thousand likes can be reached can only be tracked back to one thing “Self Publicising”. Much like the companies, or pop stars, these people their own brand. They attract new customers in the guise of Friends or Subscribers and project the idea they can have an influence over the world that is just not possible. The Facebook / Twitter fad of created celebrities has become so out of control it has begun to eat itself and attack the cult of branding it has so eagerly tried to emulate. I leave you by citing a study in the July 2011 Journal of Consumer Psychology. It showed that consumers who buy charity branded products end up giving less money to a social cause or charity. This will probably come as no surprise to most but it goes on to say this can also decrease consumer happiness. “Consumers appear to realise that participating in cause marketing is inherently more selfish than direct charitable donation, reducing their subsequent happiness (versus a direct donation),” said Aradhna Krishna, the Dwight F. Benton Professor of Marketing. “Unfortunately, this doesn’t prevent them from substituting it for charitable giving, which reduces the overall charitable donation.” If we take this principal and apply it to the similar “Petition Like” any person knows that simply liking a status isn’t in fact doing any good. In fact all it’s doing is satisfying a short-term guilt you have about not being altruistic enough. The truth of the matter is you’d feel a lot better about yourself if you got up off your ass and gave a real charity your money or time but since that requires real effort not many of us will ever go to that extreme. By Alan O’Connor Multimedia Year 4

Christmas Exams any of you may be stressing at the moment, M a few tips tricks and stress management techniques might go down well. First of all, remember that exams are not the end of the world. A worm hole in time will not open up, sucking in everything, if you do not do well. Realistically, this is college and exams cannot, and should not, be passed by fluke. Study is a necessary ingredient to pass and do well. Study is a very broad term, as different people study differently, and what works for one person will not necessarily work for the next. As people learn differently, these tips may not work for everyone, but hopefully they will help.

Where to study

•M ake sure you have as little distractions as possible. No noise, televisions or friends to distract yourself. • Try to have your study area quiet. This mirrors an exam situation and allows your brain to be in the same “zone” both when you are studying and when in your actual exam. • Keep your study area tidy, but have everything you will need – pens, calculators, highlighters, etc. so as you have no reason to leave.

How to study

•S et yourself one hour blocks for study. This structured approach allows yourself more room for effective study, and you know exactly how long until you can take a break. • Write notes out and summarise. When you look over your summary you should be able to expand on these points without any further use of notes. • Have a routine. Try to start and finish at the same time every day.

Active Learning

Exams

After Study

•G o for a walk or something else relaxing but also active. This circulates oxygen and also helps your brain wind down. This will aid in memory recall the next day. • When you are finished for the night, you are finished for the night. Forget about college work for a few hours.

Do Not…

•D rink heavily after studying. Alcohol damages brain cells and hinders your memory recall, especially your short term memory. • Do all night cramming sessions. You are better to sleep as your brain will work more efficiently and clearly. After 24 hours awake, a person has the same levels of concentration as after drinking over half a litre of 40% spirits. You need concentration when going into an exam • Get overly stressed. Exams are not the be all and end all of college life. You will find you will actually perform better in an exam if you are more relaxed. Your brain will think more laterally and remember more related points

Exam Technique

Before it starts • Know exactly the format of the paper (Three questions do two, five questions do three etc.) • Ensure you check your exam timetable so you know when your exam is on. • Know where your exam is on – every year people arrive to the wrong venue. • Get a good night’s sleep. Eight hours is recommended but six is a minimum for you to stay alert. • Eat breakfast and bring yourself a glucose based energy drink. This will keep your mind focused. Never enter an exam hungry. • Arrive in plenty time and have everything you need.

During the Exam ead the instructions carefully and decide on •R your best questions. •D o not use red biro except for margins etc. anage your time efficiently. Divide your •M time according to points. If you are not finished a question when you run out of your allocated time, move on and come back at the end. Most marks are picked up early on in a question so move on! • When allocating time, give yourself five-ten minutes at the start to read all the questions, decide what questions you are doing, and write out your headings straight away, before starting the question. • When allocating time, leave yourself five-ten minutes at the end to go back and tidy up any questions you may have moved on from, to check graphs, and look over any maths or formulas you were unsure of • I f you don’t know something – don’t panic. Give it a go, even if you are chancing your arm. You will always pick up a few marks, and some are better than none. After the Exam •D o not analyse the paper with your friends. It will shake both your confidence and theirs. •R elax for an hour. Even if you have more study to do for other exams, relax for an hour as your brain will have been through a stressful few hours. This should help you out. But most importantly, remember to minimise stress. Stress can often make people freeze in an exam and this is the last reason you need to do poorly in an exam. Breathe deeply and crack into the questions. Often, when you are writing something, it will trigger another point. For your information, it requires a minimum 40% average to progress from year to year within a course, and from level 6 to level 7 courses. However, a 50% average is needed to progress from Level 7 to Level 8 add-on degrees, and a carry fail is not an option I hope this helps Killian Hughes Vice President Education.

• While you are reading, write out the main points and headings. • Constantly and consciously try to relate what you are reading to real life. • Draw out graphs and try to understand why they are the way they are in your own words.

Enter...

The Fulbright Commission in Ireland opened the competition for a Summer Institute on Social Entrepreneurship sponsored by the US Department of State. The Summer Institute is a five-week, all expenses paid program in the US for a current undergraduate student to study the history, development, and challenges of US social enterprise at a US university and in Washington, D.C. Further information is available on www.fulbright.ie All applications must be received by 3:00 on Thursday, February 28th, 2013 in hard copy and by email. Irish citizens and European citizens who have lived in Ireland for the past three or more years are eligible to apply if they have at least one year of university remaining. The successful applicant for the grant will receive:

Grant Available for European Student Leaders to Study in US • Funding available for summer program on social entrepreneurship in the US • One undergraduate student will receive full scholarship for five week US program • Deadline for applications: 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 28th, 2013

• Airfare, tuition and fees, lodging and meals at the host university, and a daily allowance. • Visa sponsorship and accident and sickness coverage. •A range of academic and cultural programming.

