CIT Students’ Union Magazine Volume Thirteen, Issue 2
in this issue: • Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance Week 2011 • David McWilliams talks to CIT students • Sports & Societies • SU Events Pic Gallery • Problem Page • Competitions and much more...
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Contents 4 Successful Dating tips ... for guys 5 All you need to know about contraception CIT Students’ Union, Rossa Ave, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland. Telephone: 021 433 5274 Email: supublications@cit.ie Web: www.explicit.ie expliCIT Production Design & Advertising - Keith Brown CIT Students’ Union President - Chris Scanlon (supresident@cit.ie) Vice President Education - Killian Hughes (sueducation@cit.ie) Vice President Welfare - Niamh Hayes (suwelfare@cit.ie) Projects Officer - David Humphreys (suprojects@cit.ie) Communications Officer - Sandra Hayes (sucommunications@cit.ie) Entertainments Officer - Cathal O’Mullane (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 Issue 1: Spot the Difference - Fiona Cronin, Com 2 Crossword - Robert O’Sullivan, COMI-B
6 Officer Addresses 8 STI’s - The facts
16 Societies News 17 Health - Survival guide 18 S pecial Feature - The society of ‘Hush Hush’ 19 Problem page
So, you think you have problems?!
20 Sport
Keeping you in touch with all the various sporting opportunites at CIT
10 C IT societies volunteer program abroad Mongolia
21 DAvid McWilliams
11 SU Events photo gallery
22 Games
Talks to students at CIT Bishopstown
15 C IT news
There are some great prizes on offer for successfully completed entries delivered into the Students Union office
CIT Students’ Union Presents
S.H.A.G. Week 2011 Sexual Health Awareness & Guidance Week Tuesday 18th Oct * DJ Society - Nexus, 12.30 - 1pm * Blind Date with DJ Pat Dilworth Nexus, 1 - 2pm Wednesday 19th Oct * A Guide to Great Sex Workshop, 11am - 12.30pm, 1pm - 2.30pm, 3 - 4.30pm, Exhibition Centre. Limited seats. To sign up email suwelfare@cit.ie with name and preferred time. Free lunch provided. * LGBT Society - A Safe Place to be Yourself - Coming Out & Sexual Health Talk, 7pm, Meeting Room 1, Free Pizza!
WEL-FAIR in the main corridor all week Baby!
Thursday 20th Oct * DJ Society - Nexus, 12.30 - 1pm * The Sexual Health Magician - lots of durex goodies to give away! Nexus, 1 - 2pm * S.H.A.G. Party at The Loft Bar, 9pm
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S.H.A.G. Week 2011
A Guy’s
Bare Essentials for
Successful Dating by Niamh Hayes
As S.H.A.G. Week is upon us and love is beginning to blossom in the air, here are some absolute essentials that are required by the male species in preparation for a date.
1. WASH YOURSELF!
Obvious? I don’t think so! The single worst thing you could do when going on a date is to turn up unshaven, looking dirty and smelling bad. We women are clean and we definitely will notice if you are unclean and most definitely will judge you for it. It doesn’t cost a thing to make an effort. Remember, bad breath and body odour are an instant turn off, and we will assume that this is what you’re like all the time. We don’t give a crap if you
didn’t have time, make time! Girls will not see beyond your appearance and you’ll never get a second chance to impress the girls of your dreams. And remember, it’s not just for dates you need to wash yourself. Ablutions should be part of every man’s daily ritual. The girl of your dreams will and could be around any corner, sitting at any canteen table and she certainly doesn’t want a whiff of the wrong kind on your arrival, in your presence or on your departure. There is a reason why the great perfume giants target women, for our sensitive noses. Trust me we can smell a man a mile off.
2. ARRIVE ON TIME!
It is such a bad job if you turn up late, especially if you told us you’d pick us up at seven and it’s now five past! Turning up late will give your girl the wrong impressions of what you think about her. We always assume the worst, so we’ll be sitting around considering the worst case scenarios when you’re late. She will think she’s been stood up, and then when you do arrive, she will quickly realise that you are unreliable. IF you’re picking her up, be five minutes early. You’ll be amazed at how grateful she will be. Make sure you are not too early either though. She will be fixing her make-up/getting dressed and will not want you seeing her half ready.
3. BE A GENTLEMAN!
Open the car door for her. Hold the door open for her. Let her walk through the door first. Pull out her chair. Be polite to her. Women like to feel special, and by treating her like a lady she will think that you are fantastic.
4. COMPLIMENT HER!
Let the first thing you say to her be “You look beautiful”. Keep the compliments flowing throughout the date, but don’t go overboard. Tell her she has a pretty smile; her eyes are beautiful; you like her outfit. We love getting compliments because it makes us feel sexy, gorgeous and beautiful. Girls want to know that you are attracted to them. But only give her compliments that you mean. If they’re insincere we can see right through them.
Nexus
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magicianposter.indd 1
5. LISTEN TO HER & ASK QUESTIONS!
Thurs 20th, 1-2pm
Dates are about getting to 31/01/2009 14:57:21
know one another, and nobody wants to spend the night listening to someone talk about themselves or being ignored. So ask her questions, but more importantly, listen to what she has to say. There is nothing we like more than when someone is interested in what we have to say.
6. PREPARE!
The last thing anyone wants to happen on a date is for conversation to dry with both of you sitting there bored out of your trees. Before you go on a date, think about your girl and what you would like to know about her, and in return what you would like her to know about you. Think of questions that you can ask her and questions she might ask you, so that you can prepare the answers. You can avoid any sticky situations by meeting up for a quick drink followed by a movie, so that you have something obvious to talk about.
7. WHO WILL PAY?
Since us women of CIT are becoming increasingly independent, this is a really tough question because sometimes we will want to pay our own way. Do offer to pay and if your date lets you, take care of the bill. If she wants to pay, you can argue that you want to, but make sure you pay for at least half no matter what.
8. THE GOODNIGHT KISS!
This depends on the woman. Some would prefer not to kiss after a date, while others (most CIT girls!) would be disappointed if you didn’t try. If you want to be sure, wait for her to make the first move or when it’s completely obvious that you can’t resist each other any longer, jump straight in, head or should I say tongue, first! Sex on a first date is a whole different story. Be 100% sure that she wants it before you make your move.
9. I’LL CALL YOU!
Only tell her that you will call or text her if you actually mean it, and want to see her again. Making fake promises is a big no no. The easiest solution to this awkward situation is to just say good night, smile and walk away. If you do like her though and are interested, make sure you let her know, and when you say you’ll call her, call her!
CIT The Student who shagged me...
S.H.A.G. Week 2011
S.H.A.G. Week W e e k 2011
A Guide to
Everything you need to know about Contraception by Niamh Hayes
great Great sex Sex Workshop workshop
The only sure way you are not going to get pregnant or contract a STD or STI is abstinence! ie, not having sex. While this is the new contraceptive sweeping the country, if you do choose to have sex, please, please and please, for your own sake, practice safe sex. Contraception doesn’t just mean condoms and the pill. While all contraceptive methods are very effective, most are 99% effective, when used completely correctly and consistently, you still have to take caution. For either gender the safest way of having sex is protection. I will advise you on the different options that are available to you so that you can make a choice and choose a contraceptive which best suits your body and your lifestyle.
The Pill
45% of women aged 18-24 use the pill as their choice of contraception. The Pill has been around since the 1960s and is still the most popular form of female contraception however, it does not protect you against STI’s so be sure to use a condom. There are two types; the combined pill and the progestogen only pill (minipill). The combined pill contains two female hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. It’s a highly effective contraceptive, but you need to make sure you follow the instructions on the packet very carefully because if you miss a pill you may not be fully protected and you could get pregnant. The progestogen pill contains progestogen only. This pill is suitable if you cannot tolerate oestrogen. It’s important to do your research and be properly informed of the side effects that can come with either pill.
The Implant
The implant is a small flexible rod which is placed just under the skin on the inside of the upper arm of women. It releases progestogen, which stops ovulation. It is 99% effective, however like the pill, it does not protect against STI’s. It lasts for up to three years and must be inserted and removed by a doctor. The implant is suitable if you want long-term contraception and wish to avoid taking or using a contraceptive daily.
