Irish Student Newspaper of the Year 2008
JAMES WATSON
WAR IN OSSETIA Andrew Mulvihill makes an in-depth examination of this summer’s conflict
Father of modern genetics talks to Luke Maishman at Genetics@50
WORLD REVIEW 16 Tuesday 30 September 2008
SCIENCE 19 www.trinitynews.ie
Issue 1, Volume 55
Compulsory screening for Freshers’ publications By Deirdre Robertson College News Editor THE STUDENT Records Office have asked all societies to submit publications before they are sent out to incoming Freshers students. The College Communications Office originally denied that this is a form of “vetting” but subsequently stated that material must be checked to ensure that the publication is used for the “intended purpose.” In a recent e-mail to societies who are sending out society magazines for Freshers’ Week, the Student Records Office asked that all publications be given to them in advance for vetting before going to print. Simultaneously, the Central Societies Committee issued a list of regulations highlighting “several College policies and sets of regulations” on poster and printed materials content. When asked to comment on these policies, the Communications Office stated “there is no ‘vetting’” and that “there is no new policy.” They told Trinity News that magazines have to be submitted to the Student Records Office for posting in order to comply with obligations under the Data Protection Acts. They cannot release the names and addresses of incoming students. Despite the CSC e-mail outlining “college policies” on the content of printed materials, the Communications Office stated: “Guidelines on the content of magazines have not been issued and there is no intention to do so.” CSC sent a “quick check” in their e-mail to societies, prohibiting the promotion of free alcohol at society events, and the use of derogatory photographs or insulting language. They did not state that it would be compulsory for societies to submit material for a general vetting process before going to print. When Trinity News noted that the Communications Office’s response contrasted to the e-mail that the Student Records Office had sent, the Communications Office replied that the material had to be checked to ensure that it was used
for its “intended purpose.” They did not clarify what they meant by “intended purpose” and what purpose publications would be used for other than to inform incoming students about a society’s activities. Although the Communications Office say that there is no new policy in place, the former Secretary of Publications, David Molloy, told Trinity News, “I edited the Trinity Publications Freshers’ magazine last year, and I was never asked to submit a copy for review. I delivered this year’s magazine to the Student Records Office recently and I was told that they have always asked for material to be submitted before going to print. This was never the case in my memory.” When asked whether the regulations sent out this year are in place as a result of events last year which led to two society publications being withdrawn or redacted, the Communications Office stated “the matter is unrelated to any article written last year.” During last year’s Freshers’ Week, two Freshers’ magazines had to be censored due to inappropriate material. The Trinity Law School advised the Law Society to pull their Freshers’ Week magazine, The Law Shock, when a photograph of an underage committee member holding a bottle of alcohol was published. Similarly, The Philander – the University Philosophical Society’s publication – was subject to an investigation by the Senior Dean when it quoted xenophobic Austrian Freedom Party leader Joerg Haider. The comment – “Jews are always welcome in the chamber” – was included in an article that was sent out to the homes of all incoming students. The comment was later blacked out on all copies that were handed out during the week. CSC conducted an investigation into how the comment was published, while College authorities released a statement saying, “The comments in the University Philosophical magazine in no way reflect any attitude, position or policy of Trinity College Dublin.”