This award will provide the successful applicant with in-depth knowledge, understanding, and experience in the areas of business ethics, negotiations, microfinance, corporate social responsibility, innovation, and many other areas of study. The Summer Institute will provide the successful applicant with a taste of what it is like to study at a US college. The program will begin in July 2013 for a period of five weeks and applicants must be able to attend the program in full. The US Summer Institute on Social Entrepreneurship is a unique opportunity to spend time at a US university and to work closely with community leaders in the area of social entrepreneurship. Please note this is not a Fulbright Award, but a grant from the US Department of State.

Search is on for Ireland’s Top Student Chef

alling all budding Blumenthals, fledgling Fulvios, nifty Nigellas and wannabe Pierre Whites for the 16th annual Knorr Student Chef of the Year 2013 competition. Launched in IT Tralee recently, the competition will see some of the country’s most talented student chefs from catering colleges in the Republic of Ireland – and for the first time in Northern Ireland – go head-to-head as they battle it out for the coveted title of Knorr Student Chef of the Year. The top prize includes a fabulous trip to Girona in Spain where the lucky winner will dine in style at the three Michelin-starred El Cellar de Can Roca in Girona, recently voted the second best restaurant in the world.

SH I R I L L FU L SPECIA

The theme of this year’s competition is Seductive Nutrition to coincide with the recent launch of Unilever Food Solutions’ third World Menu Report which calls on chefs to reduce the calories of their dishes without compromising on taste. Rather than creating a new ‘healthy’ dish, students will be challenged with taking a popular dish and giving it a healthy twist. This means following the recommendations of Seductive Nutrition: making smart ingredient choices, reviewing portion sizes and re-thinking cooking techniques. As well as the title of Best Student Chef of the Year, the top prize includes an unmatched culinary experience at the three Michelinstarred restaurant, El Cellar de Can Roca, in Girona, recently voted the second best restaurant in the world. The winner will also take part in an avant-garde cooking class in Barcelona, where they can experience the culinary style of some of the most revolutionary Catalan chefs, learning innovative cooking techniques to combine with their own personal creativity. The runner up will receive a set of professional kitchen knives and a €50 book voucher to go towards cookery books while the third place winner takes home a starter set of kitchen knives plus a €50 book voucher to go towards cookery books. The 2013 Knorr Student Chef of the Year competition is open to second year students from participating catering colleges, training centres and institutes of technology, across the Republic of Ireland. Students must be recommended to enter by the head of their catering college. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, January 15, 2013, after which the judges will announce their final shortlist. The Knorr Student Chef of the Year Award Final cook-off will take place at IT Tralee’s Catering, Hospitality and Tourism Department on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. For more information, log on to www.unileverfoodsolutions.ie/ promotions/knorrstudentchef

Photo Gallery

Great pics from recent CIT SU events

CITs award winning research team picking up the 2012 IDI national Design Sustainability award. Left to right: John Walsh pres of IDI, Grace Binchy, Rx3/RPS (sponsors), Marc O’Riain, Fergus Delaney, Daithi Fallon, Paul O’Sullivan Zero2020

fell eclipse Student Thursdays... this made the right call!

Santa’s weight loss programme in 2012 was a bit extreme ...

Our CIT SU mascot for Positive Mind & Body Week 2012 gets his/her(?) checkup

CIT Graduate Sinead Crowley from Clonakilty who was the winner of the Exhibition & Interior Design/Architecture section at the IDI Graduate Design Awards 2012 at CIT. Picture: Pascal Ungerer

Getting into the Christmas spirit at eclipse Student Thursday

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... Dear CIT hy am I

so miserable?

here? So you think complaining will get you somew Read on and think again

Dear Ms June O’Reilly, InstiMy name is Matthew White and I am currently studying at Cork of tute of Technology (CIT). I am contacting you in regards to the lack year first my During library. CIT the of floor second seating areas on the at the CIT I studied in the library between my lectures. However, when . I started second year the number of seating areas had been reduced and ground The floor. second the on areas seating no Now I can find too first floor seating areas could be used, but they have proven to be about thought have I in. study to noisy and find it extremely difficult one bringing in my portable chair but I am unable to find a bag like the Mary Poppins owns. thus The top floor is the best place to study on since it is quieter and I can concentrate better. It would be appreciated if the seating areas were restored on the second floor of the library. This issue is serious for me as I require a quiet and peaceful environment to work in. Withwork out these environments I am unable to efficiently revise or do the required of me. I look forward to receive your response on this matter. Yours sincerely, Matthew White

Dear Ms O’Reilly, My name is Michelle Murphy and I am studying for a BSc (Honours ) in IT Management. I am currently in second year. I wish to recount an incident that occurred while I was attempting to study in one of the computer laboratories during the week. I was the victim of a noncontact sensory attack. Four students entered the lab with what can only be described as a thunderous aplomb, causing my previously concent rated state to be reduced to a state of discombobulation. Their presence within the room could not be denied. My delicate senses were further assaulte d by the accessing of Social Networking and Media websites. This led to a raucous discussion about the most intimate details of these fellows’ lives that I did not wish to be privy to. The final onslaught occurred with the introduc tion of food items, such as odorous potato crisps and egg salad sandwiches. I reached the point of sensory overload, admitted defeat and retreated to quite confines of the outside world. In light of my experience I propose a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to the lack of consideration shown by some students along with a blatant disregar d for laboratory etiquette. This could be achieved by the introduction of lab supervisors who can enforce the lab rules and guidelines that most of us adhere to. Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail. I look forward to your response and welcome any input you may have. Regards, Michelle Murphy

Matthew

Dear Mr White,

on I acknowledge receipt of your email indicating, as it does, a desire your part to engage with CIT. As a short trip to the Library will show, your problem has been solved. There are now plenty of seats that you can choose from. Our recently installed, state-of-the-art Customer Relationship Management System (CRM) has pre-empted this complaint and rectified the problem before it even arose! To give you some background on this wonderful management software: CIT is currently developing a relationship management framework and methodology to underpin and support all of our engagement activities. We have been supported in this project by the Higher ’s Education Authority (HEA) and we are contributing to the Authority ent. engagem support to ork Framew National a for vision this I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all involved in correthis d forwarde have I that note will You . initiative system IT will spondence to Mr Paul Gallagher, Vice-President for Finance who . instance this in system the of success the with chuffed be certainly I look forward to your continued engagement. Regards, June

