UCC Express Issue 1

Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | uccexpress.ie | Volume 18 | Issue 1

Image: Emmet Curtin

R&G week fundraising halved despite full-time Ents role Barry Aldworth | News Editor Following on from a highly successful Raise and Give Week in 2013, last February’s incarnation of the annual event has raised €20,000 for three well-known charities, Breakthrough Cancer Research, the Cope Foundation and the Children’s Ward at Cork University Hospital. However this figure amounted to less than half of the €42,000 raised by the event a year previous.

focus on alcohol while increasing the previous year’s record fundraising total, R&G Week raised the least money since 2011. However, unlike previous years, the UCC Students’ Union Entertainment Officer for the 2013/14 academic year, James Murray, was the first to take payment for the non-sabbatical role.

The €20,000 R&G Week fund was supplemented by a charity boxing night last November, which aimed to raise €20,000 alone, but reached only a fraction of that target.

Previous Entertainment Officers had accepted the position as an unpaid, part-time role; however the Students’ Union told the UCC Express last year that a referendum held four years ago allowed for the position to be paid €10,500 over a period of six months, from September until the end of February.

Thus, despite efforts to remove the

Murray’s decision to accept payment

for the role did not come without controversy, as at the time the UCCSU failed to produce a copy of its constitution to verify that a change to the definition of the Ents Officer role had been passed by UCC students.

Ents Officer paid €10,500 for first time While the decline in money raised by the event may have been expected given that 2013’s figure of €42,000 far exceeded the amount raised by any post-Celtic Tiger year, the failure to minimise the decline may reignite the debate over the Ents role being paid.

In addition, the success of charitable societies in raising funds through events without the alcohol stigma and risk of damage to areas surrounding the college may force a questioning of whether R&G Week still fulfills its principle purpose.

Several non-SU events proved that the UCC population are more than willing to dip into their pockets. For example, last year the flagship event of the UCC Cancer Society, Relay for Life, raised in excess of €45,000 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. This, despite the fact that the event took place just one week after R&G Week, when students had already been asked to dig deep for charity.

Efforts were made to contact both

James Murray and previous SU president, Padraig Haughney, in relation to the matter but neither made any comment about the R&G Week total, or the controversy surrounding Ents Officer becoming a paid role.

R&G Week fundraising falls by €22,000

With preparations already getting underway for R&G Week 2015, the new UCCSU may face the unexpected challenge of trying to re-establish the event’s status as UCC’s fundraising kingpin.

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Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

Inside Today:

New research by UCC Professor suggests all dinosaurs were feathered

Presidents' Addresses Page 5 Nikolai short story Page 7 In Mom we Trust Page 9 Selfie Obsessed Page 11 Rookie's Guide Page 12 Words of Wisdom Page 13

Image: Tomas Tyner Brian Conmy | Deputy News Editor

Editorial team

Contributors

Research on a newly discovered dinosaur has led scientists to rethink what dinosaurs may have looked like.

Editor-in-Chief: Stephen Barry

Rob Cas

Deputy & News Editor: Barry

Eoghan Madden

Aldworth

Duncan Disorderly

Deputy News Editor: Brian

Trevor Drinkwater

Conmy

Diarmaid Twomey

Fiction Editor: Ruth Lawlor

Tim Kelly

Features Editor: Conor

TJ Kenneally

The species, named Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus, was discovered in the Kulinda fossil site in eastern Siberia, where six skulls and several hundred partial skeletons were uncovered. The specimen showed scales on its lower legs and tail, with short bristles on its back leading to its head. The interesting aspect of the specimen though is the compound feathers on its arms and legs.

Shearman

Tom Roche

Deputy Features Editor: Laura

Ben Thistlewood

Flaherty

Jordan McCarthy

Sport Editor: Stephen Walsh Designer: Kevin Hosford

These feathers were studied by Dr. Maria McNamara of UCC, a palaeontologist in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Her research specialises in how soft tissues, such as the feathers discovered on this dinosaur, are preserved in fossils.

Other colleagues of Dr. McNamara contributing to the study of this

The Number Cruncher

fossil include scientists from the UK, Belgium and France, including the project’s leader, Dr. Pascal Godefroit of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural History.

On the discovery, Dr. McNamara said; “these feathers are really very well preserved. We can see each filament and how they are joined together at the base, making a compound structure of six or seven filaments, each up to 15 millimetres long.”

