Wednesday, October 30, 2019
thecollegeview.com
. Est. 1999 .
Increased uptake in class reps of 18.7 per cent
T
he number of elected class representatives grew by 18.77 per cent this year according to DCU’s Students’ Union (SU). Last year there were 389 class reps elected, while this year that number jumped to 462. In addition, DCUSU’s President Christine Farrell told The College View that 620 students ran for election this year. Farrell welcomed the increase in class reps but was unsure as to why exactly there was such an uptake in engagement. “We feel that a lot of emphasis was placed on class reps during orientation,” she said. “We have also seen a significant increase in the amount of online students running for class rep as this year was the first year that the Students’ Union spoke at their orientation induction and therefore they were made more aware of the possibility of becoming a rep,” she added. Caoimhe O’Carroll, the Humanities & Social Sciences rep, attributed the increase in class reps to the momentum from last year’s SU elections and a culture of activism in young people. “The youth movement is gathering
momentum and there appears to be a greater interest in current affairs and world issues. Freshers coming into DCU this year have been more exposed to protest opportunities,” she said. There are still some courses which have yet to elect any class reps though, such as fourth year actuary students. Courses which don’t elect a class rep could find themselves at a disadvantage, as according to O’Carroll they are “vital”. “Upon entering [sic] first year I was immediately taken aback by the power of the student voice. In comparison to the secondary school student council equivalent, the SU has so much influence over university decision at an executive level,” she said. This sentiment was echoed by many current class reps. Second year biomedical engineering student and class rep Warren Gonsalves said that his class rep last year was a great line of support between himself and his lecturers. Third year communications student Renée Mackey is her class’ rep this year and said it’s been a pleasant experience so far. “I’ve had emails following up, and then a meeting with our department... as well as the class rep council,” she said.
The first class rep council (CRC) was held last Wednesday, October 23rd. A number of elections took place, including the election of a new CRC secretary and eight electoral committee members.
However, no Officers of CRC were elected this year. DCUSU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Callaghan Commons put forward a motion to review these positions, along with the constitution which is also being
reviewed this year. “In the past these officer roles have become somewhat redundant due to duplication of these roles with SU sabbatical and part-time officer roles,” he said in the motion.
is 20-24, which has had 525 total confirmed cases. According to DCU’s pharmacist, this is partially due to the huge volumes of people who are present at schools and colleges. There was also a mumps outbreak earlier in 2019, with cases being confirmed in South Dublin, as well as Trinity College. The disease itself is a viral infection, with symptoms that include fever, headaches and swelling of both the cheek and jaw. Mumps can be spread through both direct and indirect means, and the most effective way of avoiding the
infection is to have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. While the MMR vaccine is commonly received as a child, both teenagers and adults may get the vaccination if they didn’t receive the booster as a child. DCU student Kevin O’Meara discussed his experience with mumps with The College View and how it has affected his time in college. He recently began to experience sweats, as well as pains behind his eye before waking up one weekend with swollen glands. When he spoke to the doctor over the phone, he had O’Meara examine
himself and confirmed that it was the mumps. While he’s now over the worst of it, he explained how the after effects of the infection also take their toll. “Most of the swelling has gone now, but honestly the worst part is the fatigue,” said O’Meara. “I thought I’d be able to get some course work done, but I actually can’t get my eyes to focus on my laptop without giving myself a headache”. O’Meara also mentioned how supportive DCU lecturers have been while he’s been sick. “All [lecturers] have offered me extra resources over the next few weeks so that I don’t fall
behind.'' When young children are infected with mumps, the outlook is generally good with complications being rare. However, for teenagers and adults, there is a potential for complications, which include deafness, viral meningitis, painful swelling of testicles and in rare cases infertility in men. For students who have contracted the infection, it is recommended that they stay away from college due to how contagious the mumps are. To treat the disease, the HSE advises plenty of bed rest along with over-thecounter painkillers. A cold compress on the swollen glands is also advised.
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Gaeilge
Features
Sports
Gene Editing
Twiggy
Trump
Fiona Tully
What does it mean for the future of our society? pg. 11
D’athraigh Twiggy rudaí le haghaidh cailíní ar fud an domhain
What would his impeachment look like? pg. 18
Trophies in the Handball Championships pg. 23
Credit: Sonja Tutty
Brendan Fernando Kelly Palenque | Editor-in-chief @BrendanFKP
Same-sex couples protested outside the Department of Health for equal rights
Dublin colleges hit with mumps outbreak Tadgh McNally | News Editor @TadghMN
A
n outbreak of mumps across the Dublin area has been confirmed by the HSE, with a majority of cases being centred in colleges across the city. According to the HSE, there have been over 700 cases of mumps reported within Dublin in 2019. Nationally, there have been 1,793 cases reported so far this year. Those between the ages of 15 to 19 have had the most cases this year, with 589 confirmed cases. Close behind
Highlights
pg. 15