Michelle

Dear Ms Murphy, Thank you for alerting me to this situation and I hope you have recovered from this obviously harrowing incident. While your reaction to this incident is understandable ( given the stress I’m sure you are experiencing in CIT) , I am left wondering if your situation was exacerbated by your swallowing that dictionary you found in the library? I suggest that you contact the Institute Nurse without delay. It may be the case that you will be given special dispensation because of your extreme sensitivity and that you might be entitled to a laboratory of your own. I hope this reply has added to your sense of worth and entitlement. Regards, June

Dear Ms O’Reilly, My name is Tiarnán Stacke and I am currently in my second year of I.T. Management. I am contacting you in relation to a problem which I have encountered in CIT. The issue that I have is that we have a lecture timetabled every week in Prefab 53. As you may know PF53 is located in a tiny shack beside the E block. It looks akin to something that would be found in the shanty towns of India, with walls that have been constructed of corrugated metal and a roof made of cardboard. In the cold weather my fellow classmates and I are subject to the arctic conditions as there are only two small radiators, both of which are barely working. I have come to class equipped with a coat, scarf, hat and gloves so that I’m not as susceptible to frostbite. As you could imagine, losing body parts over the course of a class would seriously hinder my progress in college. There also appears to be asbestos growing on walls which is of growing worry to me. Over the last year I have turned a new leaf with my fitness and in particular my breathing capacity has increased by vast amounts. I fear that the asbestos will hamper this and that I might contract severe diseases and that all of my hard work will go to waste. It has become an increasin g burden on my mind and the time where I should be studying or completing assignments is spent worrying about the early demise I am sure to encounter if I keep having a class in this “building”. I would appreciate if you could contain the relevant authorities pertaining to the fact that I must spend a whole hour in this place, or even recommend some solutions to staying alive in these slums. Thank you for taking the time to read about my problem. I am looking forward to your response as I am sure you will provide useful insight into this matter. Regards, Tiarnán Stacke

Dear Ms O’ Reilly,

a My name is Robert Field. I am currently a student of CIT, I am studying sendam I COM2. class in am I and ing Comput in Science of r Bachelo there ing you this email as I would like to bring to your attention that issue is a lack of drinking fountains on the campus. This is quiet is an ts. for me as I do not like drinking any soft drinks due to the ingredien that bottles the in plastic the as water bottled drink to like don’t I also which are used have a chemical called “Bisphenol A(BPA)”, a chemical l has has been proven to be hazardous to human health. This chemica I do been known to cause cancer and cause neurological difficulties. us hazardo any avoid to try do and basis regular a on doctor the to go my from water own my in bring to have I that fact chemicals, but the an isown house so I don’t come in contact with this chemical is quiet flask, sue for me. This is not a problem for me now as I always have my a day on me affect might this but ts, ingredien free l chemica with made I also when I might wake up late and forget to pack my flask of water. day. have the problem of drinking all of my water before the end of the not I like to keep well hydrated on a daily basis but I feel that I might s fountain water any find to seem can’t I as going this keep to able be so or days few every gym the to go to like also do to refill my flask. I have but I haven’t been able to go to the CIT gym yet as I feel I will not enough water to get me through a full gym session.

CIT I would like for you to please take this up with the president of I and ask for him to install more drink fountains around the campus. if will send a formal email myself to the president as well but I think e that you where to bring it up as well it would give me some assuranc someone else feels I have a valid point.

takI would like to thank you for taking you time to read this email and ing it under consideration. I shall be looking forward to your response to this email.

Tiarnan

Regards, Robert

Dear Mr Stacke, I must applaud your powers of observation. In addition, your survival instinct is admirable. This has not gone unnoticed. These characteristics are much sought after by employers selecting suitable students for internships. You have been specially selected for internship in Bangalore, and have been placed in the ghetto conditions of PF53 to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As you will observe, I have circulated your email to more experienced staff who might wish to offer you some advice on how to add value to this experience. Regards, June

Clarification: The students were in fact set an assignment to write to their lecturer, June O’Reilly, recounting their discomfiture with the Institute. June in turn adopted a satirical tone in her response, demonstrating the propensity for those who deal with complaints to adopt a dismissive and or defensive tone instead of taking steps to resolve issues. Although the exercise is somewhat humorous in its tone, the underlying issues are of a serious nature. It vital that issues such as these are brought to the attention of the Students’ Union, who will address these matters on behalf of the students.

Robert

Dear Mr Field, Thank you for that observation. ity of I wish to assure you that your concerns about the quality and availabil relevant perdrinking water in the college will be given deep consideration by with regards sonnel. Indeed, I will be alerting Health and Safety immediately account for could n hydratio student to attention of lack This t. oversigh to this rates? down’ ‘drop be that should Or rates. t drop-ou the increase in student wilting of numbers in rise dramatic the of cause the be It most certainly must students observed on Campus this Semester. deficiency The President, Dr Brendan Murphy, will need to be informed of this in well-hyasap. I will take it upon myself to visit the Palace where he resides of hydradrated office accommodation. He will have to authorise the placing over presiding of accused be to not is he if campus, the across tion pods right Murphy has inequality and encouraging lack of parity of esteem. Luckily, Dr hopefully I a background in Computing with a particular interest in clouds, so you must won’t get a frosty reception. With a name such as yours, Mr Field, you Since basis. daily a on ered well-wat being to nt feel a strong entitleme investigate raised this issue, might I ask you to set up a student committee to possible irrigation proposals and watering sites on campus? that the If you could follow up with a report on this pressing issue, I am certain whether problem should be resolved by 2016 at the latest. I am eager to know (above) I you will step up to the plate and lead this initiative. As you will note on Water and Wind of Head Curtin, Philip r have copied this reply to Professo the Bishopstown campus. Regards, June

