College Tribune - Volume 35 - Issue 2 by The College Tribune

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Issue_02.35

Emma Hanrahan Deputy News Editor

Independent Student Media

Fresher’s events at societies.ucd.ie. During the year, some societies may have in-person fees, depending on events, while others may remain free of charge for the whole year. Previously, students had to pay a €2 joining fee. Speaking to the College Tribune, L&H auditor, Roibeárd Fitzpatrick, said that although it is currently free to join, the Liter-

ary and Historical Society “will be reassessing that later in the year - depending on how the year progresses and the quality of events we can deliver”. Fitzpatrick added that the L&H plan to generate income through the usual means of running debating competitions, nights out, and other partnerships.

Continued on page 3...

05.10.2021

Anyone Remember When the Irish Government Tried to Use Us to Kill Trinity? Jack McGee Head of Investigations

dents, staff, and administrators of University College Dublin: slagging off the Trinners. UCD’s (mostly) friendly rivalry with our counterparts on College Green is understood by most today as natural and everlasting. Continued on page 8 ...

Editorial

t is hard to believe it folks but we are at week four already. Although, you would be excused for feeling like we are still in that ‘getting settled’ period of week one or two. As you sit in a lecture tussling elbows with the person sitting next to you it can feel like this are almost back to normal. Our poor friends in Trinity College are still learning behind a computer screen. So, lucky us right? Well, not quite. What UCD has delivered in terms of learning, they have failed in so many other areas which make up just as much of what it means to be a college student. It is perhaps best summed up by the thousands of students who filed out of lectures only to be expected to log on to their devices to attend a virtual freshers week. Clearly, that’s how students are viewed in UCD and it is just that… ‘students.’ Not young people who are eager to make friends, get involved and do so much more in these important years than sit in a packed lecture hall. Loneliness and isolation are common feelings among the residents of Belfield. Erasmus students are often shocked by the social life of other universities, usually organised and encouraged by the university itself. In UCD this has not been the case. While recent attempts to create a more social student experience for residents are positive, it is the bare minimum given the extortionate prices for accommodation. So what is the university’s plan to facilitate a vibrant social scene for all students? The strategy in place is to leave it up to societies. By this, we don’t mean provide societies with the necessary resources, rather societies are not given the guidance, support or funding to manage the task alone. With a student population of 33,000, running events for so many people does not come free, just ask any societies treasurer! Unfortunately, there is no such this as free pizza. Proper and adequate funding is essential if we are to task societies to spearhead the social calendar of UCD students. It also is so much more than funding. The empty tent in the Quad last week where the

Editor@collegetribune.ie +353 1 716 8501

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sports expo was flourishing the week before shows this. Guidance and good communication are just as important to help societies reach their full potential. So far this semester, societies are dealing with a lack of leadership and constantly changing COVID-19 regulations, making it impossible for them to hit the ground running and make up for a year of zoom coffee mornings. Many of these issues have existed long before the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing restrictions are not an excuse. This is also the case for catering around campus. Lots of students hoped to christen the new college year over a pint in the clubhouse, but, were disappointed to see queues out the door. Of course, social

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There is so much more to being a student than attending lectures and there is so much more to a college or university than teaching.

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Mahnoor Choudhry - Co-Editor Conor Paterson - Co-Editor Hugh Dooley - News Editor

Emma Hanrahan - Deputy News Editor Rhoen Eate - Features Editor Angelina Pierce - Ents & Lifetyle Editor

Jack McGee - Head of Investigations ‘Armin Tamzarian’ - Turbine Editor Rosie Roberts-Kuntz - Assistant News Editor Mark O’Rourke - Business Correspondent Louise Kennedy - Law Correspondent

As loath as we are at the College Tribune to praise DCU or worse still, Trinity, but the fact is they hold the bragging rights over us when it comes to our respective student bars. Something which we at the Tribune take very much to heart.

Ruairí Power - For Always Providing Quotes

Of course, we are delighted to see so many back in Belfield. As some students in Ireland still attend lectures on a zoom call we can be happy to be back to lectures. But, there is so much more to being a student than attending lectures and there is so much more to a college or university than teaching. It is in all these other areas that UCD has failed its students before and continues to do so.

Connect With Us

Ruth Delaney - Arts & Lifestyle Correspondent Hugh Dooley - Graphic Designer

InDesign - For Filling Our Nightmares

Special thanks to Hugh Dooley for designing our front page and the Turbine logo.

News Tips Sometimes the best news story is right under your nose.

@collegetribune www.collegetribune.ie Download our app on the Google play store for androis users or the iTunes for iOS users!

05-10-2021

News

LawSoc Host Traditional Dubs vs. Culchies Debate In-Person By Emma Hanrahan

Testing Positive on Campus: What to Do

By Rosie Roberts Kuntz

Callum Buchan - Sports Editor

Danielle DerGarabedian - Political Correspondent

Letters to the Editors

Letters to the Editor should be sent via email and no longer than 300 words.

The Team

distancing regulations have had a massive impact. However, pre-pandemic there was often a struggle to get a good spot for a pint. Queues have always been a fixture in the restaurants, bars and cafes on a campus that does not have the facilities to cater properly for so many students.

PO Box 74, Student Centre, UCD, Belfield Dublin 4

Criticisms and comments on any articles published in our publication are always welcome.

Volume 35 - Issue 02

For any news tips, on and off campus, please contact the editor via social media, telephone, email, or traditional mail. Alternatively, you’re welcome to stop by our Newman Building Office.

Anyone Remember When the Irish Government Tried to Use Us to Kill Trinity? 8 By Jack McGee

Features

Exploring Ireland's 'All or Nothing' Mindset By Rhoen Eate

Campus Return Sparks Commuting Hell By Conor Paterson

What Are My Rights if I'm Stopped by the Gardaí By Louise Kennedy

Lifestyle What to Wear: Autumn Edition

By Ruth Delaney R Kelly Convicted on Rackateering and Sex Trafficking 21 Charges By Mahnoor Choudhry

Sport

Former UCD Student Liam Scales Makes Celtic F.C Debut By Callum Buchan

Sports Clubs Roundup By Callum Buchan

05-10-2021

News

News Volume 35 - Issue 02

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UCD Freshers' Week: A Recap of What Happened on Campus Emma Hanrahan Deputy News Editor

Fresher’s week kicked off on Monday, 27th of September and although students are back on campus this year the events are still heavily restricted. There will be no registration or joining fees again this year and students will be asked to join societies online before attending Fresher’s events at societies.ucd. ie. During the year, some societies may have in-person fees, deMahnoor Choudhry Co-Editor

pending on events, while others may remain free of charge for the whole year. Previously, students had to pay a €2 joining fee. Speaking to the College Tribune, L&H auditor, Roibeárd Fitzpatrick, said that although it is currently free to join, the Literary and Historical Society “will be reassessing that later in the year - depending on how the year progresses and the quality of events we can deliver”. Fitzpatrick added that the L&H plan to generate income through the usual means of running debating Freshers' Picnic

Despite many fluctuations in guidelines regulating society events during freshers week, freshers had a plethora of events to particpate in on and off campus. Here's what some societies got up to.

UCD Women+ In Stem Beach Cleaning with UCD BioSoc

Auditor, Idil Bilgic, commented: "Our main Freshers event was a picnic! We had a nice chat going on despite the cold Irish weather! Overall, it was a great opportunity for our members to meet each other and the committee!"

UCD English Literary Society Blackout Poetry

competitions, nights out, and other partnerships. The Fresher’s Week tent, where over 80 societies establish themselves and welcome new members will not return this year. Instead, the recruitment process will take place in newly created outdoor Pavilion spaces, in the Quad, and at additional events organised separately by societies themselves. The ‘Virtual Fresher’s Week Tent’ will make a reappearance this year between 12 pm and 2 pm from Monday to Friday for any UCD LitSoc commented that "it was great to see such a massive turn out in the first week. Everyone brought their creativity A-game.

UCD International Students Society

students who have specific questions or want further information on a specific society. To find the ‘tent’ students should follow the link through the societies website to the Fresher’s Week platform and click on the society they wish to join. The UCD Societies Council describes societies as the “real experience of UCD student life” and that by joining societies students can “make the friendships and develop the interests that make UCD an unforgettable experience”. Co-Auditor, Mahrukh Abbasi commented: "Our events have gone quite smoothly so far, with a little extra organisation on our side and support from UCD, it's been quite possible to bring something memorable to our members right from the start." Photo and Info Credits: Mahrukh Abbasi

Karaoke Night, Galway Trip, Beer Pong and International Night

Photo and Info Credits: Mahrukh Abbasi

Photo and Info Credits: Idil Bilgic

BioSoc and Women+ in Stem teamed up for beach clean on Bray beach where members had the opportunity to make new friends and help local wildlife.

Photo and Info Credits: UCD LitSoc

Photo and Info Credits: Mahrukh Abbasi

News

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Volume 35 - Issue 02

LawSoc Host Traditional Dubs vs. Culchies Debate In-Person Emma Hanrahan Deputy News Editor

nother year, another Dubs vs. Culchies debate! The 111th session of Lawsoc began last Friday with six speakers defending their home counties in front of the FitzGerald Chamber. The event was also live-streamed on Facebook for those who were unable to reserve a seat at one of UCD’s most infamous Fresher’s events! Emer Nolan opened for the Dubs with a confession, although she currently lives in Dublin she is actually from Greystones, or “the honourable G4”. However, now that she resides in the metropolis of Dundrum, a full 30 minutes from her family home, and is within walking distance of both a Starbucks AND a Zara, Nolan believes that she deserves to speak for the Dubs. In highlighting the traits that identify her as a Dub, Nolan made her case that people from the capital are superior. Firstly, she shared that she is unable to drive and blames this on public transport. With buses, luases, trains, and Darts, why would any Dub need to drive? Additionally, Nolan insists that having a parent collect you the morning after a sesh is a humbling experience that everyone should go through. “I’ll Revolut you” is also a phrase that Nolan has scarcely heard outside the Pale. She argues that the high cost of living in the capital forces Dubs to be wise with money, that the benefits of the financial technology company “speaks for itself” and that Culchies should catch up. She used her extra time to advertise her invitation link that would allow her to earn money from the banking service saying that the money would be needed to fund her “Starbies addiction”. A Dub indeed. Medb McBrearty was the first to speak for the Culchies and shared her disgust that over the summer a childhood friend told her that she had developed a ‘Dublin accent’, “I don’t know if yous have heard a Donegal accent before but apparently this isn’t it”. Losing her Donegal accent feels like losing a bit of herself McBrearty describes, as being from Donegal is her “one defining personality trait”. Speaking for the Culchies, Medb believes that she is rectifying the situation as being compared to a Dub is “kinda atrocious”. Although she still considers the

Dublin Bus schedule pure “magic”. A feeling I doubt Dubs share. Medb explains that being from the back arse of nowhere is absolutely fantastic as an excuse, as she can blame everything on being a Culchie. Though, she argues that “all the culchies rock up with more stamina than all of the Dubs combined” because “the scaldiness of a culchie night out is unmatched”. On a night out in Donegal, you are in the middle of nowhere and you’re stuck there “right until the national anthem”. So on top of the normal culture shock, Medb continues, Culchies arrive at Harcourt Street at half ten, wait in line, and then everyone is wrecked by 1 am. This doesn’t happen in Donegal she insists. Fran Aketch was the next speaker for the Dubs and admitted that although she is from the northside she has dated enough lads photo credits - Peter Tumulty

whom are from Dublin. Dublin, Katie continued, has given the world Jedward. And you can’t argue with celebrity, can you?

Hannah Ryan Murphy was the final speaker for the Dubs and was delighted to finally represent the county as she didn’t believe her teammates had done the capital justice and is convinced that they’re part of the reason Dubs get such a bad rep. Murphy believes that all the southsiders should be “sent back to the motherland” because the northsiders are best. Hannah continued by saying that the Culchies did not argue the benefits of living in rural Ireland but instead shared their fascination with Dublin Bus. She added that Katie could have taken numerous other buses into town and clearly hasn’t adapted well if she waited for the next 39A. She also argued that Carragher’s example of Jedward was completely cherry-picked and that the county with the highest population has absolute-

ly exported more talent than the rest of the country, Bono, Bob Geldof, and Imelda May to name but a few. Ultimately, Murphy maintains that Dublin is best because Dubs are so selfless. Dubs sacrificed their seven in a row for Tyrone and Dubs let all the Culchies into their “unreal” city. Dubs are so kind because they share the city and let Culchies “crowd up the public transport, attend the universities, use the facilities, change their accents to become more like Dubs” and it’s about time that the capital was rewarded for its generosity. Joe Boyle was the last speaker of the evening, as a Masters’ student, he didn’t relate to all the talk of nights out on Harcourt Street and instead offered to speak about a more “age-appropriate” social event. Funerals. “I will contend that Funerals are as good as Longitude and Electric photo credits - Peter Tumulty

photo credits - Peter Tumulty

from the southside to give her a fair perspective of the county as a whole. She opened by asking the opposing team “if Dublin isn’t so loose, why are you here?”. Aketch disagrees with Medb as she believes that Dubs know how to have fun from ‘Neckin’ Mondays in Dicey’s to Late Time Fridays in Krystle, Dublin is the best place to be for a night out, although she warns those new to the county that Dubs have a dress code and that “a county jersey and skinny O’Neill’s tracksuit bottoms just isn’t appropriate”. Fran continued that the Dublin dating scene is superior to any other county and that any “girlie whirlies” who get a pic on Sophie’s swing are guaranteed a swipe, similarly if lads can prove that they were on the Leinster Development Squad they’re golden. Unfortunately, the appeal isn’t the same for boys who play county, but Aketch says it’s worth mentioning anyway. Katie Carragher was next to de-

photo credits - Peter Tumulty

fend the Culchies. She said that Culchies are often overlooked as even the Oxford Dictionary describes them as “a rough or unsophisticated country person”, a definition that received many cries of amusement and agreement from the opposition. However, Carragher argued that Culchies are more adaptable and attractive than those from Dublin. Culchies are more adaptable as they don’t have the luxury of frequent public transport and as a result, are also more organised. Katie is still shocked that when she misses the 39A, another one is only 15 minutes away to take her into town. Additionally, many Culchies have to travel to the big shmoke for college and have to deal with all the Dubs and their notions. Katie hopes that she doesn’t adapt as well as Medb and asks everyone in the audience to knock her on the back of the head if she ever uses the word “fair” as a response instead of “yeah grand”. To prove the attractiveness of the Culchies, Katie named some of Ireland’s most famous exports in recent years including Paul Mescal and Cillian Murphy, neither of

Picnic combined”. Boyle explains that a Culchie Funeral is a gathering like no other as everyone in the parish arrives to pay their respect to the deceased even if they had never heard of the person before their name was printed in the obituary section of the local paper. Town gossip is spread over a classic cup of tea….A normal cup of tea, Boyle states, with normal milk. “None of that oat milk nonsense...honestly the cows are gonna get up and riot, the cows need to form some sort of a union.” When the Dubs highlighted that Boyle himself is actually lactose intolerant, he refused to comment. Unfortunately for Boyle, the Dubs were crowned the winners of this year’s debate. Long live oat milk coffees, nights out on Harcourt Street, and Revolut! Sorry Culchies, better luck next year.