Special rules for food at Freshers’ Week By Brian Barry
New residents at Trinity Hall are welcomed by the JCR last weekend with a range of events. Sumo wrestlers in padded suits took to the lawns as part of the programme on Sunday. Photo: Dominique English
COLLEGE SOCIETIES are left confused this week as the Senior Dean has imposed a complete ban on the distribution of food during Freshers’ Week – other than by approved providers – while the Central Societies Committee say the rules can be ‘flexible’. The issue is of particular concern to the Philosophical Society who have aquired 72,000 self-bake bread rolls. College food and drink regulations, which were updated earlier this year, allow for the preparation and distribution of cold foods such as sandwiches, dry snacks and cakes at College events if certain criteria are met. Hot foods may not be served unless College catering or an external caterer with a HSE Food Hygiene Certificate is employed. However, stricter regulations specific to this Freshers’ Week state that societies are not permitted to distribute any food - unless from approved providers. The measures have been implemented partly in response to concerns which arose from last year’s Freshers’ Week when food was cooked in campus residences and served at society stands. Confusion has arisen however over how seriously these additional regulations will apply. Joe O’Gorman, Honorary Treasurer of the CSC admitted that the rule was a “blunt instrument”, and that societies should seek exceptions to this if they wish to serve food. Mr. O’Gorman told Trinity News that every rule cannot be reduced to unworkable specifics, and that it is more appropriate to place a blanket ban on serving food. He said that societies should realize that the CSC are willing to allow exceptions where the reasons are justified. Mr. O’Gorman also noted that the rule affected only a handful of societies, and that a society could seek permission to use the CSC kitchen. Despite this, societies still feel that the regulations are overly harsh and difficult to work with. Paul Gallagher, chairman of the DU Food and Drink Society said, “Although the purpose of the rules is to protect students, the regulations are restrictive. They are driving our society events to locations off campus.” Mr. Gallagher emphasised that the society would comply fully with college regulations for Freshers’ Week.
Incoming Science Freshmen first to be semesterised By Conor Sullivan COURSES IN Junior Freshman Science have been semesterised in preparation for the college-wide move to semesters next year. Science courses have split in two halves, giving students “much greater choice than before”, according to the Science Faculty Office. Students can now take one subject in the first half of a year, and a different subject in the second half. The change in Science has been in progress for nearly three years now, and was originally motivated by a
high failure rate in Chemistry as the faculty felt that it was too challenging for a JF course. This comes ahead of the new year structure which is proposed to be introduced next year. The start of Michaelmas term will be moved back two weeks, and the Michaelmas term will last 12 weeks instead of nine at present. There would be a four week break for Christmas, a 12 week Hilary term, and then a two week break before the Annual Examinations. Examinations would finish in the third week of May. The University Council has approved this proposal “in principle” and it appears to be
on track to be introduced next year. The Council meeting on May 7, 2008 decided that “College should identify and provide the neccessary resources to allow the implementation of the proposed academic year structure in 2009/10”. Speaking at the Council meeting which approved this, the thenStudents’ Union Education Officer, Rob Kearns, expressed “broad support among the student body” for the changes, according to the minutes of June 2007. Speaking to Trinity News, the incoming SU Education Officer, Hugh Sullivan also expressed support
saying that “as long as college respects the difficulties of change (learning from UCD’s mistakes) and the input of students there’s no reason why it can’t be a positive thing for all 15,000 Trinity students”. He continued to say that the SU would be concerned about the possible loss of “Trinity’s traditional and unique experience in favour of a more generic University outlook”. The new proposals will not mean the introduction of end-of-semester exams – currently in place in other colleges such as UCD – as both academics and students opposed it. As for the Scholarship exams, a review of
the institution proposed in February that they be moved to the Chirstmas break in the new year structure. It was also mooted that they be shortened to 3-4 papers, and, crucially for many, the system of exemptions from end-of year exams would be abolished. The proposal to introduce semesterisation was brought forward in tandem with a proposal to change the undergraduate curriculum. At present, one year’s courseload is 60 credits, and a degree is worth 240 credits. One credit is supposed to equal 20-25 hours of work by students. It has been decided that all courses in
College should be changed so that at least 10 credits are from outside a student’s field of study, and that at least 10 credits are for “personal or professional skills development” (eg clinical placements, dissertations, research training etc..). This means that almost one tenth of the courseload for a degree would be based outside the particular field of study. A date has not yet been set for this as it will depend on the introduction of a more sophisticated timetabling system for College, but all courses in College will eventually be changed to the system.