CIT Societies Volunteer Abroad program Linda Hodgkinson in Ghana I’ve always wanted to volunteer abroad. I did look into it last summer but the cost was just too much for me while attending college. When I learned that CIT offered grants/funding for students to volunteer I jumped at the chance to apply. Prior to leaving I was worried about numerous things, the heat, the food, having no electricity, spiders, snakes, being isolated from family and friends and the lack of home comforts but excited at the same time. When I stepped out of the plane in Ghana the heat hit me nearly catching my breath. It was like standing behind a bus on a hot day when the engine is running! I found it hard to sleep the first night because of the city noise and the heat. I had a two day orientation in the capital, Accra, consisting of a language class, general safety information, drumming and dance class, beach time, shopping at the markets and a tour of the city. The city was crowed and dirty. It had no sense of organisation and the people were overwhelming, pulling at you, shouting, just trying to get your attention in order to sell you things. It has a population of over two million and the noise level to prove it. Not one person was standing still or leisurely, everyone was busy selling, carrying, chopping, sewing, doing whatever it was needed in order to make money to survive. I could barely walk around in the intense heat let alone work all day in it. I was shocked how hard it was for people to make money from selling goods on the street yet I was inspired that no one was moaning or begging, they were smiling and friendly and welcoming me to their country and wishing me a good trip even when we didn’t buy anything from them. Life in the city was a culture shock for me. It looked chaotic, overcrowded, dirty, noisy, people rushing and struggling to sell, absolute mayhem. For the locals it was market day, everyone had a place and a job to do, for them it was organised and the opportunity to sell and they were happy to be there. After seeing the harsh working conditions of the

city it made me very grateful for minimum wage, set breaks, safety legislation, age restrictions and all the other working conditions I take for granted. On my third morning we set off to the orphanage that would be my home for the next four weeks and to be honest I was thankful to be leaving the city behind me. On the drive I spent the whole time looking out the window trying to take in as much of it as I could. I was amazed that most of the shops had religious signs as their names. “Jesus loves me hair salon” “God Almighty ” “He is Great”. They believed that this would bring them luck with their business. The bus turned at “Helping Hands” orphanage. My first sight of the children was of them playing, smiling and I was relieved that they weren’t sitting around crying like you’d see on the adverts. When they heard the bus they stopped and ran straight over waving and smiling and the minute the door opened everyone was touching me and hugging and asking me my name. I instantly felt welcomed. It was hard to see the children wearing clothes that were ripped and dirty, those that did wear shoes were wearing odd shoes. Lots of them had cuts and scars and some had fungal infections, malaria and none of them were tested for HIV/AIDS. They had three meals a day sometimes with beans or a tomato sauce but mostly rice. They had running water even though some days it was dirty or even turned off. They had beds, some shared but no sheets, pillows or blankets and only some had mosquito nets. When I saw that they live a very basic life, I felt a little guilty about the money it cost to send me to Ghana. I wondered would the children have been better off with the money instead of a volunteer. After school and chores I was able to sit and talk/ play with the children. This was the nicest part of the day as everyone was relaxed and you really got to spend time getting to know them. There wasn’t much for the children to do so we sang a lot and played games. The children would fight to sit on my

lap, beside me, in front of me, behind me anywhere they could just to be near me. I would try to hug everyone and get around to them but it was very hard with forty-five children. It was pitch black at 6.30pm and far too early for the children to go to bed. They didn’t have electricity so they would just sit outside in the dark before bed at 7.30/8.00. I bought some torches and batteries for my docking station so we could play music in the evenings. The children loved this and it was so rewarding seeing them dance and hearing them laugh. One particular evening, the children were hugging me and they were singing hallelujah I found it quite emotional and had to suck the tears back. I wasn’t sad because of the lack of material things like I felt during the first week I was upset that they didn’t have constant hugs, love, support or attention that they needed in order for them to feel valued and have a sense of self worth and self-esteem. If I had stayed at home and sent the money it cost to volunteer to them then yes, they may have had shoes and better clothes but who would be there to pick them up when they fell and hug them when they need comfort. This opened my eyes to the value of volunteering. All the money in the world can’t replace physical contact and compassion. Volunteering can be challenging, but it’s so rewarding to know that you made a difference to someone’s day, week, life, even if it is just to make them smile.

Applications NOW open. The closing date for Applications is 3pm on Monday 10th December 2012. For further info email: aoife.kelliher@cit .ie or www.citsocieties.ie/volu nteerabroad

Racing every Thurs, Fri & Sat Nights. Doors open 6.45, first race 7.47pm

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Munster Rugby

In their latest game of the RaboDirect PRO12 league, Munster managed to salvage a point in their defeat to Scarlets in awful conditions at Musgrave Park. The first half scoring was poor by both sides, with only penalties from Ian Keatley of Munster and Aled Thomas of Scarlets, making the score line. A Munster try just before the half-time whistle was ruled out by the TMO, and so at the break both sides were level 3 -3. The next score of the match didn’t come until the 67th minute when Thomas put over another penalty for Scarlets, followed by a 69th minute try by Andy Fenby, converted by Thomas. With ten minutes to go and 10 points down, it was looking worrying for Munster. However Rob Penney made a good call when he gave JJ Hanrahan a chance on the field, who went on to slot the last minute penalty chance in awful conditions to give Munster a vital losing bonus point. The final score of the match was Munster 6, Scarlets 13.