05-10-2021

Course Points Plunge in Round 2 CAO Offers Stephanie Toolis Reporter

ubstantial drops in points of popular courses have occurred in Round 2 of the Central Applications Office (CAO) offers for third-level courses. Over 4,000 second-round offers were issued by the CAO to students on the 20th of September 2021. The inflation of Leaving Certificate points received by students as a result of predictive grades has led to significant rises in points for almost all third-level courses this year; although Round 2 has shone some light on this situation as there has been a significant drop in point requirements for many high point courses. At University College Dublin, the required points for 17 out of 38 entry routes decreased from firstround offers on the 7th of September 2021. In total, 268 UCD places were offered in the second round to students. The most substantial drops in points of UCD courses that occurred were: Landscape Architecture (DN120) decreasing by 28 points from 463 points in the first round, and City Planning & Environmental Policy (DN130) falling 21 points from 445 points in round one. Economics and Finance (DN670), one of the most popular courses in UCD, required 625 points with random selection in the first round of CAO offers. Although, despite the points for this sought-after course not decreasing in Round 2, all students with 625 points have now received offers for this course. Even with the drops in points for Round 2 offers, never before have so many students with the highest scores not received an offer for their top choice. Eileen Keleghan, Communications Officer for the CAO, has stated that there are “many options, including further education courses…; apprenticeship schemes; reapplying through CAO next year; or repeating the Leaving Certificate” for those who have been unsuccessful in obtaining an offer for their preferred course. Nonetheless, the CAO offered close to 1,500 third-level places to students who received no offer in Round 1. Alongside this figure, 1,346 Level Eight offers made to students in second-round offers were for their first preference course, as well as 1,063 Level Six and Seven first preference offers made to students.

05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 01

UCD Ranked 1st For Post-Graduate Employability in Ireland Lisa Lavelle Reporter

niversity College Dublin (UCD) has taken first place in the QS top university rankings for employability in Ireland, for the 5th consecutive year. Trinity College Dublin (TCD) was ranked second, at number 91 in the rankings. QS top university ratings is a website where undergraduate and post-graduates can find out the rankings of universities all over the world, whether it be a rating of the student life to specific courses, to employability. Considering the intense competitiveness that comes with finding a job after graduation, many universities pride themselves on having a high ranking on Qs website as it provides a strong impression to those looking to study with them. University College Dublin (UCD) has been recorded as the top university for employability in Ireland since 2018, with the exception of the year 2021 not being recorded due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. UCD takes a place at number 87 out of 550 universities that Qs has recorded on an employability level. The university holds a place at 173 out of 1,300 recorded for overall world ranking. There are 5 elements that Q uses to assess a university for its employ-

ability, partnerships with employers, graduate employment rate, employer-student connections, alumni outcomes, and employer reputation. The highest-rated out of these 5 was UCD’s partnerships with employers. UCD provides multiple opportunities to prepare for your career after you graduate, and depending on your course, allows you to gain work experience at well-recognised establishments during your time studying at UCD along with opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities in the world. The Innovation Academy is an experimental learning system that has electives that are based around teaching students skills that are useful in the workplace, the careers connect, and the careers network website which enables students to search for workshops, job openings, and internships related to their field of study. In addition to this, the university also allocates centers in the James Joyce library to help students with building and improving their CVs. The President of UCD, Andrew Deeks, is quoted by University Relations on the topic by stating "Our students have demonstrated great capacity to study and work successfully under COVID-19 restrictions and these skills will stand to them as they enter their careers and will be sought after by the top employers”.

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News

MSc at Smurfit ranked 3rd best in the world by Financial Times Alice Wright Reporter

he Financial Times has listed UCD Smurfit Graduate School’s MSc in International Management as the 3rd best of its kind globally. This is the fourth consecutive year that the programme has been ranked in the top 10 but marks the highest ever ranking of a Smurfit programme to date. Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean of the UCD College of Business, believes the prestigious ranking will ‘set a new standard of excellence in business education in Ireland’. In addition to achieving the highest ranking of any Smurfit programme, this Masters of Sciences has received the highest FT ranking of any Irish university. The programme is also positioned first in the world for international mobility. The MSc in International Management is a dual degree whereby graduates are awarded an MSc in International Management from the Smurfit School alongside a Masters in International Management (MiM) from CEMS, a global alliance of leading business schools, multinational companies and NGOs. Of the 33 business schools that make up CEMS, UCD Smurfit School is the only Irish participant.

Academic director of the MSc in International Management Associate Professor Andrew Keating says the aspiration of the programme is ‘to inspire the next generation of impactful business leaders’. The rankings are determined by a number of factors with the most weight given to graduate salaries and salary increase. The percentage of graduates employed after 3 months, value for money, aims achieved and diversity among students, faculty and the board are also considered. The average salary

of students from the top 100 programmes was $81,537 while the equivalent figure for the Smurfit programme was $94,517. 42 students were enrolled in the course for the 2020/21 academic year, reporting an overall satisfaction level of 9.68/10. This is testament to the teaching and support staff at the Smurfit School who had to adapt to changing learning conditions during the pandemic and still succeeded in providing a world-class postgraduate education in business.

Testing Positive on Campus: What to Do community the role of contact tracing will be undertaken by the HSE. In such a scenario, it is the responsibility of each member of the University community to be in a position to provide the HSE with details of their contacts, if requested.

Rosie Roberts Kuntz Assistant News Editor

ith students finally back to in-person learning, as well as the ability to participate in societies and clubs, life at UCD this September bears strong resemblance to normality. Of course, the more normal life is, the more close contacts we all have - be it in a lecture theatre, during our commutes, or when we’re four pints deep in the Clubhouse on a Wednesday afternoon. With this in mind, we at The College Tribune investigated what students should do if the worst happens and they do indeed test positive on campus. How can I get tested?

We can confirm that as far as getting tested goes, UCD have made some progress with the launch of UniCov. This pilot scheme aims to explore effective rapid testing, with the aim of detecting the presence of asymptomatic Covid-19 cases on campus. Once the scheme is fully developed, students will be better able to test for coronavirus whilst on campus. The current advice for students who develop symptoms whilst on campus is available

on the UCD website. Students are advised to call the UCD 24hr Emergency Line on extension 7999 / 01 716 7999, after which they will be taken to an isolation room. What about close contacts? The current UCD-specific protocol for contact tracing is available on the Estate Services website in the following terms: In the event of a positive case of COVID-19 in the University

persons / cohorts / classes with whom you have shared a space with for more than 2hrs during the day.

The webpage includes a contact tracing form which, it states, all students and staff members should be filling out each day they attend campus. As well as name and contact information, the form asks for the following:

What if you live on campus? Students living on campus who develop symptoms are advised to contact their Front of House, inform their roommates, and restrict movements until they can get a test. Students who test positive whilst living on campus should utilise the UCD 24hr Emergency Line to report the result.

Please record details of your activities on campus for this day. In particular please detail those persons / cohorts / classes with whom you have spent more than 15 minutes at less than 2m physical distance, and those

Neither UCD communications nor Estate Services have confirmed whether students can isolate in their accommodation, but there is no information available which suggests otherwise.

News

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Serious Snooze Hugh Dooley News Editor

eek 4 babyyy! Welcome back to the true reality of college. The anxiety caused by realising that you have assignments due soon for classes you haven’t really attended yet should be setting in nicely. Fear not! We at The College Tribune are happy to let you procrastinate by reading through our slightly too serious news section. The real news this week, however, is that there is no news...topic 1): Freshers Week

or the first time since 2019, Freshers Week has gone ahead on campus! Packed into a massive white sweatbox located in the Quad, students traipsed around a snake and ladders board full of sports clubs which are obviously completely different from societies and definitely couldn’t spread covid at all. By the way, take a condom and… some lube maybe? Freshers Week has provided students the opportunity to meet new people and to attend exciting events put on by societies, whose efforts to entertain and welcome students onto campus are hugely underappreciated. The week has also given other elected student representatives the chance to run 200 person raves in the student centre. Funnily enough, if they put a rambling 40-year-old man at the top of the room to speak, the event would have been perfectly legal, only now called a lecture. Students Just LOVE Free Stuff.

he most serious figures ever released to The College Tribune detail the SHOCKING reality of orientation in UCD. During the two weeks of Orientation, the Students’ Union gave out a total of 25,344 condoms and 4,800 containers of lube. More than anything else they have ever done,

this shows just how out of touch the union is with the student body… first years really aren’t having that much sex… right? The only other thing which makes students seem more depraved than those figures were the stories of dildos being thrown at other students as admitted on the UCD Confessions Instagram page. The SU did more than upset the Newman society by handing out condoms however, they also gave out 400,000 spare HSE face masks. An incredible figure overshone only by the fact that they also gave out 2,000 Off-Beat Donuts and 150 pizzas. The union claim that 30,646 students attended the orientation tent along with two old-age pensioners, Ms. Gummerson and an anonymous Mayo Man. Vaccination Centres Across Irish Campuses

Open

et vaccinated. You can do so on-campus. God knows the least likely thing to convince someone on the fence to get jabbed is a barely funny comedy column in a student newspaper but I will say this. The more of us that get vaccinated, the less likely it is that we all get the wonderful opportunity to return to Zoom University… See? More convincing than UCD President Andrew Deeks acting as though he cares about student’s experience on campus. UCDSU Attend a Bunch of Protests

’m sure you can hear me figuratively physically scraping the bottom of the barrel to find yet another news story to talk about from the last two weeks. So, past making playedout jokes about UCD prioritising their QS rankings over the welfare of students, I have instead opted to make played-out jokes about how UCDSU attended a bunch of protests in the last few weeks. Shocking literally noone, student representatives attended the March for Choice protest outside the Dáil last week as well as the National Homeless and Housing Coalition Rally just seven days prior. Worryingly, this means that the Students’ Union has shown their faces at more protests in the last 14 days than I have attended my philosophy lectures...

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

Pop-up vaccine centres opening in universities Sarah Connaughton - Reporter

leven new pop-up vaccination centres are opening in universities throughout Ireland the government announced last week. With many students returning to university in the last few weeks, these measures have been put in place to ensure students are fully vaccinated in order for the higher education sector to presume normality. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris announced the new vaccination measures saying, “I can confirm the establishment of pop up vaccination clinics across the country to ensure maximum take-up across the student population.” The safe return to universities by students is being taken with utmost importance as many

third-level institutions have returned for the term in person over the last few weeks. Harris stressed the importance of vaccinations in maintaining the return to campus “There is no greater protection from COVID-19 than the vaccine. We have already seen a great

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The availability of vaccine centres within universities means all students can avail of the vaccine

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uptake from young people”. UCD’s O’Reilly Hall opened their own vaccine centre in May and acted as the fifth major vaccination centre in Dublin.

The availability of vaccine centres within universities means all students including international students can avail of the vaccine. This will make returning to campus as safe as possible for all students. The centres are opening in: University College Cork, NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Dublin City University, Maynooth University and in a number of other regional education institutes. In a statement on Twitter, Minister Simon Harris said “It is all about making it as easy as possible for every student, [and] indeed staff member, to avail of full vaccination & the protection that that provides”. Harris has also expressed the importance that students return to campus this year as much as possible and how vital it is for their education and the continuation of their studies.

Universities announce national ‘#UnmuteConsent’ Campaign

Hugh Dooley News Editor

national consent campaign has been announced by the Irish Universities Association. Named ‘#UnmuteConsent’ the campaign aims to raise awareness of issues surrounding consent on-campus as well as addressing the under-reporting of sexual violence and harassment on higher education campuses. In a statement to the press, the IUA stated that “the campaign seeks to mobilise the student community to make a difference, by speaking out, by enhancing their own knowledge about consent, and ultimately, by challenging and changing behaviours.” The IUA began the process of organising the campaign following the Active* Consent Sexual Experiences Survey, a 2020 survey that took place across Irish Universities in conjunction with the Union of Students Ireland (USI).

The survey, completed by more than 6,000 students, found that 20% of female respondents think that verbally asking for sexual consent was “awkward” compared to more than one-third of male students.

