the Love debate Has internet dating ruined the art of courtship? Page 10
We could be Heroes
Surf’s Up
Our tribute to the stars we lost this week.
Read all about NUI Galway Surf Club’s recent trip.
Page 21-22
Page 27
NUI Galway becomes Ireland’s first partially smokefree University FREE STUDENT NEWSPAPER | VOL 17, ISSUE 08 | 26 JAN 2016
Annual Teddy Bear Hospital makes doctor visits more bearable for children Hundreds of sick teddies brought back to health By Niamh Cullen If you made your way down to Bailey Allen Hall last week, you were sure of a big surprise… Over 1,400 sick teddy bears, from penguins to pandas and everything in between, were admitted to the 11th annual Teddy Bear Hospital on 21 and 22 January in Arás na Mac Léinn. This year a record-breaking 30 local primary schools attended the cutest event to take place in NUI Galway. Health-Promoting teddy bear extraordinaires, Sláinte Society and medical and science students diagnosed and treated teddy bears utilising special X-ray and MRI machines, stethoscopes and otoscopes, amongst a variety of other medical contraptions. NUI Galway’s first Teddy Bear Hospital was organised by medical students of NUI Galway in January 2006. The two mornings have become Galway’s yearly fixture in a bid to help children feel more comfortable with the concept of doctors and hospitals alike. Children of students and staff members and primary school students showed doctors the many ailments their teddies suffered from, including tummy aches, broken bones and other wonderfully imaginative ailments. On arrival at the Teddy Bear Hospital, children entered what was arguably the most exciting “waiting room” out there, with jugglers and face-painters ready on hand to entertain their guests. Teddy Doctors and Teddy Nurses then called teddy bears and their young minders in, before examining and diagnosing them. For those especially sick teddies, the Teddy Bear Pharmacy was ready on hand to provide all medical essentials. The tailor-made chemist was stocked with fruit from Burke’s Fruit and Veg, and medical provisions courtesy of Matt O’Flaherty Chemist. As a treat for minding their beloved teddies so well, children then got to jump the bouncy castle as they were reunited with their furry loved ones. A photographer on the day also took photos of both minders and their teddy bear patients to mark the unforgettable occasion. The events and entertainment came courtesy of Electric Garden and Theatre, MPS, NUI Galway’s
Chloe Connell (7) from Scoil Bhríde National School, Menlo, Co. Galway with her teddy at the launch of NUI Galway’s 11th Annual Teddy Bear Hospital which took place on campus from 21 to 22 January. Juggling and Art societies and Childsplay Creche Riverside. Co-auditor of Sláinte Society Hannah Kielty said; “We are celebrating the 11th year of Teddy Bear Hospital. Each year it gets bigger and better with more and more schools applying to attend. We had over 1,400 children attending over the two mornings. We are thrilled to be able to create a fun, friendly and relaxed atmosphere for everyone involved.” Co-auditor of Aoife Murray said; “After a very busy two days, sick teddies with broken arms, broken legs and even a few broken hearts have just been cured at our 11th annual Teddy Bear Hospital! It was a great day out for all the children and a huge success once again. Thanks to all our brilliant volunteers!” Much preparation was underway in the lead up to the days, with over 200 students and volunteers gathering at an Information Meeting last Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss house rules for the event, create their specialised equipment and set up the hospital environment. Volunteers who participated in the event received a t-shirt as a thank you for their efforts from the Sláinte Society. Over twenty people manned the X-rays at all times, while other volunteers held consultations with the children and even sewed back very sick teddies who had some of their stuffing missing. The event is seen as a great opportunity for medical and nursing students to improve their paediatric skills. Recommended remedies advised by medical
officials at the Teddy Bear Hospital included resting teddies well and ensuring they get lots of good nutrition and exercise. Ríona Hughes, NUI Galway’s Societies Officer said; “The Teddy Bear Hospital is a magical opportunity for the society to invite the children and their teddies to campus and provide a valuable learning experience for all. It is one of the NUI Galway societies’ most colourful and endearing community outreach programmes and we are thrilled with its success. Congratulations to Sláinte Society who engage such a large number of our students in this event for such a positive purpose and we look forward to a rewarding few days for all involved.” Sláinte Society was established as NUI Galway’s branch of IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students’ Societies) with a core aim in promoting physical and mental health. In addition to the Teddy Bear Hospital, the society is also known for organising blood donation drives, Movember events and Organ Donation Week campaigns. Other campaigns previously organised by Sláinte include Healthy Living Week, Cancer Awareness, and SHAG week. Last year, the Paediatric department at University Hospital Galway were presented with a cheque for €3,000 from the society as a result of donations received during the event. Applications for schools to attend Teddy Bear Hospital in 2017 will open this November.
Two new smoke-free zones launched outside some of the University’s busiest buildings NUI Galway has introduced two smoke-free zones on campus. The new smoke-free zones are centred around two designated smoking shelters in the north and south campus, and cover some of the most popular buildings on campus, including the James Hardiman Library, the Arts Millennium Building, the Engineering Building, Áras Moyola and the Cairnes Building. In 2013, a University-wide survey was carried out to gauge the campus community’s attitudes towards smoking at NUI Galway. While an outright ban on smoking was rejected, a majority of staff and students expressed their preference for restricting smoking to designated areas only. Since then, a working group of University staff and Students’ Union representatives has been working on designing and implementing the smoke-free zones. While it will take some time to build awareness about the new smoking restrictions, there is already a marked reduction in smoking at many building entrances. The new smoke-free zones are supported by both the University and the Students’ Union, and members of the Student Cancer Society are helping to grow awareness around the campaign. “Our committee and society strongly encourage the adherence to the newly implemented Smoke-free Zones throughout campus, as our close link with the Irish Cancer Society teaches us how much of an impact smoking first and second-hand can have on our health. Join us in our fight against cancer,” said Cancer Sociery Auditor Ashita Dutta. Like many public places, smoking creates second-hand smoke and litter on the campus, in particular at the entrances to buildings. The new smoke-free zones are aimed at making the University a cleaner and healthier place for everyone to work and study. Signage on the new designated smoking shelters includes information on supports to quit smoking. Commenting on the new smoke-free zones, Vice-President for the Student Experience, Dr Pat Morgan said: “A healthy campus will deliver long-term benefits for all our community. One of the first steps is to establish smoke-free zones. Students and staff are united in this particular initiative.” For more information on why and where NUI Galway is going smoke-free, visit: www. nuigalway.ie/smokefree.