Upcoming Fixtures Sat 8 Dec 18:00 – Heineken Cup – Munster Rugby V Saracens – Thomond Park Stadium Sun 16 Dec 15:00 – Heineken Cup – Saracens V Munster Rugby – Vicarage Road Sat 22 Dec 17:15 – RaboDirect PRO12 – Connacht Rugby V Munster Rugby – Sportsground Sat 29 Dec 17:30 - RaboDirect PRO12 – Munster Rugby V Ulster Rugby – Thomond Park Stadium

Sat 5 Jan 19:30 - RaboDirect PRO12 – Munster Rugby V Cardiff Blues – Musgrave Park 11/12/13 Jan – Heineken Cup – Edinburgh Rugby V Munster Rugby – Murrayfield 18/19/20 Jan – Heineken Cup – Munster Rugby V Racing Métro 92 – Thomond Park Stadium

2012-2013 RaboDirect PRO12 League Table

Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Team Ulster Rugby Scarlets Glasgow Warriors Leinster Rugby Munster Rugby Ospreys Cardiff Blues Edinburgh Rugby Connacht Rugby Benetton Treviso Newp GW Dragons Zebre

Played Won 9 9 9 7 9 6 9 6 9 5 9 5 9 4 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 0

Drew 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2012-2012 Heineken Cup – Pool 1

Pos 1 2 3 4

Team Saracens Munster Rugby Racing Métro 92 Edinburgh Rugby

Played Won 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 0

Drew 0 0 0 0

Lost 0 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 9

Points 39 33 28 26 24 23 19 17 14 14 13 4

Lost 0 1 1 2

Points 9 6 4 0

By Niamh Hayes

Sport

CIT GAA 2012 Semester 1 Review

CIT GAA club has had a busy season so far both on and off the field and continues to be one of the most thriving student run clubs in the college. The club caters for Hurling, Men’s Football, Camogie and Ladies Football. A total of 336 students have played for the college GAA clubs 10 different teams since the beginning of the semester in September. This is on par with colleges who have three or four times our numbers of students and we are the largest Institute of Technology club in the country.

pared very professionally even with a few 7am training sessions taking place. We wish the team and the management of current staff members Norma Buckley and Irene Hogan and Denis Lordan all the best. Ladies Football All of our teams will Football Our Senior Football team qualified for the ¼ final of the work hard over the Higher Education league; however we unfortunately next two months in preparation for their respective lost to Ulster division winners, St.Marys Belfast, by a championships and your continued support will be single point after extra time. This year sees the addition gratefully appreciated. We are always looking for new of Niall McIntyre to the senior management along with players. Contact keith.ricken@cit.ie if you are interested last year’s management of Micheal Dillon, Noel Barry, in playing. Billy O’ Connor and Liam Hodnett. As you are aware a major part of the CIT Student GAA The Intermediate footClub is our Community Awareness Programme. The baller’s under the guid- objective of this project is to encourage and support ance of John Holly community involvement of a worthy cause. It allows and Liam Goode have our student members an opportunity to give both fishown vast improvenancial and promotional assistance to a charity of their ment throughout the choice. This year the club has chosen Suicide Aware league campaign and who are a Cork based Voluntary Organisation founded look forward to dein June 2009 whose aim is to help deal with the issues fending their All-Ireland of depression and suicide in Ireland. The first commutitle after Christmas. nity awareness event run this year was a coffee mornMen’s Football Fresher 1 footballers ing in conjunction with the MSc Marketing Practice also qualified 2nd from class. Guest speakers on the morning included Declan their league group Adams from Suicide Aware and Cork hurler, Donal Og however lost away to UCD in the ¼ final. Cusack. A total of €1,595.43 was raised on the morning with all proceeds going to suicide aware. Richie Cahill, who is a graduate of CIT, takes the helm this year with the Freshers, helped by postgraduate CIT Student GAA club will run a fundraising event at student Colm Vaughan, Liam Hodnett and Danny “the Curaheen Greyhound Track on December 6th 2012. Yank” Culloty who is a two times All Ireland Senior This is the 2nd year we will run the event and it has Football Medal winner with Cork. The Fresher 2 foot- turned into main social night to be at this side of Christballers have had mixed fortunes in this year’s league mas. Tickets can be bought from any student member and both fresher teams will train together in the lead up or directly from the GAA office, with 10% of all ticket to their respective championships. sales going to Suicide Aware. Hurling CIT Student GAA Club has recently Unfortunately our Senior Hurlers were unlaunched their social media pages. able to qualify from their group and will be The new Facebook and Twitter pages looking forward to working hard over the will be updated on a regular basis with next two months in preparation for their news on fixtures, results and training Fitzgibbon Cup Campaign. Current Recreschedules of all CIT GAA teams. After ation & Leisure lectures Dr.Con Burns and only 5 days of setting up the official Noel Collins will oversee operations aided CIT GAA Club Facebook page we had by retired Accountancy lecture Pat Quigley a total reach of 13,815 people. and GAA Officer Keith Ricken. The links for both pages areOur Intermediate Hurlers were also unable Twitter- www.twitter.com/corkitgaa or to qualify from their group, however they Hurling follow us @corkitgaa had some positive performances which Facebook-www.facebook.com/corkitbode well for the Management which is gaa comprised of graduates Timmy Murphy and Sean Le- Website: www.cit.ie/gaa ahy, along with Dr. Eamonn Cashell, dean of graduate Finally a congratulations to graduates Colin Fennelly, studies, and staff member Charlie McCarthy. Micheal Fennelly, Jackie Tyrell and Aidan Fogarty who The Fresher 1 hurling team argues well for the future. won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship with They just missed out on a place in the semi-finals after Kilkenny after beating Galway in a replay. The CIT Stufinishing strong towards the end of the league camdent GAA Club would also like to congratulate gradupaign. A good spirit has developed within the team who ates Colm O Neill and Aidan Walsh on their selection look forward to their preparation for championship unonto the GAA/GPA Gaelic Football All Stars for 2012. der the management of Sean Guheen, Terence O’Neil, We also wish to acknowledge the achievement of Staff Member Arthur Tobin and Donal McSweeney. Graduate Anthony Nash who was named as custodian The fresher 2 hurlers have had a steading progression of the 2012 GAA/GPA Hurling All Star Team. These and will hope to challenge for national honours in their prestigious and much championship in semester 2. The team is mentored by coveted awards are as current students John Neville (Masters of Arts- Exercise a result of their sterling & Health) Stephen O’Brien and Gary Nagle (Recreation performances for Cork & Leisure Yr2). during the year. Camogie and Ladies Football Good luck to all with Our Camogie team remain the only CIT GAA club team the examinations and unbeaten, after topping their group and will now play a thanks again for your league final with a opposition and date to be confirmed. support. CIT Abú The team is coached by Fergal O’ Leary and graduates Liam Bergin Ross Cashman and Shona Cunningham. The Ladies footballers have had an impressive league campaign CIT Student GAA Club Camogie PRO and will play UCD in the League ¼ final. They have pre-