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20% of female respondents think that verbally asking for sexual consent was awkward compared to more than 1/3 of male students

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Welcoming the campaign, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris stated that he has “worked with student representatives, staff representatives and our higher education institutions to ensure there is a zero-toler-

ance approach to sexual violence and harassment. I am pleased that our students and management are working together to create a safe environment for all and to ensure that victims of sexual violence and harassment feel safe to come forward. We have to be leaders in this field. We have to change the culture on every single campus and we will.” This sentiment was echoed by Professor Colin Scott, UCD Vice-President and Chair of the IUA Vice Presidents of EDI Group; “Sexual Violence and Harassment is a problem on third level campuses and across all strands of society in Ireland. The evidence indicates that incidents are under-reported […] We want a safe and respectful third level experience for staff and students and know that a culture of speaking about consent can help transform how we as a society respond to unacceptable behaviour.”

05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 02

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

News

UCD in search of Company to Deliver Sexual News Stand Misconduct Training Emma Hanrahan Deputy News Editor

Rosie Roberts Kuntz Assistant News Editor

CD is in search of a company to deliver training on harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct, to be made available to all staff and students next year. The training will have an online format. The announcement comes in the wake of UCD’s Dignity and Respect review, released just shy of a year ago, which sets out new policies surrounding sexual harassment and bullying. The review was carried out following Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin’s account of sex-

ual harassment at UCD. It is understood that Ní Shúilleabháin was a participant in the revamp of these policies.

The report made a series of recommendations about UCD’s culture, policies and complaints processes for handling issues around harassment and bullying. It recommended “awareness level training in dignity and respect” for all students and staff, additional training for anyone in a role in which “students and employees may approach for advice or report issues to”, and specialist training for support advisers.

The policies were implemented last month. UCD has issued a tender for an initial six-month contract to outsource the training which will be delivered to about 40,000 people between February and October next year. It said the contract could be extended to deliver the training every year to new students and employees. The tender, issued last week, said the training would have three tiers, each of which is reflective of the Dignity and Respect review. The first is an

online course on dignity and respect, which aims to provide a “basic awareness” of “acceptable and unacceptable behaviours” as well as how to seek support and the complaints process. The skills learned in this course are aimed at all students, employees and third parties who interact with UCD. It covers conduct on campus, at social events, sporting events, clubs and societies, and nonUCD events that involve students or staff. The second and third tiers involve face-to-face training with groups including managers, heads of schools and the students’ union.

NUIG Cyber Attack

National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) was subjected to an attempted cyberattack on the 30th of September, 2021. As a result, students and staff across the university have had their access to the internet through the campus network disabled. No security breaches have as of yet been identified. The IT systems as well as traffic going in and out of the university campus’s network will remain offline for the duration of investigations being carried out by tech specialists. Satellite connections between the university, Connemara and Donegal are also included in the network systems associated with NUIG. Although the network being disabled has impacted students in accessing course materials, online lectures through Zoom remain possible from off-campus locations.

UCDSU attend protests held by the Abortion Rights Campaign The Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC) held a rally on the 25th of September outside of the Dáil, calling upon the government to act on the gaps in abortion care provision in Ireland. The protest was attended by UCDSU President, Ruairí Power, Campaigns and Engagement Officer, Darryl Horan, Educations Officer, Aoife Bracken, Welfare Officer, Molly Greenough, as well as numerous representatives from a number of political organisations, including People Before Profit, Labour, and Social Democrats. Student’s Union President Ruairí Power stated that he wants “an end to the twelve-week restrictions, the medically unnecessary three day wait. We want to see legislation for safe access zones and regulation of rogue crisis pregnancy advice providers”. He called for “significant revisions” of the current model, pointing out the need to remove remaining criminal barriers to access abortion. Speaking on the current circumstances, he stressed that “this is a healthcare issue, not a criminal one”. Speaking to the University Observer, Campaigns and Engagement Officer Darryl Horan noted that there may be a “reproductive week” in semester two to educate and enlighten students. Horan welcomes anyone who would like to get involved in such events, . Any student who wants to be involved in such events should contact Horan or Niamh Scully, the Gender Equality officer, for more information.

AgTech and FoodTech start-ups chosen for UCD's new Accelerator programme

UCDSU President Voices Support for Housing Demonstrations in the face of Student Housing Crisis

Lorcan Kelly Reporter

CD Students’ Union President Ruairí Power has voiced support for student housing demonstrations carried out by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) last week. This follows a protest organised by USI outside Dáil Eireann on Thursday 23rd of September, protesting the price and availability of student accommodation. In an email received by The College Tribune, Power outlines intentions to work with USI in re-

sponse to the student housing crisis. “The scale of the crisis requires a coordinated response, there's a clear responsibility for both unions to work together here.” Power further highlights a number of required measures to tackle the student housing crisis. Among these, Power calls for increased supply of affordable student housing, the introduction of a vacant property and dereliction tax and an emergency 3-year ban on rent hikes. In addition, Power condemns the use of purpose-built student accommoda-

tion for tourism or short-term accommodation, calling for a prohibition on such practices. Currently, on-campus accommodation in UCD ranges between €830-€1,323 per month, with the newest additions (UCD Village) costing north of €14,000 per year.

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The scale of the crisis requires a coordinated response.

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Photo Credits: USI Twitter

While recognising that the stock of student accommodation has increased, Power emphasises that the nature (and associated price) of the majority of these new units is a key issue. “We agree that there's a need for increased supply, but equally, the luxury style of ac-

commodation being constructed is an issue.” Power further criticises past and present government approaches to student accommodation in Ireland. “In the 2017 student accommodation strategy, Fine Gael handed UCD and other universities a blank cheque to construct extortionately expensive accommodation. Since then, the state has subsidised housing discrimination on our campuses.” Power posits further that the current ‘Housing for All’ plan is “light on detail” when addressing student accommodation. Under the current plan, the government resolves to continue the development of purpose-built student accommodation by universities, in order to “alleviate pressure on the private rental market”. There is no mention of the affordability of these purpose-built units, nor does the document mention the gross scarcity of affordable units for students in general.

The AgTechUCD Innovation Centre has named the start-ups selected to participate in UCD’s new accelerator programme dedicated to early-stage AgTech and FoodTech companies. These start-ups are based in Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Westmeath in addition to Northern Ireland and Tunisia; and will undertake a 12-week virtual programme which includes development workshops, investor readiness training, and mentoring from AgTech and FoodTech experts. The AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme will conclude in early-December when participating startups will pitch their businesses to a panel of investors with the opportunity to be awarded prize funding in a number of award categories. AgTechUCD, based at UCD Lyons Farm and part of NovaUCD, is focused on accelerating the launch and scaling of AgTech and FoodTech start-ups in Ireland and has been funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland. 8 start-ups are included in the 2021 programme, some of these start-ups include CropHound and FreshGraze. FreshGraze has developed a robotic moving fence and management system that portions out new pasture to grazing animals as they require it. The founders, based in Co Westmeath, are Thomas Drumm and his sons Charlie and Jame. CropHound uses remote sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor crop health, growing conditions and crop potential from planting to harvest giving early insights and recommendations to users. Based in Belfast, CropHound's founder is Mark Elliott.

Over 30,000 students attend Fresher’s Tent Statistics shared by the UCDSU Campaigns and Engagement Officer, Daryll Horan show that 30,646 students went through the Fresher’s Tent last week. Societies were located at the tent to welcome students, however, students needed to register to join societies online. The Student’s Union gave out 6,000 Orientation bags, 11,400 class rep forms, and 7.500 ENTS cards. Horan also reports that over 400,000 face masks were handed to students over the week. Although the Fresher’s tent was located outside the student centre it is still important for students to wear face coverings in heavily populated areas. However, campus life does seem to be returning to a new sort of normality with Freshers eating 150 Dominos pizzas, 8,000 KIND bars, 2,000 OffBeat Donuts and collecting over 25,000 condoms.

News

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

Anyone Remember When the Irish Government Tried to Use Us to Kill Trinity? Jack McGee Head of Investigations

his past week, the L&H ran their annual Colours Debate, providing the community with an exceptional opportunity to enjoy what very well may be the single activity that unites the tens of thousands of students, staff, and administrators of University College Dublin: slagging off the Trinners. UCD’s (mostly) friendly rivalry with our counterparts on College Green is understood by most today as natural and everlasting. Yet what few remember is that, if the Irish government had their way, the two rival schools would instead have experienced an uncomfortable arranged marriage, one that would have radically changed the future of Irish higher education. WHAT WAS THIS? UCD’s predecessor institution, the Catholic University of Ireland, was founded by the Church primarily as a response to the new non-denominational ‘Godless Colleges’ (now Belfast, Cork, and Galway), and almost immediately faced financial and educational difficulties. While UCD lauds its “founder” John Henry Newman, the Cardinal actually left Dublin after just three years, with most of the funding raised for the school being sent to other causes of the Church. The college only became sustainable in the early 1880s after being reorganized under the guidance of the Jesuit order into University College, Dublin, with accreditation awarded through the newly founded Royal University. It finally became the fully independent institution we would recognise it as today in 1908. However, its growth, especially after the reforms of the 1880s, was explosive. UCD quickly established itself not only as a strong educational institution in and of itself that surpassed many of the Queen’s Universities, but also as a potential rival to Trinity College. While the relationship between the schools was still defined by the tense Catholic and Protestant split, Trinity and UCD had been considered for partnership a few times. If not for the foundation of the N.U.I, UCD would

have likely been grouped under the University of Dublin alongside Trinity in the early 1900s by British higher education authorities. A merger was also proposed by the UCD students and staff who saw it preferable to the then-highly controversial move to Belfield. According to one UCD professor at the time, this merger would have made the new combined institution “one of the greatest universities of the English speaking world”. This proposal also failed, however, due to religious concerns and political pressures, which we will discuss shortly. The proposal that came the closest to actually succeeding was put forward by Donogh O’Malley, Lemass’ Minister for Education. In the late 1960s, the Irish government officially approached UCD and Trinity regarding a merger of the two universities. While the two institutions never agreed upon the specifics of the plan, O’Malley preferred what he saw as the economic and educational benefits of a single University of Dublin, with two constituent colleges. WHY WAS IT PROPOSED The public justification for the recommendation was one of

efficiency. It was argued that it made little sense to have two competing high-quality universities in Ireland’s capital. By consolidating the two institutions, resources could be shared and faculties merged, making the new University of Dublin one of Europe’s strongest. Furthermore, the Irish government lacked the ability to effectively manage two large universities in one city. For example, just after UCD had tapped into public funds in order to support its move to Belfield, Trinity demanded millions to construct similar buildings, which raised concerns over the wasteful duplication of infrastructure. The Irish government could also do little to control higher education institutions, with Trinity es-

part of the reason why the two institutions were not merged earlier, when it had far more public support. Despite the objections of much of the UCD community, the Irish government, especially de Valera, were insistent on moving the University out to Belfield. It might be a stretch to say that the University was moved to its current location to avoid the creeping influence of Protestantism and secularism in the city centre, as UCD was truly in critical need of new infrastructure to support its growing student population. However, it is worth mentioning that the political pressure which overruled student and staff objections regarding the move to Belfield came from powerful lay Catholics with close associations to Archbishop McQuaid, like Secretary for Education Dr. Tarlach O Raifartaigh and Eamon de Valera himself. This could have been part of the motivation to move the University out of the city centre, rather than using the Iveagh Gardens for expansion, despite the fact that it was a tract of land large enough to support a college quadrangle, close to the historic heart of the school, and had been deeded to UCD for that explicit purpose. It was certainly part of why a merger was dismissed, with the Higher Education Commission of

pecially falling outside of state influence. Trinity’s insistence on rapidly increasing student intake without consultation from the Department of Education, for example, frustrated the Irish government. Some also supported the move as a way for UCD to escape the NUI, which at the time was seen as ineffectual and on the chopping block for dissolution. However, much of the true reasoning behind the proposal was politically motivated. Many in government were still suspicious of what they saw as not just an instrument of the Protestant upper class, but also as an institution dangerously independent of government control. This suspicion could have been

the 1960s being explicitly barred from even considering the plan. Merging the two universities was seen not only as a convenience of resources and infrastructure, but as a way to reform Trinity by working in through the back door. This amalgamation would have forced Trinity to work more closely with Catholic students, staff, and authorities. O’Malley himself called Trinity a “problem” in a confidential report to government. He saw little point in financially supporting a university that operated outside of state control, exported a high proportion of its students, and was not tailored to the needs of the majority of the Irish public. The Cabinet agreed, and approved his plans to approach the two institutions regarding a

merger. WHY DID IT DIE? The administrations of both Universities were initially interested in the meger, with UCD’s Governing Authority particularly keen on a plan that would involve the complete absorption of both schools into a singular University of Dublin. Generally, Trinity and its administration preferred a federalized two-college structure, one that would have retained as much control over university affairs as its new, much larger partner. Despite O’Malley’s public statements, the administration of neither school was ready to compromise. One of the unsurmountable issues with the plan is that it would have led to the deaths of the independent identities of both colleges. For their part, the Trinners rejected the idea overwhelmingly, and almost instantly. Community representatives called it a cynical “takeover bid”, one that would have killed the identity of the school, especially if it took the form of a unitary university. UCD’s side of the debate was far more fractured, with a vocal minority heavily criticising the Governing Authority’s preference for a unified university, and instead preferred a two-college model.