Injectable Contraception
The injection contains the hormone progesto-
gen, which is released slowly into the body to prevent ovulation. It is given by a health care professional every twelve weeks. It is over 99% effective but does not protect you from STI’s.
The Coil
The Coil is a small plastic and copper device that is put into the womb. It is 98-99% effective and works by stopping the sperm from meeting the
* Wednesday 21st Oct * Exhibition Centre * 11am-12.30pm, 1pm-2.30pm, 3pm-4.30pm egg. It can stay in the body for up to eight years and works as soon as it is inserted. However it does not protect you from STI’s.
The Patch
The Patch is similar to a small plaster. It is worn for seven days, for three weeks, followed by a patch free week. It contains both oestrogen and progestogen, which are absorbed through the skin to stop ovulation. It can be seen on the skin but it is a highly effective form of contraception when used correctly. The Patch does not protect against STI’s.
Diaphragms/Cap
This is a barrier method which is easily inserted into the vagina by the woman herself to help prevent sperm reaching the egg . The Diaphragm/ Cap is a flexible rubber or silicone device, which is used with a spermicide to destroy the sperm. This method of contraception can be reused but it does not protect against STI’s. It is 92-98% effective with careful use, however, with less care there is a high failure rate.
Vaginal Ring
The Vaginal Ring is a flexible ring inserted by the woman into her vagina for a three week stint every month. It contains oestrogen and progestogen; when properly used it is 99% effective but it does not protect against STI’s.
Natural Methods
The Natural Method involves recording the fertile and infertile times of a woman’s cycle to plan when to take extra measures to avoid pregnancy. There is no need for chemical or medical intervention. Depending on your full commitment to the natural method it can be 80-98% effective. It does need the co-operation of you and your partner and does not protect against STI’s.
Female Condom
This is a barrier that a female can use to help prevent pregnancy AND sexually transmitted
* Free Lunch * To sign up, email your name and preferred time to: suwelfare@cit.ie infections. With careful and consistent use, it is 98% effective. It is a thin polyurethane sheath, with two rings. It lines the vagina and prevents sperm from entering.
Male Condoms
Most common form of contraception used by 18-24 year olds. This again is a barrier method that a male uses to help prevent pregnancy AND sexually transmitted infections. A thin sheath is rolled onto an erect penis before sex to prevent sperm from entering the vagina. They are 99% effective with careful and consistent use.
Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill)
This should only be used in an emergency. It is not suitable for regular use. It can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it’s best to take it as soon as possible after having risky or unprotected sex. It is very effective and is available from every pharmacy without prescription. As Part of S.H.A.G. Week there will be all kinds of contraception available to view in the main corridor. Make sure you take time to visit the stands and talk to the professionals who are on hand to give you advice. Please use this week as an opportunity to educate yourself about sex and how to practice safe sex. I will be giving out free condoms all week and remember that I have a year’s supply of them in my office so please feel free to pop up and help yourself. I am not here to judge you, I am here to help you stay safe!
Useful Contacts:
The staff in the Medical Centre are happy to help you with any queries you may have or advice you may need - 021 433 5780. Call up to my office in the Students’ Union, call 021 433 5273, or email suwelfare@cit.ie www.thinkcontraception.ie www.cura.ie www.sexualhealth.com
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Officers’ Addresses
S
HAG week is approaching fast so first and foremost, I’d like to urge people to get involved. Please read the various flyers and posters and know exactly what’s going on. Don’t miss out! Recently, I have been working on different issues such as on accommodation policy and free choice module issues. I have a mature student Rep proposal to bring to Union Council at the next meeting for approval. In terms of offsite campuses, the off-site officers should be elected soon. We are also hoping to introduce an off-site officer for the CCAE. I’d like to draw attention to the recent outstanding performance of CIT apprentices, who represented Ireland, at the 41st World Skills SU President Competition in London supresident@cit.ie last week. Congratulations to all the finalists 433 5277 who participated and in particular Gary Condon,
who represented CIT and Ireland in the Plastering and Drywall Systems competition and was placed first out of twelve Nations. Kieran Doherty, also represented Ireland in the Electrical Installation competition, and was also placed first, both winning the Gold Medal for their work. Thats all from me for now. If you have any problems, please don’t hesitate to contact me in in the Students’ Union office or on my mobile 086 8366608, also any suggestions you might have would be greatly welcomed too. Mise le meas, Chris Scanlon, President
y name is Cathal O’Mullane and I am a 3rd year Computing student and currently your Entertainments Officer for the coming year in CIT! I am the officer responsible with providing and maintaining the entertainment in CIT and I will try to do this to the highest standard. I hope you all enjoyed Freshers Week. It was a mad week. Don’t forget to check out CITSU Facebook for all the pictures and videos. The next event coming up is the Halloween Ball
so hope to see you all there. If any of you want to give me a hand with flyering for Halloween week and the week before, drop me a line, email me or if you see me around campus say hi! Cathal O’Mullane SU Entertainments Officer
M
H
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SU Entertainments suentertainments@cit.ie 433 5275
month, especially during Fresher’s Week i all, with one month down and only which once again was a great one. Thanks two more to go until the end of to the Entertainments Crew for their great semester exams, I hope everyone work throughout the week which helped has settled back into college. With asmake it the success that it was. sessments coming in thick and fast, it’s time to get down to the busiI’d also like to say hard luck ness of studying and while it to the CIT Senior Hurlers SU Communications may seem a bit early in the on their loss in the County sucommunications@cit.ie semester for that, it will pay Final. Well done to the lads 433 5270 off in the end when you have on the team, to Keith Ricken some valuable marks going and his management team into the final exams. and all others involved in such a good campaign. I hope everyone had a fantastic first I hope you enjoy this issue, and as always, we’d be delighted to receive your articles and photos for the next edition. If you would like to get involved in the magazine, please feel free to contact me at sucommunications@cit.ie or call into the Students’ Union office. Best of luck, Sandra Hayes SU Communications Officer
S.H.A.G. Week 2011 Sexual Health Awareness & Guidance Week Useful Contacts ... CURA – Pregnancy Counselling Service
CURA offers a free and confidential service that helps those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Support services include free pregnancy testing; crisis pregnancy counselling, info on social welfare and other rights and entitlements; support with accommodation; support after the birth of a baby for mums and dads; counselling after an abortion; and fostering and adoption info. 34 Paul St., Cork 1850 622 626, 021 427 7544 www.cura.ie E: curacares@cura.ie
LGBT Ireland – Supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people LGBT.ie is the website of the National LGBT helpline. The site aims to provide a gateway to information and support for LGBT people in Ireland. We also have information that will be useful for the friends and family of LGBT people as well as professionals working with LGBT people. 1890 929 539 www.lgbt.ie
OSS – One-Stop-Shop (Domestic Violence Info & Resource Centre) OSS provides a free and confidential service that includes information, support, referral, advocacy and accompaniment. 94 South Main St., Cork 1800 497 497 www.oss.ie E: advice@osscork.ie
Positive Options - Crisis Pregnancy Advice This website will help you find a counselling service that will support you in dealing with a crisis pregnancy. All of the services listed on the website provide free, non-judgemental counselling and support. www.positiveoptions.ie
Samaritans
The Samaritans offer a 24hr a day free and confidential support service, for anyone experiencing distress or despair including those who could lead to suicide. No matter how big or small the problem is; there is always someone available at the other end of the phone to talk to you. Don’t carry the burden alone, speak up and talk to someone. 1850 609 090 www.samaritans.org
Sexual Violence Centre & Cork Rape Crisis Centre The services provided by this centre include information and advice; Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU); counselling; support for families; Victim Impact Reports; interpretation; and training. 5 Camden Place, Cork 1800 496 496 www.sexualviolence.ie E: info@sexualviolence.ie
Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid is a leading national organisation that has been working to address the issue of domestic violence in Ireland for more than 35 years. Their direct services to women experiencing domestic violence underpin and inform all our work toward ending violence against women. 1800 341 900 www.womensaid.ie E: info@womensaid.ie
Other useful websites:
www.thinkcontraception.ie www.life.ie www.yoursexualhealth.ie www.sexualhealth.com Always feel free to call up to my welfare office in the Students’ Union if you would like to talk about any sexual health issue and help yourself to the free condoms. You can also contact me on 021 4335273 or suwelfare@cit.ie