The CIT GAA CLUB COFFEE MORNING RAISES VITAL FUNDS FOR SUICIDE AWARE

n the 7th of November last, the CIT GAA Club, in conjunction with the students of Msc in Marketing Practice, held a coffee morning at Cork Institute of Technology, in aid of Suicide Aware. Speakers on the morning included Donal Óg Cusack, Cork senior hurler, Declan Adams, mental health specialist, Dr. Barry O’Connor, college registrar and Vice President for academic affairs and master of ceremonies, Lorcán McLoughlin, Cork senior hurler and CIT student. Declan Adams took the audience through the importance of knowing the contributing factors to depression and suicidal thoughts or feelings and Donal Óg spoke of diversity, how prevalent it is in Irish society and how we need to be accepting of each person whatever their background or personality type. Both speakers held the audience captive and were very informative. Those in attendance on the morning were very generous to the worthy cause and raised a fantastic €1,595.43, with all money going to Suicide Aware. This was an incredible amount raised on the morning and CIT GAA Club is very grateful to all who supported Suicide Aware. The coffee morning acted as an awareness platform for the main fundraising event that the student GAA club will undertake this year. They will host a “CIT GAA STUDENT RACE NIGHT” in Curraheen Park on the 6th of December with a”Dress to Impress” theme. Doors open at 6.45pm and first race is 7.47pm. Tickets are on sale now for €10 from any club member or directly from the GAA office. Tickets include entry to track, free bus to town after and entry into a draw for €500. 10% of all proceeds raised on the night are going towards Suicide Aware. All are welcome. For more information go to our facebook page, facebook.com/ corkitgaa , follow us on twitter @corkitgaa or log onto our website www.cit.ie/gaa

CIT DJ SOCIETY AND THE PIC N MIX BALL.DID YOU HEAR THE DISCO? International Students Society - Kilkenny Trip

The International Students Society had a semester trip on the weekend of the 10/11th November. This time the destination was Kilkenny. Thirty eight people went on the trip. Our group was very cosmopolitan with a total of sixteen different nationalities including people from France, India, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Hungary, Pakistan, Poland, Austria, Finland, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania, Switzerland, Kosovo and last but not least one lad representing Ireland! We left CIT early on Saturday morning and headed to Kilkenny, a very famous city, especially when we think about hurling (some Cork people might disagree I know). Most of our members didn’t know anything about hurling, maybe didn’t even know it existed. We thought it would be nice to organise a hurling activity in Kilkenny. We took part in an event run by a local business Kilkenny Way, where we were taught the basic of hurling by Jim. We practised it (at least tried!) and got the honour to hold the real Liam McCarthy Cup! After more than an hour’s practice, we had a delicious Irish stew in Jim’s pub, the Lanigans. The rest of the day was free time in Kilkenny followed by a great night out! On the Sunday 11th November after a hard wake up we went underground to Dunmore Cave. The guide was good which made the visit very interesting and we got to see a rock that is supposed to represent a hand holding a pint of Guinness… The Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary was the last visit of a great weekend! After a last coffee in Cashel we left and got back to Cork at 7:30pm. We’d like to thank all people who came on the trip and who made it very much enjoyable and the people who have attended our previous events (Welcome Party, Pool Night, Halloween Party) and we’re looking forward to seeing you for our next up and coming event a trip to Dublin next semester! To join the International Students Society please send an email to: isscit@gmail.com Our fellow Irish students are more than welcome to join us in the society too!

Socs

What a night at the Rochestown Park Hotel at the CIT Pic ‘n’ Mix Ball. Starting off the night were the lads from UV5 with a great twist on the songs you love. We almost joined in with the band due to over excitement on our part to start spinning the late night tunes. On the night our four Dj’s were very pleased with the response. We kept the track list in general commercial but sometimes threw in some bad and mad tunes. Ciara Carroll threw in a mix of new commercial and old skool tunes which worked in getting the crowd up and out on the floor. Hugh Heffernan drove the crowd crazy with disco funkiness, Steve O’Connell keeping the tempo up mashing it up with Hugh in a two cdj and mini controller collaboration. Finally Richard Murphy brought in some ol’ skool and house to finish with. The mix of music couldn’t have gone down better. With people breaking out into chants of “put your hands up” and with requests coming all night, we gave the public what the public wanted. From “call on me” to the bloodhound gang, the cheesy jukebox was embraced but with our own original touch. Thanks to Aoife Kelliher, The computing society and Rochestown Park Hotel especially for putting up with four very loud djs moving gear around the hotel at 3am. Check us out on Facebook. ‘CIT Djsoc’ like and share and don’t forget our regular night in Eclipse nightclub underground Thursday’s as part of student Thursday’s. Also watch out for our Cork on Ice ‘Ice and Mix’ event night!