This discovery suggests that feather like structures were widespread in a variety of dinosaurs, even in their earliest forms, dating as far back as the Triassic period more than 220 million years ago.

While they may have been used for insulation and signalling, they were later used for flight in certain species, while more dinosaurs may have lost the feature as they grew larger.

Although other species of dinosaurs were previously discovered with feather like structures intact in their

12 469 2,230 The number of tries UCC student Alison Miller has scored for Ireland, including her touchdown in the historic World Cup win over New Zealand.

UCC’s worldwide ranking in the recently expanded Centre for World University Rankings.

The number of kilometres a UCC 98.3fm signal travelled during a period of unusual atmospheric electricity in July. A broadcast was heard in southern Finland.

fossils, this example of feathers is much clearer and shows three distinct type of feathering.

Kulindadromeus was a small herbivorous dinosaur only about one metre long. Its features included long hind legs and short arms with five strong fingers; a short snout and teeth adapted to eat plants suggest that the species sat low on the evolutionary tree of Ornithischian dinosaurs.

Lead author, Dr. Godefroit concluded; “I was really amazed when I saw this.

We knew that some of the plant-eating Ornithischian dinosaurs had simple bristles, and we couldn’t be sure whether these were the same kinds of structures as bird and theropod feathers.

“Our new find clinches it: all dinosaurs had feathers, or at least the potential to sprout feathers.”

This research was published in the international academic journal, Science.

€30.7m The amount of income generated by the Tyndall National Institute in 2013, a drop of 5%.

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, August 19th 2014

Fundraising effort launched to assist student injured in Boston Barry Aldworth | News Editor Friends of UCC student, Dylon Fitzgibbon, have launched a major fundraising campaign after the 20-year-old suffered severe head and neck injuries following a freak accident in a Boston bar.

Fitzgibbon, originally from Carrigaline, sustained the injuries when he tripped and fell down a flight of stairs in a bar, later identified as Roggie’s Brew and Grille on May 23rd. A criminal investigation was launched after the third year Business Information Systems (BIS) student, who was on an internship in the city, was later found outside, in the bar’s car park.

The investigation focused on how the student made it to the car park, as police felt that the injuries suffered in the fall made it unlikely that Fitzgibbon left the building under his own power. Upon a review of CCTV footage the owner of the bar, John Rogaris, was ultimately charged with destruction of evidence and witness intimidation, as well as attempting to deceive the investigators.

At an arraignment hearing on July 9th prosecution attorney, Bill Dailey, claimed that after the student was found unconscious, Rogaris ordered members of his staff to move Mr. Fitzgibbon to the car-park and phone emergency services. However no such call was made by staff and the student was not

discovered by police until a passer-by placed a 911 call.

UCC in numbers:

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Number of International students on the rise

After initially suspecting that the student had been assaulted police sought access to CCTV footage from the now closed bar, only to be told that the system had malfunctioned on the night in question. Upon obtaining the footage with a warrant, the video showed Mr. Rogaris attempting to sabotage the system by manipulating the wiring.

Brian Conmy | Deputy News Editor Over 3,600 first year undergraduate students will join UCC this year, entering into a wide variety of courses and coming from an even wider array of backgrounds.

Whilst the prosecution did not look for the 44-year-old to be held on bail, they highlighted the impact the event had on Mr. Fitzgibbon’s life, including the fact that he still had no memory of the night in question. In addition, Dailey stated that his client is now forced to wear a protective helmet at all times as he awaits major surgery to assist his recovery.

Of the incoming students, it’s estimated that around 430 will be Erasmus students, entering into UCC from a variety of EU countries. In addition 360 new students will enter from nonEU countries such as America, Canada, China and Singapore.

Whilst Rogaris was released under his own recognisance, pending trial in midto late-August, a group of the student’s friends have launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of an ongoing rehab programme, as well as the family’s travel and accommodation expenses.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the fund can do so by lodging money to Dylon Fitzgibbon Rehab: Account Number 69850759; Sorting Code 902979.

UCC accommodating gender discrimination In terms of students temporarily leaving UCC, 179 students are expected to go on Erasmus with France, Germany, Spain and Italy being the most popular destinations. 90 further students will be leaving to study in non-EU countries, a figure that is up slightly on last year’s numbers.

