College Tribune - Volume 33 - Issue 10 by College Tribune

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

““ Issue_10.33

Independent Student Media

MY ENTIRE

Students Will Not Bear Brunt Of Financial Fallout

IS GOING

Students Speak Out On Virtual College Savannah Murray Features Writer

“I

am an agricultural student in final year, most of my final year grades are attributed to large projects and assignments, so resitting exams wouldn’t cut it. I’ve had to shoulder the lambing and calving on the farm alone, as my fa-

ther has lung issues and is cocooning, and the single employee to help him is a transplant recipient, so is on immunosuppressants and is too high risk to continue working here. So, I’m doing long hours and regular night checks alone, and my mother is a nurse working long, stressful hours so I’m expected to do the farming and have housework done

25,000 We received almost 25,000 words from UCD students, detailing the tough situations they are going through.

Page 5

News

DEGREE

DOWN THE DRAIN

20.04.2020

Big Reads Pictured Above: UCD’s Obrien Centre for Science and food on the table. I had a GPA for a 1.1 prior to this, and if I manage to find time to submit even one project on time this semester, it will be a lower standard of work than anything I’ve ever contributed over my four years at UCD. My entire degree is going down the drain thanks to UCD and their ‘measures’.” – anonymous UCD student. Less than two weeks after Ireland reported its first case of COVID-19, schools and colleges around the country were advised to shut their doors and to continue the academic year online. It soon became clear that many students across Ire-

land were deeply unsatisfied with the measures put in place by their respective universities. In late March many student petitions began to emerge demanding for a ‘No Detriment’ policy. This policy is intended to act as a safety net for students who fear that their academic achievement may be negatively impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. T.Ds and political parties across Ireland began to call for the policy, in support of students. With many students feeling as though their voices have still gone unheard, the College Tribune carried out a Continued on page 18...

Page 23

Class of 2020 Pulls the Short Straw

Culture

Page 29

Sport

Page 34

Broadcasting from Isolation

UCD ANNOUNCES SWEEPING

ACADEMIC SUPPORTS

Illustration by Analiese Culliton

Conor Capplis Editor

U This year’s University News Roundup -- Page 12

niversity College Dublin (UCD) has announced today a range of new academic supports designed to take into account students’ precarious situations amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. The new academic regulations will affect assessments since March 23rd and remain in place until the end of the trimester. The new supports are the product of the ‘Working Group on Supporting Students in Assessment During Covid–19’ which was set up last week to propose new supports to the

Academic Council Executive Committee (ACEC). The working group was chaired by Prof Marie Clarke, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, had three Students’ Union Officers also on board, with a total of 7 members in the group. The ACEC accepted the temporary amendments to UCD’s academic regulations in a meeting yesterday. In an email to students on Friday, Registrar and Deputy President of UCD Mark Rogers has said: “The Working Group concluded, and we all agree, that a universal approach does not work,” nodding to recent calls for a blanket ‘No-Detri-

Continued on page 4...

Always Leading: Lessons From Lancaster

Editorial

his isn’t how we expected the college year would end. I think if you told us back in September that the world would be crippled by a virus and UCD would go on lockdown; we’d probably have thought you’re tearing the arse out of it. This year has been newsworthy to say the least. As Hugh Dooley puts it on page 12, it’s been a “fucking mental year”. From a range of vocal student movements, to society scandals, to data breaches, to UCD management messing about with students lives like pawns on a tiny chess game; it’s been a wild ride. This proved the most exciting year for the Students’ Union since the spectacular news storm that was ‘The Ascough Fiasco’ in 2017, but alas, who really cares about the SU anyway? Our friends at the University Observer also did a great job of covering Belfield… there’s no gag. Playful taunts aside, the guys do a solid job. At the end of the year, I think it’s important to reflect on our mission as a student newspaper: Holding UCD’s powerful institutions to account. Providing a platform for

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

aspiring writers to stretch their legs. Highlighting the inspiring things being done on-campus every day and recognising the extraordinary talent in the university. And most importantly in student journalism – making sure the craic is mighty. I also want to thank our sponsors. None of us get paid to do this, and the only income we receive is from advertisements. They keep this ship afloat. Thanks should also be paid to our readership for consistently reading our nonsense all year. Finally, I’d like to refer back to a quote that really summarises the need for an independent student publication on-campus. In 2008, co-founder of this newspaper and renowned Irish broadcaster, Vincent Brown, said that: “The surest way of knowing whether the College Tribune was doing its job was how much the college “authorities” disliked it, deemed it “irresponsible”, and wanted to shut it down. That’s the test. Go to it.” As always, enjoy the read. Conor

20.04.2020

The Team

EDITOR’S PICKS

College Tribune 10.33

News

Conor Capplis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Editor

News Roundup: 12 What a fucking mental year By Hugh Dooley

Aaron Collier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philosophy

By Rachel Thornburgh

Mallika Venkatramani. . . . . . Arts & Lifestyle

Original Design By Samuel Mc Sherry @sms.studio

Culture

Newspaper Produced By Conor Capplis

Contributors Adam O’Sullivan Reporter

By Alex Lohier

Alessia Mennitto Reporter Hugh Dooley Reporter

Sport

Illustration by Analiese Culliton

Matthew Derwin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Music Brigid Molloy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Film & TV

By Savannah Murray

Always Leading: Lessons From Lancaster

Conor Paterson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Politics

Cecily Nic Cionnaith . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gaeilge

Big Reads

The Best COVID-19 Takeaways

Rob Ó Beacháin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Law

Adam Boland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Science

By Conor Capplis

Students Speak Out On Virtual College

Alex Lohier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deputy Editor

Dugh Hooley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turbine

UCD Abandons Restrictive Academic Freedom Policy

Mature Student Diaries

Volume 33 - Issue 10

Mahnoor Choudhry Reporter

By Neil Stokes

Deirbhile O’Neill Law Agam Cowbag Turbine Scott Evans Opinion Rachel Thornburgh Columnist Rachel Thornburgh Opinion Mary-Meadhbh Park Opinion

Contact Us Editor@collegetribune.ie +353 1 716 8501 PO Box 74, Student Centre, UCD, Belfield Dublin 4 Letters to the Editor should be sent via email and no longer than 300 words.

Connect With Us

News Tips Sometimes the best news story is right under your nose. For any news tips, on and off campus, please contact the editor via social media, telephone, email, or traditional mail.

@collegetribune www.collegetribune.ie

Alternatively, you’re welcome to stop by our Newman Building Office.

Savannah Murray Features, Music, Arts & Lifestyle Jack O’Grady Politics Lauren Walsh Science Vanessa Gomes Science Tamsin Lyons Science Anna-Clare McGarvey Gaeilge Niall O’Shaughnessy Music Anton Rivas Pertile Film & TV Danielle DerGarabedian Film & TV Gemma Farrell Film & TV Sophia Kilroy Arts & Lifestyle Neil Stokes Sport

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

Contents

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

APPLICATIONS FOR EDITORIAL TEAM 2020/21 NOW OPEN! Job Description

How to Apply

The work of the Editor-in-Chief or two Co-Editors is a demanding and full-time role. It involves producing 10 print issues fortnightly over the college year, as well as managing and updating the Tribune’s website and social media platforms. This can include intensive work in the week preceding a newspaper printing deadline. The Editor(s) is responsible for recruiting a team of Section Editors during the summer, sourcing a Designer for the paper, as well as Contributors throughout the year. The College Tribune is entirely self-funded. It is the only independent student newspaper in the country. The responsibilities of the Editor can also include sourcing advertising for the paper in order to cover the print costs of each issue. As head of the paper, the Editor(s) is also tasked with continuing the Tribune’s tradition of investigative journalism in UCD. This

1 “My entire degree is going down the drain” Students Speak Out On Virtual College

By Conor Capplis

Students “Not Expected” to Bear Brunt of COVID-19 Financial Fallout, says UCD President.

By Conor Capplis

News Roundup 2019/20: What a fucking mental year By Hugh Dooley

Culture Sport 1

By Savannah Murray

5 Advice For Students Dealing With Anxiety | UCD Chaplaincy

No Pennies Saved: Ireland’s Failure to Fund Higher Education By Conor Paterson

Printers of the Pandemic: UCD Academic Develops 3D 12 Printed Ventilator By Athaliah Fubara

Broadcasting 29 Always 34 from Isolation Leading: Lessons From By Matthew Derwin Lancaster

Nostalgia 20 Zone: Videodrome

By Anton Rivas Pertile

By Scott Evans

By Conor Capplis

UCD Abandons Restrictive Academic Freedom Policy Following Staff Backlash

Email subject lines should be titled as follows: “Name_EditorApplication”. The deadline to apply is Friday April 24th.

Big Reads

News Big Win For Students As University Announces Sweeping Academic Supports

Interested Candidates should email their application to the current Editor-in-Chief Conor Capplis at editor@collegetribune.ie Within the application, candidates should attach a copy of their CV, and a minimum 2,000 word document including the following information: 1. An outline of their experience and suitability of the role. 2. Five areas or issues in UCD they would investigate as Editor. 3. Proposed changes or ideas to improve the newspaper. 4. A detailed plan on how to grow the Tribune’s audience on social media. 5. Proposed shortlist of companies to seek advertising from.

newspaper was established in 1989 to hold the institutions within UCD to account, it is expected the editorial team will uphold this mission. Candidates should ideally have experience in journalism. The position(s) are open to external applicants as well as current Tribune Section Editors and Contributors. As the Tribune is independent, the position is unwaged. However, the Editor(s) may take home any surplus revenue after the print costs and other expenditures have been covered at the end of the year. Successful candidate(s) will gain invaluable experience in journalism, media and communications. Many Former Editors have successfully gone on to work in the national media, politics and public relations.

Quarantine Bucket List

By Sophia Kilroy

25 The Best COVID-19 Takeaways By Alex Lohier

By Neil Stokes

News

Students “Not Expected” to Bear Brunt of COVID-19 Financial Fallout, says UCD President.

UCD Abandons Restrictive Academic Freedom Policy Following Staff Backlash

Survey: How Are Students Dealing With Virtual College?

Students’ Union Elections To Begin From April 28th

he UCD Students’ Union (SU) Election polls will open from 9am on Tuesday April 28th and close on April 30th at 9pm. Students will be required to register to vote, with the SU to begin a registration drive from tomorrow. UCDSU has opted to move elections online for the first time in its history amid the current COVID-19 health crisis. The elections fall during Week 13 of Trimester 2, a revision week before the on-

line assessment exam period. To be eligible to vote in the elections, you must be a registered UCD student and agree to the SU’s privacy policy. Traditional SU elections would require a valid Ucard to vote, however, this year students must register to vote before the polling day to allow for cross-referencing of those who have registered and current UCD students. There are seven candidates in the running for five executive officer positions in UCD Students’ Union. The Education and Welfare Officer positions are currently the only

contested positions, with the Graduate Officer position vacant. Current Graduate Officer Conor Anderson is running unopposed for President. In an email to Union Council members, the SU executive has stressed the importance of participation of students in the democratic process and encouraged class reps to “do a big push” to get as many students to register as possible. In the absence of in-person lobbying on campus and use of physical election materials, candidates will be given a budget to pay for spon-

sored posts on the SU’s social media. The planned ex-

“

UCDSU has opted to move elections online for the first time in its history amid the current COVID-19 health crisis.

“

Conor Capplis Editor

penditure on the advertising has not yet been released, but the Returning Office has

indicated that these figures will be public. A plan has been in place for some time to hold UCDSU elections online. Sources suggest that the current health crisis is a catalyst in moving the elections online, but the SU were planning to go digital eventually. UCDSU has signed an agreement with the university, outlining the details for the online voting. The SU has purchased the services of Membership Services Limited to conduct the online elections. The UK company specialises in online services for university Students’

Unions, Clubs and Societies. The SU has expressed that the cost for the online elections is expected to come within the budget of €27,000 for the elections this year. The College Tribune has been publishing interviews with each election candidate which can be found on our website. Follow the College Tribune for extensive UCDSU Election 2020 coverage.

BIG WIN FOR STUDENTS AS UNIVERSITY ANN ment’ policy, and continued by saying: “our focus should continue to be on you as a UCD student where your needs are addressed on an individual basis and on how we provide you with the appropriate supports within our current assessment and grading frameworks.” In an unprecedented move, the university has recognised that every UCD student has extenuating circumstances. The range of new measures are intended to provide academic relief to students struggling to maintain academic standards and complete their assessments. Students have been calling nationwide for academic supports and a ‘No-Detriment’ policy. Following extensive petitioning and lobbying, these new measures are set to address student calls by tackling individual student issues on a case-by-case basis. In a comment to the Tribune, Deputy President Rogers has said: “Supporting our students and ensuring the integrity of the

University’s assessment processes have been our primary concern. The extraordinary circumstances everyone, including our students, currently face have required us to put a full range of measures in place that will support our students and deliver examinations that are fair, equitable and robust. We have provided clear guidance for our faculty and our examination boards on how the extraordinary circumstances of each of our students should be taken into account. I am confident that the student-centred professional approach of our faculty will ensure that each student’s grade properly reflects their achievement in these challenging times.”

New Academic Regulations:

Under the new regulations, “assessment has been amended to take account of the current unusual circumstances and challenges faced by students and faculty during Covid 19.” The university has issued new guidelines to academic staff which include a

range of temporary grading regulations that will remain in place until the end of the trimester. The Programme Examination Review Committee (PERC) will oversee the grading of students within the university. The committee is made up of Deans, Associate Deans, Academics

and that they should consider “revising thresholds for particular grades.” Where a module consists of continuous assessment that are to be completed before the upcoming exam period, Faculty and Module Coordinators will “review the component grading. If

“

In an unprecedented move, the university has recognised that every UCD student has extenuating circumstances. The range of new measures are intended to provide academic relief to students struggling to maintain academic standards and complete their assessments.

“

*Continued From Cover

and Heads of Teaching and Learning from each School. Faculty and Module Coordinators will review their grading standards and have been asked to recognise that “students will not have had an equivalent learning experience as in previous years,”

there are students who have failed components, [they will] consider the options that might best support the student in this case and offer an in-module resit if considered appropriate.” Following the grading of assessments, Faculty and

Module Coordinators will review each students’ grades “over the past number of stages” and “look for anomalies and comparisons.” They have also been asked to “review the class cohort using the following prompts: “Is this grade distribution as you would have expected? How does this grade distribution compare to distributions on the same module (if available) over the previous three years? Are there adjustments that should be made to this grade profile and how might this be achieved to ensure equity across the whole cohort?” They have also been asked to look at individual assessment components and ask: “Does the individual student performance look consistent across the module? Are there any particular patterns that would suggest their performance from week 8 onwards has been adversely impacted?” Following this process, “if there is evidence of a suspected adverse impact, the assessment component should be reviewed.” A similar screening and review process of ag-

gregate and specific grades of each student over the past few stages will occur at the School Examination Review Committees. This is to ensure that the Schools are abiding by the relevant new regulations. The Programme Exam Board (PEB) will also review all students’ grades, with a particular emphasis on final year students. “In cases where GPA calculations are just below a higher degree award, module grades should be reviewed and a decision on the final GPA calculation should be made by the PEB.” Students’ grades will be reviewed for the current trimester and in the context of their grades for the previous three years where possible. Any grade discrepancies in the context of the current crisis will be reviewed by PERC. The committee will review all student grades “with a particular emphasis on final year students and predicted trimester GPA (as the GPA covers multiple trimesters).” The group will also “confirm that all students grades have been con-

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

News

Students “Not Expected” to Bear Brunt of COVID-19 Financial Fallout, says UCD President.

CD President Andrew Deeks has said that students are not expected to receive any additional costs due to potential financial fallout in the university. He has also stressed delays in

additional student supports and a negative short-term impact on UCD. This comes after Deeks warned staff of “very severe” financial implications for the university due to COVID-19. In a recent ‘President’s Bulletin,’ Deeks appealed to “colleges and schools to do whatever they can to en-

sure that students who have applied to attend UCD next academic year actually do come.” These calls follow growing fears of a decline in international students at UCD next year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Income generated from nonEU students amounts for over 20% of UCD’s income.

In a statement to the Tribune, the President has said: “While the COVID-19 situation will have a negative impact on the short-term financial position of the University, longer term pros-

“

We are currently taking mitigating actions to defer expenditure where possible and to minimise the loss of income

“

Pictured Above: UCD President Andrew Deeks

pects remain bright. We are currently taking mitigating actions to defer expenditure where possible and to minimise the loss of income, while continuously monitoring the situation.” In February, the University Management Team (UMT) made the decision to increase rent on campus by 4% year-on-year for the next three years, further increasing the cost of Ireland’s most

expensive on-campus student accommodation. This move sparked a number of protests, with students calling on an immediate reversal of the decision. In response to fears that students will experience an increase in university costs due to COVID-19 financial fallout, President Deeks has said “we do not expect to impose any additional costs on students beyond the increases already communicated,” going on to suggest “there are likely to be delays in continuing our improvement in student: faculty ratio, in implementing additional student support measures and in executing some elements of our capital programme.” In his President’s Bulletin on March 18th, Deeks said the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures and travel restrictions have had “very severe implications for our commercial activities planned for summer and more generally.” The President also warned of the potential long-term impacts of this crisis on UCD, saying the consequences could be “very serious” for

staff and students. Since the government reduced higher education funding following the last financial recession, UCD has turned to alternative sources for income. In 2009, UCD re-

“

We do not expect to impose any additional costs on students beyond the increases already communicated

“

Conor Capplis Editor

ceived €120m in state grants. In 2017 this was down by over 55% to just €67m. To make up for lost income, the university made strong financial gains in other areas. There has been a 250% increase in Non-EU fee income between 2009 and 2017, growing from €32m to €83m respectively. In 2017, over 20% of UCD’s income came from non-EU students’ fees.