CIT Powerlifters Push and Pull their way to success

On the 17th of November last the CIT Powerlifting club made the trip north to Castleblayney Co. Monaghan for the Irish Drug Free Powerlifting Associations (IDFPA) Push Pull Competition. Twenty six CIT lifters competed in the bench press and deadlift with great success all round, coming away with an impressive number of medals and some very good lifts. Just some of the highlights of the day saw Diane Galvin pulling 125kg in the deadlift to take first place in her category. Barry Pigott and Danny Stone both pulled massive deadlifts of 230kgs. John O Sullivan fought hard to win the 67.5kg division as did Scott McSweeny to win the 75kg junior division. Lisa Moran and Egle Zujute also registered great performances in their first competition both winning their respective divisions. The competition saw the biggest attendance of CIT lifters to date many making their competitive debut. The CIT Powerlifting club will look to carry on this good form into the National Single Lift Championships which will take place in CIT Sports Hall on January 19th. This is the first time that CIT has had the opportunity to host this event which will see the best lifters from across the country battling it out for the national title and for qualification for the European and World Championships later in the year. Admission will be free and all support will be much appreciated. Keep up to date by finding CIT Powerlifting on Facebook and for more information on the club or the national championships contact CIT Powerlifting coach Peter Lucey at Peter.lucey@cit.ie

Prob Page

o you think you s m e l b o r p e v ha

Exams are coming up and I am completely stressed out. Whenever I try to study I feel like I can’t concentrate. My mind always drifts off somewhere, anywhere but what I’m meant to be learning. I am really worried that I am going to fail miserably and am scared to talk to any of my friends about it because they all seem to be doing fine so I don’t want to seem stupid in front of them. Please help me! I couldn’t bear to have to sit these exams again in August.

First of all you need to step back and take a few deep breaths. The fact that you are completely stressed is not good. It’s time you start looking after yourself and start preparing for your exams! I know this is easier said than done so I will give you this advice. The fact that you are finding it hard to concentrate means that there is something else at play here. What else is going on in your life? Are you stressed over other things, such as family or relationships maybe? If so you need to talk to the people involved and sort those issues. Once that is done you will find it much easier to concentrate. I think that you are also giving your friends a hard time here, and possibly belittling them a bit. If they are your friends then they will be a lot more understanding than you think and won’t think you’re stupid at all. In fact they’ll appreciate that you came to them with your worries. So the real advice I am giving you here is talk! Talk to those closest to you and you will find it all a bit easier. You need to relax, take it easy. If you over stress yourself you will get nowhere fast! You need to make a study plan. Take all your modules and break them down into hour study blocks. Take it chapter by chapter or topic by topic. Factor in a ten minute break that you go away from the work area and get a bit of fresh air (‘t will do you the world of good) you get a cup of tea (tea fixes everything don’t you know that). Using this technique you will gradually get through your work load and you will be surprised how much you learn. You need to talk to your friends, they are probably in the same boat as you are and you could possibly help each other with study notes or study times. They are your friends! But most importantly you need to RELAX don’t panic. By Danny O’ Donovan

David McWilliams a leading economist, Danny O’ Donovan CIT SU president and Fintan O’Toole a respected author speaking out strongly against cuts to education. Shane Ross T.D. for the constituency of Dublin South was also in attendance and reaffirmed his

If you have any problems that you want our agony aunt (& uncle) to solve, please email them to: suwelfare@cit.ie. We will do our best to help you!

I just wondered if anyone could tell me if there’s something wrong with me or if it’s just my hormones or stress - I think I’ve skipped a period. I think my last one was in 20th October and I was expecting my period two or three weeks into November. My period is always regular but why hasn’t it come yet after about seven weeks? I’ve been blaming the stress of exams but how could that have affected my period? I wasn’t stressed about exams last month, it’s just been this week where all my assignments are due up...I’m not worried about my period, to be honest I’m not missing it one bit, but my mum’s started getting on my nerves about it...can anyone help? Hormones and stress can affect your period in many different ways. They can make you skip one, can make them way more regular than they should be, or sometimes they can make it completely disappear. You can never be quite sure though so I would recommend that you take a trip to the medical centre here in CIT. If you have been sexually active in the past few months they will be able to do a pregnancy test, if not then they’ll be able to tell you how best to deal with the situation. If it is due to stress, make sure you are taking regular breaks during study and make time for yourself by watching some telly, going for a walk or catching up with friends. It is important to eat well during the next few weeks and drink lots of water. Simple changes to your diet and lifestyle may help to bring your period back to its regularity. The question is have you been having sexual relations in the last month? If so, it’s time to take a trip to the chemist and get a pregnancy test. If it does come up negative I would make an appointment with the college nurse just to see what her advice would be. It could be down to stress and if it is there are things you can do to relieve the pressure and help you to relax. You would be surprised how much more study you can get done when you are relaxed. Hope this helps and best of luck in your exams.

solidarity with the students. We were all present at the Cork Opera House on Sunday night the 25th as part of “Penguin Ireland” organised event where the wider issues of austerity were discussed. While it is unquestionable that fee hikes and grant cuts will be detrimental to this economy it is important to remember that we are all victims of a wider issue called austerity. See below a snippet from the Irish Times “McWilliams, in open-necked shirt and nice suit, reckoned the problem lay with Ireland’s negotiators. “We know our people desperately, desperately need to do a deal that will fix the country, to sell a deal it to the Europeans. Why don’t we do

it? Is there something else going on in the Irish psyche that explains our negotiators’ stance?” His theory is we want to be liked too much, that we don’t want to be awkward or different, we just want to be the best boy in the class. “Meanwhile, the mortgage time-bomb is ticking away, like a virus in a crèche ... Mario Draghi has opened the door and said, come in and do a deal.” But, he said, triggering a ripple of laughter, what we need is “some bollix like Michael O’Leary to do a deal for us ... You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.” If this is a subject that interests you then I highly recommend you first watch David McWilliams video blogs on YouTube. They can be found by searching “Punk Economics”. They are perfect for those of us looking for an introduction to the area as they are narrated by David McWilliams (who is as much an entertainer as an economist) in Layman’s terms and are accompanied by amusing and impressive doodles!

FYI December Tonight, I was egged...