Barry Aldworth | News Editor Five of a total of 14 empty houses renting through the UCC Accommodation scheme were found to be in breach of the law after advertising exclusively for female tenants the Private Residential Tenants Board (PRTB) confirmed.

Michelle Tritschler, a Client Director for the PRTB, stated that “landlords may not discriminate against potential tenants on the grounds of gender,” as a result of the Equal Status Acts 2000 – 2008.

While Tritschler did acknowledge that exceptions to this can be made if the letting currently houses multiple people of the same gender, who seek an additional tenant of the same gender for privacy reasons, or if the landlord also lives on the premises.

However for the five relevant properties, which made up over a

third of the vacant houses on the UCC Accommodation website on August 6th, these exceptions are nonapplicable as the lettings were empty at the time when the advertisement was published.

The issue first came to light after UCC Students’ Union Equality Officer, Rob O’Sullivan, experienced the discrimination firsthand whilst organising accommodation for the upcoming academic year. When asked about the adverts, O’Sullivan stated that “it’s disgraceful that landlords are allowed to discriminate against potential tenants based on gender, especially in such a blatant and open manner.”

While O’Sullivan admitted that there exist some circumstances in which such behaviour is understandable, the Equality Officer added that “there is no justification for a landlord advertising to one specific gender when a house is empty. It is discrimination, plain and simple.”

Barry Keane of the Cork University Residents Forum also condemned the advertisements, agreeing with the views of the PRTB, using the issue as a platform to urge caution on behalf of students when renting a property.

Keane highlighted that when renting it is vital to ensure that the landlord has registered the property with the PRTB, as if this is not done and problems with the landlord subsequently emerge, a tenant can often be left without the help of a crucial ally in the PRTB.

for gender, the website states ‘Gender: Both.’ This is an unnecessary exclusionary measure that further alienates the often forgotten Trans* members of our student community,” O’Sullivan said.

Although the offending adverts were removed or amended once raised, O’Sullivan argued that the discrimination issue only served to highlight a wider problem with the UCC Accommodations website.

“I know from some research that some American Colleges allow students to type in which ever gender category they associate with. It’s something we can look at in the office.”

“The choice of wording in the option is remarkable as well. It is ‘gender’, not ‘sex’ that is used in advertising of properties, but when searching for properties ‘sex’ is used. There are, in reality, more than two genders. When a landlord does not have a preference

When asked about the use of the word gender on the website, along with the restrictions attached to it, Accommodation Officer David O’Leary acknowledged that the search settings may be changed in the future.

While the offending adverts were eventually changed, with the houses either being filled or reverting back to accepting tenants of either gender, it remains to be seen whether steps will be taken to prevent the problem from arising again in the future.

Across all student types, the largest school of study will be the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Studies with an estimated 1,300 incoming undergraduate students, followed by the College of Science, Engineering and Food Sciences with 930, Business and Law with 750 and Medicine and Health with 625.

There are facilities for those who have made the wrong course choice, says First Year Experience Coordinator, Nóirín Deady.

“In 2012 we introduced a ‘change of course’ policy. 78 students changed to a different degree programme within the first few weeks. We hope to continue to facilitate students who find themselves in the wrong degree programme.”

In addition to this, approximately 2,300 students, from Ireland and abroad, will be entering into their first year of a postgraduate course.

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Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

‘Your paper, your voice’ Stephen Barry Editor-in-Chief editor@uccexpress.ie Welcome to UCC, and more importantly say ‘hello’ to your new local newspaper!

As Editor, it is my duty to serve you by informing and entertaining you, as well as providing a platform for you to have your voice heard and your articles published.

The most important thing to know about us is that we are fully written, edited, designed and managed by students; so we are relying on you guys to come up with cool ideas for articles this year!

It may shock you but I myself am a former Fresher... I too came into this vast university not knowing where it would lead me. As a shy first year, I found a place in the Express within a month of entering and never looked

back; until writing about it now!

The Express probably saved me from a life as a library dweller, capturing my will to study and misguiding it towards the paper. It added a creative and social outlet to my life, although I ended up getting so hyper-involved that it ruined my grades too!