NOUNCES SWEEPING ACADEMIC SUPPORTS er stage without academic penalty. “In the context of Covid-19,” the Schools must allow these assessments to occur “wherever possible.” Where students are scheduled to sit a resit assessment this trimester, they will no longer be penalised or capped for their resit grade but will now be assessed according to the full grading scale. Resit attempts will be graded and not considered pass/fail as per the current regulations. Taking into account the current health crisis, students will be allowed to resit modules attempted in this trimester if the PEB considers it “appropriate to do so based on a student’s individual profile over previous stages.” The new regulations do not propose any changes to the resit process: “Any changes to standard resits would be extremely difficult to implement and have longterm consequences, also raising issues in relation to fees and registration.” In situations where students are unable to complete assessment components

due to a range of reasons including “lack of access to suitable technology such as computer, or lack of access to internet and connectivity,” credit will not be awarded unless these assessments are completed within a set period prescribed by the

based on components completed and award the grade achieved for those completed components as the final grade.” In situations where it is not possible for students to be given the opportunity to complete any outstanding

“

In a situation when a student’s grades are “out of alignment for the Spring Trimester in one/several modules,” the new regulations recommend increasing the student’s grades to “reflect the GPA calculation from the Autumn trimester.”

“

sidered in the context of the general extenuating circumstance recognised.” In a situation when a student’s grades are “out of alignment for the Spring Trimester in one/several modules,” the new regulations recommend increasing the student’s grades to “reflect the GPA calculation from the Autumn trimester.” Where a student’s grades are “out of alignment compared to previous years,” particularly in the case of lower grades, the new regulations recommend “increasing all module grades by at least 1 grade point eg D- to D etc.” Where a student has failed 20% or more of their modules, each grade will be reviewed again by the module coordinators in an effort to assist the student where possible. No late submissions of coursework will receive penalties under these new rules. As the new measures treat all students under extenuating circumstances, students only need to apply for extenuating circumstances where they are seeking to have specific components of a module assessed at a lat-

School that will “not exceed two trimesters.” “Where a student has intellectually engaged with the activity but that engagement has been materially affected by restrictions imposed by COVID 19, the School may recognise that the student has passed the module

components of their assessments, “the lack of credit associated with the module should not preclude progression,” meaning students may still progress with their degree even if circumstances make completion of grade components impossible.

How Did We Get Here?

In recent weeks, there has been growing demand from students for the implementation of a No-Detriment policy in universities. A general definition of the policy is that any mark received in an assessment that is below your current GPA will be GPA-neutral (this will not lower your current GPA). Any mark received in an assessment that is above your current GPA will increase your GPA accordingly. If you pass your assessments, you will only increase your GPA from its current average. Due to the reported unfeasibility of its implementation in UCD, these new academic regulations introduced by the university are designed to tackle student issues on an individual level, rather than a blanket policy. An online petition calling for the policy, has gained almost 8,000 signatures. UCD students have been learning remotely since March 23rd as the current university shutdown has prompted the introduction of online learning for the

remainder of the academic year. Thousands of students nationwide have called for academic leniency, claiming some may face disadvantages. The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) have announced measures that closely reflect student demands, with NCAD introducing a “Safety-Net” policy which has successfully been introduced in a number of UK universities. Deputy President Mark Rogers concluded in his email on Friday: “I want to thank UCD SU for their constructive contribution and to again reassure you that each individual student’s performance in this trimester and their results profile from previous stages, will be reviewed, examined and taken into account at every stage in the grading process and the integrity of those grades and your awards assured for this year and into the future.”

News

Conor Capplis - Editor

ducation Minister Joe McHugh has announced that the Leaving Cert will be postponed for students. This postponement will have implications for the college entry process, with students entering third level education at a later date than usual. It is understood that the Department of Education aims to have first years receive their college offers as soon as possible. “We are postponing Leaving Cert examinations to begin in the last week of July or early August, subject to public health advice,” the Minister announced on April 10th. “The new Leaving Certificate timetable will be confirmed in early June.” This comes after the current COVID-19 restrictions have been extended

“

...There will be sufficient time then to correct the [Leaving Certificate] papers and allow this year’s current sixth years to begin the college term - but that will probably be late: it’ll probably be October or November.

“

by a further three weeks until May 5th, as announced by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. On April 16th, Varadkar made a statement in the Dáil saying: “The view is that there will be sufficient time then to correct the [Leaving Certificate] papers and allow this year’s current sixth years to begin the college term - but that will probably be late: it’ll probably be October or November.” The Irish Universities Association (IUA) has made a statement, welcoming the announcement of the revised plans for the Leaving Certificate, and the “clarity this brings for students, their families and their schools.” The statement continues: “Our universities will now work with the CAO and other stakeholders to ensure that new university students can begin their studies as soon as possible after the publication of the 2020 Leaving Certificate results. This work and all planning for the 2020-21 academic year will continue to be guided by the latest public health advice.” It is not yet clear when freshers will arrive on campus at UCD next year. This news raises questions on a potential delay in Freshers Week to accommodate for the delayed entry for domestic students. A delay in the start of teaching term for Irish students may also delay the beginning of the year for Stage 1 mature students and internationals.

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

UCD ABANDONS RESTRICTIVE ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY FOLLOWING STAFF BACKLASH Conor Capplis Editor

ollowing vocal criticism from academic staff, UCD have abandoned a proposed addendum to the university’s Statement on Academic Freedom. Academics have expressed “shock” at the addendum, calling the proposed changes “a source of embarrassment to our University,” and something that would “compromise”

“

The implementation of this policy would mean UCD’s leadership letting down its people, its core values and its ultimate mission in the most serious way imaginable. the existing policy. UCD revised its position following the success of an online petition which garnered almost 500 signatures. On March 20th, UCD’s Academic Freedom Working Group circulated the proposed addition to the existing policy with an open call for feedback from faculty members. The new policy wants to “consider and appraise the risk of tension arising between the obligations regarding academic

nication of ideas, even those that are inconvenient to political groups or authorities, without being targeted for repression. The Working Group’s university-wide proposition claims there are different definitions of academic freedom in other countries where UCD academics are based and implicitly propose that overseas and Belfield-based researchers may not be afforded existing protections on academic freedom. The change may require academic freedom to be negotiated on a case-bycase basis to favour the “internationalisation of higher education.” According to the addendum: “there is little firm ground […] on which to rest an agreed definition of what academic freedom means.” This has sparked a wave of

“

Academics have expressed “shock” at the addendum, calling the proposed changes “a source of embarrassment to our University,” and something that would “compromise” the existing Statement on Academic Freedom.

“

First Years To Begin University Late As Leaving Cert Is Delayed

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

“

freedom and the strategic imperative to internationalise higher education.” This has been subject to harsh condemnation from academics for its apparent attempt to dilute and disregard the existing definition of academic freedom within UCD in favour of financial considerations. Academic freedom can be defined as a right to freedom of inquiry and commu-

anger from academics nationwide, with one calling it an “abhorrent and amoral abuse of moves towards greater interconnectedness in academia and scholarship.” The existing Statement on Academic Freedom was adopted in November 2011 and is said to be widely respected amongst academic circles within UCD. Prof. Wolfgang Marx of

the UCD School of Music started a petition on March 30th against the Working Group’s proposals. Prof. Marx says: “Either UCD has principles or it does not, and they can’t be limited by geography”, adding that “the implementation of this policy would mean UCD’s leadership letting down its people, its core values and its ultimate mission in the most serious way imaginable.” Dozens of Irish academics criticised the addendum online, with one saying: “This seems like a blatant attempt to ingratiate oneself with a particular dictatorial government in charge of a very large economy and population. Financial considerations should never override our basic values.” Another professor spoke out saying: “I am very troubled by this potential limitation of academic freedom, and it seems all too typical that the university has put this forward, without transparent debate or input from all faculty, at a moment when we are absorbed in dealing with the pandemic emergency and are not even able to gather on campus. Taking advantage of the crisis?!” Prof. Marx’s petition garnered almost 500 signatures before Prof. Grace Mulcahy, Chair of the Working Group, backed down and informed staff that they would not be proposing the addendum. In its place, new recommendations have been proposed, the first of which would mandate “UCD to develop appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms for potential and actual infringements of academic freedom”, reflecting the

491 UCD revised its position following the success of an online petition which garnered almost 500 signatures.

sentiments expressed from staff. Another recommendation aims to recognise the limits of the Universities Act 1997 in protecting academic freedom, “as well as the specific context applying to academic freedom in other jurisdictions where they may be required to teach.” Prof. Marx suggests this new recommendation seems to indicate that “while there no longer is a threat to Academic Freedom in our Irish operations (that in the minds of many was represented by the addendum) UCD is still ready and in fact planning to dilute it while being active in other jurisdictions.” Professor Grace Mulcahy, Chair of the Working group has said in a statement to the College Tribune: “The objective of the Working Group was to provide additional protections to strengthen academic freedom. The challenge was how best to ensure academic freedom is protected in jurisdictions where university activity takes place but where the legislation that underpins academic freedom for UCD, the Irish Universities Act 1997, is not enforceable. “The Working Group recently circulated a discussion document to the entire faculty of the university. All faculty were invited to review the document and provide comments on it. All comments from faculty have now been received. The working group has revised its recommendations in response to the feedback received from faculty. The recommendations will be submitted to Academic Council for a final decision.”

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

STRESSED ABOUT PRINTING?

Setanta Centre Nassau St. Dublin 2

Phone: 01 679 917 E-mail: info@reads.ie

L OW E S T PR IC E S I N IREL AND! FASTEST TURNAROUND ON PRINTING & BINDING

BLACK & WHITE 100GSM

HARD BINDING

COLOUR 100GSM

SOFT BINDING

€25.00

Only 5C

Only 25C

from

€3.50

U P L OA D YOU R T H E SI S / P ROJ E C T / E S S AY ON L I N E

@ WWW.READS.IE

A N D C O L L E C T T H E S A M E D AY OR

T&C ’S APPLY

N AT I O N W I D E P O S TA G E AVA I L A B L E

Y O U C O U L D PAY M O R E E L S E W H E R E Y O U C OBUULTDWPAY RLED EYLOSUE?W H E R E H Y SM HO OU thesis_flier3.indd 1

BUT WHY SHOULD YOU?

07/08/2019 16:22:04

News

The Newsstand Alex Lohier UCC and UCD are to provide a free course during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help more nurses treat patients, dubbed the National Foundation module in Critical Care Nursing.

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

Erasmus Students Offered Reflective Essay In Place Of Lost Credits Abroad

UCD’s Agricultural Society (AgSoc) has moved its annual raffle online amidst the COVID-19 lockdown to continue its support of St John’s Cancer Ward in Crumlin Hospital and Teac Tom, a free suicidecounselling service.

UCD and Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) have secured €230,000 funding for equine research. Prof Dr. Alan Fahey will lead the twoyear programme on genetic improvement of sport horses for show jumping in Ireland.

UCD’s Prof Liam Kennedy and Dr. Dolores Resano were recently awarded the Marie Curie Fellowship grant, of €257,561.28, for a project dubbed “Transatlantic Approaches to Contemporary Literature in the Era of Trump”

Pictured Above: UCD’s Global Lounge Conor Paterson - Politics Editor ies, ensuring that you are in

n the unprecedented times of Covid-19, UCD has been putting measures in place to allow students to continue their learning. Students who are currently studying abroad have been particularly affected and in recent days university staff have put in place alternative arrangements for students unable to complete their full credits in their host university. In mid-March, UCD students studying abroad were told ‘continue your studies as planned.’ In the case of universities, like UCD, which have gone to remote learning students were also told to ‘continue your stud-

a safe location.’ Recently, the university has contacted students regarding the unfortunate situation in which host uni-

tive was given to students in this situation or those who cannot personally access online learning, which is the opportunity to submit a report on their international

“

This report will replace the learning agreement you are not now in a position to fulfil in your host university and make up for any credit shortages.

“

The HSE claimed Ireland’s COVID-19 testing backlog has been eliminated at their weekly operational update in UCD on April 19th. 4,000 were completed over the weekend, they stated.

versities are closed and do not offer any facility for remote learning. In an email sent to Arts and Humanities students abroad, an alterna-

exchange. What is notable about this step is that the report is not graded and that it means students who have no option but to complete

UCD Professor Receives Migration Research Grant of €2.5 million Alessia Mennitto Reporter

rofessor Gerardine Meaney from the UCD School of English, Drama and Film has been one of the first two Irish women to have been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant on March 31st, 2020

for her study on migration and culture in Victorian Britain. The research entitled “European Migrants in the British Imagination: Victorian and Neo-Victorian Culture (VICTEUR)” will comprise the analysis of nearly 36,000 books from the British Library Nineteenth Century Corpus. The five-year project, that will establish 10 new re-

search positions at UCD, has been selected among 1,881 research proposal from the ERC highlighting the innovation of Professor Meany’s study. It will combine data analytics with literary criticism to understand how migrants were represented in Victorian fiction by British and migrant writers. Integrating text mining methods with data science methodol-

the report will have the lost credits made up for them. The email says, ‘This report will replace the learning agreement you are not now in a position to fulfil in your host university and make up for any credit shortages.’ Such students have been given assurances that with this move, they are not expected to need to gain extra credits in their final year or over the summer trimester. Such students will be relieved that they are not put at a disadvantage, and it does mean the hard work they have put in will translate to credits necessary to complete the year. The ‘Report on Erasmus/ International Exchange 2019-20,’ will offer students

the opportunity to reflect on and analyse their experience of studying abroad. The guidelines suggest a length of 3500 words which will be read by exchange coordinators. While the ungraded report is far from the ideal university learning experience envisaged by international exchange students, it is difficult to see a perfect solution to the problem. What is key for students who find themselves in this position, is that they are not put at any disadvantage to others due to the COVID-19 measures. While the scrapping of their credits for their international exchange is certainly not ideal, students can be relieved their final year will not also be impacted.

ogies has resulted in a collaboration with Dr Dereck Greene, an Assistant Professor from the UCD School of Computer Science, also an expert in machine learning who will provide computational support for the project. The use of big data will address “key unanswered societal questions, how does migration impact on the cultural identity of both migrant and host communities in the historical long-term.” The aim of the VICTEUR study is to achieve a new “transhistorical and intra-national model” based on gender, ethnicity and

demography of migrants in order to understand how migration was responsible for cultural development during the second half of the 19th century. In light of the significance of receiving the prestigious Advanced Grant, Professor Orla Feely, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact commented that Professor Meany’s research is “an excellent example of how digital techniques can be combined with humanities research, and how examination on the past can illuminate the future”.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

News

University Commits Over €3.5 Million In New Tenders Since January

Alex Lohier Deputy Editor

ince the start of 2020, UCD have put out over €3.5 million worth of tenders, excluding VAT. In reality this figure is higher, but due to the nature of certain tenders, the contractual value is not public information. On April 7th, UCD put out a tender for €300,000 (excluding VAT) for the “design, implementation and roll out of an online programme management system” for the Smurfit Executive Development Programme, a contract lasting 4 years. On March 20th, UCD put out one of their larger tenders, worth €2 million (ex-

cluding VAT) for the repair, upkeep and maintenance of buildings of some 320,000 square metres of floor space. “Maintaining and operating UCD building services in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner is a key goal of UCD [who] utilises the ISO 5001 energy management system […] to manage energy and water consumption,” states the tender. Earlier in the year, UCD had put out a tender for new furniture in UCD’s on-campus accommodation. Speaking to the College Tribune, UCD’s Director of Procurement & Buying Turlough Kieran commented that “there is an initial requirement for some of the furniture

covered in early summer to replace furniture which may have been damaged or through wear needs replacing.” This particular contract is valued at €350,000, excluding VAT obligations. Other notable contracts put out for tender by UCD were the provision of a “full suite of retail services for […] pop up food units, grocery and ancillary retail” spaces for the new residences being built beside Merville (value not available), an €85,000 (excluding VAT) contract for an Augmented Reality Interactive Educational System for the School of Computer Science and a tender worth €766,893 (excluding VAT) for an IT service for business systems, which is to last

€350,000 Earlier in the year, UCD put out a tender for new furniture in UCD’s on-campus residences worth €350,000

3 years, to help “meet any growth in services required by the University.” Tenders in late 2019 included the provision of new cafes in pre-established locations on campus and the update of the payment systems for the washing machines in student accomodations, to facilitate online and mobile payments. Naturally, the competitive nature of tenders implies that UCD will likely pay less than the amounts tendered for. Whilst UCD faces criticism for spending exorbitant amounts on what many perceive as frivolous projects, their efforts to maintain the facilities students avail of daily is much less discussed on campus.

UCD Erasmus Students May Have Autumn Programmes Cancelled Alessia Mennitto - Reporter As a result of the pandemic stemmed from the novel coronavirus, UCD Global is pending its decision to allow students to participate in any exchange or Erasmus programme offered by the university. Students will be noticed by Friday 8th May with updates regarding the possibility of taking part

UCD DOCTOR CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO

CLOSE THE BORDERS D

r. Paddy Mallon, a consultant at St. Vincent’s University Hospital and professor of microbial diseases at UCD, has called on the government to close borders immediately in order to prevent new cases of COVID-19 entering the country. As one of the leading infectious diseases experts in the country he has said “We have got our own outbreak in the country that we are trying to extinguish but the big threat is new infections coming in”. He argues that by closing our borders we will be able to stop imported infections and gain the ability to greater control the

“

We have got our own outbreak in the country that we are trying to extinguish but the big threat is new infections coming in

“

infections we have. It is not known whether the government will follow his recommendations as uncertainty over the virus continues within the cabinet as well as the Health Service Executive. This uncertain-

ty over what the future may hold is making decision making more difficult and it is unlikely a decision about closing borders will be made in the foreseeable future as

“

in “inbound and outbound mobility programmes in the Autumn Trimester 2020/21” as communicated by Douglas Proctor, Director of UCD Global. In the meantime, the Erasmus staff is advising students to continue their application process to their host university and to meet all required deadlines. But the key recommendation is to not pay for accommodation nor to book flights in this uncertain time. Any change in programmes’ arrangements will be reported by the university as soon as possible although alternatives will require time. At present, the University Management Team (UMT) is in close contact with Schools and Colleges within UCD as well as with foreign partner universities to sift through all options to make exchanges viable. Having students living such experiences abroad is a key feature of UCD, but the health and safety of its students is right now the top concern for staff and academic members alike. Therefore, due to these exceptional circumstances it is possible that the university might hold participants back from attending exchange programmes. So far, uncertainty regarding the future of exchanges is prevailing across all universities involved in the process. And although UCD is still considering the option of sending its students abroad, it is too early to assess what the final decision may be. The progression of COVID-19 worldwide may prompt the university to cancel study and training abroad to safeguard the health of its students as well as that of others.