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elcome to S.H.A.G. Week, It’s hard to believe that a month and a half has passed already since you started back to college. I hope you have all settled in and are enjoying yourselves. Lots of events have happened since our last issue. We had a very successful Random Act of Recycling Day and of course a very exciting and successful Freshers Week and the good news is that’s just the start. CIT SU S.H.A.G. Week is taking place 18th – 20th October. S.H.A.G. or Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance Week is all about getting you guys educated on the importance of staying safe while enjoying a healthy sex life. It is about making you aware of the dangers that can arise when you don’t practice safe sex, and what you can do to avoid these dangers. In this month’s expliCIT, I have included articles about Contraception and how to choose the best type for you; information about STI/STD’s, what the different types are and how to avoid them. I’ve also included some tips for the lovely guys of CIT on how to impress on a first date. These are essential tips that every guy should be aware of so please read on! I have loads of fun events planned for the week. On Tuesday (18th) the CIT DJ SU Welfare Soc will be getting the crowd going over in suwelfare@cit.ie the Nexus Hall in the Student Centre be433 5273 fore DJ Pat D will be taking to the stage to do BLIND DATE. If you are looking for love, do pop over, you never know who you might find! On Wednesday, if you are looking for tips on flirting, dating and relating, then A Guide to Great Sex Workshop is for you! There will be three workshops running throughout the day, 11am-12.30pm, 1pm-2.30pm and 3pm-4.30pm, in the Exhibition Centre. Each lasts an hour and a half, and a free lunch is included. If you are interested in coming along, please email suwelfare@cit.ie with your name and preferred time. Spaces are limited so please get onto me ASAP. At 7pm on Wednesday evening in Meeting Room 1, upstairs in the Student Centre, CIT SU and the LGBT Society are jointly holding a talk,
O
“Coming Out and Sexual Health”. This talk is open to all students of the college and will be run by a Linc and the Cork Gay Project. Free pizza will be provided on the night, so just show up! Thursday sees the return of the Sexual Health Magician. He proved immensely popular last year and has loads of Durex goodies to give away. He will be live in the Nexus Student Centre at lunchtime. The week will round off with the ultimate S.H.A.G Party in the Bishopstown Bar on Thursday night from 9.30pm. You can expect lots of games, including the Condom Olympics, with free giveaways. Throughout the week the main corridor will be transformed into a WEL-FAIR. Many external organisations will be on campus giving away free information, tips, advice and goodies. Do take the time to have a look at the different stands and use the opportunity to educate yourself on the benefits of a healthy sex life. My Welfare Crew will be out in force for the week so when you see the white t-shirts, you know that free condoms are coming your way! To make sure we don’t forget about our other students, S.H.A.G. Day will be going to the off-site campuses within the next week. I hope you all enjoy the week and if any have any questions or problems at all, please do not hesitate to contact me at: suwelfare@cit.ie. Niamh, Vice-President Welfare
H av e a HAve sh ag ad e l i c Shagadelic we e k ! Week!
and we (collectively at CIT) ne month down already! Where is need to work together. It is the time going? I hope you all ena very simple process on joyed Fresher’s Week and are now how to get the price back settling down into the swing of the old down and very little effort is study side of college. If any of you are needed but a hell of a lot of having trouble with any module please cop the fudge on is needed! call up and see me in my office or visit By not putting in that little bit our website www.citsu.ie and go to our of effort that is needed you grinds database and hopefully there is are only hindering yourselves someone there that can help. If you fail and your fellow students. If to find someone that can help please call any of you have any question to my office and I’ll do my best to seek on this matter please feel free out the help that you need. to drop me an email on suedAs you will read further on in this issue, ucation@cit.ie or call away into you will see I have explained why the me in to see me in the Students’ Union. price of hot water in the canteen Some of you will have noticed has gone up. (ie - increases that I had blue hair for the last staff cost to clear up your rubSU Education bish). Now I know some of sueducation@cit.ie month. It wasn’t a fashion statement. It was a blue highlight you will complain that it is not 433 5276 to raise awareness for cana good enough reason but uncer in men. I would like to say fortunately that is the reason
a BIG thank you to the people that sponsored me during the month. Cathal and I raised €270 for this very worthy cause. Again, thank you to all who support us. Well that’s enough out of me for now. I wish you the best in your studies for mid-semester exams. And if any of you need anything please call in as I have an open door policy and if you can’t drop in drop me an email and I will do my upmost to try and help you with any issue that you have. Your friend always, Killian Hughes, Vice President Education
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S.H.A.G. Week 2011
Everything you ever needed to know about STI’s Fact: You may not know if you have an STI. So what exactly is an STI?
STIs are infections that are passed on from an infected partner(s) during unprotected sex (vaginal, anal and oral). They are caused by specific bacteria and viruses. In some cases, you may be at risk even if you don’t have full sex. Kissing and touching each other’s genitals may pass on some STIs. There are many different STIs – some are more common than others. Most can be cured with medication. However, some of them can only be treated to reduce symptoms but will stay in your system once you have been infected. Remember, only total abstinence from all sexual contact offers 100% protection from pregnancy and STIs.
Fact: In the space of ten years, there has been a 700% increase in cases of Chlamydia in Ireland. So how do I know if I have an STI?
You might not know. Some STIs have no obvious symptoms, so you may not be aware that you or your partner(s) is infected. If you are sexually active, it is important to have regular check-ups. Some STIs can cause long-term problems if they are not treated, such as infertility, complications in pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease. Please seek help/advice from a doctor/ STI clinic if you notice any of the following symptoms: • Unusual discharge from penis or vagina • Pain when passing urine • Unusual sores or blisters in the genital area • Itching or irritation in the genital area • Pain during sex STIs never go away by themselves, so get checked out!
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by Niamh Hayes
Fact: You can get an STI the first time or anytime you have sex. Steps to prevent catching an STI…. DO…
• Carry a condom, always use it properly and ensure it is in date • Follow the instructions on the packet of condoms and practice putting them on • Think twice about having sex if you are under the influence of drink or drugs. 24% of men and 14% of women aged 18-24 have said that drinking alcohol/ taking drugs was a reason for not using contraception. Be Drink Aware • Look out for any unusual discharge, sores, rash or bumps and go to a doctor or STI clinic if you are worried
DON’T…
• Have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex • Be embarrassed to talk about safer sex • Rely on your partner to carry condoms • Be embarrassed to get tested for STIs
Fact: You may not be able to tell if your partner(s) has an STI. Most Common Types of STI’s:
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by intimate genital contact, unprotected sex, infected fingers to eyes, unprotected mouth to anus contact and can be passed from a pregnant mother to her baby. For a woman the symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, stinging or burning sensation when you pee, bleeding between periods, and pain or bleeding during or after sex. For a man the symptoms include discharge from the penis and stinging or a burning sensation when you pee. Chlamydia can lead to many problems such as fertility problems and pelvic inflammatory disease. It can be prevented by always using a condom correctly but if you get it, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection caused by the same things as Chlamydia. Gonorrhoea can cause long term complications such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, pre-term labour and low birth weight. Women should look out for abnormal vaginal or anal discharge, burning or stinging sensation when you pee; pain during or after sex, and possible bleeding between periods. Men should look out for abnormal discharge from the penis, and burning or a stinging sensation when peeing. Gonorrhoea can be prevented by using a condom correctly or avoiding intimate sexual contact. It can be treated with antibiotics which both you and your partner will have to take. Genital Warts (Human Papilloma Virus, HPV) is a virus that is caused by direct skinto-skin contact, or vaginal, anal or oral sex (protected and unprotected). Some types of the Human Papilloma Virus are associated with cervical cancer in women, so you should follow up with your doctor for a smear test. The virus can be in your system from three weeks to eight months (or longer) before you show symptoms. Warts usually appear as single or more painless, fleshy growths or lumps in the genital area. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Some people do not get visible warts, but can still pass the virus on to their partner. Genital warts can be prevented by avoiding intimate sexual contact. A condom is the best protection against them but it is not 100% effective. Warts can be treated by freezing them or applying a prescribed cream. The type of treatment will depend on the size, location and number of warts. It is important to know that the virus that causes genital warts stays in your system, and can emerge again and again when the immune system is under stress. Herpes is a virus caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. It is contracted by direct skin-to-skin contact, unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, unprotected mouth to anus contact, and from a pregnant mother to her baby. Most people who carry the virus have no symptoms. However during an outbreak you have flu-like symptoms, painful blisters or ulcers on your external
“
Good sexual health means making sure you have the knowledge, skills and ability to make informed sexual choices and acting responsibly to protect your health and the health of others”
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genitals and rectum, or a burning sensation when you pee. Herpes can be prevented by not having sex while you or your partner has an outbreak, and always using a condom. It can be treated with prescribed medication to reduce discomfort however, the virus will stay in your system with possible future outbreaks.