However I have also seen the huge benefits of sending that first email to the Editor and asking could I get involved. I have been doing work for local and national newspapers for over a year now, and the skills I have learned and responsibilities I have taken on will help me gain employment in the real world, whether in journalism or as an addition to my economics degree.

These creative, social and practical benefits are there for those of you who want to give writing a go. In fact we don’t just offer writing experience; we offer photography, film and illustration outlets too.

all; whether you’re in it for the craic, are looking for CV filler, want to have your voice heard or are interested in a career in journalism.

On the latter score we have a proud tradition, with a brief list of former Editors including Fionnán Sheahan (Irish Independent Political Editor), Cathy O’Sullivan (Head of News with the New Zealand Herald) and Adrian Russell (Editor of TheScore.ie).

So, at the very least, I would urge anyone who has read this far to come and seek us out at Clubs and Socs Days and at the Journalism Society’s Media Night, and keep an eye out for our accredited UCC Works internships.

But for now I wish you well as you try to find your own groove in college, and I hope you enjoy this issue as a preview of sorts of college life!

We provide a platform and training for

A potted history of the Express Stephen Barry Editor-in-Chief Although UCC has an assorted history of student publications, the UCC Express traces its origins back only 17 years. That corresponds to the first ever issue of the University Examiner on the 9th of October 1997, a publication which was founded by Fionnán Sheahan.

Sheahan had been the penultimate Editor of the Gazette, the Examiner’s predecessor, which was a miscellany of Letters to the Editor, titled ‘Hate Mail’, student opinion and some student news.

“Official eyes are today studiously averted from the pages of the weekly Gazette, which regularly offers a rough diet of sexual explicitness and anti-religious effusions, and makes extensive use of a rich scatological vocabulary,” observed John A Murphy in his history of UCC, The College.

However Sheahan’s election as Publication Officer/ Editor-in-Chief resulted in what Sheahan termed a “formidable step forward;” a more informative paper with a focus on college news.

The University Examiner was the only weekly student newspaper in Ireland, publishing 23 issues, and titled after their partners/ printers, the Irish Examiner. However the paper was managed by students from start to finish, including the laborious tasks of typing, scanning, typesetting and designing.

‘Hate Mail’ was still encouraged, while a 12-pack of Coors was offered to winners of the popular crossword.

But the most notable inclusion in the first five volumes were the centre pages, or ‘shift pages’, sponsored by a succession of alcohol companies, where a photographer captured UCC students in compromising positions in pubs and clubs and at balls.

Protest Edition The first four years seemed to run relatively smoothly, but “a failure to agree presentation and production terms” led to the end of the Examiner partnership and a name-change to the Campus Chronicle.

This year coincided with the extension of the Student Centre and, with the Chronicle moved from their original office to a storeroom, conditions proved inadequate for the production of a paper. In January 2002, then Editor, Brian Power, quit and released a ‘Protest Edition’. This edition outlined a long list of grievances, including a lack of internet and phone access, allegations of censorship as well as having the design and proofing of the paper taken from their control.

The following two years, as the University Xpress, also saw editorial changes mid-stream, as a period of editorial instability coincided with a low-point for the Students’ Union, as officers resigned, positions were unapplied for or uncontested and disputes with the Student Centre raged on.

In 2003, incoming Editor, Adrian Russell, likened the quality of articles under the previous regime to the product of “a dyslexic chimp that typed wearing boxing gloves.”

The following year, under the late Denis Clifford, the University Xpress became the UCC Express, expanded news and sport, switched to a fortnightly printrun and produced a glossy culture and entertainment supplement, Ex2.

Clifford later penned a seminal piece, ‘Freedom for my paper’, which made the case for a media independent of SU influence. A pair of sackings by the union, whether justified or not, had highlighted their contradictory management role, while the lack of a provision for a full-time Editor was also bemoaned, although this has not seen any change.

The Ex2 insert changed from glossy to plain paper in 2006, presumably due to production costs in a time in which a university-wide alcohol advertising ban had been introduced by President Wrixon. However a 40-page, glossy Ex2 Style magazine was published as a once-off.

In 2007 the Express won the prestigious People’s Choice award at the Student Media Awards, its first such honour.

Since then its writers have captured individual awards for news, features, humour, travel and sports writing, as well as a photography honour. The paper is regularly the only student newspaper from outside of Dublin nominated for Newspaper of the Year.