Doctors and professors in similar positions to Dr. Mallon have also begun to make similar recommendations to the government.

“

Adam O’Sullivan Reporter

essential travel remains a priority for Varadkar’s government. Doctors and professors in similar positions to Dr. Mallon have also begun to make similar recommendations to the government. Prof Sam McConkey of the Royal College of Surgeons called for political leadership to build a “unity government that helps us beat the virus in the next few months” in order to fast-track debate on possible stricter travel and quarantine rules. However, it remains unclear and uncertain whether or not the Irish government will take on board the recommendations and advise of these experts

Pictured Above: UCD’s Dr. Paddy Mallon

News

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

Survey: How Are Students Dealing With Virtual College? Conor Capplis Editor

e surveyed a group of UCD students pursuing mainly undergraduate degrees at the university. In recent weeks, there has been growing demand from students for the implementation of a No-Detriment policy in universities. Online petitions have gained well over 10,000 signatures nationwide. UCD students have been learning remotely since March 23rd as the current university shutdown has prompted the introduction of online learning for the remainder of the academic year. Since this survey completed, UCD announced huge changes in its academic regulations.

UCD have implemented sweeping measures to address the issues at the heart of this movement and have provided academic relief to thousands of students. The measures have been met with a resoundingly positive reaction from the student body. To find out more about what students are going through, we surveyed 579 UCD students on the matter. The sample was representative, with a relative spread of students participating from UCD’s Faculties. 61% of respondents were female, while 36% were male. There was a higher

level of interest from stages 3 and above, potentially suggesting a spike in interest in a no-detriment policy from students with more at stake from this trimester’s assessments. 42% indicated they are due to scheduled to graduate following the end of this trimester. 248 students said that they emailed UCD Deputy President and Registrar Prof. Mark Rogers, or other UCD staff members, appealing to them to implement a No-Detriment policy in UCD. 118 students indicated that they have contacted a TD to appeal for support for a No-Detriment policy. 41% of rural students described their internet connection as poor, and 33% described it as fair. Less than 5% described their internet

connection in rural Ireland as excellent. Contrast this with Dublin students – only 14% describe their connection as poor and 11% indicate an excellent connection. With virtual college requiring a strong internet connection for a number of activities, these statistics suggest a barrier to education based upon geographical location and broadband strength. Overall, a significant number of students reported difficulties experienced as a result of poor internet connection. Students have indicated that existing connection difficulties have been worsened by the in-

crease in household members working from home and recreational intake of online media. Almost 60% said they lived with other third level students. Hundreds of students have also written in detail to us and indicated the stresses stemming from multiple students using the same study space and internet connection. The statistics show that students are reasonably unsatisfied with the current system of online learning at UCD, as 3 in 5 students indicated a level of dissatisfaction with the system. 68% of respondents indicated a level of dissatisfaction with their study environment at home, with hundreds of students citing significant disruption to

their studies as a result. 87% of students said they had experienced a large increase in academic pressure as a result of the current situation. 38% selected the most extreme option, indicating a significant increase in academic pressure. We also asked students about their employment status. Less than 3% are working full-time jobs, 18% are working part-time jobs, a quarter of students are currently employed but the business has temporarily shut, 11% were permanently let go of my job due to circumstances surrounding COVID-19 restrictions.

42% indicated that they are not currently employed and working. We showed UCD Students’ Union President Joanna Siewierska the data collected in the survey. “To receive this number of responses in a relatively short period of time just shows that a) the concern of students is very high, and b) they really want to see something happen”, Siewierska told the Tribune. “The results of the survey reflect

sure. […] Our cortisol levels are going up, we’re stressed, we’re anxious, all of us. That affects our ability to focus, and it certainly affects our ability to study. So, these survey results, although very concerning, are not surprising.” Speaking about the university’s response, Siewierska said: “The response that we have received from management has been quite good. The establishment of a working group, working

there was no dominating attitude towards UCD’s care regarding their students. It still cannot be ignored that, according to this data, 1 in 4 students believe that UCD does not care about them. We asked this question again, and new data suggests a change in students’ feelings about the university. 2 in 5 students have said that UCD does not care about them, resulting in a large increase on the previous poll. Less than 15% of

the fact that this is not an isolated issue for a small community of students, it’s a student-wide problem that we need to address,” Siewierska said. “What’s interesting about this campaign is we’re not talking about individual students having problems, or pockets, we’re talking about literally every single student being affected.” Commenting on the statistics, the SU President said, “It’s really concerning to see that 87% of students said they experienced a large increase in academic pres-

jointly to find an answer, it is the kind of thing you want to see happen in this situation.” In November 2018, the Tribune conducted a student survey on tutorial quality in UCD. At the end of the survey, we asked the question: ‘Does UCD care about you?’ This produced some interesting results. 28.5% responded ‘Yes’, 26% responded ‘No’, 27.6% responded ‘Maybe’ and 17.9% responding ‘Unsure’. This almost equal split was a curious finding and suggests that

students believe that UCD cares about them. Amongst no-detriment policy campaigns, rent protests, an under resourced Health Centre and a growing student movement fighting against the reported “commercialisation” of UCD; it’s no wonder students feel forgotten by the university. Perhaps this will change with the changing of the academic regulations to support students during this time of crisis.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

News

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

News Roundup 2019/20: What A Fucking Mental Year

Illustration by Analiese Culliton

Hugh Dooley - Reporter

hile the COVID-19 epidemic might be the biggest story of this year in the world of student journalism, it certainly wasn’t the only memorable moment to flash past the window of the dingy Tribune Office. The year started with a bang, AN CUAS REMOVED, read the dramatic first headline of the Tribune. UCD had cunningly replaced the leisure area in the Newman Building with office space leading to many disgruntled Arts students having nowhere to rest their 4th coffee of the day while discussing the successes of Marxism in the 20th century. September brought along the global climate strike which, as inspired by Greta Thunberg, led to more than 10,000 second and third level students striking from education and taking over Kildare Street to call for

climate action. A sizeable delegation of UCD students and societies made their mark on September 20th as they marched from UCD. This was not the only instance of students attempting to hold the powers-thatbe to account, only a month later, in November, Dublin City ground to a halt as Extinction Rebellion, alongside student groups from across the country, held protests and ‘die-ins’ as part of a week of protest renewing the calls for climate action. As the Trib’ said goodbye to 2019, we broke the scandalous ‘Belfield Papers’ story. In November, the Tribune had found sensitive documents had been left in easy student access. The GDPR violations exposed by the Tribune lead to an investigation by the Data Protection Commission and a big spanking for UCD. While many were worried by Issue 7 that UCD had possibly rented a Rocket, it seems however that it was

merely campus rents that were rocketing upwards towards the sun. UCD announced that on-campus accommodation would be increasing by 12% over 3 years. The announcement led to the year’s best David and Goliath story, the plucky Students’ Union hurled their best rocks at the formidable giant that is: UCD President, Andrew Deeks. Towering above the ant-like UCD Students, Deeks looked down upon the protests from his perch atop the Tierney building. The Union attempted to hold their own D-Day landing on March 4th, Operation ‘Storm the Club’. The valiant attempt to occupy the University Club was less successful than it could have been after one person blocked the rotating doors of the University Club. In a feat which may have been inspired by the hit film ‘300’, one brave security guard and a tea-lady held off 200 angry students.

The stranded students then loudly chanted their opposition to a number of UCD’s financial decisions in recent years, seeking to occupy the University club as it symbolised everything “wrong with UCD”. The protests and tent actions “spread” across Ireland (like a pandemic one could say), being featured on national news. UCD did not budge. Sadly, however, it was not the Students’ Union that led to the closure of UCD campus, but instead the COVID-19 pandemic which spread around the world in frightening fashion. With UCD closed and students displaced, thus began the latest student campaign for change. Calling for a ‘No Detriment’ policy to be put in place, students sent emails and made phone calls to politicians and UCD staff from their homes during isolation. The university ended up doing the sound thing and helping everybody out with their sinking grades. It

was not only protesting that moved online but lectures, exams and even the SU elections for the first time ever. The biggest thing to move online was, (of course) the Tribune! During this year, the Tribune celebrated its 30th birthday. Now reaching middle age, the student paper underwent a mid-life-crisis and became an online tabloid for an issue. The newspaper equivalent of dying your hair blonde or buying a BMW M3, the Tribune let everyone know that the Students’ Union President had stepped down on April Fool’s day. Madness. Scandals were not unique to UCD management, one of Belfield’s most reputable institutions suffered a disastrous year… The L&H, traditionally UCD’s most respected debating society, became about as financially stable as Tiger King’s Joe Exotic. It remains to be seen which of the L&H staff actually killed Carol Baskin’s husband. The

Robin to our Dark Knight, the University Observer had a stellar year, breaking at least 3 stories that weren’t handed to them by the Students’ Union. The Turbine (satire section) released a number of huge stories this year, all of which were strongly aligned with journalistic ethics and took hours of meticulous research to write. First, the Turbine revealed how UCD had recruited Communist Swan bots to replace the students’ avian amigos. Not long after, their excitable reporters revealed how UCD had been forcing the swans to sell their children to maintain their access to on-campus accommodation. Many believe that these pieces of serious journalism point to Andrew Deeks being a ‘wee bit too cosy’ with the Chinese Government. It may have been this which led to the outbreak of Coronavirus… who knows. Can’t wait until next year.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Law

A ‘Zoom’ In On Video Calling Privacy Problems Deirbhile O’Neill Law Writer

he Covid-19 pandemic has led to a huge increase in the popularity of apps such as Zoom and Houseparty, as a means for family, friends, and employees to remain connected via video calls. The success of these apps is based on their simplicity; Zoom users need only click on a link to enter a video conference, while those who download Houseparty are immediately connected with friends who

“

A training session conducted via Zoom by Dublin GAA club Ballymun Kickhams was recently compromised when hackers entered the meeting and shared pornographic images. This is an example of an ongoing issue called ‘Zoombombing’

“

also have the app. However, this simplicity could also be their downfall. A range of legal issues have recently

emerged, concerning the security and privacy rights of users. A training session conducted via Zoom by Dublin GAA club Ballymun Kickhams was recently compromised when hackers entered the meeting and shared pornographic images. This is an example of an ongoing issue called ‘Zoombombing’, where uninvited users crash meetings to distribute shock imagery. ‘Zoombombing’ is made possible by Zoom’s default settings which allow any participant with the rel-

evant link to access the session. Zoom has also been criticised for its lack of transparency in relation to the encryption used to protect meetings. It has admitted that end-to-end encryption, the highest form of internet privacy, is not used. This means that Zoom itself has access to all video call data. Google is the latest company to ban the use of Zoom amongst employees, citing security issues. Additionally, Zoom is facing a class action lawsuit for transferring data to Facebook without notify-

ing users. In February there were 130,000 weekly downloads of Houseparty. This rose to over 2 million per week in March. Houseparty’s surge in popularity soon suffered a setback, when rumours began to circulate that the app had been compromised and that users’ Spotify, Amazon, and PayPal accounts had been hacked. Though Houseparty dismissed these rumours as part of a smear campaign, security concerns were raised. Houseparty’s privacy policy states that

content from private video chats can be used for marketing purposes and that non-personal data can still be used after the service has been uninstalled. The app tracks users by default and this has raised concerns over whether the app is in compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Houseparty is owned by Epic Games, a company that has previously come under scrutiny for non-compliance with GDPR regulations. A side effect of the Cov-

id-19 pandemic is that it has altered the way in which we communicate with each other. It is becoming more and more evident that work and social interactions can take place from home. However, the spotlight on services such as Zoom and Houseparty has highlighted that they were unprepared for such a sudden and large influx of users. With the potential legal issues mounting, it is unclear whether the continued use of these apps will be a viable option when the current crisis has ended.

COVID-19 CONSEQUENCES FOR IRISH COURTS

he Judicial System is the pillar of the State which ensures that law and order are maintained. COVID-19 has significantly impacted Irish courts, something which there has been little to no national media coverage on. From increasing pressures on Ireland’s 13 prison centres to release more prisoners to criminal trials being adjourned to the summer months. Government directions have provided that essential services are to continue as normal, however, this will be

harder to achieve with the Courts Service considering Article 32.1 of Bunreacht na hÉireann requires the administration of justice to be carried out in public. It is only in limited and special cases where this requirement can be surpassed. With social distancing measures being enforced more than ever, article 34.1 will need to be complied with in different ways to ensure justice continues to be administered. On the 31st of March, the Chief Justice and Presidents of each court jurisdiction released a joint statement to the public ensuring that the administration of jus-

tice will continue and plans for the near future are that court hearings will be dealt with remotely and electron-

into place and they hope to have this virtual system running by the beginning of the new legal term on the 20th

“

Where an accused is in custody, their hearings will be held electronically and where an accused has been released on bail, their trial hearings will be adjourned until the summer term.

“

Mahnoor Choudhry Reporter

ically. In their statement, they indicated that ICT infrastructures are being put

of April 2020. The Circuit Court has since released a statement

adjourning all criminal trials due to take place in the Easter term of the courts. Where an accused is in custody, their hearings will be held electronically and where an accused has been released on bail, their trial hearings will be adjourned until the summer term. The Supreme Court remains open with Judges delivering judgements and the parties are not required to attend these. Judgements will be uploaded online. It is interesting to see the Courts System, traditionally known as quite archaic, adapting so quickly and efficiently to continue the administration of justice in

Ireland, as much as possible. It is interesting to see the effect that this adjournment will have on future cases. There is no doubt that the courts will face a backlog and a myriad of different issues in the coming months from liquidations, employment disputes to medical law actions. The judiciary continues to work on existing appeals and preparing for future actions. Their efforts to ensure that the legal complaints of Irish citizens are resolved whilst moulding themselves to the current situation are commendable.

Business

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Now Is The Time For Students To Invest Alex Lohier Deputy Editor

he ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is irrefutably damaging the Irish economy, with businesses closing temporarily and hundreds of thousands unemployed. Despite this, the current environment is ripe with opportunities for financial gain, and Ireland’s top business leaders are cashing in,

and so can you. If we analyse the Irish Stock Exchange, it’s immediately evident that share prices haven’t been this low since the economic crash of 2008. Naturally, this is worrisome, particularly for those with investments in Irish companies. Many investors will panic and try to cut their losses by selling off their shares at below-value prices. Some investors, especially value investors (like Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger),

view the current climate as a ‘sale’, where shares in companies are being sold at discount prices due to peoples’ irrational behaviours. Some of Ireland’s brightest and most accomplished business people, as well as some astute investment firms, are snapping up Irish stocks at rock-bottom prices. Most notably, Bank of Ireland (BOI) Group CEO Francesca McDonagh acquired an additional 2,000 shares at €1.689 in BOI in

late March. For context, BOI’s share price has never in history been below €2.00. Other senior BOI and AIB members have also participated in the trend. Leading Irish companies such as Ryanair, Glenveagh Properties PLC and Greencoat Renewables also saw a slice of action from investors. Why am I writing about this subject in a college newspaper, where students prefer to spend money on more exciting things (like cans and entry fees to clubs) and are typically not overly interested in parting ways with hard-earned cash in favour of investing? Well, most of us find ourselves at home with more free time than usual right now due

lie tells me; “I won’t take the car, I’ll just Zipp down there”. Catchy indeed. Since then, Zipp has been racing to get ahead of competitors in a viciously aggressive space. The archaic legislations in place, which on one hand prohibit e-scooter companies from going to

local councils and develop our offering so that we’re ready to tender for licenses once they are offered”. The topic of legislation is a tricky one; many e-scooter providers prefer to ask for forgiveness rather than permission, a strategy with dire consequences for some. ‘’We’re going for a different approach’’, says Charlie. “We are striving for slower, more sustainable growth whereby we can work closely with local councils to meet their specific needs”. Irrespective of how diligent the strategy implementation is, there will be roadblocks. For a company like Zipp, where its customers will be nipping around busy cities at speeds up to 25km/hr, many with minimal protection, insurance is understandably a concern. “We were getting quoted premiums that were coming in higher than projected revenues. However, eventually we received a very affordable

quote from an ‘on-demand insurance’ company. All of our riders now have third party liability cover’’. As with many small companies, the recent COVID-19 pandemic is having repercussions on Zipp. “We’re planning to launch on university campuses where there are currently no students!” exclaims Charlie. Ever the optimist, he reasons this may actually not be a negative thing; “I know of similar companies that are a few months ahead of Zipp in their journey and they’re struggling to keep their head above water”. Fear not though, Zipp’s launch plans remain the same despite the chaos the world is going through right now. “We plan to launch and scale on university campuses across Ireland and the UK prior to legislative changes. Once the e-scooter legislation has been ironed out, we will then look to obtain licenses from cities in which we are already op-

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

to non-existent commutes, extensions of college deadlines and less time spent in classes. Instead of scrolling monotonously through social media or mindlessly watching Netflix shows we don’t even enjoy, I thought now more than ever could be an opportune time for students to dip their toes in the stock market. Why not use that money you typically spend on a coffee every day to buy a share or two in an Irish company instead, and familiarise yourself with the research, documents and process necessary to make an informed investment. Platforms like Degiro and Trading 212 make it simple and remove the hassle (and exorbitant fees) associated

with traditional brokers. If you aren’t financially positioned to invest, or are uncomfortable doing so right now, these platforms offer simulators, which allows you to get experience without actually investing any money. I’m no financial advisor (so don’t take anything I just said for granted!), but many factors seem to be lining up which make for a good time to, at a minimum, acclimatise oneself with investing. Whether you’re bored, self-isolating or ignoring your college work, why not consider the idea; who knows where it may lead you.

erating”. Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, Zipp had envisioned launching in UCD by June 2020 “to iron out any teething issues’’ the company would have faced. The launch has been delayed until September 2020, though there is still contention around this in light of

ment. Using funds received from the Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund status they recently earned, Zipp are working on purchasing their fleet of e-scooters. Simultaneously, the team is raising a seed round, ‘’which will be used to scale across more universities and to lobby local councils… and build out our team’’. Zipp offers an interesting proposition and, if successful, hopes to be operating in 16 cities across 6 European countries within five years and 3 university campuses by Q1 of 2021. I sure would have loved to be able to Zipp from Quinn to the astro pitches when I was in college, and could do with them when commuting in Dublin too. Keep an eye on this company; you might find yourself using their scooters sometime soon.