S.H.A.G. Week 2011
pointment for most clinics, unless they provide a drop-in service. You should have an STI screening if: • you are sexually active and have not had a check-up before • you have had unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with one or more partners • your sex partner has had unprotected sex with someone other than you • you have any unusual symptoms CIT Medical Centre
The medical centre here in CIT offers a STI screening service. If you think you may have an STI or if you are sexually active and want to make sure everything is okay, make an appointment ASAP with Dr. Jackie Cantillon, who comes into the college on Tuesday Fact: You can catch an STI more than once. afternoons. The testing costs €10 with your student card. As with Syphilis all services provided by the medical centre, this service is comThere has been a recent upsurge in new cases of syphilis! This is pletely confidential. Nobody in the waiting room will know what a bacterial infection caused by intimate genital contact, unproyou are going in for, and it will be a huge relief when you get the tected vaginal, anal or oral sex, unprotected mouth to anus conall clear or the necessary treatment for an infection. Dr. Cantillon is tact, kissing an infected person, and from an infected mother to highly trained in this area and offers great support and advice. Call her baby. The symptoms are the same for men and women and 021 433 5780 to make an appointment. occur in three stages. Stage one is the GUM/STI Clinic - South Infirmary, primary infection. Symptoms include Victoria Hospital, Cork a painless ulcer in the genital, anal or CIT Students’ Union Presents 021 496 6844 mouth area which appears around 3 The GUM/STI Clinic offers a free weeks after exposure. Stage two is the service. Both the examination and secondary infection. A red, spotty rash treatment are free. You are not develops on the palms of hands and asked for your name and are identisoles of feet. It can also appear elsefied by a number so it is completely where on the body. confidential. The testing may take Stage three is tertiary syphilis. This is up to two hours. You will have to rare but there is a possibility of longdisclose your sexual history, but term damage to your heart and brain. don’t worry they are completely Sometimes people with Syphilis have professional and have heard and no symptoms at all and are diagnosed seen it all before! on blood testing. It can be prevented Sexual Health Centre – Mercy by using condoms correctly but antibiHospital, 16 Peters Street, Cork otics treatments are very effective. 021 427 5837 Pubic Lice (Crabs) are tiny insects This is located near the Mercy Hosthat live in pubic or body hair. They are pital. It offers services such as pregcaused by close body contact with an nancy testing, counselling for uninfected person, and sometimes, inexpected pregnancy, HIV support, fected bed linen or clothes may pass along with training and support on them on. Symptoms include itching in sexual health and drugs. Services your pubic hair, and sometimes you provided here are free. Visit www. will be able to see the lice. Pubic Lice sexualhealthcentre.com can be treated with creams and lotions. You can prevent them by avoidYouth Health Service – ing intimate sexual contact and using 73 Shandon Street, Cork condoms. 021 422 0490 This service is for people under 21 Fact: You can be infected with years. Services offered are free STI more than one STI at a time. screening and medication. They also offer free contraception. There Who can help? is a waiting list so book ahead if you Regular sexual health check-ups are th want to have a check-up. important to help ensure you can continue to have and enjoy a healthy sex Remember: It is good sexual life. Presently you may not be in a rehealth practice to get a STI lationship or sexually active however, check regularly. Doors 11pm it is still important to look after your sexual health. If you have further questions about STI’s or your sexual health please STI Screening means you are being call over to the stands in the main tested for a full range of Sexually Transcorridor during S.H.A.G. Week. The mitted Infections at the same time. A many organisations present will be The Number 5 Bus drops screening usually includes blood tests happy to answer any of your quesand swabs. directly outside Savoy. Over 18s event only. tions. Over 18s event only. GARDA ID / PASSPORT / DRIVING LICIENCE STI screening is free at an STI/GUM GARDA ID /forms PASSPORT / DRIVING LICIENCE are the only of acceptable age ID. ROAR clinic. You will need to make an apare the only forms of acceptable age ID. ROAR
MONSTer halloween Ball The BIggeST & SCArIeST NIghT of 2011 Thurs 27 oct 2011 Adm €6 Cash prize for best dressed!
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CIT Societiesr Voluntee Abroad program CIT Mongolia Report
I
By Sarah Ryan
n June of this year I spent a month working on the farm set up after World War Two as a method of rebuilding Europe. of an orphanage about an hour west of Ulaanbaatar in It gives people the opportunity to travel while working for Mongolia. In short it was one of the best experienctheir food and board. This is a great way of travelling es of my life. I spent the days working on the farm as the work camps can last anywhere from one week An Information ev ening weeding fields of potatoes and carrots and waterto six months. There are also a lot of these camps for 2011/2012 will take ing trees, and the evenings playing and organising all over the world. To partake in the camp you pay place on Nov 8th fr om activities for the orphans who spent they’re suma membership fee of about €40 for students (this 5pm in Meeting Ro om 1, mer working on the farm. keeps the office ticking over in Dublin) and you pay Student Centre. for whatever transport costs you need to get there. Mongolia is one of the most exotic and fascinatSee www.citsociet It is a very cheap and legitimate way of allowing us ies for ing places I’ve ever been to; from the rough allure more information. ‘culture thirsty’ students to explore different cultures. of Ulaanbaatar’s post-communist architecture to the It also gives people the option to travel alone, safe in unbelieveably vast and varied landscapes. Huge exthe knowledge that you will be meeting a group of peopanses of land lead north to Siberia and south to The ple while you’re there. It’s a lovely experience meeting people Gobi Desert and China. This is the land of the dinosaurs from all over the world travelling alone, ready to meet new people. and you can see why. Around 99% of the people living in the counThe only down side is you can make really good friends that you tryside live in gers (yurts) with no running water and sometimes the have to say good bye to but with Facebook it doesn’t have to be occasional solar panel. They older people are very conservative but forever. Anyway I recommend that if anyone is looking to scare the none the less much more spiritual and connected to the land than bejesus out of themselves in a beneficial way for both themselves I’ve ever experienced in Ireland. and other people, and travel not in a voyeuristic way but as a particiThey kept us busy working while we were there. To be honest I pant in different cultures, check out the website vsi.ie . nearly melted in the 30+ degree heat, my Irish skin clearly not up for I’d really like to thank CIT for awarding me a bursary to get there; to the direct sunlight at all. When I was hiding from the sun I was busy all the students I hounded for donations; and to The Liquid Lounge cooking food for the 10-15 other volunteers. It was quite interesting for giving me the night club for free for the Genghis Khan Khan Club. to find myself at one stage not only the only European but the only Using those funds I was able to purchase bed sheets for all the Non- Asian person in the vicinity! It took a while to adapt my taste children, something that had been on the priority list for quite some buds to the food and I have come to the conclusion that Mongolian time. food is tripe, and I think if I smell mutton again I might vomit! Luckily with those spice hungry Koreans we were able to add some pizazz If you’re interested in Mongolia I recommend the film ‘The Story of to the food!! the Weeping Camel’. It gives great insight into the lives they live, even in 2011. I discovered this volunteering work camp on the VSI website (vsi. ie). It is the Irish off-shoot of SCI, a European organisation initially
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Left to right Ciara McGee, Business Advisor, South Cork Enterprise Board; John Sheehy, Enterprise Student Intern, Development Office, CIT; Kieran Moynihan, CIT Entrepreneur in Residence, CIT; Minister Sean Sherlock; Isabel Rossiter, Enterprise Student Intern, Development Office, CIT
Cork County and City Enterprise Boards CIT Prize for Innovation
The tenth Cork County and City Enterprise Boards Cork Institute of Technology Prize for Innovation was launched during the Careers Fair at CIT on 4th October 2011. The competition awards cash prizes worth €10,000 to those whose inventions and business ideas are judged most creative, novel, innovative and likely to succeed in the marketplace. It is open to all departments in CIT and students can use a project that forms part of their course work for the year as their entry. A new initiative has been introduced this year, where students will receive entrepreneurship training in teams or as individuals from CIT’s entrepreneur in residence Kieran Moynihan who will guide them in putting a business plan together. Taking place in the NIMBUS centre on the campus, the training will cover spotting the opportunity, sales and marketing, building products and services and raising funding for their business. Kieran said: “We are very excited to lay the foundation for a future wave of entrepreneurs in Ireland through the CIT Prize for Innovation. Throughout the world, entrepreneurs are starting businesses in their early twenties and younger – we need to change the status quo in Ireland to encourage and equip our young people to start successful businesses at any stage in their career.”