Cork is usually a great, welcoming place to live, especially for an t, American like myself. Unfortunately, tonight was different.Tonigh walking just but reason no for egging y drive-b a of target the I was home. I heard a noise and thought something fell from my bag, then I heard the screech of the wheels of a passing car whizzing past. Bewildered, I look down and find an eggshell and yolk throughout my general vicinity. While I cannot know who tossed tonight’s offending egg or why, it really doesn’t matter. While eggs wash out, the feeling of being unsafe or unwelcome in your new city can mar an experience here. Please though, if you or your friends do talk about egging folks down College Road, please be aware that you may hit Americans or other international students who have no idea why they’re being egged. A simple egging could turn into a general feeling of being unwelcome in a country known for its hospitality and good cheer. As the Holiday season approaches, I write not to accuse anyone but simply to introduce nuance into the egging process and a recognition that it can have nasty unintended consequences. A prank to some can make others feel uncomfortable, unwanted, and unwelcome. Engage your friends - if they want to go out and egg someone, please let them know that they could hit folks who have no idea , why they’re being egged, no idea why yolk is all over their clothes guests. its es welcom Ireland how about or no idea but the worst

FAQ

Letters to the Editor Respect your fellow student

Along with other colleagues here at CIT, student safety and well being is very important to me as a lecturer. Quite simply, we all need a safe environment to learn and work. This month, I overheard an exchange between students wherein the derogatory term ‘faggot’ was used by one individual to describe another. At one level, this type of exchange is rather juvenile and silly. Moreover, there is a very good chance that the person did not intend to hurt anyone. Yet, consider for a moment if one of the students in their company was thinking about ‘comin g out’, such an exchange would not have helped to say the least. The research demonstrates that straight students’ use of ‘‘fag’’ and other similar derogatory terms for one another is different from other forms of gay harassment in that it is not directed at the gay person. Despite this, however, it is probably experienced as harassment by the gay person that witnesses it. It reminds gay people that they are members of a low-status social group and is very likely to reduce the chances of their ‘‘coming out.’ Fundamentally, derogatory terms such as ‘faggot’ threaten the physical and psychological well-being of individuals and violate the human rights and civil liberties of gay people (Herek, 1989). I am very proud to say that CITSU and CIT have made great strides to foster a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere which values all of its stakeh olders: students and staff alike. Let’s keep it that way. Sometimes, it truly is better to think before we speak. By: Dr. Margaret O’Keeffe, Lecturer in Community Development,

CIT

By Tommy Tobin

USING/TOPPING UP YOUR CIT SMART CARD (ID CARD)

Your CIT SmartCard (ID Card) is your primary form of campus identification and all students are required and expected to have this card at all times. The CIT SmartCard acts as an electronic purse in which you can deposit money for use at “Smart” locations. The preferred method of depositing money on your card is through the web portal, where money can be transferred from your bank account via your Laser or Credit Card onto your Card. This can be assessed at http://its.cit.ie YOU CAN NOW ALSO TOP UP AT ANY OF THE TILLS THROUGHOUT BISHOPSTOWN CAMPUS WHICH INCLUDES THE BISTRO, NEXUS MARKET, CANTEEN, SNACK BAR, THE SHOP Your card will provide you with access to the following: Campus copiers, Campus print services, Food Service and Shop Purchases, Campus Car Parking Facilities, Entry to the Library and book checkout, Entry to laboratories. To find out more about topping up your CIT SmartCard, please visit http://its.cit.ie

Crossword

uzzle #7 by Dave Fisher (puzzles.about.com) sponsored by www.citsocieties.ie 1

20 25

27 33

32 36

28 34

37 40

men!"

35 39

42 46

Name: Class: 10. Mob: Burgundy, e.g. Email:11. Lyric poems

43. Quarry 44. Narrow street

19. It comes to mind

45. Combines

owl (Hedwig, )

20. Appeared to be

46. Fix

21. Chihuahua chatter

50.

22. Bad

51.

23. "The ___ Ranger"

52.

24. Probable

53. __ run (test)

zement

s partner

he slopes

__ (obstinate)

y might say me"

bitsy bits

ed down

ng match ns, maybe

29. You need this to make 10 down 30. Captivated by 31. More opposite 34. Relocate 37. Kind of chip

COMING 39. Longs for

RAG WEEK 2013 41. Squeegeed

TO SIGN UP CALL INTO

THE SU

Winner from our last issue is: Seema Bhayla, Biomed 1

When I went to the shop, I placed four items in the basket. The following shows the cost of three of the items: €1.50, €3.00, €4.00. The line to the checkout was pretty long, so Brown to quench my boredom I started playing with my pocket calculator while Before nowI found out, to my surprise, that the four prices of the four items waiting. I selected added to the same number as I got when I multiplied the four Freshprices together. What was the price of the fourth item?

Answer:

27. Faint

Down 1. _ and cheese 2. Amazement 3. Reel’s partner 4. Hit the slopes 5. Pig-__ (obstinate) 6. They might say “Welcome” 7. Itsy-bitsy bits 8. Turned down 9. Boxing match decisions,maybe 10. Burgundy, e.g. 11. Lyric poems 19. It comes to mind 20. Appeared to be 21. Chihuahua chatter 22. Bad 23. “The ___ Ranger” 24. Probable 27. Faint 29. You need this to make 10 down 30. Captivated by 31. More opposite 34. Relocate 37. Kind of chip 39. Longs for 41. Squeegeed 43. Quarry 44. Narrow street 45. Combines 46. Fix 50. Brown 51. Before now 52. Fresh 53. __ run (test)

Prize: €30. Deliver completed entries to the SU shop.

Brain Teaser

oky

d cheese

Across 1. Severe 6. Alfred E. Neuman magazine 9. Couple 12. Came to 13. Dined 14. Youngster 15. TV, radio, etc. 16. Big load 17. “___ moment please” 18. Fires 21. Spoke loudly 25. Understand 26. Went around 28. One full of 22 down 32. AKA Alecia Beth Moore 33. Goal 35. Not yours 36. Catch some shuteye 38. Points in time 40. Depressed 42. Youtube offerings 43. Recesses at school for instance 47. “Cool!” 48. King Kong, for example 49. Get up 54. Finish 55. Mark of perfection 56. Avid 57. “Amen!” 58. Kooky 59. __ owl (Hedwig, for one)

Name:

Mob:

Class:

Email:

Prize: €50 cash

Branches at: Wilton Road and Wilton Shopping Centre www.bishopstowncu.ie Deliver all entries to: Students’ Union Shop, 1st Floor, Student Centre. Winner from last issue is:

Colm Brosnan, BS2A