Start-Up Spotlight: Zipp Mobility

“

Zipp Mobility, founded by Charlie Gleeson, a recent UCD Commerce graduate, is racing to be at the forefront of this exciting industry.

“

lectric scooters; hate them or love them, it is inevitable that a dockless scooter company arrives on our shores in the not so distant future. You’ll likely have seen them zooming around them in our cities. Zipp Mobility, founded by Charlie Gleeson, a recent UCD Commerce graduate, is racing to be at the forefront of this exciting industry. Myself and Charlie had a great discussion on this exciting venture and the trials and tribulations of his involvement in this nascent domain. Zipp Mobility was founded in 2019, originally baptised as Blue Scooters. The name change arose due to several factors, but mainly to reflect the company’s value proposition and convenience. “I also like the way it can be used as a verb”, Char-

market, are actually an advantage for Zipp right now. The delay in changes to the law around e-scooter platforms has enabled the team to ‘’build relationships with

“

We plan to launch and scale on university campuses across Ireland and the UK prior to legislative changes.

“

Alex Lohier Deputy Editor

the continuously evolving health crisis and the recent delaying of term for first year university students. For now, the company is focusing on further develop-

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

Turbine

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

THE TURBINE “We can’t believe the university hasn’t sued us yet”

“I just want to be lazy!”; ‘No Detriment’ Supporter reveals all

Gym Lad Discovers Meal Prepping Isn’t a Personality

It’s satire, please don’t sue us. Is The Carnivore Diet The New Veganism?

Archaeology Student Only In It For The Money Gets A BIG SHOCK Dugh Hooley Banana Bender

rchaeology students across UCD were shocked yesterday upon finding out that the average entry-level pay for archaeology students was on average a mere €12.50 an hour, This has caused half of the Arts block to go into panic mode. Kelly Harper, a first-year Archaeology student posted to her course’s WhatsApp

group saying “OMG guys, I’m literally only doing the course for the money… it’s like a 4-year course.” Harper went on to claim that she’s making more money now from her job in Dunnes Stores, where she packs shelves and tries not to get caught flirting with her coworker John. “I knew something was, like, wrong when I, like, said I was only doing the course for, y’know, like, the money and, like, everyone laughed...” Harper ad-

“We haven’t protested anything in weeks”; Students cite ‘protesting’ as the main thing they miss in lockdown. Dugh Hooley Tribune Slave

recent poll run by UCD’s most prestigious newspaper; the Deekian Journal, sought to find out what activities students missed most about college during the COVID-19 lockdown. The survey, which was car-

ried out using hidden microphones, asked 1,800 students a number of questions regarding the lockdown period currently ongoing in Ireland. Students reported that the main thing they missed was “protesting”. One student said, “I know it’s really strange to hear that a student would be protest-

ing, but I literally spend more time angrily shouting outside newly constructed buildings on-campus than I do on college work”. Given this admission, there is no doubt this student will run for a position as a Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer in the years to come. The Turbine can further reveal that in second place was com-

muting. One emotional student told her story; “every time I go for a walk in my legally defined 2km exercise zone I see buses going by… I miss my commute so much. The smell of sweat and unwashed seats? It’s almost like a free sauna on the way to college in the morning!”. Another student from North Dublin said, “I’ve always loved suspense...the suspense of whether my bus will bother to turn up in the morning or if I’ll just be late yet again?” This survey comes out just weeks after UCD Students’ Union passed the ‘Protest Everything’ mandate which required all sabbatical officers of the union to protest every single thing

mitted to close friends after the fact. Speaking to the Turbine yesterday, another first-year Archaeology and Geology student admitted that her primary motive for doing the course was to become a gold digger. “One of my friends told me that if I became a gold digger then I’d really make, like, loads of money, I really thought it would be better than, like, 30k a year to be honest...” The student, who requested

not to be named, revealed that she wasn’t quite sure what rocks had to do with manipulating older men for their vast fortunes. Both students are considering moving courses so the Turbine would like to take this moment to encourage worried students to move to practical and well-paying courses such as Philosophy or Poetry for the next academic year.

that UCD President, Andrew Deeks does. Current President, Joanna Idontknowhowtospellhersurname, announced yesterday that the Union would like to take an official stance against the tuna sandwich which Deeks

purchased in Centra yesterday. Students were seen holding a mock-funeral for the tuna which the President was seen consuming in a display that was labelled as “emotional” in the national press.

TURBINE NOW Don’t Worry, UCD Will Still Make A Profit! OFFICIALLY A PRO-DEEKS PAPER Agam Cowbag Turbine Muppet

s the Editor of the Turbine, the only UCD paper not to have been sued in the last 2 years, I feel it is necessary to officially state something that has been on our minds for many weeks. I would like to announce that the Turbine is now officially a Pro-Deeks paper. This will not lead to a change in the quality of the reporting in this paper as we will continue to pump out the propaganda pieces which we receive from the Tierney Building. If you have an is-

sue with this stance, please email turbine@collegetribune.ie to request our IBAN. Additionally, we would like

“

We would like to ask you if you have time to talk about Our Lord and Savior Andrew Deeks.

“

Dugh Hooley Turbine Puppet Ruler

to ask you if you have time to talk about Our Lord and Savior Andrew Deeks.

ith the ongoing lockdown of the country extended until May 5th, the country will

remain at a complete standstill for weeks to come. That means essential workers only can travel to work, there are no educational facilities running, and all non-essential travel is banned outside of 2km of your home. But

despite everything, I’m sure there’s one question that everybody has been anxious to have answered… what’s going to happen to UCD’s profits? We at the Turbine were as worried as all of our readers, and so we investigated. In our quest to make sure that Andrew Deeks was okay, who took home a salary of €194,175 in the 12 month period prior to September 2018, we faxed him directly. We never got a response, which led us to worry that he may potentially be struggling to pay for his phone bill. Our next step was to try and figure out what the university was still charging for, and what they were not charging for. We learned that despite the term still contin-

uing, some lecturers decided to distribute their notes with no other material (including no online lectures), which means that UCD can continue to still charge for the school year whilst not needing to adjust their infrastructure as much, or potentially spend extra on support for lecturers. Given that contacting him directly was clearly a dead-end, our next port of call was to take a look at the financial figures which the university released in 2018, alongside Andrew Deeks’ own salary. The university was found to have its total revenue for 2018 up by €35.2 million. This has been on an upward trajectory for many years, and in short, it would appear that UCD is making fucking bank.

Big Reads “My entire degree is going down the drain,” Students Speak Out On Virtual College

Advice For Students Dealing With Anxiety | UCD Chaplaincy

Mature Student Diaries: Keeping Up With College – And The Kids Too!

Rachel Thornburgh – Columnist

ince February, when I started attending UCD’s Innovation Academy, we’ve been presented with a variety of daily challenges, everything from building lego ducks (not kidding) to real life industry problems, to doing some empathy research on umbrellas (yes fellow students, that was us pestering you about your umbrella use...in the rain). So, when coronavirus struck and we were banished from campus, I did briefly wonder if the Innovation Academy had somehow managed to bring the country to a grinding halt just to see what solutions their current students would present. Covid-19, and the world closes. Such a novel idea. I began to imagine a life with blissfully cooperative children frolicking in the garden sunshine for hours on end as pseudo husband passes me a sparkly chilled drink with a piece of colourful fruit floating within, my heavenly notion is short lived as the reality of living in my tiny open plan house (with just one bathroom) and my immediate family, swiftly kicks in. Day 1 of virtual college and I was in a flap. Typically, I am wildly allergic to technology and so much to my displeasure at having been thrust into the chasm of conference calls, I found myself abruptly troubled with how the house looked and freaking out a bit as I, pseudo husband and the offspring played musical desks. As class began, how it suddenly occurred to me to wonder if my daughter had picked up her dirty undies from the floor. As a student and a mother of a nine and five-year-old, my current daily challenge is keeping my children alive and entertained. The ugly realities of the lack of desk space, various devices overheating and the groans of frustration emerging from every room as the WIFI blinks in and out as it’s taxed to the hilt, are unearthed. Two weeks in and, like something out of a William Golding novel, the offspring have turned feral and have adopted a certain savagery. Every five minutes or so, I hear the beginnings of

a mutiny downstairs as war rages over who gets the last choccie rice cake, with intermittent profanities from pseudo husband as he treads on another stray, naked to his 54 year old eye, miniscule piece of lego. But my biggest realisation during this peculiar time is the wonderful sense of community spirit that has reawakened in people. Everyday, no really, every-singleday, I receive, via various communication platforms, a humbling mixture of memes, videos, texts and gifs, each magnificently detailing the humour of the situation and offering resources to fill the time. I’m just going to stop right there and take a breath...How to fill the time?! Are you kidding me?! When exactly, between the remote working, the Brightspace virtual classroom, the zoom assemblies with the school Principal and the offspring savagery (including pseudo husband’s), is Yoga with Adriene or a binge watch of Tiger King supposed to fit in? I asks ya?! Where do people get off distributing this stuff? It preys on my underlying anxiety of FOMO and now my phone memory has it in for me too FFS! From attending to the sourdough starter (yes, apologies, that was me you fought in the home baking aisle in SuperValu yesterday for the last bag of Odlums), to pandering to my tameless youth, there is no time left! If anything, my life has become busier tenfold since the lockdown and I curse Coronavirus for it! Thankfully, the Innovation Academy encourages a touch of tom foolery and childlike behaviour so when it all turns to custard and the home school hub doesn’t work, both kids join me in the virtual UCD classroom and are welcomed with open virtual arms. Sadly, I may never step foot on campus again as the course is due to finish in June. Ah well I guess I’ll never be able to gatecrash that elusive ‘University Club’ after all, unless President Deeks is reading this and wants to throw me a free pass? Ding! Ah no, another meme!...DELETE!

Road to Nowhere: Class of 2020 Pulls the Short Straw

A Sentimental Trip Through My College Days

Mary-Meadhbh Park - Opinion Writer

ell UCD, it’s been a wild ride but it’s time to say goodbye and this time, I think it might be for good. It all started eight long and short years ago. I was a first year History and Politics student, fresh from fourteen years of being in uniform, it was a nice change to be the master of my wardrobe. Although I didn’t know it at the time, the highs and lows of the melodrama I call my early twenties would all take place with UCD as the constant backdrop. UCD was where I first learned about Sartre and Australian history and that I can’t mix beer and weed. It was where I spent time with my ex-boyfriend and also where we broke up (a couple times). I stopped going to most of my Politics lectures to avoid him, eventually leading me to change my major to Greek and Roman Civilisation and History. That was the first thing I think I learned, not to let a relationship stop me from pursuing what I want. I write this now as a MA student in Peace and Conflict Studies with an avid interest in mythology, so at least, in this situation things worked out for the best. That’s something else I’ve had to learn from experience, that things can actually always get better but that only happens when I decide to get out of my own damn way. Like maybe writing a whole philosophy paper the night before my deadline got me a good grade that one time, but flukes like meeting Oscar winning directors, happen rarely and that’s why they stick in your memory for you to half braggingly write about later. Writing, that’s something I’ve done. Writing articles in college was something I did only occasionally because I was mostly too nervous but every time I did, I felt that unique sense of total pride and confidence. Confidence, those who have it don’t think about it and those who don’t can’t think about anything else. I also understand now that it doesn’t have to be there all the time either, it’s okay to lose it for a little while, especially when it seems the world is

crashing down. I made the decision to put my soul above my education for a little while and took a year out. There’s no regret, even when all my friends graduated, and I was left alone for another year. Sometimes doing something alone actually gives me confidence and like an early explorer, I feel equally scared but brave when I take on unchartered territory solo. My time at UCD also taught me many other lessons about life and myself. The best nights out are usually the ones unplanned; most people aren’t awful, and some are actually amazing. Most drugs get boring over time and the people who do them can too. Berlin and summer festivals are always good ideas. Let yourself be persuaded to go to a ball. Quirky modules, like ones centred around a historical murder on the South Pacific, can be the most interesting. My university education was a little academic but some of the most important lessons I got were from the relationships I gained and lost in college over time. Finally, I think about all the plans I made during my time here and the line ‘the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry’ seems fitting. A lot of my plans dramatically changed and left me scrambling, just like a mouse, but at least now I know that I can change course when I need to. I’m honestly happy that most of my early plans (including becoming a professional animal tracker) fell through and I’m here now and with all I’ve learned from UCD, I’m ready for what happens next, because whatever does happen, I know it’ll be another grand adventure.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Opinion

EDITORIAL: Students Succeed As New Supports Represent The Best Possible Outcome

Editorial Team

n April 17th, University College Dublin (UCD) announced new academic supports to assist students’ precarious situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. These supports were implemented in no small part due to mounting pressure from UCD students, voiced through the UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU), in what is perhaps the most popular action the Union have pushed through in recent years. Though not exactly a “No Detriment” policy, as many had sought to get, it is likely the best results realistically achievable in UCD, with the university recognising that every UCD student now has extenuating circumstances. The wide-ranging supports for students who are currently being negatively affected by the situation they find themselves in were announced via email by Registrar and Deputy President of UCD Mark Rogers. An extensive breakdown of what this means for students can be found here. Here’s some of the biggest changes: - Grading standards will be reviewed and thresholds may be revised for particular grades. - For continuous assessment (CA) that is to be completed this trimester, UCD will review the component grading. If a student fails a CA, UCD will “offer an in-module resit if considered appropriate”. - After grading exams, UCD will check individual performance across modules and look for patterns that suggest an impact on performance from week 8 onwards. - The grade distribution will be evaluated and compared to the distributions over the previous three years. If anomalies appear, changes to grades may be implemented and all affected grades will increase by at least 1 grade point, eg, D- to D. - Students’ grades will be reviewed for the current trimester in the context of their grades for the previous three years, with special attention on final year students. - No late submissions of coursework will receive penalties under these new rules. - Resit attempts will be graded according to the full gradingscale and not considered pass/fail as per the current regulations. UCD have taken the most appropriate approach to the situation. By holding firm against an 8,000-strong petition for a “No Detriment” policy and taking the time necessary to draw up adequate measures, UCD students now have a more robust and functional support system in place. A “No Detriment” policy, similar to those implemented in the UK, may have encouraged students not to actively participate in

“This is probably the most popular UCDSU has been in years.”

classes, continuous assessments and final exams, safe in the knowledge that their GPA would not take a hit. According to university sources, a blanket policy would likely have de-valued degrees from UCD students graduating this year. The multiple officials who will examine individual grades before approval aims to ensure those who put in work but, are impacted by the situation, will be recognised and their grades amended appropriately. This means people truly impacted will not be worse-off, whilst those who try to take advantage of the system, which was a concern with the “No Detriment” idea, are not unjustly rewarded. The UCDSU can be commended for their efforts in getting this deal in place, having worked to get the student voice heard by UCD management. The measures were put to UCD’s Academic Council Executive Committee (ACEC) by the aptlynamed, newly-launched “Working Group on Supporting Students in Assessment During COVID-19”. Chaired by Prof Marie Clarke, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the group of 7 people had 3 SU Officers to input student’s concerns, which have clearly been considered in the measures. This is probably the most popular UCDSU has been in years, and likely for a good time to come. The result has led to a surge in popularity for the SU, notably on social media. It is also the most engagement the SU has seen in a number of years, with hundreds of social media likes and comments pouring in from students to provide ideas, support and thanks for the SU’s role in securing the new regulations. Their efforts exemplify the importance of not burning bridges with management, a lesson which must be learned by next year’s team who seem hell bent on protesting as much as possible. At the end of the day, this is probably the best outcome that students could have hoped for. No-Detriment was probably never going to happen, but the students engaged in the movement fostered widespread discussion and put pressure on the university. UCD have done the right thing and given students a fair, and in some cases ‘degree-saving’, set of supports that will allow students to try their best under the circumstances, but not be penalised if they fall short. The Students’ Union have played a blinder. Examples like this demonstrate the need for student representation. The supports will likely come under scrutiny as we enter the assessment period, and as lockdown fatigue sets in, let’s just hope they will be enough.

Features

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

“My entire degree is going down the drain”

Students Speak Out On Virtual College

*Continued From Cover survey to investigate why students were calling for such a policy. Since this survey completed, UCD have implemented sweeping measures to address the issues at the heart of this movement and have provided academic relief to thousands of students. The measures have been met with a resoundingly positive reaction from the student body. One question in our survey asked students to describe their home situations and factors that hindered their studies. We received almost 25,000 words from UCD students, detailing the tough situations they are going through. Here are their stories: Many students noted that their home environment was not suita-

“

ble for work. Noise and space tended to be among the most reported issues by students. One student explains “living in an apartment block means I can’t control the noise levels of my multiple neighbours.” During quarantine there’s

been so much more loud music, and loud indoor workouts that make it difficult to focus”. Similarly, with people forced to spend all day together, many students do not have any space to work. One student reports “living in a small apartment with other frantic final years. We all have theses due by the end of the semester, the Wi-Fi isn’t suitable for so much use, there is no room to swing a cat in the apartment and no outside space and tensions are mounting”. With classes moving online, it was unavoidable that some students would struggle with access to strong Wi-Fi connection. One student reported: “Internet is extremely poor, [it] could take up to 15 minutes for a single journal article to load, increasing frustration and stress levels, have to walk

away from the computer at times”. While poor internet connection can affect students from all over the country, it must be understood that students coming from a rural background are affected disproportionately. One student reports that “WiFi is exceptionally bad due to my rural location. I downloaded a veterinary book yesterday - it took 13 hours to download. I am at breaking point with worry about upcoming exams and my grades.” Many students now find themselves with not only inadequate services, but also with new responsibilities. Another student commented “I start work in the HSE next week. I’m lucky because I can, we have no one in the house who needs to cocoon and I’m qualified enough to go to work there. I wouldn’t consider taking this job

in my last month of final year other than the fact we need an income in this house”. While students around Ireland struggle with adjusting to their new responsibilities, international students call that they are not forgotten. One student reports: “All my books and physical study materials are still in Dublin, and I will not have access to these until I can return”. Another international student pleads: “Please keep international students like myself in mind, we all may be in our houses, but not all of us our home”. It must also be remembered that mature students are also struggling with this change, alongside additional stresses such as looking after their children. “I am a mature student and a

There remains one question: What about the ‘lucky’? One student comments: “I understand how privileged I am to have a good environment to study from home, and if anything, the covid-19 situation has taken pressure off me academically”, while another student comments: “I’m living at home with my parents. I know I’m lucky - I have a good study space, decent internet and a good atmosphere. Nonetheless, I’m still struggling. Everything has changed - I cannot focus due to paralyzing fear of what’s going on”. Though there are hundreds of stories like those outlined above, each story has its differences. Every student is dealing with their own version of COVID-19 reality, and this is a disparity that cannot be ignored when considering assessment. In response to a previous ques-

“

WiFi is exceptionally bad due to my rural location. I downloaded a veterinary book yesterday - it took 13 hours to download.