Graduation Ceremony Meals 4-course meal with tea & coffee just
€19.95 per person!
Graduate receives complimentary glass of bubbly! Call 021 - 434 6720 to reserve your table.
Last year’s winner ... Myles Murray from Togher in Cork was the overall prize winner of the 2011 CIT Prize for Innovation with his business PMD Solutions. He is now a participant on the Genesis Enterprise Programme (GEP). “Participating in the competition allowed me to reality check my business idea with an experienced judging panel and the feedback I got was very constructive. After the awards, CIT helped progress my business idea by promoting me as potential GEP candidate and four months later, from my time in the programme, my business is exponentially growing and evolving,” he said. Further details about this great competition, including the calendar of events and business plan template are available at www.cit.ie
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SAVE €€€s WITH STUDENT COMMUTER TICKETS
Cork City Only: Weekly €15.50; Monthly €55.00. Monthly City/Suburban €64.00. Monthly City/Suburban /Cobh Rail €85.00 Monthly City/Suburban /Midleton Rail €95.00 Unlimited travel to all suburban areas inc. Blarney, Tower, Ringaskiddy, Glanmire, Fountainstown, Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Cork Airport, Sallybrook, Crosshaven, Passage, Monkstown & Riverstown. Note: prices quoted do not include initial €2.00 I.D. set-up charge. Monthly based on calendar month. Northern Orbital Route No. 1 Mayfield –Blackpool – Knocknaheeney via CIT to CUH Southern Orbital Route No. 19 Mahon – Douglas- Ballyphehane – Togher – Sarsfield Rd – Wilton S.C. - CIT
SHUTTLE SERVICE (FRIDAY ONLY) NON STOP TO BUS STATION Approx. 25 minute journey Shuttle bus fare INCLUDED IN EXPRESSWAY TICKET A Bus Éireann Inspector will be present to assist customers. Shuttle Bus departs from: C.I.T. (No. 5 bus stop @ 12.10,13.10,14.10,15.10) U.C.C. (Gaol cross @ 12.20,13.20,14.20,15.20)
Direct Service to Macroom, Killarney & Tralee @ 13.40,14.40,15.40,16.40 from the Gaol Cross, UCC. This service departs 10 mins later from the No.5 Bus Stop @ CIT.
NO.5 Bus from CIT – UCC to City Centre & Kent Train Station
STUDENT FARES ISSUED TO HOLDERS OF RECOGNISED STUDENT I.D. CARDS: A valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC); Or a current Student Identity Card issued by a recognised thirdlevel college in the Republic of Ireland; a full list of these colleges is available on www.buseireann.ie Or a current Translink Student Identity Card; Or a City Student Card or National Student Card (both issued by Bus Átha Cliath/ Iarnrod Éireann)
Purchase Tickets in advance to avoid delays and for travel on the Shuttle Bus at CIT Students Union or An Stád Shop UCC. On-line discounts available at www.buseireann.ie For further information: email: info@buseireann.ie Tel: 021 450 8188 Web: www.buseireann.ie All information correct at time of going to print.
SU Events Pic Gallery Freshers Week 2011
See more pics on CITSU facebook page and in the photo gallery on citsu.ie
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Feature
Dear C.I.T. students, ARAN (Animal Rights Action Network) is now almost seventeen years in operation in Ireland. We are a peaceful, non-violent animal rights group working in a professional manner. Currently we have over 3,000 members and supporters here in Ireland, Britain, Europe and from around the world. We work on various campaigns such as Canada’s seal hunt, the ban of Irish fur farms, exposing animal experiments in laboratories, campaigning to ban blood sports, banning animal-act circuses, promoting spay and neutering, encouraging the adoption and no buying of animals and encouraging the enlistment of celebrity involvement. We also do school educational talks, grassroots and on street outreach, investigations, animal rescue and much more. ARAN has no paid staff and only uses the support of unpaid volunteers who give their free time to the cause. ARAN is known for our catchy events, eye-opening demonstrations, our unique campaigning approach and message and of course our endless press coverage of campaigns that get the animals’ plight noticed. Some successes of ARAN have been to get a well known High Street retailer to go fur free, countless charity shops to go fur free, urging the Irish government to adopt a total stance on the ban on seal products in the EU, getting the gorillas in Dublin Zoo a 12,000sq metre enclosure but our campaign will always remain for the abolition of such prisons. ARAN encouraged hundreds of people to adopt a vegetarian and vegan diet, getting hundreds of people out onto the streets to take action to help animals out of cruel situations and much more. ARAN is always looking to meet new activists and new campaign coordinators so that we can reach even further. If you’ve got some time and you want to be part of a growing grassroots group, make like minded friends that are caring and are speaking out for the voiceless, please go to www.aran.ie Remember that times are changing, people are opening their eyes and hearts up to the plight of animals, but there is still a lot of work to do and thanks to our supporters and members at ARAN, we can continue with our fight against animal abuse. ARAN’s promise to the animals is that, we hear their cries and we’re coming to help. We would love to have you attend ARAN’s animal rally which is taking place on Saturday, 29th October at 1.30pm sharp on Grand Parade Plaza, Cork City. The aims of the march are to encourage new laws to protect animals and stamp out animal abuse and to increase awareness of cruelty to animals in this country.
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free student flights up for grabs Get one of 15,000 FREE return flights to Europe when you open and use a 3rd level student account. Drop into Bank of Ireland CIT branch in the Student Centre today Call (021) 4326285 www.bankofireland.com/studentmoney
Terms and conditions apply to the free flight offer. To qualify for the free flight voucher applicants must open a 3rd level student current account between 1st July and 31st October 2011 and use the account 10 times, including at least 1 online transaction, between 1st July and 31st October 2011. Applicants must be over 18 years of age and in First Year. The free flight offer is available while stocks last (15,000 free flights available). Flights are supplied by the promoter Scream Limited T/A WIN | WIN, a company incorporated in Ireland having its registered office at 56 Dartmouth Square, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Bank of Ireland does not accept responsibility for availability or services provided by the promoter Scream Ltd. A full list of terms and conditions for the free European flight offer can be viewed on www.bankofireland.com. Details are available at any Bank of Ireland branch. Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Congratulations!
CIT news
The winners of the Careers & Counselling Service Student Induction Competition who each received One-for-All vouchers; Michael Kelly, Andrew Foley, Daniel O’Brien, Robert O’Keefe. Careers & Counselling Service is located on the second floor of the Student Centre. Drop in or check out our website; www.careersandcounselling.com for jobs, career information and more! (Left to right) Treasa Mc Sweeney, Andrew Foley, Michael Kelly, Agnes Looney
To get a little you have to give little!
