Stokes: Let some not eat cake, p4 I R I S H S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R
D
YEAR 2007
TRINITY NEWS U B L I N
U
N I V E R S I T Y
’
S
I
OF THE
N D E P E N D E N T
S
T U D E N T
N
E W S P A P E R
TRINITY EDGES EVER CLOSER
MICROSOFT GIVES STUDENTS
SEBASTIAN WIESMAIR, SCIENCE P17
NEWS P2
POISON PENS
TO A CURE FOR CANCER
www.trinitynews.ie
Michaelmas term, Week 8
Bureaucratic Board proposal challenged
Issue 3, Volume 54
Going swimmingly: Players’ fundraising
Board member Dr J Vij to take case to stop the creation of a corporation-like Trinity to the College Visitors DAVID MOLLOY DEPUTY EDITOR
Board member Dr. Jagdish Vij upon other officers in college whose positions are defined within the statutes. At the board meeting in which the decision to create the position was made, Dr Vij objected firmly to the proposals as they stood and made clear his strong feelings against them. He alleged that the position of the Bursar would be undermined by the creation of the Chief Operating Officer and would become “untenable in the proposed new structures”. He also claimed that the academic overview of College buildings and finance would be lost due to “the reporting arrangements to the proposed Chief Operating Officer”. Dr Vij also stated that that the proposal was “overly bureaucratic” and would adversely affect the “checks and balances” currently in place. It was further
Plan to increase space, costing millions CAOIMHE HANLEY
suggested that the college was “misguided” in following a UK approach to education, as the UK’s “contribution to the generation of knowledge is declining.” Furthermore, Dr Vij emphatically stated that the “Chief Operating Officer was inappropriate for an academic institution” and requested that his dissent be noted by the Board and also that the proposed changes to the structure of the college as a whole were proceeding too fast. Dr Vij declined to comment, saying he had received legal advice to say nothing more than what is already recorded in the official documents. However, he did clarify that, while he sits on Board as a representative of the Fellows, his challenge is being made in a personal capacity, rather than on behalf of the Fellows as a group. He also confirmed that there was, as of yet, no specified date for the conclusion of the case, although he had originally been told a September date would apply. This may create problems for the Board, who cannot finalize proceedings on restructuring without a judgment from the visitors. The recruitment of the Chief Operating Officer is already underway, with a closing date for applications set for 12 November. The implementation of • Continued on page 4
COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR
Finnish Erasmus student “Liffey Larry” prepares for his fundraising guerilla-style swim in the river LIffey last Friday. Photo: Martin McKenna
GSU treasurer resigns at controversial AGM DEIRDRE LENNON STAFF WRITER Ruth Pe Palileo resigned as Treasurer of the Graduate Student Union during a controversial AGM, held on 24th October. The GSU Executive was accused of unduly influencing Pe Palileo’s decision. It transpired that Pe Palileo had to leave the country for a time to go to the US, and was unsure of her return date, leading to questions whether she would be able to uphold her position. A meeting of the Executive Committee was held, in which
tn2
the members voted on whether they believed Pe Palileo should serve as Treasurer for 2007/8. It was decided that she should not serve, although she had intimated to the meeting that she might be able to uphold her position in the US, as the company she was working for had agreed to allow her to use FedEx to send cheques. A proposed motion, which did not pass at the AGM, stated that Pe Palileo had been unduly influenced by the Executive’s decision and therefore, the Executive had exerted unnecessary influence. Article IV of the proposed motion states that “as Ms. Pe Palileo was duly elected to the post of
Treasurer, it was highly inappropriate for the Executive to assert its preference that she not serve in the role, thus creating inappropriate political pressure on her to resign.” The issue was raised for clarification by Joshua Edleman, a member of the electoral commission, who felt that graduates who were new to the GSU had the right to know what had taken place, and why the GSU needed to replace the Treasurer. Edelman emphasized the importance of committing to a post on the Executive, saying “it is crucial that the people chosen follow the rules and respect
the will of the people who elected them.” However, the issue was further complicated as Pe Palileo sent her resignation by email a day late. She was required to decide whether or not to take up her position by midnight on 11 July 2007, but did not resign until 12th July. This effectively meant that Pe Palileo had in fact taken office as treasurer, although she held this position for less than 24 hours. As the GSU constitution was also changed at midnight on 11 July, Pe Palileo’s decision not to resign until the following day has led to confusion within the Executive as to which constitution her
resignation should be subject to. Under Article V of the pre-12 July constitution, the Executive has “exceeded its authority” in co-opting another candidate, Paul Laird, into the role of Treasurer. According to this constitution, the Executive may only co-opt if the position is not filled in Trinity Term, and hence, it was not valid, as Pe Palileo had taken office. Speaking to TN, Ruth Pe Palileo has said that “I do regret that the postgraduates were not immediately informed that the Treasurer they had elected in good faith had resigned and been replaced by cooption.”