“

Living in a small apartment with other frantic final years. We all have theses due by the end of the semester, the Wi-Fi isn’t suitable for so much use, there is no room to swing a cat in the apartment and no outside space and tensions are mounting

single parent living in a rural location. I live with my teenage daughter who is being treated for anxiety. I have two sets of elderly neighbours living nearby that I am helping with self-isolation. My internet service is slow, and connectivity is not stable. With everything going on I am feeling the stress as it is just me that has to do everything, I have no support system to help out in any way”. While some students are not experiencing difficult situations in relation to their external environment, many students report that their mental health is suffering. “My mental health is steadily deteriorating knowing that work I physically cannot bring myself to do is piling up and the uncertainty of how examinations will run isn’t helping either”. Other students noted that they were now unable to receive therapy in person, and that this was having a negative impact on their mental health.

tion about whether students felt cared for in UCD, one student replied “I do not know if UCD cares about me, or any other students, but now is the time for them to prove that they do.” Let’s just hope these new supports will be enough. Student Advisors, Chaplains, and your Students’ Union Welfare Officer are available to give you more information on the support you can avail of in UCD.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Features

GET €50 AND UN-CANCEL YOUR PLANS Get €50 when you open a KBC Student Current Account, so you won’t need to live like a student.

KBC.ie Terms & Conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Other fees and charges, including non-euro fees and charges, will apply. For full Terms & Conditions, eligibility criteria and fees & charges see www.kbc.ie/students. KBC Bank Ireland plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Features

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

Advice For Students Dealing With Anxiety | UCD Chaplaincy Scott Evans – UCD Chaplain

“

It’s ok to be anxious. It’s a natural response to a terrifying situation. You are not wrong to feel this way and denying it will only make you feel worse. Let yourself feel what you’re feeling.

“

that can help us to overcome our anxiety. Or at least manage it.

Practice #1: Own it.

You are living through a pandemic. You are being bombarded with statistics of illness and death. You

are witnessing the knock-on effects of illness, separation, financial insecurity and loss. What we are experiencing is traumatic. It’s ok to

Practice #3: Self-Forgiveness:

Most of us have mental images of who we would be in a crisis

“

Do normal things that remind you of the things that make life good, meaningful and beautiful. Our body’s ability to respond to crisis is incredible but our physical response to crises cannot be maintained indefinitely without taking a huge toll on our physical and mental health.

“

n the summer of 2013, I received the most ludicrous phone call of my life. It was from a Garda who informed me that I had been fined €1,400 and sentenced to seven days in prison for three violations of the Road Traffic Act, non-payment of fines and contempt of court for not responding to a court summons. The truth of the matter was that I didn’t own the car in question and the fines and summons were delivered to a house that I no longer lived in. This was the first I had heard of it. To the courts, however, that didn’t matter. I had been tried and convicted and, since it had all happened in 2012, the time for appeal had passed. What I had to do was pay my bail (a surreal experience) and file for an extension to appeal. I did and was told that my case would be heard two months later. I’ve struggled with anxiety on and off for several years, but those two months were among the worst of my life. Every night I would struggle to fall asleep thinking about it and every morning it would hit me again like a tidal wave. It was brutal. Anxiety is something that our society was struggling to come to terms with long before COVID-19 and the way the crisis has turned our lives upside-down is causing a spike in anxiety for every demographic. My anxiety is at its worst when I buy into the myth that I can control everything. I can’t. You can’t. We can’t. All we can do is what we can. What’s frustrating is that knowing this doesn’t remove our anxiety. However, we can build practices

be afraid. It’s ok to be anxious. It’s a natural response to a terrifying situation. You are not wrong to feel this way and denying it will only make you feel worse. Let yourself feel what you’re feeling.

Practice #2: Do What You Can.

Do the things that are most likely to keep you and those you love safe. Wash your hands. Stay at home. Practice social distancing. Those are obvious at this stage. But it’s also helpful to do things that take you away from the ‘fight or flight’ response we feel when we feel we are in danger. Talk to someone you trust. Make breakfast. Take showers. Draw. Play music. Sing terribly. Do normal things that remind you of the things that make life good, meaningful and beautiful. Our body’s ability to respond to crisis is incredible but our physical response to crises cannot be maintained indefinitely without taking a huge toll on our physical and mental health.

that differ drastically from our experience in reality. I bought expensive running shoes at Christmas and now would be the perfect time for me to use them. They’re gathering dust and that’s ok. Some days I’ll run. (OK fine — someday I will run.) Some days a walk is a win. Some days just getting out of bed and facing the world (through my window) is a win. Adjust your expectations of yourself. This crisis is not another test that you’re going to be judged on. It’s a traumatic event that the world is enduring. No one is keeping score of your performance and you’re not being judged on your ability to master it.

received the fines. But, at the end of the day, I couldn’t control what would happen next. I was terrified. But in the days leading up to the trial, I had also learned to sleep and eat again. I knew that I had done everything I could. I could not control what would happen next. Admitting that was hard but it helped. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asks an insightful question: “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to the span of your life?” I love that. But I still worry. My friend Lance has a wonderful line about fear: “Fear is interest paid on debts you don’t owe.” I love that too. But I’m still afraid. What I’m trying to figure out is how to let my worry, my fear and my anxiety speak to me during this time … and yet not let them have the final word on how I live, act and

feel. It being Easter and all, I am going to mention Jesus again. The first place he appears to the disciples after his resurrection is an upper room where they are cowering in fear from the outside world (#relevant) and the first thing that he says to them is ‘Peace be with you.’ I wish for all the world that I could promise you protection, healing and safety in the midst of this crisis. I can’t. But I hope that, wherever you are, you are able to find comfort, rest and, most importantly, peace. If you need someone to talk to as you process everything you’re feeling, the chaplains, student advisers and health and counselling are all available to support you. If you want to talk to the chaplain who nearly (but crucially, didn’t) go to prison, you can contact me too.

Practice #4: Acceptance

I walked into court on that day in July armed with everything I could find. I had a letter from my landlord saying I didn’t live in the apartment they sent the fines to. I had documents from the Department of Transport saying I didn’t own the car that had

Pictured Above: UCD Chaplain Scott Evans

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Coronavirus COVID-19

Coronavirus COVID-19 Public Health Advice

If you have fever and/or cough you should stay at home regardless of your travel or contact history. All people are advised to: > Reduce social interactions > Keep a distance of 2m between you and other people > Do not shake hands or make close contact where possible If you have symptoms visit hse.ie OR phone HSE Live 1850 24 1850

How to Prevent

Symptoms > Fever (High Temperature) > A Cough > Shortness of Breath > Breathing DifďŹ culties

Stop

shaking hands or hugging when saying hello or greeting other people

Cover

your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing and discard used tissue

Distance

yourself at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people, especially those who might be unwell

Avoid

touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Ireland is operating a delay strategy in line with WHO and ECDC advice

Wash

your hands well and often to avoid contamination

Clean

and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

For Daily Updates Visit www.gov.ie/health-covid-19 www.hse.ie

Politics

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

No Pennies Saved:

Ireland’s Failure to Fund Higher Education

“

The University of Copenhagen, which is a similar size to UCD is a well-renowned university and remarkably has 4.3 students to every staff member compared to 23.1 in UCD.

to the individual. The United States of America is renowned for its extortionate cost to attend college. As of 2019, there are 45 million borrowers of student debt who collectively owe more than $1.5 trillion. However, the US boasts a huge amount of the world’s leading higher education institutions. 7 out of the top 10

universities in the world are located in the United States according to the World University Rankings. The funding of US universities has allowed for a massive amount of learning and research. The research expenditure of Maryland’s Johns Hopkins University was a staggering $2.5 billion in 2017. These levels of expenditure have only been made possible by the funding of private individuals. It’s not just in the US, however, in 2012 the UK faced a similar funding crisis to in universities as Ireland. Fees were introduced along with a student loan scheme which has somewhat reversed the crisis. Ireland seems to have the worst of both worlds. State funding of Irish higher education institutions is very small while the fees students pay is not enough to properly fund the institutions. Ireland is well short of the state funding required to reach Denmark’s levels but also does not have a system in place which means universities do not have to rely on state funding. The consequences of this have been dire for Irish universities which have on average been steadily declining in world rankings. This funding crisis

has severely impacted students with a massive ratio of students to staff, insufficient student services and universities being forced to cut numbers of Irish students and increase rents. After many years of funding cuts, research

“

Ireland seems to have the worst of both worlds. State funding of Irish higher education institutions is very small while the fees students pay is not enough to properly fund the institutions.

“

here are issues in Irish politics that get more attention than others. It’s a sad reality of democracy – issues that get votes have money thrown their way and others, perhaps more important issues, are left to one side. The funding of higher education in Ireland is one such issue. However, recently Irish parties have been taking the issue more seriously and forming policies that could make a difference. Meanwhile, in all the delay, both movements and anger amongst students is rising, but is it enough to make politicians finally take notice and act? In Denmark, higher education is almost entirely funded by the state and provides citizens with free undergraduate and postgraduate education. Spending on education as a percentage of GDP in 2014 was 6.5%. Meanwhile, in Ireland, the figure was 4.9% which dropped dramatically to 3.8% the following year. The University of Copenhagen, which is a similar size to UCD is a well-renowned university and remarkably has 4.3 students to

every staff member compared to 23.1 in UCD. While Denmark is often given as an example of the best state-funded higher education model, other countries have moved away from this, shifting the balance of funding from the state

“

Conor Paterson – Politics Editor

by the European Universities Association concluded that ‘the long-term sustainability of the higher education system in Ireland remains an issue.’ These are frightening deductions but what is happening in the political sphere? Are politicians finally starting to take notice?

Unfortunately, a quick solution to this is unlikely and the reasons are political. There is far from agreement as to how best fund higher education in Ireland. We recently spoke to some political societies on campus to ask for their parties take on the issue and the varying responses reflected the broad debate which is taking place on the issue in Irish politics. Fine Gael proposed ‘the introduction of income-contingent student loans,’ It also did not want higher education institutions to rely on state funding, which could be heavily reduced if the country is soon to head into a recession. They said that relying on state funding would mean ‘the third level sector would remain dependent on the ever-varying limits of the public purse and without sufficient autonomy to compete, innovate and attract global talent.’ On the other side of the argument, however, the Social Democrats argued that ‘education should be a public good, not a commodity only available to people from a wealthy background.’ It criticised the government for failing to properly invest saying that such ‘funding shortfalls necessitate a need for corporate investment which in turn creates an environment where universities make decisions based on attracting funding, not enhancing student welfare and learning facilities.’ Fianna Fáil proposed ‘a freeze on third-level fees to prevent the cost of thirdlevel skyrocketing further’ and the establishment of ‘a Department for Higher Education and Research.’ While the political parties continue to bicker over this issue, many also criticise the universities for wasteful spending. A left-wing group of political societies in UCD came together in January forming a group called ‘Fix our Education’ demanding UCD to addresses issues such as disability services, affordable accommodation and improved mental health services. While it is right to scrutinise the spending of higher education institutions, the root of the problem seems to be both a lack of funding and the absence of a political will and consensus to solve the funding crisis.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Politics

Road to Nowhere:

Class of 2020 Pulls the Short Straw potential to exclude a generation from homeownership and the main form of wealth accumulation practised by their ancestors.

More Burdens to Shoulder

Jack O’Grady – Politics Writer The Class of 2020 may be remembered as the class of COVID-19, but the current pandemic should not be their only concern. Ireland’s newest graduates will enter an environmentally scarred world, with an economic model where the ideals that their parents and grandparents could aspire to - the permanent pensionable job and the prospect of buying a home have become close to impossible.

Borrowed to the Hilt

When this lockdown finally ends, we will not be able to flick the economic switch and quickly return to normality. The coronavirus pandemic has already triggered a collapse in consumer demand and forced many businesses to close or significantly reduce operations. The Irish economy is heading for a recession that is forecast to be deeper than the 2008 financial crisis with the Central Bank predicting a €22 billion dip in the State’s finances and up to 500,000 job losses. Nation-states and supranational bodies will have to rely on fiscal measures to minimise the long-term impact of the crisis. KBC predicts that fiscal respite measures including income supports, benefits and credit guarantees could cost the exchequer almost €15 billion. Additional fiscal stimulus programs designed to reboot the economy could amount to a further €10-15 billion. Before this health crisis, Ireland’s Gross National Debt totalled €216 billion (Central Bank). This equated to a colossal €42,000 for every person in Ireland or nearly €90,000 for every person working. There are undeniable benefits to running moderate budget deficits as part of expansionary fiscal policy.

However, the class of 2020 and their counterparts will inherit the third-highest debt burden on per capita basis in the world and one that severely hinders their fiscal prosperity. The state has paid more than €60 billion euros in interest on the national debt over the past decade in an ultra-low interest rate environment. This cost of servicing this debt will inhibit spending on vital social infrastructure.

The Housing Conundrum

Irish people have yearned to own their own home for generations. However, a combination of restrictive mortgage lending, exorbitant rents and the financialisaton of Irish housing stock has eroded its’ affordability for young people. The CSO estimate that the average price of a second-hand house in Ireland in 1980 was €30,900 (£1= €1.27). Forty years later, the average house in Ireland costs €267,000. This represents an increase of 864%. Inflation in the same period equalled 245%. The €30,900 that your grandparents used to purchase their home would be worth just €75,705 in today’s money.

Incomes have also failed to track house prices. The average industrial wage in 1980 was €123.43 equating to a yearly salary of €6,418. The average industrial wage was €790.03 in Q4 2019 equating to a yearly salary of €41,082. This represents an increase of 640%. Houses now sell at a multiple of 6.5 times gross salary rather than the 4.8 times salary seen in 1980. In Dublin, the current house to income multiple is closer to 8. The problem is exacerbated by restrictive lending policies. In 2015 the Central Bank introduced lending restrictions to prevent overborrowing. First-time buyers are confined to loans of 3.5 times their gross salaries and a 90% loan to value. This means that the average worker with a yearly salary of €41,082 can only borrow for a house worth €160,000 (€41,000 X 3.5)/.90) – far below the €237,000 average national cost. No amount of avocado avoiding or nightclub eschewing can make up that gap. Saving itself is quite challenging. Young Dubliners must pay the 5th highest rents in Europe as opposed to increasing their equity in a capital asset if they were paying off a mortgage. This has the

The class of 2020 form part of the most educated generation in history but are on course to become less prosperous, than their predecessors. Graduates will enter a challenging job market. Disturbingly, many of them will never be able to retire. KPMG found that the ratio of working-age people to pensioners will decline from 5:1 to 2:1 by 2035. This will present significant funding challenges and a forecasted deficit of up to €335 billion over the next 50 years. The OECD has stated that Ireland’s pension system is “unsustainable” and commented that retirement age should reflect increased life expectancy. This sparked controversy in the general election forcing FG & FF to row back from a financially prudent position to increase the age from 66 to 67. The grey vote will happily defend the State Pension system, one that guarantees an adequate income in retirement. However, this assistance simply will not exist when young people come to retire. Young people will have to fund their own retirement but are still expected to pay for others. Politicians will be slow to spend political capital fighting for a generation with fragmented party loyalties and low electoral participation. Younger voters must unite or fear sleepwalking into a debt and pensions timebomb and all while living in rented accommodation.

Poli-Ticker Conor Paterson Politics Editor

Alan Kelly Elected Leader of Labour Party: The Tipperary politician beat fellow TD Aodhán O Riordan with 58% of the total votes. His election means Kelly will become the 13th leader of the Irish Labour Party.

Bernie Sanders Ends Presidential Bid: The Vermont senator, who is popular among US students has dropped out of the Democratic primary race. His announcement has cleared the path for former Vice-President Joe Biden to take the nomination.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Agree Joint Policy Document: The government formation talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have progressed significantly and both sides have agreed shared policies. The two parties will now look to smaller parties in order to form a majority in the Dáil.

Kier Starmer Replaces Jeremy Corbyn: The former shadow Brexit secretary of the UK Labour party won the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as leader of Labour and leader of the opposition. The candidate is expected to shift the Labour Party back to the centre-ground of UK politics.

Science

The Lab Report Adam Boland Science Editor

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Green Lockdown: Staying Sustainable During COVID-19

A new study has revealed that the world was a lot warmer 90 million years ago than we had previously thought. So warm, in fact, that there were rainforests at the south pole.

A new candidate for the COVID-19 vaccine looks very promising. The vaccine, which is set to start human trials in the next few months, may be ready for widespread use in under a year.

Using machine vision, researchers were able to link 5 different emotions to distinct facial expressions in mice. The study should make it easier to investigate how different emotions are processed by the brain.

A study has revealed that the number of parasitic Anisakis worms found in fish is now 283 times higher than in the 1970s. In the 70s, the worms were found in 1 in every 100 fish. Now there is more than 1 worm per fish.

A lab experiment has suggested that the materials which the US plans to use to store their nuclear waste are more susceptible to water damage than previously thought. This is bad news.

Astronomers have finally figured out how big our galaxy is. The visible disk of stars has long been known to measure about 120,000 lightyears across. The researchers have now discovered that the total diameter of the milky way is about 2 million light years

Volume 33 - Issue 10

ready to use them yet. They’ll still make into a broth just fine after being frozen.

Use Bar Soap

Switching to bar soap is one of the easiest changes you can make to reduce the amount of plastic being dumped our oceans. Soap from a bar cleans your hands just as well as liquid soap and studies have proven that even if someone with a contaminated hand uses the soap bar first, it doesn’t transfer.