As I mentioned in my address the price of hot water has gone up by 50%, this is something that must not be kept in place. However we have had meetings with the management company and have been informed to why this price hick was implemented. The main reason for this is that people keep stealing tea bags. By doing this unlawful act you are only hurting yourself! Another reason for this is the fact that more staff were taken on to help clean up the canteen as people are unable to bring their trays and rubbish to the bin because mammy usually does it for them. Well ladies and gentleman the canteen is a no mammy zone! It takes only one minute, not even to bring your tray to the trolley and bins. I do not want to sound like I am on the side of the canteen company but as the title suggest you have to give a little to get a little, so the Students’ Union and the Canteen company have come up with a plan that will be rolled out over the next month to reduce the cost of staffing on the floor thus reducing the cost of hot water in the long run. All that needs to be done is to get people in the habit of bringing their tray to the bins and if you see one of your friends leaving their crap on a table just tell them to put it in the bin. Just as an added bonus the canteen have agreed that each week when they see random people putting their rubbish in the bins they will give them a voucher for a FREE tea or coffee. This plan is very simple and will be effective if people just put their rubbish in the bin it really is that simple. By not taking part and being a cave man you are just hurting yourselves and your fellow college friends in the long run. Get involved and bring down the price of hot water! Killian Hughes, Vice President Education
Pitch Perfect
Karen Long is a current 3rd year accounting student. The 22 year old Douglas girl recently went for an audition for the series “Pitch Perfect” a TG4 show which will be shown in November. The audition was to sing at this years all Ireland senior football final in Croke Park on 18th September 2011. Karen was one of thirty very passionate GAA enthusiasts from around the country chosen. Karen was successful with her audition and was the only Corkian to be selected to be in the choir. The “Road to Croker” is an eight week TV series due to be shown shortly on TG4. The Cork County Board also approached Karen to sing at the Feile Finals this year and in recent weeks was asked if should would perform “Amhran Na Bhfiann” at this year’s senior Hurling and Football County Finals in October. Karen’s talent just doesn’t end at “Pitch Perfect”. The accounting student was recently awarded a gold medal from the London College of Music in musical theatre with CADA Performing Arts. The main influences of Karen’s music would have to be her parents, grandparents and her first music teacher Frances O’Reilly who all encouraged Karen along her journey. Karen is extremely appreciative of the support that she received from CIT’s very own GAA Development Officer Keith Ricken. Keith was more than generous with his sponsorship of CIT merchandise for her to wear while filming throughout July, August and September. So folks stay tuned for November and follow Karen’s exciting journey on “Pitch Perfect” on TG4
CIT’s Rian Edman wins Babcock Award
Following a gruelling and intense final day of competition comprising project presentation, demonstration and a personal interview before a distinguished panel of Industrial and Academic judges in Westminster, London, It was announced that the First Place Babcock Award 2011 European Science Engineering and Technology SET Award Finals and Best European Mechanical Engineering Student 2011 went to CIT’s own Rian Edman. Rian’s self-conceived and driven project on the topic Thermodynamic Analysis, Testing and Evaluation of a Concept six Stroke Engine. This project, arising from a fascination from an early age by the author with the workings of the internal combustion engine, is indeed a remarkable achievement for an undergraduate student. This is the first time a student from Cork Institute of Technology (or indeed from any Institute of Technology in Ireland) has been short-listed for the European Science Engineering and Technology SET Awards - so it is indeed a magnificent achievement and a great honour to have won the First Place Babcock Award. Rian Edman, from Raleigh, Macroom, Co. Cork, expressed his gratitude to all who had aided him in his preparations for the European Finals and in particular Dr. Keith McMullan, Project Supervisor and CIT PhD Student Kieran O’Callaghan whose advice and guidance in the run up to the finals was invaluable. And Rian Edman’s recognition continues! It was recently announcement that Rian will be awarded The William Butler Yeats Gold Medal Winner - Engineering and Mechanical Sciences - Undergraduate Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland. President Mary McAleese will present Rian with the William Butler Yeats Gold Medal at a prestigious ceremony to take place in Dublin Castle on 28th October 2011. Congratulations also to CIT students, Aoife Sadlier of CIT Cork School of Music and Emmet O’Brien of the Department of Electronic Engineering, who were short-listed to the top 10% of entries and adjudged worthy of the much coveted Undergraduate Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland Highly Commended Accolade.
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Societies
CIT LGBT Society
H
By Mark O’Brien (Chairperson)
ey everyone, you are all settled back into college, Societies Day was a big success with lots of new members joining the society. We also had our AGM and elected our remaining committee positions of PR and Events Officers. Our Committee members for 2011/2012 are: Chairperson-Mark O’Brien, Vice-Chair-Cathal, Secretary-Kieran, Treasurer-Michael, PRO-Georgina and Events-Robert. So far we’ve had a great turn out at our AGM, Pizza Night and DVD Night with UCC LGBT. This month sees the big event of SHAG Week (Sexual Health, Awareness and Guidance) on campus and as part of the event the GayCorkProject and Linc will have stalls in the main corridor giving out information. Both organisations will also be giving a talk on Coming Out and Sexual Health on Wed 19th @ 7PM in Meeting Room 1, Students Centre. We’ve also got our big Halloween party Wed 26th Oct @7PM with UCC LGBT at Cork City Gaol in Sundays Well for a spooky night tour. The tour is €10 with €5 refundable from the Societies Office and we will head to Freakscene afterwards. All members to pay €10 at the meeting on Wed 19th Oct and just call to the Societies Office after the event and give your name for a refund. So be sure to get your booking in ASAP! Also a big well done to our PRO Georgina for the cool new poster! If any of our members have any suggestions for events they would like to do please let us know.
Cit
GRAD
BALLS
2011
REWARD yourself with a night at the GRADuAtion BAlls and CElEBRAtE your well earned Certificate/Diploma or Degree
Business & Humanities Ball Friday 21st Oct, Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork with POINT BLANK and DJs
Monday 24th Oct Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork with J90 and DJs
Engineering , Science & cad Ball Ticket price includes bus to and from Rochestown Park Hotel. Doors 9.30pm each night. Buses will run from CIT (Tourism and Hospitality Building) and dents’ Cork City (outside the Bailey Bar) to from Stu Union Rochestown at 9.15, 9.45 and 10.15pm.
TICKETS
Hot From The Dj Box
€15
The CIT DJ Society firstly would like to welcome everyone back and welcome all the new Freshers! RING ROCHESTOWN PARK Hotel at 021 489 0800 for Special room rates and mention CIT Graduation From Orientation Week to Freshers Week we’re right back on the Balls when booking. decks bringing you the newest music and mixes. Sadly this year we no longer have some familiar faces from last year but we’re an enthusiastic society all the same. Our AGM took place alongside our first workshop of the year during Freshers Week which was by all accounts a very successful workshop with students lining up outside the dj box door to hear the sounds and advice from our own tresrurer Dylan. Our committee this year consists of Kevin O’Sullivan-Chair, Dylan O’LearyTreasurer, Ciara Carroll-Public relations and James-Secratary. This year our society was quite disappointed to be without a club like Liquid Lounge last year but never fear! We have been given a wonderful slot every Thursday night in the Loft bar - upstairs in McCarthys Bar. Here we will hopefully be bringing in more new faces to our society and some familiar ones too to hit the decks and entertain. And just to note if you are interested in music like trance, house, prog house, electro, dubstep and even chart don’t be afraid to come up to the box in the Nexus, Student Centre and have a go at your own mixes, talk to other people up there and listen and learn some great things. You don’t need any experience whatsoever. Just watch out for our workshops every Wednesday from 1-2 pm in the box. Find us on facebook and watch that space!
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Health
Student Survival Guide
S
o, daunting as it may sound, college is one of the best times of your life and there are plenty of supports available to students who might be finding it difficult to settle in. All the supports mentioned below are listed in the Student Survival Guide along with useful information on socialising responsibility, budgeting, studying, looking after your health and finding your feet. You can download the Student Survival Guide from drinkaware.ie
Here follows some of the useful hints and tips for students included in the Guide: • Don’t agree to move in anywhere without seeing it first and when you do go to move in don’t sign a lease before your landlord has fixed any obvious problems. • To save money check out second-hand book sales, never shop hungry, avoid rounds in the pub and bring less money when you go out (always make sure you’ve got enough cash left for a taxi home or use the Nite Bus). • On nights in and out, don’t forget to pace yourself with water and food; drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea, and remember alcohol isn’t essential for a great night out (or in). • If you are feeling lonely, homesick or having trouble settling in – remember you’re not alone. The first few weeks are hard for everyone. Get in touch with the Students’ Union Welfare Officer, Niamh Hayes, who will be happy to try and help. • When it comes to exam time, give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Make a plan and try and stick to it. Again if you think you need help, ask for it early, don’t leave it until the end. • Ditch the drinking games. They make everyone drink way too much, way too fast, and can have seriously dangerous consequences. There are better things to do at a party, like cheesy dance routines. • On a night out, plan ahead how you will get home safe. Take note of public transport times or the local taxi number in your phone. • Health is your wealth – a diet of pot noodles and toast may be easy and cheap but you’ll only end up feeling run-down and sick. Invest in a cookbook or look up recipes for healthy dinner options.