The following year the Express, led

by Alan Good, won its independence, as a Media Executive was created as an autonomous sub-committee of the SU, aping the Clubs and Societies Executives. A referendum was also passed where 57% of students voted to pay €2 as part of the capitation fee directly towards this body.

However this Exec did not function effectively in the following years due to disruptions to the editorial continuity of the Express, as well as the temporary removal of the Comms Officer position. That lack of continuity also saw the demise of Ex2; however its replacement, Verge, came into being in 2012.

This summer the Media Exec has finally been constituted to serve students by “facilitating, regulating and representing UCC student media.”

In some ways the paper has failed to move on from 1997. The office, desk and phone remain the principal facilities; however the office now takes the form of a disused chemistry lab in the Windle.

Despite this the paper has improved hugely. Much of this is down to the newer technologies personally available to editors, which allow more accessible design, ideas and information.

The Protest Edition outlined the facilities available to Trinity News in 2002; however the provision of eight computers and a €40,000 university grant are still a pipedream for the UCC Express 12 years later.

Ultimately the Express still embodies many of the ideals of its predecessors, and what once was Ireland’s only weekly college paper remains Ireland’s most frequently published student newspaper.

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, August 19th 2014

‘Be inspired, be safe, be healthy and be good citizens’ Dr. Michael Murphy UCC President Welcome to the 165th academic year at University College Cork. To all first years, thank you for making a wise choice and I hope that your experience here will surpass your highest expectations. I particularly welcome students from overseas and wish you all a stimulating new cultural experience at the university and in the city of Cork.

This academic year will be particularly exciting as the university embarks on the celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of George Boole. Largely selfeducated, he became, in 1849, the first Professor of Mathematics here in Cork, where he set out the basis for what became known as Boolean algebra.

Today, every electronic device on

the planet and all software operates through the application of Boole’s work. In fact, a recent book from Princeton University Press bears the title How George Boole and Claude Shannon created the Information Age. To the usual menu of wonderful opportunities at UCC – scholarships, sport and recreation, cultural offerings, volunteering, entrepreneurship, coffee in the Rest or sunbathing in the President’s Garden – we will add a special calendar of events throughout the year to mark Boole’s birthday, which I hope that you will each take the opportunity to participate in.

This is also a year of innovation as, after several years of planning, we embrace semesterisation. Given the scale of planning and a broad level of engagement by staff and students in its design, I am confident that roll out of the semesterised curriculum should be

smooth.

Finally, for ‘Freshers’ adjusting to university life following five years of very structured learning, and living at home or in boarding school, is a challenge. Some will find it daunting.

For this reason, we have at UCC a very extensive range of student support services, a wonderful peer support system and, above all, a university student culture that is friendly and inviting.

If you are challenged, seek help.

Conversely, keep an eye out at all times for your class mates who may lack the courage to ask or not know where to inquire.

Graduates of UCC from earlier years and decades, across the world, invariably celebrate the deep sense of community among students at UCC.

‘Brace yourselves for one hell of a year’ Mark Stanton UCCSU President Freshers, did anyone ever tell you that your school days were the best days of your life? Well they lied! College is by far and away the best thing you will experience! You’ve placed the most difficult part of the Irish education system behind you and hopefully you’ll never hear the phrase “Léigh anois na treoracha agus na ceisteanna a gabhann le cuid A” again.

While you were off touring Thailand, running amok in Santa Ponsa or sourcing fake IDs on J1, we’ve been in the office getting everything ready to make sure this is one truly epic year!

Your time here in UCC is far too short!

Make sure you don’t waste it. Try a new sport, join a society, run for Class Rep or do all of the above and more!

There is so much going on here day in and day out, don’t spend all your time in a house on College Road! No great story ever starts with ‘So I was watching Jeromy Kyle…’

always plain sailing. If things go wrong make sure you get in contact with us.

If you’ve failed an exam, if you’re unhappy with a lecturer, if the dog dies or you just want a chat with somebody, call in to us on College Road and we’ll

sort it. Except the dog dying; he’s gone.

Finally apologies in advance for the all student emails, but try and read at least a few of them – it’s how I spend my Sunday nights!

Amidst all this newfound freedom you might also remember why you’re here and attend a few of those ‘lectures’. It’s extra important to get the head down a few nights a week from the start this year due to semesterisation; Exams will be here before you know it!