Switching Search Engine

Ecosia is a search engine that takes ad revenue and uses it to reforest the world. You can help plant hundreds of trees every time you search.

Lauren Walsh - Science Writer simplysustainablekitchen.com

he novel coronavirus has had a beneficial impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Fewer cars on the road, and fewer businesses running, have caused our collective carbon footprint to drastically drop. The air over China and Italy is clear, yet this is not to be celebrated. We didn’t cut our carbon footprint to save the planet but to save ourselves from the disease.

As environmentalists, we value life over everything. Our ability to respond to this pandemic shows we can turn the tide, so let’s use this time to learn how to live sustainably. Here are a few things to try:

Go Plant-Based

Let’s be real here, the meat section has been as empty as the toilet paper aisle lately. You may be surprised at how many delicious plant-based meals are out there, from vegetarian pot pie to turning cauliflower into buffalo wings.

The possibilities are endless, and they’ll also help you keep off the quarantine tummy.

Reducing Food waste

Reducing food waste by using as much as you can is a sensible step in fighting COVID-19, but it’s also a great way to save the planet. There are all sorts of uses for leftover food that may surprise you. Scraps from onions (yes, the peel too), celery and carrots can all be thrown in a pot of water and boiled into a vegetable broth. Keep your scraps in the freezer if you’re not quite

Homemade Cleaning Products

Most of the cleaning aisle has been wiped out but there are natural cleaners you can use to help disinfect your home. Vinegar is a great example of a natural disinfectant that can keep your home clean and works for a variety of different surfaces. Isolation is scary, but it is a good time for reflection. If you’re stuck in your home with nothing to do, why not use that time to experiment with sustainable living options you can take with you long after the virus subsides.

Cutting Out the B.S. (Bad Sources) Vanessa Gomes – Science Writer

hy did it take so long for the world to tune in to just how detrimental this pandemic could be if not handled properly? Why has it continuously been compared to nothing more than a seasonal flu? Poor communication. Specifically, poor scientific journalism. Science was not always viewed as accessible to the general populous. Scientists had to try hard, in the 1930s and 40s, to assert its important role in changing the world, and found they could break through by sensationalizing what they were reporting on. Unfortunately, this sensationalism overtook actual truth, with reported stories migrating further from reality. A headline that asserts that “COVID-19 is no more deadly than the common flu” affords one more comfort than one that reads “COVID-19 is no more deadly than the common flu but has the potential to cripple the world’s economy and healthcare systems if not controlled”. Headlines for scientific articles have devolved

into ‘click-bait’. Where the health of large populations is concerned, this is dangerous. Headlines are meant to be the door that opens to the rest of the article. But too often, these headlines are treated as out of context summaries for what the articles, to their credit, clarify. It has become a necessity to dig deeper, and to constantly question where information is coming from. In these times of information inundation, it is one’s responsibility to ensure that they are reading and spreading news that comes from a reputable source. Here are a few news sources that I have found present sciencebased news accurately, and generally without political bias: - Reuters - Wall Street Journal - The Associated Press - The Guardian - The Economist - BBC Science Where possible, if you have a sturdy foundation of scientific knowledge, I advise reading primary research papers. Even then, I am hesitant to single out prominent scientific journals, such as Nature or Science, in this list

because of their regrettable habit of stifling scientific innovation when it threatens a status quo. By consulting sources who pull their information from an array of journals, you ensure that you are maximally exposed to valuable research. I would advise that you avoid getting your science related news, COVID-19 or otherwise, from sources like: - Fox News - The Sun - CNN

- Forbes - The New York Times - The Washington Post - Scientific American. These sources have a reputation of being politicized in the best of times, and blatantly incorrect at worst. Throughout much of school and college, you have been asked to cite your sources in academic papers. Now, it is something we must demand of the world’s media output.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Rumen at Work:

How to Make a Climate-Friendly Cow

Science

Printers of the Pandemic: UCD Academic Develops 3D Printed Ventilator Athaliah Fubara - Science Writer As the COVID-19 pandemic gains momentum, the supply of ventilators is becoming increasingly scarce. According to a report from Imperial College London, 30% of patients hospitalised need mechanical ventilation. Many multinational corporations, including Medtronic and Dyson, are increasing shifts and staffs to produce ventilators to meet the surplus demand. However, an ingenious idea from UCD academic Colin Keogh holds promise in combating the ventilator shortage - an open source blueprint for 3D printing emergency ventilators. The open source project design brings together experts from around the world including engineers, scien-

“

The Field Emergency Ventilator is composed of basic, safe parts that will be sourced locally.

“

Tamsin Lyons – Science Writer

ith fertile soils, a temperate climate and abundant rain water, Ireland is ideal for farming. Our farming output is much higher than our population’s needs, so we are able to export large quantities of agri-food products (worth ~€13.6 billion annually). Farming is critical for the economy. However, farming also contributes one third of our total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. UCD researchers are currently working to reduce a cow’s carbon footprint by up to 50%. Beef and milk production account for 66% of total agricultural output and roughly 50% of agricultural GHG emissions. Cows have a plantbased diet but do not possess the enzymes necessary for breaking down plant components, and so they rely on microbes in their rumen, the largest compartment of their stomach, to carry out this function. Microbes break down ingested feed to short chain fatty acids (SCFA), predominantly acetate, butyrate and propionate. The animal can absorb SCFAs and use them for energy. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) are produced as by-products of microbial degradation.

If hydrogen is allowed to accumulate in the rumen then it will cause the pH to drop and lead to acidosis, which can cause death. To avoid this, a group of microbes called ‘methanogens’ use hydrogen to reduce CO2 to methane (CH4). Methane can be emitted from the animal by belching. This is good for the animal but detrimental to the environment. Methane is a potent GHG, with a global warming potential 27 times higher than CO2, and its increased abundance in the atmosphere is contributing to the increasing rate of climate change. The question is, how do we preserve our farming outputs while reducing our GHG emissions? One way to reduce methane emissions is to manipulate rumen microbes through diet and dietary supplements. There are two broad approaches; eliminate methanogens and find a different way to remove hydrogen or manipulate microbial activity so less hydrogen is produced. Production of acetate and butyrate create hydrogen as a by-product, whereas pathways that produce propionate consume hydrogen. Therefore, driving microbial activity toward propionate production could result in less hydrogen produced and therefore less methane. Feed management, high-sugar

50% Beef and milk production account for roughly 50% of agricultural Greenhouse Gas emissions.

2700% Methane is a potent Greenhouse Gas, with a global warming potential 27 times higher than CO2.

€13.6B Ireland exports about €13.6 billion in agrifood products annually.

forages, plant derived supplements (e.g. tannins, flavonoids, seaweeds) and oils (e.g. garlic, clove, linseed, soya) have all been investigated. They can work in different ways such as altering the substrates available and therefore microbial activity, inhibiting methanogens or acting as alternative hydrogen sinks. The two problems with any dietary strategy are feasibility and impact. Dietary intervention only works short-term and there are often inconsistent results between herds. For this reason, we have been looking at targeted intervention. This means choosing a time period during the animal production cycle where short-term intervention could lead to the largest reduction in overall methane emissions. One such time period is late lactation in dairy cows where we found methane emissions are always increased. Another time period is early life when dietary intervention could help us shape a favourable rumen microbiome that leads to reduced methane production and persists for the lifetime of the animal. When designing any strategy, it is important to consider how it could affect animal health, productivity or, in the case of early-life interventions, development of the immune system.

tists and medical professionals. All the developments in prototypes are available online, in accordance with the open source ideals. The Field Emergency Ventilator is composed of basic, safe parts that will be sourced locally. It consists of a bag valve mask - a manual resuscitator which allows high intake of oxygen. Additional design requirements for those developing the prototype include: -user specified breaths/min via a button -humidity exchanger built into the mask -alarms for loss of power -supply pure air -ability to sense when a patient is not breathing -low cost to build (less than $100) and minimal power requirement Many of the parts are 3D printed, allowing anyone from around the world with a 3D printer to develop the prototype. 3D printing, a relatively new technology, has revolutionised manufacturing. Firstly, it involves creating a 3D blueprint with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. The printer is filled with materials such as a plastic filament. The nozzle layers the materials sheet by sheet to form the desired object. Keogh acknowledged that the challenge had been thrilling but hoped that hospitals would never have to use the ventilator he developed. “It’s seen as an emergency intervention,” he said. “We hope we’ll be able to cope.” If you would like to get involved go to opensourceventilator.ie to register your interest.

Gaeilge

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

COVID-19:

Cén chuma atá ar an scéal le imeacht míosa?

Cad is Covid-19 ann?

Is galar é COVID-19 a thagann ón choróinvíreas is nuaí atá tagtha ar an fhód. Is éard is coróinvíreas ann ná víreas atá mar chuid d’aicme mhór víreas ar dual dóibh córas riospráide an choirp a ionsaí. Thángthas ar an ghalar den chéad uair sa tSín i gcathair darb ainm Wuhan um Nollaig 2019. Tá an galar thar a bheith tógálach agus níl imdhíonacht ag an chine dhaonna air go fóill. Ar 11 Márta, d’fhorógair An Eagraíocht Dhomhanda Sláinte COVID-19 a bheith ina phaindéim, rud a fhágann nach mbíonn an víreas logánta, ach go scaipeann sé go héasca ó phobal go chéile.

A bhfuil ar eolas againn faoin víreas anois

Ar an eolas atá bailithe faoin víreas le himeacht cúpla seachtain is fusa é a thuiscint. Dar leis an Eagraíocht Dhomhanda Sláinte, níl an víreas aeriompartha: tá na braoiníní ina bhfuil sé róthrom le bheith ar foluain san aer agus titeann siad ar

Sláinte Phoiblí, mar chuid de Fheidheammas Thuaisceart Éireann, ag dul i gcomhairle le Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte Rialtas na hÉireann agus le Sláinte Phoiblí Shasana, mar aon lena Iontaobhais Shláinte áitiúla féin. Cé nach raibh cur chuige gach rialtas ar aon dul lena chéile a chéaduair, is beag eatarthu mar atá an scéal faoi láthair: tá iallach ar

“

Dar le fianaise thurgnamhach, is iad tástáil, teagmháil a rianú, agus féin-leithlisiú na straitéisí is éifeachtaí chun smacht a choinneáil ar an phaindéim, agus is iad siúd iad atá á leanúint i ndeisceart na hÉireann.

“

á mí caite ó 12 Márta, nuair a sheas an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar os comhair lucht na meán in Washington agus a d’fhógair go ndruidfear scoileanna, coláistí agus saoráidí cúram leanaí. Ba iad seo na chéad bearta crua iad le bheith curtha i bhfeidhm ag an Rialtas agus ba léir go raibh COVID-19 tagtha i dtír in Éirinn i gceart. Ó shin i leith tá an feachtas le coinneáil chun tosaigh ar scaipeadh an víris faoi lánseol agus an tsochaí in Éirinn agus An Bhreatain Mhór curtha faoi dhianghlasáil go malairt saoil. Seo mar atá an scéal le tuairim is coicís, agus anois is go bhfuil an chéad scaoll roimh an tsuaitheadh thobann seo dár saolta curtha dínn, féadann muid cuid den éiginnteacht a bhí ann ag tús na géarchéime seo a shoiléiriú.

dhromchlaí; ar an ábhar seo atá an bhéim á leagan ar lámha a ní agus gan méar a leagan ar an aghaidh. Is mór idir na dóigheanna a dtéann an víreas i gcion ar dhuine go chéile: d’fhéadfadh duine ionfhabhtaithe a bheith aisiomptómach, slaghdán measartha a bheith acu, nó a bheith buailte le tinneas marfach. Is féidir aistear na paindéime a léiriú mar chuar ar léaráid, agus nuair a thiteann go seasmhach líon

na daoine a tholgann an víreas, comharthaíonn sé sin go bhfuil a scaipeadh á chúlú. Dar le fianaise thurgnamhach, is iad tástáil, teagmháil a rianú, agus féinleithlisiú na straitéisí is éifeachtaí chun smacht a choinneáil ar an phaindéim, agus is iad siúd iad atá á leanúint i ndeisceart na hÉireann.

Freagairt lucht na rialtas ar an ghéarchéim

Má táthar ina chónaí sna Sé Chontae, ní miste súil a choinneáil ar cad é atá á rá ag na trí rialtas atá i réim in Éirinn agus sa Bhreatain Mhór faoi seach. De bharr go bhfuil stádas ar leith ag na Sé Chontae sa mhéid is go bhfuil siad ar aon mhórchríoch amháin le hÉirinn, agus go bhfuil siad faoi dhlínse na Ríochta Aontaithe, tá an Roinn Sláinte agus an Ghníomhaireacht

an phobal cloí le scaradh sóisialta agus chuige seo bhí sé riachtanach áiteanna miondíola, fáilteachais agus fóillíochta poiblí, chomh maith le hionaid oideachais, a dhruidim go hoifigiúil; caithfear a bheith ag obair ón bhaile ach amháin nuair nach bhfuil sé seo indéanta; tá scéimeanna cúnaimh á seiftiú do dhaoine atá thíos leis na bearta dianghlasála éigeandála; tá ospidéil nua déanta dá leithéid d’ionaid chomhdhála sa Bhreatain, agus tá Rialtas na hÉireann ag dul i gcomhpháirtíocht shealadach le hospidéil phríobhaideacha; tá ionaid thástála charrsheirbhíse crochta in airde fud fad na háite, agus tá feachtas ar bun chun trealamh cosanta pearsanta éigeantach a sholáthair d’oibrithe

sláinte. Thar aon rud eile, áfach, is ríshoiléir an teachtaireacht atá á chur chun cinn: fan sa bhaile, is fan slán.

Ábhar machnaimh

B’údair dóchais é nuair a chuaigh na mílte iar-dhochtúir agus iaraltra, agus na mílte oibrithe bunriachtanacha i mbun dualgais ar son na tíre le gairid. Tá sé tábhachtach a choinneáil i gcuimhne go bhfuil muid, mar shochaí, ag freagairt don víreas seo mar is cuí. Bíodh gur aisteach iad cúrsaí mar atá, níl a dhath ar bith aisteach faoin chur chuige atá ar bun le dul i ngleic leis. Dar le víreolaithe, níl an coróinvíreas seo cleachta ar cad é mar é féin a iompar chun a leasa féin: maraíonn sé a iompróir, agus teastaíonn iompróir uaidh le go mairfidh sé. Téann na meáin anonn is anall idir figiúirí a léiríonn líon na marbh agus líon na gcásanna nua den víreas, cibé acu is gáifí ar aon lá amháin. Ní dhéanann sé seo faic seachas cur le mearbhall agus le míshuaimhneas an phobail. Bíodh a fhios againn nach é seo an chéad uair ariamh é a bhagair paindéim ar an chine dhaonna: tóg an fliú Spáinneach sa bliain 1918 mar shampla, ar tholg tuairim is 500 milliúin duine é. Is iad na sainthréithe is mó a idirdhealaíonn COVID-19 ó phaindéimeanna eile, áfach, ná a thógálaí agus a dhiansheasmhaí is atá sé. Níl sé chomh marfach lena leithéid de Ebola, a mharaigh a leath de líon na daoine ar tholg é, ach tá sé níos acmhainnaí ná mar a bhí an Ghéarshiondróm Trom Riospráide (SARS), an coróinvíreas is déireanaí a bhí ann roimh COVID-19, a bhain

de 8,098 duine. Agus an t-alt seo á scríobh, tá COVID-19 ag baint de 1 563 857 duine sa domhan. Tá vacsaín á forbairt go dícheallach faoi láthair. Cé go

“

Is í an cheist is mó atá i mbéal na meán faoi láthair, cheal nuacht níos suimiúla, ná cá huair a bheas maolú ar na bearta dianghlasála agus cén chuma a bheas air sin?

“

Anna-Clare McGarvey Iriseoir Gaeilge

bhfuil an-phrainn lena leithéid in am an ghátair seo, is beag duine a thuigeann a fhaide is a thógann sé ar vacsaín a bheith réidh le dáileadh don phobal i gcoitinne de ghnáth: anuas go deich mbliana i gcásanna áirithe, nuair a chuirtear tástáil agus maoiniú san áireamh. Mar sin, tá an-deifir á cur leis an iarracht seo.

Conclúid

Is í an cheist is mó atá i mbéal na meán faoi láthair, cheal nuacht níos suimiúla, ná cá huair a bheas maolú ar na bearta dianghlasála agus cén chuma a bheas air sin? In ainneoin an mífhoighne agus an corraíl a chuireann sé seo ar dhaoine, tá a fhios ag an tsaol mhór nach bhfuil aon dul as: is mar seo a bheas muid go malairt saoil.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

Philosophy

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Internet Stoicism:

Philosophy of Today or Yesterday?

“

Here at the Tribune’s one man philosophy department, I’ve been asking how does this ancient philosophical school of thought manifest itself today?

rational will power, in order to live a more productive, thankful and disciplined life that avoids external incentives that pull us towards procrastination or an illogical usage of our time. From this perspective, in periods of crisis we should adopt a state of acceptance or indifference towards the world around us and live in strict rational moderation, as to limit our encounters with

pain. While preserving many of these core elements, Stoicism has become an increasingly tired term on the internet, it’s quite frequently bandied about to such a degree that it has become an interchangeable, commodified and almost trademarked word. It seems like any run-of-the-mill online personality can instantly refer to themselves as a Stoic™ after they have a particularly productive day or do their daily meditation but will never reflect on Stoicism as an actual philosophy. Yet, within this there lies a certain degree of resignation, passivity and lack of passion when it comes to our relation to reality. For the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, the Stoics attempt to minimise both pleasure and pain through a disdain for acting upon fundamentally natural human passions. Intense suffering and intense joy are part of the human experience, and refusing to engage with the passions denies both. He also rejects the Stoic notion of a rational framework or Logos structuring events, claiming that life needs to be experienced in its chaotic diversity and referring to it as by nature rational or

irrational, good or evil is a complete mischaracterisation of the universes amorality. You can’t rationalise reality away that easily, to reject your life as something you cannot fundamentally alter and to just resign yourself to harsh conditions or injustice because its

“

the Stoic trend reflects a larger shift in how people come to identify themselves and what they invest their faith into during times of constant flux and change brought about by hypercapitalism.