DUCAC has sent plans for a proposed extension and redevelopment of the Pavilion bar to the Director of Buildings office for approval. If ratified, DUCAC estimates the redevelopment will take two years to complete. The new plans are the second attempt by DUCAC to redevelop the Pav. The first set of plans failed to impress the Director of Buildings, as it was felt there was “insufficient space within the existing Pavilion structure to accommodate a (wheelchair accessible) lift, access route and accessible toilets.” While DUCAC did present a plan for a disabled access lift to Dublin City Council Planners at the same time, the proposed location was rejected. Three different plans have been drawn up by DUCAC, in conjunction with Dublin architectural firm Messers Arthur Gibney and Partners. While one version included i-pod docks, and would have cost several million to implement, a simpler version of the plan, known as Option B, has been sent in for approval. If passed, the new-look Pav will finally be wheelchair accessible, with a lift planned for the back left hand side. Indoor space will be increased, with a club function room to be built on the left hand balcony, which will be connected to the rest of the Pav by double doors. Meanwhile, the flat roof on the right hand side will be transformed into universally accessible toilet facilities, with 4 new ladies toilets, 3 mens and 1 staff toilet due to be built, vastly increasing the available toilet space in the Pav. However, the new toilet facilities and clubroom, if implemented, will severely reduce outdoor sitting space, with both sides of the ‘balcony’ surrounding the bar to be built upon, with only a small part of the terrace on each side to remain. According to the Sites and Facilities Committee minutes of 10 Oct. 2006, the proposed redevelopment will be funded largely by DUCAC. However, €75,000 has been allocated from the college’s accessibility budget, to allow for increased disability access to the building. The total estimated cost of the project was unknown at time of going to press.
tn2 Exclusive interviews with Chinese author Jung Chang and reformed drug addict Howard Marks; throwing the perfect dinner party and a Resident Evil: Apocalypse competition 10
Ciaran Dur Block fash kin puts Arts ion in focu s
4
Catriona Gray inte Mao surv rviews ivor Jung Chang
Cover Ilustration of www.shirley courtesy moon.com
The College Board has had their authority challenged following their attempts to create a powerful new corporation-like college. The proposed Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for the nonacademic running of the University, and will likely take over a number of duties from other members of the college staff. The Board, which is ordinarily the highest authority in college, approved the creation of the new position on 26 June last. However, Dr J Vij, a Professor in the Electronic and Electrical Engineering department and member of the Board, has taken a challenge to the College Visitors on the grounds that such a decision is beyond the Board’s authority. The Visitors are the highest authority in college and can order certain actions by any member or organization in college. The Visitors consist of the Chancellor of the University, Ms Mary Robinson, or in her absence the Pro-Chancellor, and a judicial visitor, Mr. Justice Brian McCracken, a former Supreme Court judge. Reportedly, Dr Vij’s challenge rests upon the fact that the new Officer will have power which directly limits or infringes
DUCAC expand the Pav