Treasure Your Health
O’Sullivans Pharmacies
Leading Cork Pharmacy Group
10% Student
Discount
at our Bishopstown Branch (across from the Bishopstown Bar)
Bishopstown Tel. 021 4343344 / Fax. 021 4348215 Mon - Fri 9am - 9pm Sat 9am - 6pm Other branches at: Wilton Shopping Centre South Douglas Road Ballinlough Road Supervalu, Grange, Douglas Elmwood Medical Centre, Frankfield
Stockists of: Medicines, Cosmetics, Health, Foods & Photographic Services.
Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Makes 4 servings Each serving of the sweet and sour chicken contains: 263 calories, 28g protein, 26g carbohydrate, 6g total fat Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) can pineapple chunks in natural juices 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 Tablespoon peanut, canola, or grape seed oil 2 green onions, cut crosswise into ½ inch pieces 1 small green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 small yellow bell pepper or yellow squash, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 ½ inch chunks 1 Tablespoon roasted garlic teriyaki sauce
Directions: 1. Drain the pineapple juice into a bowl and set aside the pineapple in the can. Add the cornstarch to the juice, stir until blended, set aside. 2. Grease a large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray, add the oil, and heat over medium-high heat until hot. 3. Add the green onions and bell peppers and sauté until sizzling and hot, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken, pineapple chunks, and teriyaki sauce, and toss to mix. Cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. 4. Re-stir the cornstarch mixture and drizzle over the chicken mixture. Cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened and clear, about 1 minute. Serve over a bed of white rice.
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Special Feature
R
By Liadh Crowley
ecently I attended a talk given by Pat Buckley, founder of ‘Let’s Get Together Foundation’ (found on Facebook). Pat and the other members of the foundation are families affected by people close who have taken their own life. They got together because they found no support in their own area of Midleton and have since discovered the lack of support nationwide. The talk was part of staff training for my work placement, so I had no expectations going into it. It’s this experience however that urged me to write this piece.
that I have acquired through society, when I think of one word and one word alone, it’s the word shame. There is a heavy and unavoidable attachment of shame to suicide. You should be ashamed if you think a suicidal thought. You should be ashamed if someone in your family has taken their life. You should be ashamed if you’ve attempted to take your own life, shame, shame and shame on you! It’s hidden and disguised. Often when people take their own life, it is down as an ‘accident’ in the garda report. Nobody wants to see printed in the obituary of their loved one ‘took his/her own life, will be missed by loving family’. Why though? Where did this stigma come from? We live in a society that works under the old theory of survival of the fittest. They may dress it up and give false impressions but when all that is scrapped back, the sick, the poor and the mentally or physically weaker are left for dust. So if you find life getting on top of you and for one reason or another you take your own life, well then you are the weak one and that’s a shameful enough stigma in our society. This notion comes from the top down and unless you’re sat down and told differently, it’s very likely you will fall into the same frame of mind.
The Society of ‘Hush-Hush’ Suicide. It is one word, seven letters, and three syllables. It is very simply defined as ‘to kill oneself’ in the dictionary. It’s a word we all know, one we hear from time to time and one we have all been affected by, one way or another. How do we deal with suicide? How does our society deal with suicide? I think of suicide and the association of suicide
T
x
Life is hard. Growing up is hard and once you grow up, growing old is hard. If you feel depressed, you feel alone and in a society who doesn’t care for people who can’t pay €90 per counselling session, it’s hard to find the help you need. However, you would be surprised where you’d find support systems. Everyone means the world to someone and that’s where you will unexpectedly and sometimes find the help you need. To all CIT students who might read this, you can find help in the ‘Let’s Get Together Foundation’. They offer free counselling to anyone who rings them, with no waiting list. If like me you’re wondering why services like this aren’t known to people, well it’s very simple. They have no association to the HSE and therefore they don’t have main stream advertising or any funding. But they are there and they want to help. They work from the back of their houses and dedicate their life to this; so if you feel like you’d like to help a foundation that actually is there for the people, run by the people, they’d appreciate any help offered.
€ €2 extra per pizza for delivery
Washington Street 021 4222288 Douglas Village 021 4890900 Blackpool 021 4215555 Open 12 Noon to 5am, 7 days a week
www.Dominospizzacork.ie
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* Bases and Crusts charged as extra. Please mention offer when ordering. Not valid with any other offers. Valid at participating stores only. Ofer expires end June 2012
I don’t know what it will take to change our society of “ Hush-Hush” but maybe if we all just speak a little more openly and try to banish the ‘shame-factor’, it may be easier for someone to come forward and say ‘I am not okay.” If you are finding things hard, don’t underestimate the people around you, you would be extremely surprised to find help, comfort, support and understanding in the most unexpected places. Speak up if you’re worried about someone, don’t worry about them getting embarrassed or angry at you, the alternative if you keep your mouth shut might be a hell of a lot worse than someone telling you to f**k off. Suicide awareness week is a great time to remember those who have gone but keep your eye on those who are still around. If you know someone you’re worried about, speak before it’s too late. Keep your ears open, put your judgement to rest and don’t be afraid to speak up. Join the ‘Let’s Get Together Foundation’ on Facebook - ALL CONTACT DETAILS can be FOUND ON FACEBOOK PAGE.
So You think you have
Problems...
Q
I’ve been with my girlfriend for nine months now and I do love her to bits. Last week we were out together and she got wasted as usual and I’m sick of dealing with her in that state. I decided to leave the club early and head home. I did try to ask her if she wanted to come with me but she completely fobbed me off so I just left a message on her phone. At five o’clock she arrived at my place, intoxicated. Ever since I’ve had a gut feeling that something happened that night. I think she might have cheated on me. Why wasn’t she home til 5 like? Should I ask her? Definitely ask her! If you have a gut feeling, it’s it unlikely to disappear anytime soon, and if you don’t deal with it now, it’ll start affecting how you live. I wonder why you have this feeling though? Has she cheated on you in the past, or did she pass some sort of remark that led you to think this? If she has cheated on you in the past then it is possible that she’s done it again, but you cannot make an assumption based on a gut feeling. You need to get your facts straight. Ask around your mates, see if anyone saw her that night. The worst possible thing you could do is go to her, all guns blazing, and accuse her of cheating. If she hasn’t, well then you’re opening yourself up to all kinds of problems. She will think that you have trust issues with her and any hope of a future together may be dashed. Do proceed slowly with this one. You need to ask her straight out! If she is honest she will tell you. However, I would ask a few buddies and ask did they see anything that night! But lad you could just be over reacting but you need to get that S**t sorted. Plus, if you do not trust her, you need to tell her you go, you need to be 100% sure that you trust her otherwise it’s just a waste of your time! And you need to tell her that her intoxication is getting to a point where you do not want to go out with her on a night out. But don’t let her ruin your night. You are out to have fun to!
Q
I am feeling horrible about myself today. I went out last week with my friends and ended up going home with a guy I don’t even fancy. I’m 21 and I’ve already slept with close to, well let’s put it this way, I’d have to use my 10 fingers and 10 toes to count them. Most of my friends have only slept with 2 or 3 people. Am I a
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slag? I feel like I am a bad person. I used to care, I used to think sex was really important and special but it’s become so meaningless to me that most of the time when I sleep with someone new, I don’t even care whether I hear from them again or not. This has got to stop. I am in no way calling you a slag. Look at Carrie from ‘Sex & The City’ for goodness sake, she’d sleep with that many men in one night if she could! But the fact that you feel horrible about yourself and feel like you are a bad person, you have to make some changes. The longer this goes on, the worse you are going to feel, and I don’t want your feelings towards yourself to turn worse. Why not set yourself a test. Arrange a date with a guy that you fancy, and at the end of the night when he’s full sure that you’re going to be heading home with him, give him a kiss and say good night. It may be a hard thing to do at the time but in the morning, it will not only make you feel better about yourself, it will have the guy puzzled and wanting more. Give it a try, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll turn things around for yourself. You are in no way a slag, but my advice to you is to take care of yourself. To a point you answer your own question when you say sex has become meaningless and you feel horrible, and perhaps a little abstinence would give you time to think about these issues. Don’t ever feel pressured into anything you don’t wish to do. Look at this as a new start where you actively commit to making yourself happy first and build your own self esteem. You are worth it!