By this point, both universities were too large and too entrenched in their own separate identities to effectively merge. UCD was already well upon its way to becoming the multi-college behemoth that it is today, and Trinity would not ever have accepted any plan that would have compromised its independence (which, in fairness, is what the plan was partially intended to do). While this bid got as far as the negotiation table, by 1968, the plan was essentially dead in the water. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US? It is hard not to wonder what a unified University of Dublin could achieve. Setting aside the

benefits of pooling resources, a Catholic and Protestant college working alongside one another as part of a single University would have been revolutionary for the integration of both identities into Irish higher education and culture. However, the only time such a merger could have been performed would have been before UCD was so considerably larger than Trinity. Unfortunately, when this was on the table, both institutions were too preoccupied with suspicion of one another to take this radical step forward. The story of the merger proposal of the late 1960s is also reflective of how desperate the Irish government was to promote the position of the Catholic Church, to the point where they would have readily used UCD to bring down Trinity, at the expense of the will and identity of both institutions. Much of the foundation of this article came from “‘The problem of Trinity College Dublin’: a historical perspective on rationalisation in higher education in Ireland” by John Walsh. All those interested in more information should consult this case study, which can be found online, DOI: 10.1080/03323315.2013.867095.

05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 02

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

It's satire, please don't sue us

PRETENTIOUS UCD STUDENT TRAUMATISED AFTER REPEATING COFFEE ORDER 87 TIMES

es amis, I must report an incident that I was a victim of on campus. Oh mon dieu, I don’t even know where to begin! However, as cliche as it is, I would say the beginning is where I should start the recounting of my l’incident. I was wearing my black flares (my not-like-other-girls outfit) and in the queue at Bluebird, which quite frankly, was too long for its own good. Mes cheries … I spent 11 minutes in line just to get humiliated! Anyways, I put my AirPods away (which were playing Mozart) so I could commu-

nicate my café order to the barista, which was, obviously, a café latté with oat milk. Little did I know that me saying it once would

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Manét Pretentiously Whingy

I spent 11 minutes in line just to get humiliated!

“

not be enough. And so started an endless rendition of me saying my order, in as many ways as I possibly could. Each time, it was more awkward than the last, I couldn’t

believe that the dear who was already hard-of-hearing could not comprehend that my café latté was sans dairy. Anyways mes chéries, so as to not go on and sound miseràble (despite the fact that I am), the staff at Bluebird made me say my order close to 87 times. The louder I got, the more aggressively they said “what?”. It’s trés difficult already to be such an obviously prettier and cooler girl than everyone else - but to let everyone hear my order? What if I have started a trend and thus brought on a shortage of the milk of oats?

INFO COMBAT, the only part of the TURBINE giving you the conservative TRUTH Dugh Hooley Snooze Man

“Students were the real virus all along!” claims Dolores Cahill Just days after news broke that she had left UCD, Dolores ‘I’m not against vaccines but…’ Cahill has stated that “Students were the real virus all along!” in an interview with INFO COMBAT. “We’ve spent the last 18 months worried about the #plandemic #scamdemic #sheeple that nobody realised the truth… The REAL virus is college students! Especially those bloody medicine students. Expecting me to ‘teach in an unbiased way????” Cahill said before guffawing loudly.

Why are students the virus? “They’re putting chemicals in the water that are turning the fricking students into sheep!” claimed the anti-vaccination former UCD lecturer, former Freedom Party chair, former EU committee member, and former respected academic Dolores Cahill in an interview with INFO COMBAT, the only part of the TURBINE giving you the conservative TRUTH. Students, Cahill explained, became the virus after consuming the grimey and vile ‘UCD Burger’ in the Gerard Unmanly Flopkins build-

ing. As it happened, the food in the “restaurant” was so torrid, that students have mutated and have started to expect proper teaching! Cahill has recommended a number of Societal Spacing strategies to reduce the amount of contact that students can have with lecturers and society at large, to prevent other groups of people going the same way as students and journalists… the infected. The Societal Spacing protocol proposed by Cahill will have all students wear a mouth covering, to minimise the risk of passing on the mutation of “complaining” and “calling out disinformation”.

The New(man) World Order’s influence. Here at INFO COMBAT, we will not stop calling out the actions of The New(man) World Order, the secret cooperative of selfish arts students intent on running society like a puppet show. We will ask questions such as “Are UCD putting chemicals in the water to turn the students into Chinese operatives?” “Is Andrew Deeks a lizard?” and “Did Dolores Cahill actually win the UCDSU sabbatical elections?”. While there is no proof to back up these claims, we ALL know that’s because the New(man) World Order are censoring INFO COMBAT. Make sure to share this article with your slightly racist relatives on Facebook, they need to know the truth.

Turbine

The “Quinn Lake/ Engineering Lake” Dispute Finally Brought To Rest As Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping Settles The Dispute.

Armin Tamzarian Turbine Editor

ince the return to campus in September a debate has ensued which has gone as far as ending friendships and drawing people into physical confrontations, this being the contention over which UCD School the Disputed Lake belongs to. With both the Engineering School and The Quinn Business School laying claim to the lake we caught up with students from each School asking them why exactly is the dispute so vehement. We have hidden the identities of the students for their own safety. “At the start of the year before the conflict broke out, I had picked an elective in Marketing which is held in the Quinn Business School” says the individual we have referred to as Engineering Student X. “But I haven’t been to a lecture all year and there is not a chance I will be heading to any of them. I would rather fail and flunk out of college than have anything to do with those Quinn money mad scum” “I unfollowed literally every single person I know who has a class in the Engineering Building. It doesn’t even matter what the person’s major is. It could be Philosophy or Folklore for all I care. If you set foot inside the Engineering Building at least once a week you are less than human in my eyes” says Business Student Y. But today, as the paper was coming into press there was an unexpected twist in the unfolding of the dispute over the lake was finally settled by the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party XI Jinping. Speaking from outside the Confucius Institute, General Secretary Xi Jinping announced that The Lake would be renamed Our Lake and that an area encompassing Our Lake and the Confucius Institute would be annexed by the Chinese State and fall under the jurisdiction and administration of the Chinese Communist Party. Our reporter on the ground Hank Scorpio was outside the Confucius Institute and managed to get a few words in with General Secretary Xi Jinping. “Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, congratulations on China’s latest act which is no way reprehensible or reprimandable. How will things be running within the area now under the control of the Chinese Communist Party” “Firstly, it is just ‘Party General Secretary Xi Jinping’, the Communist part is silent. The area now under the control of China will be

ran as the paragon of our exemplary social cohesion methods to show to the Western World what capitalism can achieve with new ideas and digital innovation. As an extension of our Social Credit System, we are arresting, and detaining people alleged to be wearing clothes which have been purchased from second-hand clothing shops or have been acquired by other such vile and inegalitarian ways in the Our Lake area. Those detained will be sent to a re-education camp and will be thought how to dress accordingly in a manner which is congruent with the greater social good. We will also be issuing ID cards to everyone on campus which each student will be required to scan upon entering the Confucius Institute. President Deeks has agreed to ensure that every UCD student will have at least one class a week in the Confucius Institute. If one attends their class in the Confucius Institute, they will receive points and will be able to buy items such as wooden toothbrushes, metal straws and vegan produce around campus”. Following this Mr. Scorpio asked General Secretary Xi Jinping was the ID system and re-education programme in place ‘Similar to the system in place in the Xinjiang region of China where Uighur Muslim’s have reportedly been detained and re-educated for subverting the greater social good?”. General Secretary Xi Ping replied that he had never heard of a Muslim. Soon after Mr. Scorpio was arrested on allegations of subverting the greater social good by purchasing garments from a second-hand clothing store. Following the detainment of Mr. Scorpio the Turbine sought advice from an expert from the Sutherland School of Law on International Law who wished not to be identified, on how to move forward with the release of Mr. Scorpio. “The faculty of the Sutherland School of Law held a vote and had decided to make a formal claim on to the disputed Lake but before we could move forward with such a motion China had annexed The Lake and proximate environs. We congratulate China and wish them the best in carrying out their ideal state apparatus within the bounds of UCD. We are sure Mr. Scorpio will be much happier knowing he is dressing in line with the greater social good within China. What happens in China is China’s business. Why should we be so concerned with the activities of these reprehensible Communists?”

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

College Turbine Exclusive Armin Tamzarian Catches Up With TD Mark MacSharry After He Labels Fianna Fail 'Undemocratic And Totalitarian' Armin Tamzarian Turbine Editor

eing a long-time critic of Taoiseach Michaél Martin, it was no surprise for many to hear that TD Mark MacSharry has resigned as the whip for the parliamentary party but will remain a member of Fianna Fail. This came following Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney survived a vote of no confidence in the Dáil last week. MacSharry, who voted no confidence in Coveney, has claimed in a statement released to the media that Fianna Fail has devolved into a “one man show” and that the Taoiseach has taken Fianna Fail in a direction “more consistent with an undemocratic totalitarian regime rather than that of a democratic socialist republican party of

and for the people”. This criticism of the Taoiseach and government has come following widespread accusations of cronyism and corruption following the appointment of Katherine Zappone to the newly made UN Special Envoy on Expression and the ‘Merrion Gate’ scandal which ensued. College Turbine Editor, Armin Tamzarian was fortunate enough to catch Mr. McSharry leaving the Dail following the comments he made about the Taoiseach and Fianna Fail. When asked why exactly he believed Fianna Fail was heading in a direction he perceived to be undemocratic and totalitarian he replied saying “Before that fella became Taoiseach, I used to call him Mick and we used to go for the odd pint, but ever since he sat foot in the door of the office of the Taoiseach he changed instantaneously.

The next time I seen him, I said to him ‘Well, Mick are you up for a few after work’ and he looked at me and said ‘Mick? I have never known a Mick in my life! When you address me in future make sure to call me An Ceannaire’. An Ceannaire? Have you ever heard the likes of it in your whole life? After this myself, Mick and few of the others had arranged to go for a few drinks so I thought Mr. Martin would have come to his senses, and then he sent a text into the WhatsApp group reminding everyone to bring a few books they wished to burn. So, we arrived at the pub, a quiet little place and a few of us were sitting in a secluded corner at the back around a fire which was ignited with the contents books. And what did An Ceannaire himself throw in? A copy of the Irish Constitution and Politics For Dummies.

CALLING ALL STUDENTS! It’s purely satire, please don’t sue us

When you are a full time third-level student in Ireland you can sign up for a

digital subscription for The Irish Times, worth €144 per year. This allows you access to The Irish Times across all your devices. Sign up for news you can trust at

irishtimes.com/studenthub

Features

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

Features

Exploring Ireland’s All or Nothing Mindset

Rhoen Eate Features Editor

t’s something that’s constantly at the forefront of our minds recently. Whether it’s after a long day of lectures or simply because ‘why not?’, it seems that now more than ever the population has nurtured an obsession with Going Out. Reasonable as it may be with the hurdles we’ve overcome throughout this past year and a half, I beg the question: Is it entirely because of the previous restrictions that we are taking advantage of every opportunity to let loose? Furthermore, are we pushing ourselves too far? This is a country known for its culture, namely the “social drinking” that is double-stitched into its very fabric. We are a people that brag about how “gone” we were the previous night, we boast about our aptitude at the sesh and capability for “keeping up”. This is a country that celebrates the act of partying in itself, whether you are good or indeed bad at it. But is this gloating revelry a blanket to cover something deeper? Aside from the merrymaking and tomfoolery,

our dear Emerald Isle has also seen many scenes of travesty and heartbreak, on both a nationwide and personal scale. From internal struggle to fights on the battlefield, we always seem to find a night out in the local pub is the perfect pairing to wash

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This is a country that celebrates the act of partying in itself, whether you are good or indeed bad at it

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down whatever joy, sorrow or even fury that arise as a result. It’s what our parents have done. It’s what our grandparents have done. And it’s what we find ourselves doing as well. Yet with the pressure of social media and the perfection mindset that holds our generation hostage, would it be fair to say that the young people

of today are more susceptible to the “work hard, party harder” lifestyle?

My answer would be a strong yes. Not to say that those before us haven’t gone through woeful tragedy or had a happy-golucky life, but what can be seen is that every person on this planet is constantly switched on and tuned in to the negative side of our Earth, we are incessantly exposed to a down-side. All the while, a filtered lifestyle is being advertised to us as a norm. It’s not a wonder to find that more and more people feel greatly underwhelmed and underappreciative of their own lives. This is where the perfection mindset creeps in, putting even more pressure on the youth of today to strive for more, quicker. To be that step ahead of everyone else. To be “successful”. But what does success mean to the youth of today? To own a house perhaps, to be financially comfortable, maybe even travel for a little bit. All of this was the norm for generations before us. It was standard to have a house and live a simple life and enjoy it. It was accepted to be happy with being con-

tent, to live “simply”.

Nowadays, however, we have become addicted to improvement. We feel bored or even lost when we run out of goals to strive for. We feel weak when we can’t juggle that work hard, play harder

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We all feel that extra pressure to party, to keep up. But is this running us into burnout?

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lifestyle. And with nightlife reopening once again after a year and a half of close contact being the taboo, we all feel that extra pressure to party, to keep up. But is this running us into burnout? Are we reaching for too much? With everyone re-learning how to function as a social society, we can feel almost overwhelmed to grasp for every rung of the ladder that will bring us back to our old reality, and in turn accept every invitation to a party, launch ourselves

into every social event that we can fit in while we aren’t studying or working. But will this making up for lost time eventually lead to another crisis on the mental and physical well-being of today’s youth that an already thin support system cannot stretch to accommodate? We as students are known for going out, for finding our limits through experience rather than thinking things through. Yet with our young people being subjected to crisis after crisis, blow after blow, is it really a marvel that more and more of us are turning to escape via substance? Perhaps we should seek more viable solutions. Perhaps we should see the silver lining. Perhaps these positives should make themselves more available, more reliable, and more accessible so we shouldn’t have to resort to escape. Maybe those powers that be should work in favour of its country’s youth instead of cushioning old property tycoons that take care of their associates. But maybe we’re just like our parents and grandparents who asked for the same thing.