“

If you’re a frequent YouTube consumer like myself, then you’ve probably stumbled across the productivity, “life-hack” and hustle sphere of the site. These anti-procrastination “sweat-of-thebrow” warriors promote all sorts of methods, routines, lifestyle tips and attitudes in an effort to change the lives of the “lazy” and “unmotivated” online masses. Especially since the Covid-19 lockdown has forced us all into hiding, the “lifestyle gurus” and “habit-masters” have made me feel even more unproductive than usual as they smirk at me through my laptop screen. Life’s maelstrom has simultaneously thrown a curve ball into all our faces, and people have yet again turned to the internet for advice on how to cope. Interestingly, I’ve noticed that what links all of these YouTube channels and productivity pushers together is an odd trend of co-opting Stoicism into their advice and worldview. Here at the Tribune’s one man philosophy department, I’ve been asking how does this ancient philosophical school of thought manifest itself today? Are people playing fast and loose with the term? Should it be forgotten about altogether, or is it ultimately useful in extraordinary times like these? Stoic philosophy can find its roots in Athens around 300 BC with a scholar names Zeno of Citium before branching out into numerous forms and schools taking influence to varying degrees from the likes of Socratics, Cynics and Epicureans. It would eventually grow in popularity during the Roman period with figures like Seneca, Epictetus and the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius writing incredibly quotable treatises. At its core, Stoicism sees philosophy as a practice, exercise or activity in an almost transformative or therapeutic sense as a type of guidance for ordinary everyday living. Stoicism promotes control and self-discipline over passions and emotions, building good habits and living an orderly life. Stoics see the cosmos as being animated by a rational principle (Logos) of nature that determines external events, and thereby we must accept that there are things we cannot change. We have to learn to live happily within these conditions and avoid succumbing to the whims of passion and appetite. To be a Stoic

is to live according to nature, or in other words what we by nature are equipped with, our rationality as the path to a worthwhile life in the midst of a harsh world. Today many people would define their iteration of Stoic thought as the usage of inner

“

Aaron Collier Philosophy Columnist

“above you” or part of a rational Logos subtracts from human agency and potential. However, I believe that the Stoic trend reflects a larger shift in how people come to identify themselves and what they invest their faith into during times of constant flux and

27 change brought about by hypercapitalism. What can be seen is a rejection of traditional religions in favour of atheism on the one hand, but on the other hand towards a vaguer modern spirituality. While rejecting claims of religiousness, people often claim to be “spiritual” in some sense but are frequently unable to define it properly. They often pull and blend elements from other religions such as Karma, good and bad energy and types of transcendental meditation into some type of religion without religion. What does that person mean when they say, “I’m sending good energy out into the universe” or claim they’ve found their inner selves by just looking inside? This “spirituality” linked to the modern condition can be seen most overtly in its commercial claims to offer reprieve from the crazy dynamics of the modern consumerist material world, a retreat from the external into a kind of inner truth and peace. The funniest thing as Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek points out, is that this western “spirituality” forced into modernity is often combined with those who promote Stoic productivity and efficiency in engaging with the very work you sought to meditatively escape from in the first place. This modern contradictory blend of mish-mash “spirituality” and Stoicism™ is a symptom of the battle for identity and alienation from the self within a system that makes you feel very small, and boy does the current state of affairs make you feel tiny.

Culture The Frightening Reality of ‘The Stranger’

Planning For A World When We Can Shake Hands Again

Future Nostalgia

Melee

Heaven to a Tortured Mind

★★

★★★★★

★★★★

Broadcasting from Isolation

Sound Waves

Dua Lipa

Dogleg

Niall O’Shaughnessy - Former Music Editor

Matthew Derwin - Music Editor

For an artist that hasn’t been around for long, Dua Lipa has enjoyed immense success. She’s dominated the radio and was the most streamed female artist on Spotify in 2019. Coming into this latest promotional cycle for her 2nd full-length, Dua Lipa was poised for world domination. Armed with a new set of sing-along choruses, she was due to be on every late-night talk show and festival stage for the foreseeable future. As all our collective hopes and dreams have been parked, Dua Lipa is also left wondering if her latest output alone will be enough to maintain her momentum.

Dogleg’s debut album, Melee is a cathartic dosage of destructive riffs and screamed vocals that evoke immediate comparison to Joyce Manor’s brutal self-titled, albeit more technical. The Michigan trio, with multiple EPs under their belt before this release, wear their influences proudly on their sleeve without ever managing to sound derivative. Melee is a breathless 35-minute assault that takes the best of emo revival and injects it with a hefty dosage of steroids.

Future Nostalgia wouldn’t have needed to be extraordinary under normal circumstances but that is not the hand Dua Lipa has been dealt. The album has highs - ‘Cool’ is biteyour-hand catchy and ‘Don’t Start Now’ deftly manoeuvres between house and funk - but overall, it’s short of ambition. ‘Love Again’ takes that famous violin motif from White Town’s ‘Your Woman’ and lazily duct-tapes it to the intro and breakdown. The opener ‘Future Nostalgia’ has an empty female empowerment message straight from the liberal feminist guide to marketing: “I know you’re not used to a female alpha”. While you are all wondering whether capitalism will survive the pandemic, I’ll be hedging my bets that Future Nostalgia will not.

Opener “Kawasaki Backflip” is a blistering beginning to an album that refuses to let up for a second, “Hotlines” is a highlight towards the middle, mixing more traditional emo vocals with howled post-hardcoreesque ones in a call-and-response structure, all accompanied by a driving riff. “Headfirst” delves right into classic hardcore territory with irregular time signatures but shifts the goalposts by making twinkling riffs. The album’s drumming deserves an honourable mention, managing to bring an indescribable sense of impact when combined with the harsh vocals and heavily distorted guitar tones. The closer, the aptly named “Ender” is emotionally shredding both lyrically and instrumentally, acting as a fine form of punctuation to the album. The final, entirely instrumental outro is a muchappreciated moment of calm for the listener.

Yves Tumor

Matthew Derwin - Music Editor Yves Tumor’s Heaven to a Tortured Mind is a drastic departure from 2018’s Safe in the Hands of Love, transitioning to sexuallycharged art rock with heavy psychedelic tinges that come together to form a listening experience that manages to be simultaneously smooth and jagged. Tumor’s uniquely swaggering vocals and blown-out guitar lines are a joy to hear. The album is something that may be slightly surprising after how blatantly experimental Tumor’s past releases were, but if anything, it’s a clear refining of their sound into something that is far more tight and defined. The album’s singles are undoubtedly the strongest of the bunch, with the opener “Gospel for a New Century” being a gateway drug in terms the new sound Tumor has developed – it’s immediately gripping, and its transition into the equally excellent “Medicine Burn” is fantastic. The album’s penchant for almost-perfect transitions also comes into play with the combination of “Romanticist” and “Dream Palette” which meld seamlessly into eachother. “Super Stars” is a soul-infused wonder that drags the vibes of the 80s into Tumor’s hands, where they deftly manipulate them into something that is entirely their own.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

Music

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

What’s Fresh Cavetown’s new eleven-song album Sleepyhead captures the sensation of a good hug, in that it is comfortable, soft and lasts just as long as it should. It reflects Cavetown’s endeavor to make the cosy cool, and the uncool cosier. His lyrics read like a peek into someone’s memories - they are delicately romantic, as they flirt with the fabrication of identity and time. There is a sense of the undiscovered in his words, as he struggles to secure his place in love and life alike. Each song itself carries its own weight musically, with no filler songs on this

Sleepyhead by Cavetown

★★★★★ album. Keeping it concise, Cavetown produces an album with purpose, though

“

Cavetown paints a return to the world of the child, not the imagined future or dreary present that so many other artists reside in.

“

Savannah Murray - Music Writer

it must be said that its stand-out feature is the two-song continuation that is Sweet

produces an album with purpose, though it must be said that its stand-out feature is the two-song continuation that is Sweet Tooth and For You. It is here that Cavetown exhibits that his ability extends further than his lyrics, as he offers this two-part homage to his unique blend of the tender and the passionate. Cavetown paints a return to the world of the child, not the imagined future or dreary present that so many other artists reside in. Sleepyhead is not a requiem to a lost past but is a celebration of childlike unease.

BROADCASTING FROM ISOLATION

Matthew Derwin - Music Editor

t’s the 2nd of April, and Swedish rapper Yung Lean is performing to an audience of thousands from the back of a truck parked in a darkened port. Inside, it’s decorated like the sitting room of an eccentric – dream catchers dangle from a potted tree, and the whole space is bathed in an eerie orange light. Under regular circumstances this would be an interesting gimmick, but the catch is that Lean is doing this completely alone. The only hint of life is when the camera pans outward and we catch a glimpse of a train in the distance – his audience is made up of avid fans who have tuned in on YouTube during a time where live performances might as well be a thing of the past. In times like these, the music industry appears to be in a position as precarious as ever. With the indefinite shutting of pubs, clubs and a myriad of other venues, all gigs have been cancelled and, perhaps optimistically, rescheduled. For the first time in its 50-year existence, Glastonbury has been completely cancelled in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. World tours have been pulled back, album releases have been delayed and musicians are generally facing a massive, unprecedented bump in the road. Despite this, it appears that regardless of the extremely negative circumstances, musicians are having an opportunity to connect with their fans on far more personal levels than ever before. Instagram’s live function has never seen as much use, with artists of all stripes playing for their followings whether large or small, continuing to relentlessly selfpromote and even simply allowing fans to have a glimpse into their personal life – a humanisation of those that may seem unreal at times. Foxing’s frontman Conor Murphy balanced this admirably, with a tender acoustic set in front of a comically placed forest background before he pivoted to playing through Resident Evil 2 on the live-streaming platform Twitch. The impact and widespread use of social media makes

once unimaginable possibilities a reality, and in this somehow makes it easier to handle the chaos that is unfolding worldwide. For some, knowing that everyone’s in the same boat, even those you may idolise, is a comforting notion. Anamanaguchi and American Football have teamed up to provide a complete musical concert inside the space of Minecraft, cleverly named Nether Meant after the alternate dimension found in the game and the infamous American Football song. Potential viewers can either jump into a server and view it through the eyes of their in-game avatar or simply watch the available livestream. Festivals are slowly being replaced by online gatherings with live chat functions, adding a completely new dimension to the live experience. Rather than being disruptive, their opt-in nature instead allows for users to feel a sense of community as they see the reactions of others in real time. This is in the

case that it does not degenerate into walls of spam, an event that regularly occurs during streams. One of Reddit’s largest music communities, Indieheads, staged their very own festival with a raft of emo revival heavyhitters including Remo Drive, Dogleg and Oso Oso. A community made up of volunteer moderators and average users managing to organise an event this impressive would be worth writing about in regular times, but in the middle of a pandemic this becomes a truly excellent endeavour on both the part of the organisers and the artists who took part in it. With the chances of large social gatherings being allowed in the near future being profoundly unlikely, the power of the internet has never been as important as it is now for allowing musicians to continue furthering their art while simultaneously building rapport with their fanbases. By the time this crisis ends, there will be a veritable

archive left behind by these performers that was never there before – and not just typical deep cuts, but material that shows a more intimate side of those we spend hours upon hours listening to than ever before. There is also an argument to be made that this newfound ease of access also removes the potentially prohibitive factors of going to see an artist at an actual venue – with vast amounts of people stuck at home and venues shut tight, properly scheduling to make sure you can see a show is no longer a concern, and with massive amounts of free live shows becoming available to the public through the sheer goodwill of artists, ticket cost is also removed as a potential barrier. While one may argue that they’re not truly the same as a proper gig, they’re the best we can hope for until the shutters come up again and the pints start flowing.

Film & TV

Disney+ Finally Launches in Ireland Brigid Molloy Film & TV Editor Plans were made for Disney Plus to launch in Ireland, among other European countries such as Britain, Spain, Italy and Germany, on March 24th way back in January. The Disney bosses could have never have known that all of these countries would be in lockdown by then but it does feel like twistedly perfect timing. All the films and TV series on the platform are uplifting, comforting watches that can provide perfect escapism and entertainment for viewers - exactly the type of content many consumers are searching for during this crisis. Viewers who are looking for anything more mature or dark are in entirely the wrong place. Disney Plus is simply only suitable for kids and adults who are still kids at heart. The choice of content is impressive: every Disney princess, Star Wars and Marvel film is at your disposal on the platform. There are some surprise inclusions too like Avatar or The Simpsons. Disney’s recent acquisition of 20th Century Fox has made this possible. Now, many European viewers have the chance to watch some of the original TV series on the platform, like The Mandalorian or High School Musical: The Musical series. However, all the episodes for both series are not

Pictured Above: Frozen 2 available yet as they are in the process of being released weekly. Since the launch of Disney Plus in select European countries, the app has reportedly been downloaded 5 million times. This does not mean there are actually 5 million new subscribers to the service but it promises that it has been successful. It will be interesting to see if Disney Plus poses any threat to Netflix, the long reigning leading streaming service, in the coming years. Its primary focus on family friendly content is likely what will prevent this as Netflix will continue to cater for a wider demographic of viewers.

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

NOSTALGIA ZONE:

Videodrome

Pictured Above: James Woods in Videodrome (1983)

★★★★★

Anton Rivas Pertile - UCDTV Auditor

mong the category of great filmmakers, we often hear the familiar names of Lynch, Hitchcock or Kubrick. I would dare to say that David Cronenberg can and deserves to be put in this category. What Cronenberg has done in his movies demonstrates a mastery of film that more than qualifies him to be considered a director who has captured something unique in film, even to the extent of transcending the medium. Videodrome (1983) begins with Max Renn, a TV Producer who specializes in late night X-rated shows. He spends his days buying obscure sexual and violent shows that he can release on his channel for viewers. But one day he intercepts a broadcast from an unknown source. It’s a show that defies any plot or sensibility, with gratuitous murder and sex (remember this film is from the more innocent 80’s, they didn’t have the internet). Max knows he must have it. The name of this enigmatic show? Videodrome. At once Max sets off to uncover the mystery behind the strange radio signal and who is producing it. However, Max is warned, “it has something that you don’t have, Max. It has a philosophy, and that is what makes it dangerous”. These cryptic words are spoken by Masha, the old woman who specializes in acquiring these seedy shows for Max to put on his network. But Max is undeterred, he

knows the show is a sure hit. Max and Nicki Brand (played by Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie), a psychologist he starts a relationship with, both obsess over Videodrome, consuming it like an addict takes his drug. However the more Max watches, the more strange things begin to get and we start to follow Max down a rabbit-hole where television and reality become indiscernible. A phrase that comes to mind when describing ‘Videodrome’ is Marshall

“

What Cronenberg has done in his movies demonstrates a mastery of film that more than qualifies him to be considered a director who has captured something unique in film, even to the extent of transcending the medium.

“

McLuhan’s famous statement that “The medium is the message”. Cronenberg, a student when McLuhan was a lecturer at the University of Toronto, certainly picked up on this idea and made it a focal point of his art style. Time and time again we see Cronenberg use the nature of the medium to drive the message, from the confusing structure of ‘Naked Lunch’ to the obsessive

and graphic portrayals in ‘A History of Violence’. ‘Videodrome’ is Cronenberg taking this idea to the extreme. In this world, television is a weapon that will determine the new order and is being fought by all sorts of shadowy organizations. But Cronenberg also pushes beyond this, suggesting that once someone can no longer perceive outside the medium, then it is their reality. When Max Renn steps inside the world of Videodrome reality and fiction no longer apply. In fact, Cronenberg suggests that reality is simply whatever we perceive it as, rather than physical truth. What Max sees no longer becomes some simple illusion, it is real because he sees it as so. And as the audience we view Max’s flight through our own screens, following him each step of the way. Things we could once dismiss as hallucination becomes increasingly difficult and we are left exactly where Max is, subject to the same visual truth that attacks his senses. Overall ‘Videodrome’ is a fantastic film that I highly recommend. Almost prophetic, it rightly predicted the issue of overstimulation that we are left with now in this internet society. It’s a film that can hardly be done justice with words and can rightfully only be seen to be understood. Cronenberg is a filmmaker who has managed to demonstrate a quality of his medium that is simply untouchable by words. Videodrome is available to stream on Netflix.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

Film & TV

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Netflix Recommendations Tiger King

Love, Death and Robots

★★★★★

★★★★

Limited Series

The series serves as an exposé on untold drama and crime surrounding the most influential players of the big cat community in the United States. I’m sure by now we have all heard about Joe Exotic, a man who seems to be somewhat of a mythological creature. He is naturally the main focus of the documentary - he knowingly says during the series: “people don’t come to see the tigers; they come to see me”. We learn the intimate details of his life and the history behind his private zoo, as well as his long-standing and bitter rivalry with a wildlife conversationalist, Carole Baskin. As the series unravels you are sucked into what could only be described as pure lunacy with people who almost don’t seem as if they could exist in reality. If anyone has recommended this show to you, take it seriously because the events that transpire must be seen to be believed.

Series

A criminally underrated anthology series released on Netflix over a year ago; Love, Death and Robots tells at times extremely profound and at the least entertaining stories from a diverse set of story-tellers. The style of animation ranges across all different mediums and styles to consistently bring visually pleasing images to the viewer as they follow along with a narrative that involves love, death and robots or some combination of the three. In less than 17 minutes each, episodes such as ‘Good Hunting’, ‘Zima Blue’ and ‘Shapeshifters’ bring to light subjects of sexual assault, existentialism, discrimination and progression in a way that has truly never been done before. On the other hand, episodes such as ‘Alternate Histories’, ‘Suits’ and ‘Blindspot’ provide a more comedic perception of the future. Overall, each episode in itself will provide lasting entertainment despite such a short run time.

THE FRIGHTENING REALITY OF

Pete Davidson: Alive From New York Special

★★★★ Saturday Night Lives’ “resident young person”, Pete Davidson, has like so many other great comedians, been granted a Netflix comedy special and it does not disappoint. He delivers with controversial

and off-colour humor as expected by him. The hour long special is filled with jokes that at times may make you question whether to laugh, but you do anyway as Davidson’s delivery cuts through the obscene topic and serves up comedic gold. He speaks candidly about his own life and provides us with a new meaning for self-deprecation. As he makes his way through his career, this special serves as a true highlight on his resume for the unique and raw ability Davidson has for stand-up. Whether he’s riffing about little known SNL behind the scenes stories, his dead dad or his break up with Ariana Grande, I guarantee you’ll find something to laugh about.