As for us, basically we’re here to facilitate any mad ideas you get, throw some pretty amazing events and sort any problems you have along the way. College life is great but it isn’t

‘All you have to do is get involved’

‘Add your stamp to the tradition’

Aaron O’Sullivan Societies Guild President

debating or performing, photography or activism, languages or science fiction there is a society for you.

Jim McEvoy

First and foremost welcome to UCC to all those new faces!

You might want to continue a hobby you already have or maybe you’d like to try something completely new like leather-crafting or sword-fighting with the Medieval and Renaissance Society or, if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then Hot Beverages Appreciation Society might be more to your tastes.

Whatever your interest, there should be something to suit. And if you can’t find the society for you, you could always apply to set up a new one!

It is my great pleasure on behalf of the sports clubs to welcome you to UCC.

My team and I oversee the running of the 98 societies currently active here in UCC, ensuring that they are best equipped and trained to offer you the best events, speakers and opportunities while you are here.

Your time in college is, as the adage goes, one of the best experiences of your life and it’s up to you to grab the opportunities presented to you during this time. Life at UCC is about so much more than just the academic, albeit the primary reason you are here.

Whatever your interest, passion or hobby, there should be something here to cater for your tastes. Our societies range from academic to political, creative to charitable and religious to social. Whether you have an interest in

The next few weeks will be hectic so my advice to everyone is to try as many societies as you like and stick with the ones you enjoy. Life here in UCC has opportunities a plenty so make the most of it – all you have to do is get involved.

Best of luck in the next few weeks and I look forward to meeting ye.

Clubs Executive President

The Clubs Executive is the governing body for student clubs here. Our main aim is to support students in any sports related activity and to encourage students to get involved with the clubs in any capacity – committee member, participant, coach, etc.

In UCC sport, the range of activities, both competitive and recreational, is vast. Currently there are 61 sports clubs in UCC and they encompass all disciplines, including martial arts, outdoor pursuits, archery, karting, water sports and traditional team sports – both indoor and outdoor. You can meet the clubs on Tuesday the 9th of September in the Student Centre for Clubs Day, when all of the offerings will be on display.

UCC is proud of its tradition in sport and I look forward to many of you continuing these great traditions by wearing the skull and crossbones during your time here. You, the students of today, will now add your stamp to the tradition that is sport and physical activity here in UCC. Be it in walking (or running!) from one lecture to another, be it taking the stairs rather than the elevator or competing on behalf of UCC against other universities/ clubs, wearing the skull and bones with pride – understand you represent us all, all of the time.

Success is not in winning or losing, success is being the best you can be in your chosen activity.

One thing worth taking note of for the coming year include the launch of a Sports App which will be a one stop shop where you will be able to simply access all upcoming fixtures/ events/ results and information on any and all clubs under the auspices of the Clubs Executive.

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Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

Why should we vote and campaign for Marriage Equality?

Rob Cas UCCSU LGBT Rights Officer

A

fter a long day of wandering around Vancouver I found myself in need of somewhere to get a cold drink and a WiFi signal, so I chose a Starbucks. This particular store is smack bang in the middle of Vancouver’s answer to The Castro in San Francisco; Davie Street.

Looking out from this Starbucks window which has had “PRIDE” painted onto it, I’ve seen old and young members of the LGBT*Q community walking around with impunity. I have seen two dads carrying their child, two women holding hands, an old guy stepping out of his car that had a pride flag hanging out of its window and for seeing this I am both envious and ashamed.

I envy the forward thinking nature of Canada and its willingness to offer safety to those whose lives are assumed to be drastically different from heterosexuals. I am ashamed that my own cultural biases forced me to look at these occurrences and acknowledge them in a way I would only acknowledge an anomaly. That we can feel envy or shame means we know what we ought to aspire to.

If we can change our own world views and refuse to allow others continue to propagate the view that one kind of person is less deserving of as full a life as the next, then we can be satisfied and proud of ourselves.

The opportunities for this are many.

As individuals we will inevitably encounter ignorance in our day to day lives, as well as witness social injustices, and we can act as individuals to counter these.

REFERENDUM Next year Ireland votes on marriage equality, a referendum the UCC Students’ Union fully supports and will be raising awareness for and campaigning in favour of throughout the year. With student groups coming together as a strong example of how dedicated students are to this cause, we are further united in our belief that, working together, we can win this referendum.