05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 02

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Features

Campus Return Sparks Commuting Hell ‘Life is About the Journey, Not the Destination?’ No Chance!!!

Conor Paterson Co-Editor

ast month marked the return to students to the UCD campus. It also coincided with the return of full capacity public transport and the carnage that is commuting to UCD. Anxiety struck me last week as I approached the N11 bus stop heading towards town at 4 pm. Vast swathes of my fellow wiery travellers swarmed the arriving bus desperate to get a seat on the infamous (and very late) 39a. The dread of seeing a packed bus stop was something I had not missed over the last 18 months. Flashbacks came of January 2020 with condensation blurring the bus windows and my fellow passenger manspreading far beyond his acceptable personal space. For many students, the commute of the last college year involved rolling from bed to a nearby desk, if even that far. So what does the post-pandemic commute look like for this years college students? Unfortunately, not much had changed. The pandemic has not been the gamechanger in terms of more comfortable, sustainable transportation that some predicted it would be. Cars still rule the roost in the battle for space in Dublin streets. Cyclists still find themselves on the cusp of death as

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Cars still rule the roost in the battle for space in Dublin streets. Cyclists still find themselves on the cusp of death as gargantuan vehicles whisk by at a touching distance

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gargantuan vehicles whisk by at a touching distance. And as for an affordable price? Well, you can just forget about it. Last issue, the College Tribune reported that a UCD bus route held the embarrassing title of Ireland most complained about bus route. The 41X beat off some stiff competition to rack up a depressingly impressive 28 complaints for every 100,000 passengers per quarter last year. This is despite the massive fall in bus usage during the pandemic. Comically, the 41X replaced another UCD bus route, the 67X, which held the crown in 2019. The quality of the bus services to UCD have a massive impact on the commuting experience

of UCD students. The most recent UCD commuting survey which was published for the year 2018 found that 41% of students commuting to UCD used the bus as their primary mode of transport. The survey also found that a whopping 70% of those bus users had a commute of 45 minutes or longer. Clearly, there is a huge reliance on the bus network for commuting to UCD. So what do UCD students think of this bus network? The student union President Ruairí Power had some strong words saying ‘if there’s a shower worse than the Black and Tans it’s the shower running Go Ahead Ireland.’ Clearly, the privatisation of certain bus routes has not helped commuters on those routes like Power who added that ‘when the State allows vital public services to be privatised, they tend to tank in quality fairly quickly. If we’re serious about tackling climate change, we need serious investment in our bus services, they’re really not up to the mark.’ Of course, when it comes to transport, sustainability is a key issue, particularly for stu-

dents who are often keenly aware of the environmental impact. The 2018 survey found an impressive 32% of students said that either walking or cycling was their main mode of transport. This is despite the huge lack of adequate cycling infrastructure in Dublin and the areas surrounding the Belfield campus. The unfortunate reality here is that cycling and walking infrastructure has never been a priority for transport planning in Ireland. In 2019, just 2% of the total transport budget was allocated to cycling. Only a tiny fraction of this spending was directed to safe cycling infrastructure in south Dublin. While the pandemic has spurred on more cycling infrastructure projects there has not been enough around UCD to make a substantial difference to encourage more students to switch to this sustainable and effective mode of transport. Given the lack of quality public transport options, you would expect it not to burn a hole in your wallet right? Wrong. Dublin constantly ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world to travel around. Recent research conducted by the College Tribune found that

Dublin students, on average, pay a whopping 69% more on monthly travel than other European cities in a survey of 12 major European countries. The last few decades have seen a steady increase in average prices on public transport in Ireland. This comes at a time when many countries and cities are moving towards a free public transport model like Luxembourg, or a partially free model like Berlin which offers it to students. When it comes to the cost of a commute, the monetary toll is not the only factor. Numerous studies and research has shown the psychological and emotional toll the commute takes on an individual. Throughout the pandemic, we heard a lot about the mental health crisis created by a full year of online learning. It is important to pay attention to the issues which are only exasperated by the return to college. The most important of which is the effects of the commute. A 2014 report from the U.K.'s Office of National Statistics found that people who had a commute of longer than 30 minutes by train, bus or on foot had far higher anxiety levels compared

to people who made shorter trips. This is critical for UCD students who, according to the 2018 commuting survey, over 60% of them have a journey time of more than 30 minutes. Nearly half of those even have a commute of over an hour, not to mention the return journey. So is it all doom and gloom? Not quite. Your commute does not have to be some wasted space in a day. Many of us are still adjusting to the social demands of a full campus. The journey to and from UCD can be a great chance to recharge the batteries and get some vital quiet time to yourself. It also can also be a time to catch up on those podcasts you’ve promised yourself you’d listen to or hear the latest album everyone is raving about. This time last year I told my friends (over zoom of course!) how I even missed my two and a half-hour daily round trip to UCD. Looking back on it now, perhaps I got a bit carried away. The phrase ‘life is about the journey, not the destination,’ is not much comfort to the poor Dublin commuter. However, it will be my parting words for this article as I have a bus to catch!

Features

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

UCDVO Continue Volunteering During Global Pandemic Hilary Minch - Manager UCD Volunteers Overseas ‘What did you do during the global pandemic?’ “Participating in the UCDVO volunteering programme was one of the highlights of my degree in UCD. It has increased my awareness and appreciation for new cultures along with allowing me to make new friends”. (UCDVO volunteer 2021) Over 40 students and alumni from across UCD, from civil engineering to actuarial studies, from physiotherapy and dietetics to business analytics and law, all decided to take part in UCDVO’s (virtual) volunteering and global citizenship programme. For the first time in UCDVO’s history, the entire volunteering and global citizenship programme took place remotely. Most volunteers were juggling part-time jobs, caring responsibilities, and of course online studies, as well as taking part in the UCDVO programme which involved global citizenship education workshops, project planning sessions and fundraising.

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Many respondents commented on the accessibility and convenience of virtual volunteering and were surprised how much could be achieved

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In spite of the challenges, UCDVO implemented six virtual volunteering projects with partners in Uganda, Tanzania and Uganda. Three health projects were implemented in partnership with the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science (SPHPSS). 36 children were assessed and fitted for physiotherapy equipment which will improve their quality of life and inclusion in their communities. The teams also designed nutrition and physiotherapy education resources. Three education and livelihoods projects were also implemented in Uganda and India. Over 70 IT and basic business management sessions were delivered to young people in Uganda. In New Delhi, UCDVO volunteers collaborated with students from local universities to support 40 young girls from vulnerable communities to access online education.

Almost all of the feedback about virtual volunteering and global citizenship programme was positive while noting the limitations. Many respondents commented on the accessibility and convenience of virtual volunteering and were surprised how much could be achieved. It was noted that virtual volunteering provided a “safe and effective and non-invasive way to volunteer in a community”. Following the volunteering and global citizenship programme, most participants reported that ‘I am confident about engaging in ongoing action for global justice. In their own words - UCDVO’s volunteers share their own perspectives: Kylee Geary “Being a part of UCDVO this past year has been an impactful and unforgettable experience. Due to COVID, we didn’t get to travel to Uganda or India, or Tanzania this summer, but I can honestly say that the experience of volunteering with UCDVO and the overseas partners was not diminished. It was inspiring to work with other volunteers who adapted so well and creatively to the challenge of virtual volunteering. The entire project was done virtually, from project and group meetings to the very last lesson. I remember thinking back at the very start of the programme how daunting it seemed to pull together a four-week teaching project without ever meeting in person and across multiple different time zones, but it came together wonderfully in the end. The teaching was split up so that everyone did an hour of teaching each day over Zoom live. At first, I was a little unsure of how teaching virtually would go but by the end of the first week, everyone in our group had found their groove. We taught lessons on IT, health, and business and did cultural exchanges with our classes. Although we were the ones teaching, I think we learned just as much from the experience. I came to admire all the volunteers and the overseas partners who worked so hard to pull the programme together”. Kylee is a 3rd year student studying BSc Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She was a student leader and volunteered with Nurture Africa, Nansana, Uganda on the Vocational training project. Roisin McDonagh “My experience volunteering with UCDVO has been unlike any other volunteer work I have done in the past. The virtual nature of the programme due to COVID-19 was a unique opportunity for me. I knew

I would not be able to commit to the normal, in-person volunteering due to my college placement. Despite my enthusiasm, I had no idea what virtual volunteering actually meant, or what impact it could have. The online programme days prior to the project were great fun and a chance to meet other volunteers. These sessions were very beneficial, however, I still found myself questioning what lasting effect virtual volunteering would have. It wasn’t until May when I started to see the project coming together. Meeting the Ferrando team and seeing how determined they were was really motivating for me. Their positive attitudes were extremely infectious for all of us! I am enormously proud of what we achieved. Being a part of a team with Ferrando’s first nutrition student volunteers was a fantastic opportunity to put my degree into action. Getting to work with a group of physio and nutrition students was an invaluable learning experience that I will always remember. Volunteering with UCDVO has been very fulfilling. I have learned far more than I expected about being

a global citizen, teamwork and, of course, Khasi and sign language! I am humbled at how meaningful online volunteering was. The project being virtual did not take away from the personal relationships

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UCDVO’s 2021-22 volunteering and global citizenship education programme will combine the best of in-person global citizenship education with online/virtual international volunteering

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that were formed and how emotional everyone was during our final Zoom call was a testament to this. I am so grateful for the time I spent volunteering with UCDVO. It has been an unforgettable experience that I cannot praise enough”. Roisin is a 4th-year student studying BSc Human Nutrition at UCD. She volunteered with the Ferrando Speech and Hearing Centre, Meghalaya, India. Applications are now open for UCDVO’s volunteering and global citizenship programme 2021-22. UCDVO’s 2021-22 volunteering and global citizenship education programme will combine the best of in-person global citizenship education with online/virtual international volunteering. A decision on a possible return to overseas travel will be made early in 2022. The programme is open to all UCD students and alumni. Staff and faculty are also encouraged to apply for leadership roles. See UCDVO’s website for application forms and details on how to apply. The closing date for applications is Monday 18 October.

05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 02

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Politics

Security Patrolling Student Accommodation Rory Fleming Politics Writer

ife in Dublin 4 regained some normality over the course of September as many students returned to Belfield lecture halls for the first time in over 18 months. However, there are a number of changes to life on campus given the current restrictions such as mandatory mask-wearing and the pre-booking of facilities being essential. Another change that has been introduced on campus in recent weeks is the heightened presence of security in and around campus accommodation. The main purpose of this policy is to control the number of students being granted access to on-campus residences. This is a deeply contentious issue amongst campus residents, with many left feeling this move could have a negative impact on their college experience. UCD students already face some of the highest accommodation fees in the country, with rents in some instances reaching as high as €1250 per month. This economic cost in many people’s eyes entitles students to at least voice their

concerns about this policy. From the college’s perspective, they want to keep large gatherings and physical contact to a minimum to help prevent any COVID-19 outbreaks. The College Tribune contacted the Merville Office to comment on this issue but was declined.

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Although this policy of polic-

UCD seems only concerned with the government parameters affecting its decision-making process rather than its own ability to ensure student health and safety in the event of a UCD COVID-19 outbreak

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ing entry into residences has been ushered in under the guise of public safety, many students feel this is a policy they have wanted to introduce for a number of years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is believed UCD wishes to prevent large gatherings where alcohol is present and the school’s reputation could

The Return of Exchange in the US and J1s as Biden Set to Lift Travel Ban

Rory Fleming Politics Writer

n the 20th of September, the Biden administration announced they would be lifting the travel ban instated at the outset of the pandemic. For over 18 months, 33 countries including the members of the European Union, India, Iran and China amongst others have faced a blanket travel ban from the US. However, from early November, the ban will be replaced with a vaccination mandate, allowing for the resumption of travel to the United States for those with proof of vaccination. The travel ban itself was a controversial topic, with the issue straining relations between the EU and the US especially once the rollout of vaccines began to intensify. With vaccine uptake high in the majority of the EU, member states began to ease restrictions, with many allowing US citizens to enter despite their record-breaking case numbers. This decision was not reciprocated by the US, who instead chose to keep borders closed due to concerns over the Delta variant of COVID-19. Earlier last month, EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, stated the travel ban was a ‘problem’ which had to be resolved ‘as soon as possible’. Now it seems, after months of diplomatic back channelling, that the EU have managed to assuage the Biden administrations doubts and reinstate travel to across the Atlantic. The lifting of the travel ban will be welcomed by all EU citizens, but especially by students. America is a prime destination for both work holidays and study. Students have flocked to the US for decades on the coveted J1 visa, and while numbers of applicants for the J1 visa have declined in recent years, there is

hope on both sides of the Atlantic that the resumption of travel between both the EU and US will see a bounce back in applicants. In the decade prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, participation amongst Irish students in particular had fallen dramatically, with online publication TheJournal.ie stating that between 2013 and 2019, the number of Irish third level students who utilised the programme fell by almost 60%. Despite these statistics though, it is hoped that the relative ease at which an Irish student can travel to the US coupled with having been subjected to staycations for two summers, will see J1 applications sore for the summer of 2022. The easing of restrictions is not only welcome news for those wishing to work abroad, but also for students who hope to study in the US. The US is the second most popular destination for Irish third level students seeking to study abroad, with only the UK boasting a higher number of Irish students in its third level institutions. In 2015, according to Fulbright.ie, over 1200 students from Ireland were studying in the US. The EU is also the number one destination for US students, with almost 55% of US students studying abroad in 2018 doing so within the EU, as reported by the Institute for International Education. Furthermore, it is clear that the lifting of the travel ban will go some way to repairing the relations between the US and EU which were strained by its implementation over the previous number of months. The news will be welcomed by students across the EU who can begin to enjoy cross- Atlantic travel once again.