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Sport
On your marks
C
IT Athletic Club is back and ready to enjoy another year of success at county, provincial and intervarsity level! Training resumes at the usual time of 6pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the CIT athletics track. Whether you are new to CIT or have been here for a few years and have always wanted to try your hand at running, darting over the finish line in a 100m sprint or vaulting over a bar 20ft in the air, CIT A.C. is for you! Coaching is provided for all athletic disciplines and they are always welcoming of new talent and a can do attitude. Come and meet them at the track and they will do their utmost to find you that Personal Best you’re looking for!
Jogging Club This year we have organised a separate Jogging Club for students who do not wish to compete but just want to improve their fitness or embrace the great outdoors. Anybody, regardless of ability or former running experience, is more than welcome to come for a light jog with our Jogging Club who meet at the same time and place as our Athletics Club, Tuesday and Thursdays at 6pm on the track. It really is a lot easier and a lot more fun than it looks, so come along and have a go! It’s not all about miles! CIT A.C. is an excellent forum for students to develop themselves both on and off the track. The social aspect to our club is a true reflection of how sport creates bonds and friendships that last a lifetime. In previous years we have attended numerous training weekends in different locations around Ireland, held discussion evenings with nutritionists and top running coaches from American universities, enjoyed epic nights out in Cork and at intervarsity competitions in Belfast, Limerick, Dublin and Galway. So if you’re looking to enjoy your running when the Nike’s are off and the glad-rags are on, ye know where to find us!
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Munster Road Relays CIT A.C. travelled to the People’s Park in Waterford city on Sat 24th of Sept to compete in their first race of the year. WIT hosted an excellent event which saw athletes attending from all colleges in Munster including WIT, CIT, UL and UCC and even some athletes from TCD. WIT put on a marvellous spread of food the likes of which CIT A.C. has never seen before and it was gratefully wolfed down after an enjoyable afternoon of racing.
Fair Play
O
n Sunday October 2nd last, students, graduates, staff and many others descended on Páirc Uí Chaoimh to cheer on the Senior Hurlers in the County Final against Carrigtwohill in what was an historic day for hurling in Cork. Having had a remarkable season, including beating Newtownshandrum at the semifinal stage (by an impressive margin of 14 points), the students were set to line out in the Institute’s first Senior County Final. The sense of occasion leading up to this historic sporting event for the Institute was felt throughout the campus with bunting, flags, jerseys and other CIT GAA merchandise being displayed as a means of wishing our lads “Good Luck” for their big day at the Páirc. As a proud Institute student, I, along with what seemed to be half of the college, made my way to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the final in my CIT colours. The anticipation of what was to come was palpable in the stands and friendly banter between the both sets of supporters, along with a competitive energy seemed to go into frenzy around the ground as the teams lined out. On the day, the CIT team played extremely well especially considering the terrible pitch conditions underfoot. However, it wasn’t to be the students’ day on this occasion with the team losing by the closest and most heartbreaking of margins. The final score was 0-15 to 1-11, a gutting result to end a fantastic campaign. Despite this loss, the hurlers can take solace in the fact that the Institute as a whole is proud of their achievements and that they have put the students on the map as a serious hurling club. Fair play lads, and roll on the Fitzgibbon Cup!
The Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels 2011
“
By Sandra Hayes
Speaking to CIT students...
David McWilliams
O
n Wednesday September 28th, CIT Business and Accounting Society welcomed Economist, Broadcaster, Journalist and best-selling author David McWilliams to speak to students about the economy and the challenges and opportunities facing graduates in the current economic climate. Mr McWilliams started the talk as he meant to go on, with a light-hearted twist on a serious story. The well-known tv star of “The Panel” was animated throughout despite his serious message about the failing Irish economy and the prospects for graduates who are entering the workforce. When speaking about the Irish economy, his perspective was very different from anything we have heard from any of the other leading economists in the country who are nearly all in favour of lowering the ECB interest rate in order to deal with the austerity measures. McWilliams, however, believes that Ireland should default on its debt altogether and leave the Euro in favour of a completely devalued currency. He feels that if this happened, after a few years the economy would be stimulated into growth far quicker than if the country remains intent on sticking with the current set of austerity measures. However, he thinks that in order for Ireland to default on its debt, Greece must first do so. This is because he feels that due to the culture which has manifested itself in the country over the years, the Irish government would be too “proud” and afraid of losing the respect of their counterparts in Europe to be the first country in the EU to declare itself bankrupt. He also feels that there will be a knock-on effect of default once the first country does so, i.e. he thinks that Greece will be the first to default, followed by Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy (not particularly in that order). If this were to happen the entire Euro currency would more than likely fail, which doesn’t spell well for the future of the European Union. He also made a number of valid points about prospects for graduates. He feels that Irish governments have made a number of fundamental flaws in the past number of years whereby they have looked out for their own age group and forgotten that the younger generation who are completing their studies and entering the workforce are the future life blood of the country. He thinks because of this fact, the “brain drain” which is occurring in the form of mass emigration of graduates is going to phenomenally dent the potential of the Irish economy in the future, as other economies will be benefiting from the high level of educated workers that this country is producing. He feels that today’s students have far greater levels of self awareness
Business & Accounting Society Feature
McWilliams, however, believes that Ireland should default on its debt altogether and leave the Euro in favour of a completely devalued currency.
”
and a higher capacity for self confidence which allows them to make decisions that others would not have made in years before them, he particularly referred to emigration, pay negotiation and competitiveness in the job market when speaking about this. At the end of his talk, McWilliams took time to answer the many questions raised by those in attendance. His refreshing outlook on a bleak economic climate was well received by the large gathering of students and staff who had turned out to hear the broadcaster speak. Feedback received following the talk was very good, with the society even getting a mention on David McWilliams’ official Twitter page when he re-tweeted a message left by CIT Societies about the successful speech. This tweet could be seen by all of David’s 40,000 followers. The Business and Accounting Society would like to sincerely thank all those who came along to their first academic event of the college year, for making it such a success. Photos from the talk can be viewed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CITsocieties and also on the Business and Accounting Societies page, www.facebook.com/pages/CIT-BusinessAccounting-Society.
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Crossword sponsored by www.citsocieties.ie
Prize €30. Deliver your completed entries to the SU shop Name:
Class:
Tel:
Across 1. Like Batman or Superman 6. “Wheels” 9. Family man 12. Make __ (get rich) 13. Amaze 14. Rocks in a glass 15. A fortnight has two 16. Navigator’s need 17. Opposite of post18. Positively influenced 21. Not at sea 25. Hydroelectric project 26. Most close 28. Blab 31. Fodder for analysis 32. Like Eeyore 34. Low-fat meat 36. Eye part 38. Put back 40. Weapon 42. Michael Jordan’s target 43. They save sailors, possibly 47. “We’re number ___!” 48. Pooh’s feathered friend 49. Slowpoke 54. 47 Across in Quebec 55. Picnic spoiler 56. American symbol 57. King __ (famous mummy) 58. Okay! 59. Participated in a bee
Down 1. Crow’s call 2. King Kong, for example 3. Pizza 4. Large North American deer 5. Longing 6. Pitch a tent 7. Oscar or Tony 8. Say again 9. Goes down 10. Ranch unit 11. Proof of ownership 19. Pigsty 20. Sniffs 21. Connector word 22. Close tightly 23. Detest 24. Florida fruit 27. __ and feather 29. Plumbing problem 30. Decoration on a dress, perhaps 33. Something to repay 35. Bottom line 37. City transport, maybe 39. Overtakes 41. Not anybody 43. Oaf 44. People of Canada’s north 45. Pedal pushers 46. Computer keys 50. Doze 51. Bio stat 52. In poor health 53. Rent
Student Accommodation Brain Teaser Aine, Barry, Cara, Daragh, Eoghan, Fred, Greg, Harry, and John are nine students who live in a three storey apartment complex, with three rooms on each floor – a room in the West wing, one in the centre, and one in the East wing. If you look directly at the building, the left side is West and the right side is East. Each student is assigned exactly one room. Can you find where each of their rooms is from the clues below?
1. Harry does not live on the bottom floor. 2. Fred lives directly above John and directly next to Barry (who lives in the West wing). 3. Eoghan lives in the East wing and one floor higher than Fred. 4. Daragh lives directly above Fred. 5. Greg’s room is directly above Cara’s.
Your Answer: West Centre East 3 2 1 Name: Class: Mob:
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