Our university is a constituency of 18,000 votes including staff, which is a powerful vote considering that the second divorce referendum in 1995 was won by 9,148 votes.

Opinion polls between now and polling day will show you that a majority of the country is in favour of equal marriage but we must not put our faith in these

or view them as the vindication of our efforts. Our only vindication comes when all votes are counted and the returning officers declare a result.

This is not a campaign that will be won with a single voice uttering a single sentence, but only when all groups, be they political parties, civil organisations or the student movement, work together.

We will have a strong opposition whose greatest strength is their anonymity and presentable natures. We cannot underestimate their power or dedication.

We must also focus on what this referendum is about: allowing two people of the same sex, who wish to marry before the law, equal rights and status to enjoy the same privileges already afforded to opposite sex couples. All UCC students can be part of this through voter drives, talks and campaigns.

DIGNITY The Irish LGBT rights movement was born in sad conditions in 1982 when Declan Flynn, an Aer Rianta worker, was killed in a park in Fairview, Dublin. His four attackers were given a suspended manslaughter sentence based on the judge opining that they had performed a public service.

This prompted what was essentially Ireland’s first pride parade, a march of 900 people from Liberty Hall to Fairview Park to show solidarity with the victims of these vigilantes.

We have always carried ourselves with a dignity that demanded respect in and of itself. This is a tradition we must continue throughout the campaigns as we have little to gain from wild accusations of homophobia where there is none. I am not saying we won’t encounter it but we must not allow ourselves to become tangled in semantics and synonyms; if we find ourselves having to explain these terms, we are losing.

We are best served by appealing to people’s hearts and minds. Everybody in Ireland knows somebody from the lesbian, bisexual, gay and trans* community and their connections and relationships to them are a strong means of persuasion. Most parents want to see their child marry and have children of their own regardless of their sexual orientation and this is why they will vote yes. Despite what people will say in pubs and newspapers, on TV and radio, on the internet and on the streets across the nation, there are only benefits to letting love transcend gender.

One of my heroes is the immortal champion of human rights, Bobby Kennedy, who said; “We must recognise the full human equality of all

of our people – before God, before the law and in the councils of government.

We must do this, not because it is economically advantageous – although it is; not because the laws of God command it – although they do; not because people in other lands wish it so. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do.”

Together we can win this referendum and together we are a stronger community of people who believe that rights and love are not based on sexual orientation.

Let us know what's on your mind: Send your thoughts to editor@uccexpress.ie

Deadline for the Letters to Editor is Wednesday, September 10th

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, August 19th 2014

Nikolai Ruth Lawlor | Fiction Editor He felt the bitter cold seep through his pores as he paused; his head tilted upwards, listening for something, anything other than the harsh grating of the deep winter wind in his ears.

He was not a superstitious man but the sight of crimson tracks in the snow had unsettled him. He froze for only a moment, but it was enough for the fear to seize him in a desperate grasp. Suddenly, inexplicably, he felt completely and utterly alone.

He glanced back at the easy smile of his companion and felt a sudden anger rising from within him. His duty was to protect the younger man trailing behind, an expression of bemused interest and childlike innocence eternally occupying his face. He was almost a brother to him, a brother born not of the union between man and woman but through a loving friendship, a friendship that he now knew would come to cost him dearly.

The voice of the teenager reached him through the blizzard, barely that of a man, his words clipped as he struggled to move his frozen lips.

“You must not hide things from me, Sokolov,” he said evenly. “I see what you see. I am not afraid.”

“I see nothing,” the older man replied, turning away. “Come. We must not stop here.”

Sokolov was a difficult man to read, to understand. He was a strange creature, his arms lean and strong, his eyes

betraying a deep, bitter history and his face marked with the scars of time long gone. His pallor was almost transparent despite the sallow hue to his skin, the caramel brown so rich it was almost yellow. He stood out against the wilderness of white, his dark skin and hair not fully hidden by the old furs that he wore. His features were hard and chiselled as though carved from the very ice upon which he walked, yet this was an ice that would never melt for he was frozen from within, hardened by his own legacy.