possibly be ‘diminished’. One student who lives on campus stated that they found it very difficult to even be allowed to bring a parent with them to help them move in. This policy seems to be a blanket ban on any outside visitors, something which is at odds with current public health advice on offer from the Government and NPHET. Despite the pandemic, there is a sizeable cohort of the student body who view this potential policy as heavy-handed in nature. The vast majority of students are now vaccinated, with 85% of the 18-25 age group receiving at least one dose as of the 30th of August. To limit the movements of students who are in an extremely low-risk category and who have also been vaccinated seems to be an excessive piece of policy implementation. Students have also been some of the hardest-hit socially in terms of the pandemic, with the majority having been chained to zoom lectures for the past 18 months, sacrificing their social primes for the safety of wider society. Therefore, given the limited social lives, many students have led over the last year and a half, coupled with the rapid

reopening of Irish society as a whole, we should not seek to further restrain students. Instead, we should afford them the opportunity to act in a responsible manner in which we trust that they will adhere to government guidelines and treat them as the adults they are – the adults UCD must view them as given the

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What we understand about coronavirus is that regardless of preventative measures this does not guarantee the prevention of an outbreak

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rental prices they charge. A key aspect of a normal college experience is the social growth a student undergoes during their time on campus. Students interact with people from a wide variety of clubs, societies, courses and even

countries. This melting pot of social interaction is central to forming a complete ‘college experience’. With the implementation of this policy, a student’s ability to socialise is severely stunted. Another student, who is in the second year of their degree, stated that the lack of ‘out of lecture’ interaction was affecting their ability to get to know people on their course properly. This is an issue particularly pertinent to second year students, as they find themselves nearly halfway through a degree without having met their course in person due to the roll out of online learning during the last academic year. It is clear that the university has implemented this policy of security controlling entry to accommodation in good faith, attempting to safeguard the health and wellbeing of on-campus residents. However, given the majority of students’ reactions and the current public health advice, it seems that the policy is outdated and needs to be urgently revisited by the powers that be in Belfield so that students’ college experiences aren’t unnecessarily adversely impacted upon.

Gaeilge

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

Éadaí SOS:

Taispeántas Luacháireach ar Rian an Fhaisin Ghasta Doireann O'Sullivan Eagarthóir Gaeilge

á shiúlann tú thíos Sráid Uí Chonaill, feicfidh tú siopaí ag ullmhú don séasúr nua faisin atá le teacht. Céann dos na cinn a bhfuil an méíd is mó tóir air ná Penneys, gan amharas. Is institiúid ar leith i gcultúr na hÉireann é an siopa sin. Bhunaigh Arthur Ryan an comhlacht sa bhlian 1962, agus d’athraigh dearcadh na hÉireannaigh i leith cúrsaí éadaí go síoraí ina dhiadh. In ainneoin cás cúirteanna agus tubaistí oibre, fannann sé mar cheann dos na fiontair gnó is raithiula ar thosaigh ar an oileán seo riamh. Tá thart ar ceithre céad áitribh acu ar fud fad na hEorpa agus i Mheiriceá chomh maith, agus tá siopaí nua dá gcuid ag oscailt bliain i ndiadh blianna.

faisin ghasta. Tuairiscíodh sa bhliain 2020 go raibh méadú 40% ar tomhaltas éadaigh ar an gcéad a tháinig roimhe sa tír sin. Cuireann gach duine dúinn 11kg ón méid sin sna láthair cártála gach bliain. Tá an Aontas Eorpach ag déanamh iarracht aghaidh a thabhairt ar an bhfadhb trí cur i bhfeidhm ‘An Phlean Ghníomhaíochta don

Gheilleagar Chorclach’ le fóralácha speisialta ina bhfuil rialacha maidir le tairgeadh éadaigh leagtha síos iontu. Fós, is fiú trácht a dhéanamh ar an easpa feachtaisí poiblí atá ar bun acu chun aird an phobail a dhiríu ar an ábhar. Is dócha go bhfuil grúpaí eile sásta lámh cúnta a thabhairt sa réimse sin. Tá dul chun cinn iontach déanta ag carthanaíochtaí agus daoine éagsúla ar line I dtaobh na

faidhbe sin faoi láthair, le tionchairí Éireannach ar nós Keelin Moncrief agus Roz Purcell ag déanamh a ndícheall ár intinne a leathnú. Ceann dos na daoine is cumhachtaí san earnáil sin faoi láthair ná Caoimhe Ní Cathail. Is láithreoir radió ar BBC Uladh í go hiondúil, ach tá céim togtha aici I dtreo saol taobh thiar do scathlán na teilifíse lena sraith nua ‘Éadaí SOS’. Is sraith ceithre cuid é ina phioctar iomaitheoir

amháin a bhfuil droch nósanna ceannaíochtaíochta i dtaobh éadaí aige. Leis sin, tugann Caoimhe agus a chomhláithreoir Proinsias faoin dúshlán meoin na ndaoine a athrú trí cluichí agus tástálacha greanmhara a dhéanamh leo. Pléann siad le hábhair dáiríre i slí ar féidir leis an lucht féachanna sult a bhaint as an gclár agus tuilleadh machnaimh a dhéanamh ar a gcuid nósanna féin chomh maith.

Is cúis bróid dúinn mar Éireannaigh é scéal Penneys ar mórán bealaí. Ach, más féidir perspíocht an ghnó agus an tírghrá a chur i leathtaobh, an fíor-rath é i ndáiríre? Spregtar nósanna seilbheacha leithleasacha i dtaobh nósanna faisin i measc an phobail má tharraingtear éadaí nach bhfuil caighdeán mhaith tairgeadh orthu ar phraighseanna ísle. In aineoinn an ‘greenwashing’ go léir atá ar siúil acu leis an réimse nua éadaigh a cuireadh amach anuraidh, tá sé brea soiléir gur cuma sa tsioc leo faoi na staitisctí scanrúla a fhoilsítear chuile bhliain faoin dochar a dhéantar don timpeallacht mar gheall ar an bh-

An gá freastal ar chursa chun líofacht i dteanga a bhaint amach? Caroline Ní Shíocháin Scríobhneoir Gaeilge

í raibh sé riamh ar intinn agam an Phortaingéilis a fhoghlaim. Tá an dóthain deacrachtaí ag baint le dhá theanga a staidéar ag leibhéal céime gan teanga eile a chur san áireamh! Níor chuir mé mórán spéis inti go dtí gur bhog mé go Átha Cliath, áit a rinne mé cairdeas lena lán daoine ón mBrasaíl. Fiú agus an teanga mórthimpeall orm nach mór chuile lá, níor rith sé liom i ndáiríre go mbéinn in ann í a fhoghlaim. Bhínn ag caint as Bearla don chuid is mó ar an gcéad dul síos, agus bhínn brea sásta nuair a d’éirigh liom an corrfhocal a thuiscint nuair a dhéanaidis comhrá beag eatarthu féin. Tháinig mhalairt ar an scéil, áfach, nuair a thosaigh mé ag siúl amach le Brasaíleach. Tar éis dúinn a bheith le chéile ar feadh sé mhí, agus mé dubh dóite de gan a bheith in ann dada a rá nuair a bhídis i gcomhrá lena chuid cairde Brasaíleacha, chinn mé go bhfaighfinn an lámh in uachtar ar an teanga aisteach anaithnid seo.

Ach conas sin, nuair nach raibh deis ann freastal ar rang Portaingéilise? An t-am sin, níor shíl mé go d’fheadfainn teanga a fhoghlaim gan freastail ar chúrsa. Nach amhlaidh go bhfuil múinteoir ag teastáil le tú a stiúriú, chun na nithe gramadaí a leagan amach agus chun do dul chun cinn a measúnú go foirmiúil? Go deimhin, ní nach ionadh nár cheap mé a mhalairt, óir d’fhoghlaim mé gach teanga a bhfuil ar mo thoil agam go dtí sin (seachas an Bearla, mo theanga dhúchais, ar ndóigh) ar scoil. Nuair nach bhfuil an deis agat dul thar lear agus tú a thumadh sa theanga, ní mór duit clarú do rang teanga chun bunús láidir a shocrú, nach mór? Mar sin, chláraigh mé do chúrsa páirtaimsearthach Portaingéilise, cúrsa nár cuireadh tús leis riamh de bharr srianta na paindéime. Sa deireadh thiar thall, táim áthasach nár fhreastal mé air: cuireadh iachall orm tabhairt faoi foghlaim na teanga i m’aonair, rud a chothaigh foighne, díograis agus ar ndóigh, féinsmacht ionam.

Creidim go láidir nach bhfuil bua faoi leith de dhíth chun leibhéal árd a bhaint amach i dteanga iasachta. Ní dearfainn féin go bhfuil bua na dteangacha agam a thuilleadh: níl agam ach fonn mhór foghlama. Cinnte, ó tharlaíonn go bhfuil an Phortaingéilis ina teanga rómánsach (mar aon leis an Spáinnis, an Iodáilis agus an Rómáinis), bhi an cur amach a bhi agam ar ghramadach na Fraincise ina chabhair mhór dom; cé nach ionann iad, tá a lán cosulachtaí eatarthu, rud a cuidigh liom dul chun cinn sciobtha a dhéanamh. Is buntáiste mór é fosta go bhfuil teanghmháil laethúil agam le cainteoir dúchais. Buíochais le draíocht na hidirlíne, afách, is iomaí achmhainní ar fáil le tú a chabhrú, le rudaí nua le ioslódáil chuile lá. Is é an cleas atá ann an eolas a bheith agat cén chaoi iad a úsáid chun lántairbhe a bhaint astu. Agus tú ag dul i mbun foghlama, cuimhnigh go bhfuil ceithre gnéithe tábhachtacha i gcomhthéacs seilbhe teanga is fiú a

cleachtadh chun líofacht a bhaint amach: is iad sin an léitheoireacht, an éisteacht, an chaint agus an scríbhneoireacht. Tá siad leagtha amach agam anseo a leannas d’aon gnó, óir is féidir iad a roinnt i ngrúpaí athuair: bhaineann an leitheoireacht agus an éisteacht le foghlaim éighníomhach, an chaint agus an scríbhneoireacht le foghlaim ghníomhach. Is nithe iad nach mór diríu orthu go haonrach, ach téann an ceann amháin chun tairbhe don chéad ceann eile. Agus tú ag léamh leabhair i do sprioctheanga, tá tú ag cothú stór focal a bheidh mar bhuntáiste agat agus tú ag scríobh. Agus mé ag foghlaim na Portaingéilise, cur i gcás, tá sé de nós agam breathnú ar fiseáin shimplí ar Youtube, ag baint tairbhe as na fotheideal dátheangacha chun focail nua a fhoghlaim a usáidim nuair a scríbhim faoi mo lá i mo dhialann phortaingéilise ar líne, a sheolaim chuig mo bhuachaill le go ndéanann sé ceartúcháin air. Cleacht simplí atá i gceist, le béim ar leanúnachas seachas ar chastacht na oibre. Nochtann an dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh agam ar feadh bliana anuas cé comh tábhachtach is atá

an obair chruthaíochta i dtaobh foghlaim teanga. Ach nuair a théimid ag foghlaim ar chursa, nach amhlaidh a chaithimid an dhóthan ama leis na nithe éighníomhachta? Agus mé i mo mhac léinn san ollscoil, feictear dom gur chaití mórchuid den am ag déanamh cleachtaí gramadaí agus ar léamhtuisceanna seachas scileanna cumarsáide a fhorbairt. Cuirtear an méid sin béime ar mheasúnú agus ar na torthaí ag deireadh an tseimeastar go gcailleadh na nithe is bunusacha a bhaineann le sealbhú teanga ‘san aistriúcháin’, mar a deirtear. Ar ndóigh, níl an locht ar na teagaiscóirí go bhfuil an méid sin mac léinn ann nach bhfeidfidís freastal ar achan ceann acu go pearsanta. É sin ráite, nuair a déanann tú macnamh gur shealbhaigh tú do theanga dhúchais gan aon dua, gur foghlaim tú scríbhneoireacht agus léitheoireacht gan brú i dtimpeallacht nadúrtha, tugann sé lón macnaimh dúinn maidir leis an gcaoi ina múintear teangacha sna seomra ranga.

05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 02

Law

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

The College Tribune’s Law Section is Proudly Sponsored by the Maples Group

‘What are my rights if I’m stopped by the Gardaí?’ In this article, our Law Correspondent outlines the rights you have the legal capacity to assert should you be stopped and searched by the Gardaí.

ment of law that a Garda has the power to approach and search you if they have reasonable suspicion that you have broken the law. If there is reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime your consent is not

Next ask to see the ID of the Garda who has stopped you and ask on what suspicion you have been stopped and under what law you are being searched. While it is important to cooperate, it also important to ensure that you

A strip search should only be carried out if totally necessary and should not be used as a form of intimidation or harassment. Be sure that the reasons for the search are explained in clear lan-

Louise Kennedy Law Correspondent

ith college nights out to the city centre already back in full swing and nightclubs opening in the near future, now seems like the best time to familiarise yourself with your rights if stopped by a member of the Gardaí. While everyone may have a general idea of what these rights are, a few things have changed over the last year and so this article aims to set out the key things that you need to know!