Gemma Farrell - Film & TV Writer

‘THE STRANGER’ I

n a world as connected as ours, with information at our fingertips and an all-encompassing social media sphere, it’s easy to think that we can know everything about a person, while somehow retaining a certain sense of anonymity for ourselves. However, the grim reality put forward by The Stranger, reminds us that this is far from the truth. Both the shortcomings and frightening possibilities of the internet are highlighted in The Stranger. At its heart lies a young woman who endeavours to expose people’s secrets to their friends and family in order to “release them from’’ the others’ lies, and fulfil her ‘mission’ - namely to destroy the deceit which encompassed her young life. The stranger’s mission is based in her flat, more specifically, on her computers, where she compiles evidence of one’s secrets and lies in order to expose them. By opening up one lie, The Stranger reveals a whole community connected by and built upon a web of deceit. Throughout the story, the fact of our own ignorance towards the lives of others is highlighted in her unveiling the secret realities of people’s lives. Adam Price discovers his wife faked their last pregnancy and subsequent miscarraige. He also discovers that a man, who he has been defending his right to stay in his home

Danielle DerGarabedian Film & TV Writer

Uncut Gems Film

★★★★★ For the love of God, go see Uncut Gems. Honestly I could finish my review just there because I truly feel if you have not seen this movie at this point, you’re really missing out. This film is a masterpiece in every sense as the Safdie Brothers deliver another sharply directed and fast-paced crime thriller after their 2017 release, Good Time. As a long-time Adam Sandler fan who constantly looks past his egregious box-office failures, I am always outspoken when he gives an Oscar-worthy performance, which is exactly what he does in this film. As you watch you become entangled in the obsession driven life of the gambling addict and jeweler, Howard Ratner (Sandler), his choices lead him on

a never-ending spiral. Particularly the final act of the film will make you crave more and as a result be addicted to the movie itself. for years, has really been protecting his house to ensure his wife’s murdered body stays stashed in the wall. A local policeman discovers his wife has been deliberately poisoning their daughter for years with rat poison by mixing it into her food and medicines. In the end, the narrative climaxes with the discovery that Price’s neighbour had been stealing money from the local football club to maintain his lavish lifestyle, and had gone so far as to murder Price’s wife to keep this secret. These lies are all eventually untangled as a result of The Stranger’s mission to reveal the deceit which her adolescence had taught her to notice. The relative ease with which she gathers this information (and uncovers even more than she expects), is testament to the stark reality of our abilities to delve into people’s lives online. It reminds us that nothing we do online is untraceable, no matter how tight our security. In the end, ‘The Stranger’ puts it best - “The internet makes us all think we’re anonymous - but we’re not. It’s all there if you know where to look”. Fictional or not, the premise of Coben’s tale is all too imaginable in an age where we are both the most connected and most exposed. The Stranger is available to stream on Netflix.

Arts & Lifestyle

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

20.04.2020

Volume 33 - Issue 10

QUARANTINE BUCKET LIST Learn a Language

Take this opportunity to improve your language skills. Make this enjoyable by

“

Having a quarantine bucket list will hopefully add a bit of excitement to this confinement period.

learning through reading, listening to music or a podcast in that language, or through watching a foreign film. Immerse yourself!

WHAT’S HOT: Great Student Reads During Home Isolation Savannah Murray - Arts & Lifestyle Writer

o uh.. this is all quite awkward, isn’t it? With most of us here in UCD on our third or fourth week in isolation, there is a growing unrest in the general population, as we run out of hair to shave off and bananas to sacrifice to the Gods of banana bread themselves. I took to Instagram to look for suggestions on how to entertain oneself. While some suggestions were less than appropriate, others advocated for the emulsion of the self in reading to distract ourselves from the weird fantasy we are living in. So, we decided to give a couple recommendations:

The Skyward Series - Brandon Sanderson

If you’re looking for a bout of good ol’ escapism, there is no genre better for the job than fantasy. Brandon Sanderson’s Skyward and its sequel Starsight are the perfect introductions to Sci-Fi. Likeable, but brash, protagonist Spensa lives on Detritus, the post-earth dwelling for humankind that is plagued by attacks of an alien species by the name of the Krell. Accompanied by her luminous pet snail and talking battleship with a penchant for sarcastic comments by the name of M-Bot, Spensa sets out to prove herself as a worthy fighter. The Skyward series offers a plot brimming with gripping battle scenes, that slowly develops into an

Host a Virtual Dinner Party

Instead of all sharing the meal at the same table, invite your friends to order dinner at the same time over a video call and – voila – a virtual dinner party. Pour yourself a drink of choice, melt into the sofa, and enjoy an evening in the company of both your best pals and a decent takeaway.

Gardening

Watching things grow invokes a positivity in almost every individual; it has an effect that is both therapeutic and satisfactory. If you don’t have a garden, a sunny windowsill will do just the job. Grow some fresh mint or basil and you have yourself your own little herb garden.

excellent political critique of the nature of war itself. Also as they’re long, and we’ll probably be waiting till 2021 for the next instalment, it’s the perfect time to sink yourself into some Sanderson.

The Communist Manifesto Friedrich Engels & Karl Marx

If ever there was a time to destroy the fantasy that Capitalism works, it would be about

“

If perhaps, you’re finding it difficult to sustain attention for periods longer than the average TikTok and are too tired to carry your hammer and sickle, poetry may be more to your taste.

“

e are creatures of habit. We find comfort in routine, in getting a morning coffee, in seeing that same stranger at the bus stop every morning, in looking forward to a few drinks on a Friday. As a college student, I predicted that the normality of my day-to-day life would remain more or less as it was. It seemed even a joyous realisation that I would be able to sleep in, completely guilt-free. However, give or take a couple of days, my spare time became occupied by Netflix and naps, and, so, the boredom began. Hence, I decided to make a bucket list: quarantine edition. A bucket list of lots of ordinary things that I always want to do,

but never seem to have the time to actually commit. A bucket list of the ordinary.

“

Sophia Kilroy - Arts & Lifestyle Writer

now. While containing less luminous snails, Engels & Marx make some pretty good points, that are especially of relevance as we watch the major economies around us fold.

Set yourself a Fitness Challenge

Take a half hour out of your day to practise yoga. Aim to run 10km. Choose a fitness goal you’ll enjoy doing daily. Setting this challenge will both boost your immune system and reduce your stress levels.

Upcycle Your Living Space

Why not treat your living space to a new lick of paint? Add a pop of vibrancy to the walls you are spending more time than ever inside. A simple way to do this is to paint a few plant pots or wine bottles and fill with some fresh flowers. Having a quarantine bucket list will hopefully add a bit of excitement to this confinement period. Find comfort in your new routine, for this is a time where we all need the comfort of habit the most.

The Communist Manifesto is definitely the easiest text to start with Marx theory. Before you know it, you’ll be carrying your own hammer and sickle everywhere you go.

Depression and Other Magic Tricks - Sabrina Benaim

If perhaps, you’re finding it difficult to sustain attention for periods longer than the average TikTok and are too tired to carry your hammer and sickle, poetry may be more to your taste. Depression and Other Magic Tricks is a reflective collection that focuses on Benaim’s power as much as her depression. Benaim writes in a way that asks the reader to let go of what we believe poetry should be, and soak into her gorgeously intricate exploration of what it means to be powerful. In a time where many of us are scared of what the future holds, and are chastising ourselves for our inability to focus, Benaim’s collection is a reminder to be soft with ourselves, especially in hard times. Especially now. Especially if you have been fretting about not having touched the surface of a book for months.

Volume 33 - Issue 10

20.04.2020

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Arts & Lifestyle

Planning For A World When We Can Shake Hands Again

The Best COVID-19 Takeaways Alex Lohier - Deputy Editor What strange times we live in. Locked up in our homes, constrained to a 2km radius by law and working/ studying whilst lounging in our beds. Happily, there remains one constant; food! Granted, we can’t physically visit our favourite places. But, many of Dublin’s finest restaurants now offer delivery or pick-up services to keep their businesses afloat and provide customers with tasty meals which, nowadays, might just be the highlight of our days. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best choices as of now.

Liath To Go

Located in Blackrock, Liath is a Michelin-star restaurant offering high-end Irish cuisine, who have set up a special to-go operation in light of COVID-19, which comprises of a starter, main course and a dessert for only €33pp. The menu changes weekly; their latest offering is a starter of smoked eel with baby gem and aged parmesan, a main of beef ragu ravioli, pancetta and black truffle, and finishes with a dessert of rose panacotta with rhubarb and amaretto crumble. If you are within the radius, don’t miss this opportunity to nab a Michelin quality meal at a bargain price.

Bread 41

ou know that door-opens-into-aportal thing they show in Sci-Fi shows, where a person opens a door and steps into a new realm? The day we opened that door was the 12th of March, because things just became fuzzy from then. Is it just me, or does the sheer number of things I need to do when things go back to “normal” already give you the creeps? Like having to…

Remember How To Get To College

The last I remember; it took me around 20 minutes to walk to college. Did I walk down the main road, or did I cut through the lanes behind the houses? And was there really a German school here? Well, how can you blame me for not remembering when the last time I walked to college, my scarf came halfway up my face, the trees were still barren and the only thing I could think of was getting home to escape the biting cold?

Recognise My Classmates

So, let’s say I somehow hobbled my way to college. But the next problem is, I almost forgot how people look like. Mask-less faces, in particular. To me, everyone looks

the same when they wear masks, so how do you expect me to suddenly adapt to seeing people’s complete faces again? Hold on, this guy looks familiar. Now, where did I see him? Right, in my previous life.

How To Log Into Brightspace

“

People waved to me, which means they

Now, how do you expect me to remember when I have lost track of which week of term it is? I rummage through my bag and find my old planner from the days I knew how to walk to college. Crap, I’m in fourth year already?! No way!

“

Mallika Venkatramani Arts & Lifestyle Editor

recognised me, and that makes me feel horrible. Anyway, I sit down and take out my most beloved friend who has stayed by my side for the past few weeks - my laptop. With a chill down my spine, I realise that I need to open up lecture slides. But how did we access them? I do have a faint, dreaded memory over my cursor hovering above the

orange icon. Now, how do you expect me to remember when I have lost track of which week of term it is? I rummage through my bag and find my old planner from the days I knew how to walk to college. Crap, I’m in fourth year already?! No way! Looks like I have to ask these unfamiliar people in the classroom to help me log in.

Wear Sunglasses To The Shops

Now, one of the things that going back to “normal” entails is going for grocery shopping. Heed my good advice and wear sunglasses to the shops. Otherwise, your poor eyes are going to have to bear the brunt of taking in all the colours from the shelves stacked to the brim with a spectrum of products all at once. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Learn To Shake Hands (eek!)

This is probably the most daunting of them all. You see, where I come from we press our palms in front of our chests and say “Namaste”. But it turns out that in other countries they do something else - extend the arms, let their palms fold into that of another person’s and make a jiggly up-anddown motion with them. Didn’t they say that’s how germs spread? And now I have to learn that again? Tsk tsk…

Bread 41 is a popular bakery on Pearse Street, which normally offers freshly baked pastries, breads, pizzas and sandwiches. Amidst the current situation, Bread 41 is offering takeaway and delivery services to certain areas. Conveniently located in the city centre, it might just be a great shout for anyone looking for some of the best bread, pastries, sausage rolls and other delightful dough-based treats in Dublin.

Base

Base pizza, as you probably know, is a pizzeria chain serving thin-crust wood-fired pizzas. With a few locations dotted around the city, this place is likely to be able to deliver to your door. For reasonable prices and great tasting pizza, look no further.

Camile Thai

Camile Thai is a healthy, fresh option, which many of us could do with right now. Again, this company is handily placed around Dublin, and is likely to be able to deliver to your house. Unfortunately, don’t expect any drones just yet, as COVID-19 put a halt to that idea for now.

Always Leading: Lessons From Lancaster

“

I think that a successful coaching philosophy is something that’s unique to the coach. It’s something that he owns and that he has thought about and developed.

that a successful coaching philosophy is something that’s unique to the coach. It’s something that he owns and that he has thought about and developed. And he has solved that philosophy in a way that people have bought into it. I think there are coaches that believe they’ve got a coaching philosophy and dictate it to the people they work with and it’s not a shared ownership of the philosophy. It’s just, ‘It’s your philosophy and I’ll do it because you’re

the boss.’ There’s a big difference in that,” says Lancaster. In today’s sporting context where management ego has never been greater, Lancaster’s leadership style is refreshing. It’s not about him. Never has been. One glance at his LinkedIn cover photo speaks volumes. The image is of his players celebrating with the glittering Champions Cup trophy. However, nowhere to be seen is Lancaster. Indeed, the only public image of Lancaster with the trophy that day is a picture taken with his family, long after the television cameras have disappeared and the crowds have evanesced into the early Bilbao evening. This image provides a striking contrast with that of Jose Mourinho who, predictably, is front and centre (three fingers aloft) of most team pictures following his most recent success, Manchester United’s Europa League victory in 2017. Lancaster’s message, however, is clear: this great triumph was not about him. Yet, laughably, the achievement had so much to do with him. As is so often the case in sport, it

“

People expect their leaders to be enthusiastic, energetic and positive about the future. Leaders must keep hope alive even in difficult times.

“

n these heady times for Leinster Rugby, it’s easy to forget the low ebb the province found itself at this time four seasons ago. A convincing defeat in the Pro 12 final to Connacht coupled with a discouraging fourth-place finish in their Champions Cup pool meant a second straight season without silverware. For a team that had amassed a haul of seven major trophies in seven years, such a dry spell must have felt uncanny at the least. The arrival of Stuart Lancaster in the autumn of 2016 however, reversed that tide. In tandem with Head Coach, Leo Cullen, the province have sparkled since, claiming two Pro 14 titles and the biggest prize of all, the 2018 Champions Cup. And while much is written about Lancaster the rugby coach, far less is known about him as a leader- leaving sporting connotations aside. To begin with, he values the importance of developing a leadership philosophy that is compatible with his surroundings, something his players can

buy into. The playbook of yesteryear was for a coach to impose their particular style regardless of circumstances. Lancaster is different. He observes. He adapts. “I think

“

Neil Stokes – Sports Writer

is the players who provide insight into the true situation. And so, it was telling that in the aftermath of their European crowning that day, how lavish the praise for the Englishman was. One player after the other- key players especially- extolled the virtues of Lancaster. The team’s maestro, Jonathan Sexton was fulsome in his praise labelling Lancaster a “special coach”. Dan Leavy also suggested that the team’s recent success would have been impossible without him, hailing how he “revolutionised the way we train and the standards we expect of each other.” A key theme that emerges from Lancaster’s leadership style is positivity, remaining upbeat when the chips are down. “People expect their leaders to be enthusiastic, energetic and positive about the future. Leaders must keep hope alive even in difficult times. Hope enables people to find

the will and the way to unleash their future potential,” says Lancaster. This positive mindset becomes abundantly clear when one examines his ability to recover from the low of the 2015 World

whole life waiting to be confident when they should be building their competence,” he affirms. So, by the time the Cumbrian had linked-up with Leinster, the England job was very much in the distant past. Lancaster’s first interaction with his new charges was a telling one, a statement of intent. His declara-

“

Credibility matters. Leaders must be ever diligent in guarding the credibility.

“

Sport

Cup to achieve such remarkable success with Leinster within such a short space of time. While the fallout from England’s untimely World Cup exit had subsided to some degree before joining Leinster, the sudden end to what was a mostly successful stint at the helm was unpalatable. The black and white culture of today, which is propagated by social media, allows for almost no middle ground to exist meaning that Lancaster’s England stint was unjustly categorised as a failure by far too many. A more rational analysis proves the fallacy of such a notion. Apart from the abundance of young players introduced to the England fold, Lancaster led his team to four consecutive second-placed finishes in the Six Nations. Winning four out of five matches in each of these, Lancaster could easily have at least two Six Nations titles to his name, with England having missed out on points difference on three occasions. The brand of rugby was also exhilarating and expansive at a time when rugby was becoming increasingly tactical, contrived and was detaching itself from the swashbuckling running rugby of the amateur era. His reign also included a thumping victory over New Zealand, the nation’s first in eleven years. Disappointingly, a lot of this success is overshadowed by the raw emotion of the World Cup disappointment where one bad result against Wales and more specifically, one bad decision by captain Chris Robshaw ensured a pool-stage departure. Sport being the cruel business it is, Lancaster made way for Eddie Jones to take charge. Not one to dwell in self-pity, Lancaster used his time away from the game productively. He spent time in New Zealand to assist younger coaches and broaden his knowledge of the game. He also spent a week with American football outfit, Atlanta Falcons trying to improve their defensive solidity. The more one learns about Lancaster the leader, the less one is surprised to hear of such an ambition to improve and a willingness to travel so far in order to become better. Aspiring leaders should be continually building their competence he believes. “If you study leadership your competence will grow, so then will your confidence. Too many people wait their

tion that he wanted to lead the province to European glory again was something few players expected to hear. After all, since their last coronation in 2012, Leinster had never really threatened Europe’s elite, save for a spirited run to the semi-finals in the Matt O’Connor reign (finishing fifth in the league that year). But with Leinster legend Leo Cullen alongside him, Lancaster immediately set about making a profound impact. Knowing Lancaster the leader, such an eagerness to hit the ground running was not surprising, for he is steadfast in his belief that establishing credibility is the very foundation of leadership. “Credibility matters. Leaders must be ever diligent in guarding the credibility. That ability to take a strong stance, to challenge the status quo, and point people in new directions depends on credibility. People have to believe the messenger to believe the message.” Ever the self-improver, Lancaster is using the current slowdown in activity to good effect. Taking the time to grow as a leader is something he views as important. “You have got to be reflective and think about how you’ve dealt with certain situations. Find space in your diary to think. If you don’t find space in your diary to think about how you can improve and develop as a coach, how you’ve dealt with certain situations, then ultimately you’ll just go along chasing your tail. So, I think actually creating that downtime is a very difficult thing to do. If you don’t find that time for you, then ultimately you’ll find yourself never growing as a coach. I think ultimately, you’ll never be the best you can be.” It’s typical Lancaster. Always learning. Always leading.