Recent Developments in This Area: This year saw the introduction of the ‘Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2021’. This Bill was introduced as a way of affording Gardaí additional search powers but it was also introduced as a mechanism for cracking down on the arbitrary manner in which stop and search powers have been exercised in the past. This Bill is yet to be enacted although it is expected to pass and be enforced from 2022. Before considering the specifics of the Bill lets look at the law as it stands at present. The current law is incredibly convoluted and spread across the common law, hundreds of sections of legislation as well as EU and Irish Constitutional law. The best way to consider the law as it stands is by way of asking some key questions.

When does a Garda have the right to stop me? This is a question that has caused a lot of issues for young people seeking to understand their rights. Frankly there are countless reasons for a Garda to request you to stop and subject you to a search, be it at home, at work or on the street. This leads to the general state-

ent at interview will be introduced.

This means that should you be arrested and taken to a Garda station you will have the legal right to have a solicitor present before you say anything to the questioning Garda. While this is largely the current practice, the Bill affords extra security to the accused by making this practice a statutory right. However, questions could be raised regarding the provision of legal aid. If there will be a statutory right for an accused to have a lawyer present at interview and the accused is in no position to finance this it will be up to the State to take on these costs.

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There are countless reasons for a Garda to request you to stop and subject you to a search

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necessary in order for you to be searched, however, you should be told why you are being searched and the Garda should identify themselves as such.

What should I do if I am stopped and searched by a Garda? While this is obviously a stressful and sometimes scary situation to find yourself in, the first thing you should do is remain as calm as possible and be as transparent as possible in case you need to rely on this transparency at a later stage.

“

Ask to see the ID of the Garda who has stopped you and ask on what suspicion you have been stopped

Know your rights and don't be afraid to assert them if you feel that proper procedure has not been followed

have been stopped and searched on legitimate grounds and these should be taken note of. Inform the Garda that you wish to record or take note of the event for your on personal records should you later need to rely on it.

guage and you are told exactly what law the search is being carried out under. You may request that an officer, or in some cases doctor, of the same sex carries out this search in order to make you more comfortable.

If this stop and search leads to an arrest you should be informed of exactly what grounds you are being arrested under and your rights should be read to you before you are taken to the Garda station. You will have to surrender your personal items at the station so make a note of what you brought with you to ensure it is returned, subject to its exclusion from any investigation.

What is changing under the new Garda Powers Bill?

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There are a large number of reforms included in this Bill but three are particularly relevant to the issue of stop and search procedure. 1. A statutory right for the accused to have their lawyer pres-

2. Garda can require the provision of passwords for electronic devices when acting under a search warrant. This has sparked large debate concerning the right to privacy, however, the Bill is quite specific in providing that this power only exists under a search warrant and as such evidence will be adduced to the effect that there is a reasonable suspicion the device in question has been used in the course of an illegality. 3. A new requirement to make a written record of a stop and search. This is a very welcome development as now a written record must be made by all Garda conducting a stop and search, no matter how informal the stop may have seemed to the parties involved. It is the hope that this reform will crack down on arbitrary use of stop and search procedures as well as holding Garda accountable for improper practice in the course of a stop and search. It is hoped the introduction of this Bill will bring much-needed regulation to Garda powers and will signal the end of the use of stop and search in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner. But for now, know your rights and don’t be afraid to assert them if you feel that proper procedure has not been followed in the case of a stop and search!

Business

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

Budget 2022

What Might be in Store for Students? Mark O'Rourke Business Correspondent As the country emerges from the Coronavirus pandemic and one of the most challenging periods in living memory, all eyes are on the future and the much anticipated “return to normality”. On Tuesday October 12th, the Government will publish the budget for the coming year. Budget 2022 will likely give an idea of what Ireland’s post-pandemic recovery will look like, with everyone watching closely as to what’s in it for them. With that in mind, let’s look ahead to Budget 2022 One small piece of good news for many students is that it is expected the minimum wage will rise again this year, from the current level of €10.20 per hour. Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar previously indicated that the minimum wage would rise, however no indication has been given as to what the rise may be. One of the key areas of the budget for college students will likely be the issue of third-level funding. In last year’s budget, the Government introduced a €50 million Covid fund to help third level students. This fund worked out to €250 per student in a once-off rebate received by students in order to compensate for the lack of on-campus activity and to help with the costs of online learning. There were also changes in last year’s budget to the SUSI grants available to postgraduate students, with the Government committing to a full review of SUSI grants.

Third-level stakeholders are still awaiting the government’s response to the ongoing “funding crisis” within third-level education. The Cassell’s report, published in 2016, stated that by this year a further €600 million a year would be needed in third-level funding. Currently Ireland’s third-level budget is lower than in 2008, before the onset of large public expenditure cutbacks. This is despite the numbers of students in Irish third-level institutes rising by 37 percent, according to the European Universities Association’s Public Funding Observatory Report.

“

Minister Harris has previously stated that the issue of third-level funding has been ‘ducked and dodged for far too long’

”

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, was expected to receive an EU report on the Cassell’s report findings at the end of summer 2021 and Minister Harris has previously stated that the issue of third-level funding has been ‘ducked and dodged for far

too long’. The Irish Universities Association in their pre-budget submissions has called on the Government to introduce a 900 million-plus funding package for Irish third-level institutions. This includes €490 million in a capital expenditure program and a further €418 million in extra core funding. The core grant from the Higher Education Authority has dropped from almost €9,000 per student in 2008/09 to just over €5,000 per student in 2019/20. The difference has

been made up by a combination of cost-cutting measures by colleges, growing reliance on the lucrative international student market, and a controversial increase in the student contribution charge from €825 in 2008 to the current level of €3,000 per year. In the same period UCD, and other Irish institutions, have plummeted in the QS University World Rankings. UCD ranked 89th in the world in 2009, falling to 173rd in the latest rankings. Similarly, Trinity College Dublin has also fallen dramatically in the world rankings,

falling from 43rd in 2009 to 101st in the world currently. Ireland no longer has a university ranked in the world’s top 100. The need for additional capital funding has been highlighted by the Union of Students Ireland, which have called for a move towards university built and owned student accommodation. The USI has called on provisions to be made in Budget 2022 to allow universities to build their own student accommodation and to end the sector’s reliance on private accommodation.

The Pre-Erasmus Experience: Exciting, Stressful and a Lot of Paperwork Maeve Dodd Campus Correspondent Erasmus is often associated with tales of self-discovery, crazy nights out, and minimal work. But there is another, less pleasant side we rarely hear about. The logistics involved in getting started can be overwhelming. Consider the case of a couple of third-year Arts students, who are preparing for Erasmus during the 2021/2022 academic year but had second thoughts before even arriving. Alex and Rebecca applied in March. Their acceptance to the Erasmus program at Humboldt University of Berlin was initially met with excitement. It didn’t take long, however, for the process of wading through a gruelling bureaucracy to take its toll. They describe filling out dozens of complicated forms, taking language tests, securing travel and

health insurance, among other steps in the process. ‘I’m still not done,’ laments Rebecca, who explains that there will be more complicated paperwork to address when she arrives this month. Keeping up with the paperwork was especially difficult due to the lack of information. Alex says, ‘It was difficult to stay on top of deadlines because it was difficult to figure out when the deadlines were.’ The two weren’t allotted the limited on-campus housing. They discovered this meant navigating the unfamiliar Berlin housing market in a foreign language. For that, ‘You’re on your own.’ Rebecca says she discovered after receiving no support from either University regarding accommodation. UCD offered minimal support throughout. The information sessions that were held over the summer ‘were always during working

hours,’ inaccessible for anyone working full-time. In any case, there was little relevant information or capacity to address questions specific to the programme. Sessions were conducted for students across many different courses in different countries and universities. There were a few helpful people at the UCD Global office that tried to help, but students say they found it challenging to get the attention needed or specific problems addressed. ‘We’d have to shout for it and cry for it and stamp your feet and you shouldn’t have to do that,’ Alex says. Even before arriving in Berlin, the lack of support and constant uncertainty made the Erasmus experience an unexpectedly stressful one. ‘I wish I had known how tolling it was going be on my mental health because I seriously would have reconsidered,’ says Alex. Re-

becca affirms, ‘If I knew how much stress it was going to put me under, I would never have done it.’ Despite it all, they were still looking forward to arriving in early October. Both concede they were woefully unprepared for what they signed up for. They also say they wished that UCD had been more upfront with how much prepara-

tion would be involved and been more helpful overall. For many students studying abroad will be their first encounter with the complexity of moving to a new country. Foreign languages add an additional challenge. The message from the two experiencing the process: UCD needs to do better to support their students.

05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 02

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Features

Arts&Lifestyle

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

Entertainment & Lifestyle What to Wear: Autumn Edition Ruth Delaney Arts & Lifestyle Correspondent

After a year and a half away from campus, now is the time to embrace your sense of style with the return to campus. As the season changes it can be hard to know what best way to layer up as the typical Irish weather keeps us guessing each morning before we head out the door to catch our first lecture of the day. However, with some classic fall fashion staples you’ll be sure to find the transition from summer to autumn fashion that bit easier. Here are some Autumn essentials for your wardrobe!

The Classic Blazer First on our list is the classic blazer. Blazers are all in at the moment, in fact they never really were out! Leather ones, oversized ones, dogtooth, checkered, velvet, the classic blazer can take on many forms. No matter what the occasion, they are the perfect item to dress an outfit up or down. Throw one on with your jeans or leggings before heading out to college or work and bring it out for drinks with you to pop on over a LBD. You’re guaranteed to feel stylish while layering up.

Liner Up

Oversize It Let’s talk tops. Another hot item at the moment is an oversized shirt. Plain, pinstripe or even satin, these are everywhere at the moment. These are also ideal to add an extra layer for not only style, but comfort and warmth. Layer up over a dress or under your favourite piece of knitwear to give an effortless chic look. Wear it open over graphic t-shirts with jeans for a more dressed down look. Retailers such as H&M and Zara have some options at the moment that not only look good, but that won’t break the bank.

Boots Are Made for Walkin’ One of the best parts of the cold weather is the footwear. Boots are a must have for the chilly season and with so many styles, there’s something for everyone and every occasion. Ankle boots fit well with everything whether laced up, buckled up or the classic chelsea boot. 60’s style platform boots are back in action and are perfect to elevate a look. If you have the money it is worth investing in some good quality ones to ensure your feet don’t get sore and they’ll last. Black, cream and classic brown are all easy to pair for a multitude of occasions.

Knitted Sweater Weather You knew this one was coming, but it would be a crime to talk about Autumn fashion and leave out a classic knit jumper. These are ideal to pull over any outfit as not only do they never go out of style, but they bring the warm and comfort you need. Perfect to throw on before heading to class for the cold mornings and easy to put in your bag for the warmer walk back.

If we learned anything from this year's Met Gala, it’s that making a bold statement is never a bad move. Looking into the category of make-up, Emma Chamberlain’s Met Gala debut saw her look go viral - and for all the right reasons. Her green graphic liner was recreated by hundreds on Tiktok and what better way than to try something new this Autumn? For blue eyes, try orangey/peach toned liner, for green try something in the purple family and for brown/hazel some blue/green and gold shades to really make your eye colour pop!

In the Nude If bold colours and statements aren't your thing and you're into the more low-key end of the shade spectrum, try mixing in some browns with your whites and creams this fall season. What better way to blend in with the crisp fall foliage? Pick up knitted jumpers, shirts, cigarette trousers and velvet skirts in nude shades such as fawn, caramel, pearl, dusty pinks and beige to build up a more neutral Autumn wardrobe.

05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 02

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Music

R Kelly Convicted On Racketeering and Sex Trafficking Charges Mahnoor Choudhry Co-Editor R Kelly’s conviction on the 27th of September saw the end of more than two decades of sexual abuse allegations made against him. A New York Court found the R&B singer guilty of eight counts of sexual abuse and one of racketeering while courts in Chicago, Illinois and Minnesota are also investigating charges of sexual abuse against him. The charge of racketeering comes from R Kelly’s involvement in a criminal enterprise soliciting sexual intercourse from young women. The eight counts of sexual abuse consist of R Kelly’s trafficking of young girls and women across state lines for prostitution. During the trial, despite pleading not guilty, Kelly refused to give testimony in his defence. Nine women and two men testified

against Kelly in a trial spanning six weeks. They described how Kelly used his title in the music industry to subsequently abuse them physically, sexually and emotionally. The victims described the humiliating sexual acts in which they were violently forced to participate in and if they did not oblige, Kelly would abuse them. One victim describes not being allowed to use the bathroom to relieve herself for three days due to “disobedience” to the singer.

testify against him in the recent trial. In 2018, Kelly’s victims began the #MuteRKelly campaign to lobby his record company to sever ties with him. Spotify, Apple music and Pandora agreed to demote his music from playlists. This, however, was reversed.

Thirteen years prior to this trial, Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges in Illinois. The allegations heard in the most recent trial are the same ones first spoken about in the 2019 documentary Surviving R Kelly.

Despite rumours and allegations of predatory behaviour on Kelly’s account, he continued to enjoy a successful music career, topping charts and winning a grammy.

In 2017, victims of Kelly who were underage when abused by him broke their non-disclosure agreements and approached the media. Some of these victims went on to

Kelly was filmed saying the campaign against him was “too late” while he performed his concerts with protestors lobbying outside venues.

The trial of R Kelly and the last twenty years of women speaking out against their abusers is exemplary of how long it takes to bring justice to the victims of famous abusers such as Kelly with little impact on their careers.

What to Listen to: Autumn Edition Angelina Pierce Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor With the cold hand of Autumn knocking on our doors, it’s time to get into the spirit of things! One of the best ways to set the autumnal tone is with some music. The writer Annie Proulx said, “You know, one of the tragedies of real life is that there is no background music,” and I couldn’t agree more. However, we can do the next best thing and put on some headphones and play our music wherever we go. In order to do that, we need an appropriate playlist for the occasion. Below is a compiled list of some songs perfect for the cold morning commutes, cosy late nights inside and are perfect for the Season of the Witch(es). The playlist primarily features genres such as soft rock, alternative, indie and has music spanning from the 1950’s to the 2020’s. Happy listening!

1. Season of the Witch - Donovan

11. Achilles Come Down - Gangs of Youths

2. Golden Brown - The Stranglers

12. Sweet Ophelia - Zella Day

3. Bloom - The Paper Kites

13. The Cult of Dionysus - The Orion Experience

4. We Fell in Love in October - Girl in Red

14. Maneater - Hall & Oates

5. The Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John

15. Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

6. Strange - Celeste

16. Dreams - Fleetwood Mac

7. Fade Into You - Mazzy Star

17. Strangers in the Night - Frank Sinatra

8. Cardigan - Taylor Swift

18. Dark Lady - Cher

9. Dark Red - Steve Lacy

19. Laughing on the Outside - Bernadette Carroll

10. House of the Rising Sun - The Animals

20. The Killing Moon - Echo & the Bunnymen 21. Edge of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks 22. She’s Not There - The Zombies 23. What Ever Happened - The Strokes 24. Shake it Out - Florence & the Machine 25. Cinnamon Girl - Lana Del Rey 26. Piece of You - The Pierces 27. Black Betty - Ram Jam 28. Psycho Killer - Talking Heads 29. Roxanne - The Police 30. Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra 31. Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood

Film & TV

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

What To Catch and What to Avoid on the Big Screen Anton Rivas Pertile Film & TV Writer

05-10-2021

Movie Rewind: Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) Anton Rivas Pertile Film & TV Writer

Malignant: Love it or Hate it

ames Wan has had a pretty consistent and acclaimed career with the infamous Saw franchise, the Conjuring universe and of course, the surprisingly good Aquaman film. But with Malignant, it seems Wan is either not trying or just doesn’t care about what he’s making because Malignant is one of the absolute craziest films you’ll see in cinemas this year. To say anything about the film is too little because it isn’t really the story that’s bad or weird, it’s the way Wan arranges everything else. You’ve got a detective without any personality, you’ve got murders happening, you’ve got a possibly psychic woman and a killer who can seemingly teleport and rip people’s heads clean off. If this seems awesome, well you’re right except we also have completely awful acting, character choic-

T es that are completely odd and a camera that seems more fitting for a YouTube film than a cinema release.

know basically nothing about or the female lead who seems to do absolutely nothing throughout the film but scream a lot?

I would talk about the protagonist of the film but even after watching it, I’m not quite sure who it is myself. Is it the detective who we

Personally, my bet is on the female lead’s sister who actually seems to be the most three-dimensional character in the whole thing but I’ll

let you’s decide for yourself. So, do I recommend Malignant to watch? Absolutely because even if you love it or hate it, you will most likely be entertained by the way Wan has conjured up this two-hour extravaganza.

The Green Knight (2021) : A Hit and a Miss

or anyone interested in independent cinema, A24’s The Green Knight promised to be a successful continuation of their line of low budget horror films. However, David Lowery’s adaptation of the Arthurian legend feels like a hit and a miss with a story that largely confuses the viewer while adding overly drawn-out moral lessons that are so obvious they clash with the abstract, dreamlike events that litter the film. What comes out of this is a frustrating viewing experience where the strange and unusual feel like an excuse to confuse rather than develop a rich, fulfilling world and narrative.

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David Lowery’s adaptation of the Arthurian legend feels like a hit and a miss

his head off in return for exchanging the same blow a year later. Gawain must set off to find the green chapel and prove himself a chivalrous knight, both to himself and to his fellow compatriots. Watching through the film I was utterly confused at parts, especially towards the end of the film. I then read up the original story and realized Lowery removed parts and instead added new characters that are unnecessary for the story and don’t help the overarching message of truth and honesty which dominate the original tale. When Lowery does try to discuss the original themes of the story they are done in ways that feel clunky and contrived. One thing that will strike the viewer immediately is some of the odd editing choices in the film, which usually take the viewer out of the immersion the film tries to create. The credits show that Lowery was behind the screenplay, directing, editing and even worked as a producer on the film. This sort of total power over the project raises questions about why A24 would let a single person have so much dictation over a film, and how much better the end product would have been if an experienced team handled all of these key departments instead of a single man. Instead, we are forced to have a film in which characters discuss the nature of green (several times!) and our main character, Gawain, has barely any arc, starting as a lazy, unfit knight and then ending largely the same way. It’s as if Low-

ery was so wrapped up in making the film seem mysterious that he forgot to tell an actual story with character progression and developments. The cinematography does redeem the film somewhat with beautiful landscapes and visuals scattered throughout.

For those who looked forward to the film like I did, I recommend watching the Green Knight simply to satisfy your curiosity. But don’t expect anything that will fit together in a cohesive sense.

here is nothing more stunning or more deadly than the world of fashion in Irvin Kershner’s 1978 film, Eyes of Laura Mars. Starring Faye Dunaway (Chinatown, Network) and a young Tommy Lee Jones (No Country for Old Men), this riveting thriller follows a high-profile fashion photographer as she discovers that she is suffering from premonitions of a killer, seeing the murders as they happen through his eyes. Dunaway and Jones must work together to do their best at stopping the murders before they can occur using her new ability and discover why these gruesome executions are taking place. Inspired by Italian Giallo films which take their name from the yellow cover page of pulp comics, this film pops in every scene with stunning visuals and a high-stakes story that keeps you on the edge of your seat for most of its runtime. Common tropes of the Giallo film genre cover the mysterious gloves killer, the gruesome style of the murders and the female lead who must solve the mystery. With a story credited to an up-and-coming John Carpenter (The Thing, Halloween), the dialogue, characters and story are all well crafted as expected from the master of horror himself. Dunaway also delivers a superb performance as Laura Mars, channelling both intelligence, fear and the will to determine who’s eyes she has been cursed- or gifted to look through. Throughout the film, brilliant set-pieces provide an incredible look at the exotic and luxurious world that high profile supermodels live in, from the party at the beginning that sets up all our characters in subtle and glossy terms, to the various photoshoots Laura Mars engages in, which keep us excited about seeing what comes next. We can’t help but want to live in the world Laura Mars occupies, with red carpet premieres and cocktail parties. In a similar way to Mulholland Drive, Eyes of Laura Mars conjures a look into the glamour and glitz of celebrity life while also keeping a sinister atmosphere to the world we have been invited to see. If you’re looking for a thriller that’s well crafted and sure to keep you on your toes, be sure to view Eyes of Laura Mars on the Criterion Channel this month.

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05-10-2021

Volume 35 - Issue 02

Sport

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

The College Tribune's Sports Clubs Roundup W

Callum Buchan Sports Editor

ith the eagerly awaited return of sport to college life, the College Tribune reached out to some of the sports clubs to find out what their plans were for the upcoming season in terms of competitions, key dates and goals for this year. It has been near impossible for clubs in UCD to attract new members due to the pandemic and many students competed for the last time for the college without even knowing it. As a result of this, clubs are desperate to recruit first and second years into their set up and hit the ground running once competitions return. Through the sports of frisbee, judo and hockey it's clear to see the different positive aspects of being part of a club be it socialising, picking up a new skill or even reaching the pinnacle of your trade in the form of the Olympic Games. UCD has always been able to offer sport for all whatever your ability whilst remaining competitive and long may that continue.

Ultimate Frisbee Patrick Kelly Bowen UCD Frisbee The main goal of this year is recruitment. With so few training sessions and tournaments over the past 18 months, as well as two graduations, we've lost the majority of our first team players - so the recruitment and retention of beginners will be vital for the survival of the club. This being said, we feel like the core group of returning players has the potential to be very competitive throughout this Intervarsity season with Mixed, Women’s and Open outdoor and indoor Intervarsities. There haven't been any confirmed dates for any of the Intervarsities in 2022, however as a rough estimate, based on previous years, a weekend in November for indoors, middle February will be for Mixed, mid-March for Women’s, and the start of April for Men’s.

Ladies Hockey

Sophie Thomas UCD Hockey

aving come from two hockey seasons of interruptions and cancellations due to COVID-19, UCD Ladies Hockey Club are very excited for the 2021/2022 season ahead. There is a huge interest in hockey in UCD, hence why we have 8 teams who will all partake in competitive matches, with our 1's team hoping to gain enough points in the league to qualify for the EYHL finals weekend which is due to take place on the 23rd/24th of April. They will also compete in

the Irish Senior Cup, with the final due to take place on the 30th of April. We are also planning to run a social hockey session for those who wish to partake in a less competitive environment. We are delighted for three of our 1’s squad members who competed in the Tokyo Olympics this year, making us a very proud club, but also setting a very high standard for those who wish to get a position on one of our teams. It is truly a historic moment in the history of the club. A huge thank you to the Ad Astra Academy and UCD sport for all their continued support for ladies hockey throughout the years.

Judo Marysol Angeloni UCD Judo

his season in our Club we have a beginner and intermediate class running on Monday (6pm-8pm) and Wednesday (5pm-7pm). For the first time in our Club’s history, we have a female Coach, training on Wednesday, while our male Head Coach trains us on Monday.

The classes include self-defense, groundwork, and fitness training. Our goal is to develop strong female and male athletes both physically and mentally. No dates for the Colors or Intervarsities competitions are confirmed yet. Also, this term our female Captain and the committee aim to involve more women in the Club, as we are part of the IJA Women in Sports program.

SPORT Sport

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Volume 35 - Issue 02

05-10-2021

Former UCD Student Liam Scales Makes Celtic F.C Debut L

Callum Buchan Sports Editor

iam Scales, who spent three years at UCD AFC whilst studying Irish and Geography in Belfield, left Shamrock Rovers for Scottish giants Celtic FC for a transfer fee of €600’000 at the end of August. The 23-year-old signed a four year deal with the Glasgow club after two exemplary seasons with Premier Division champions Rovers. It was well documented that Celtic were desperate to sign defenders in the summer transfer window with Scales fitting the bill. The Bhoys’ new boss Ange Postecoglou has praised the former student for his athleticism and versatility, as he is comfortable playing across the left-hand side of the defence.

Hoops to Hoops The defender made his debut for the Hoops (of Glasgow, not Tallaght!) a month after joining the club in their 3-0 cup win against Raith Rovers coming off the bench in the second half. Scales has also been a regular fixture in Postecoglou’s matchday squad as an unused substitute. If a dream move to one of Britain’s biggest football clubs wasn’t enough good news for the Wicklow native, he soon found himself being called up to the international set-up for Ireland’s world cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Serbia.

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The Bhoys’ new boss Ange Postecoglou has praised the former student for his athleticism and versatility

Breaking through at Belfield Scales joined UCD in 2016 from Arklow Town as a student-athlete where he broke into the first team under the management of Collie O’Neill. The defender quickly impressed at the College and was a crucial part of the side that won the First Division title in 2018 clinching promotion to the top tier. He also won silverware in college football in the form of Collingwood and Hardings cups, the two best honours in the college system. Individual accolades also came the way of Scales as he made it into the PFAI First Division Team of the Year the season in which they won the title. Although the College struggled with the step up to Premier Division football in 2019, it was clear that one young defender in the side was well able to compete at this level. During that season, O’Neill eulogised about Scales after an outstanding individual performance against St Patrick’s Athletic saying ‘He’s (Scales) a top-class player and

he will go and win league titles with other clubs. But at this moment in time, we’re fortunate to have him.’.

From strength to strength O’Neill was spot on in his prediction of the path that lay ahead for the talented youngster as he signed for Ireland’s most successful club, Shamrock Rovers after UCD finished at the foot of the table. Scales hit the ground running at Stephen Bradley’s team as the Hoops won the 2020 Premier Division with ease and the defender was a key part of the success playing in all 18 of Rovers league matches and reaching the FAI cup final against Dundalk, however they failed to secure the double at the Aviva. Scales continued to impress in the 2021 season as Rovers maintained their spot at the top of the table and had an admirable run in Europe where the defender managed to find himself on the scoresheet on one occasion. Off the back of these performanc-

es, former professional Graham Cummins described Scales as “the hottest property in the League of Ireland”. It was starting to look inevitable that a move across the pond was in store for the 23-yearold, but not many would have thought it would be to a club the size of Celtic.

Joining UCD royalty Liam Scales has joined an illustrious club of players who have gone on to being senior Ireland internationals after plying their trade at the College, although the defender is yet to make his debut for his nation it will be sooner rather than later if his career continues to progress in this manner. Kevin Moran, Enda Stevens and Conor Sammon all spent part of their formative years in the game in the blue of UCD and went on to have stellar careers in football, making it to the top flight in England which is something that remains nothing more than a dream for most who’ve ever kicked a ball on this island. Moran won two FA Cups at Manchester United and was a member

of three Ireland squads for major international tournaments, Stevens is currently a key part of the Ireland set up since playing two seasons in the Premier League with Sheffield United before their relegation and Sammon has had somewhat of a journeyman career throughout Ireland, Scotland and England yet earned himself nine Ireland caps under legendary manager Giovanni Trapattoni which is testament to his application. The vast majority in the League of Ireland would bite your arm off if they were offered some of these ex Students’ achievements in the game. Moran, Stevens and Sammon were role models for the likes of Scales in proving that it is possible to make it to the big time in football without going through the ‘traditional route of moving to a club in England in your teenage years. Now the 23-year-old can fill this role for the next generation of young talent at UCD, such as Colm Whelan who is believed to have the potential to follow in the footsteps of these players.

“