He was unusually handsome, despite a vast array of flaws. The eyes were both too narrow and far apart, the nose too large, the ears carelessly arranged in hair that was too long, like a mismatching pair of shoes that you wear anyway, because that’s what you’ve always done. But then there were his lips; those soft, red lips, so out of keeping with the dark shades of his complexion and even his character.

They drew the eye to his face and gave it a disconcerting beauty. Uncannily feminine, the colour of blood spilled and fallen rose petals, they were God’s gift to him as a man and as a lover, something to soften the harsh lines of his face and hint at the goodness that lay within him, buried somewhere like a corpse in the snow.

And his eyes were strange to behold, a startling cloudy blue set in a visage carved from some deep mahogany marble, if such a thing ever existed. It was almost as though there had been a mix-up in the workshop where he was moulded – there was doubtless an Aryan child somewhere with the

chocolate-brown eyes that should have been his.

Often he stared directly ahead as though lost in another place, not speaking for hours at a time. He never smiled, or rarely anyway, save for those precious few moments when he would laugh uncontrollably at possibly nothing at all, before the sound would fade and he became silent once more.

The cold pressed more on him as he walked, his head bowed, muscles tensed. Long ago he realised that he had come to the boundaries of Dante’s own hell, not a ring of flame but a frozen wilderness of blood and guilt, the very ground on which he now walked. This was the land that both man and God had forsaken, a barren wasteland fit not even for sinners and slaves.

The younger man came to stand beside him, a startling contrast to his companion. Smaller and stockier, his face bore the mark of adolescence, a hapless wonder that the world had not yet corrupted. He was as fair as the other was dark, his skin once tanned in the summer, but turned to the palest gold as they had left the sun behind them long ago. White-gold hair hung low in his eyes; keen, piercing eyes, the sign of an intelligence and fierce loyalty that would come with maturity and time.

The boy’s sudden question startled him. “Where do we go when we die, Sokolov?”

His reply was slow, almost hesitant, though he had known from the start

what his answer would be.

“The man who fights against his country and betrays her and deceives her, he will exist forever in the Russian winter, a spirit with no soul, wandering in the in-between. But the man who dies in the name of this country, with this country in his heart, he will be buried in the snow and become part of this very earth; each raindrop will bear his name and he will return to that from which he was made, living forever in each Russian child that is born, in every word that is spoken.”

“God’s gift to him as a man and as a lover, something to soften the harsh lines of his face and hint at the goodness that lay within him, buried somewhere like a corpse in the snow.”

“And you, Sokolov, where will you go?”

His shoulders dropped and his eyes grew sad. “I will go where the winds take me, my friend.”

They fell silent then, each man troubled by his own thoughts of death, each knowing that they were never far away from God’s open arms. Sokolov no longer counted the days as they

struggled through the mountains. He had long forgotten what the purpose was; only the boy kept him going, still smiling, still dreaming those dreams that only he could see.

In the end it was not the desert that killed him, but desolation. As he laid his head on the frozen earth, he felt a hollow chill deep inside him, the empty chasm that remained as his pounding heart left him, lost in the Russian snows. Around him, nature paused, mourning her lost warrior, lamenting the one who had tried so hard.

The young boy stayed with him until the end. He did not speak but let the dying wind whisper his friend’s last eulogy, knowing as he did so that he would not go on alone. From the ice he had come and to the ice he would always return.

And so Nikolai came to rest on the hard snow, his head beside the other’s, crystals of cold clinging to his skin as his eyes closed for the final time. In the beginning the warmth of his breathing melted the ice but gradually it, too, began to slow as his body shut down, shielding itself from the cruelty of the elements. The rise and fall of his chest was almost disguised by the soft flutter of snowfall, his skin pale as the lonely moon.

He had lived with his friend and so too would he die with him. That night the winter took him, and in the morning the fresh snow fell like teardrops from heaven, the final reminder that two men had fought for freedom, for all the living, and for all the dead.

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Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

The Freshers’ Guide to College Eoghan Madden It is that time of year again when the youth of Ireland are finally sobering up long enough to remember that they have to return to college in a few weeks. After spending the summer in Santa Ponsa or Magaluf drinking your own body’s volume in cheap liquor, getting over that pregnancy scare after the debs and contracting skin cancer from being out in the sun for too long; it is totally acceptable to be worried about coming to a learned college of such high academic standards.

the warmth, security and comfort of their parent’s home and living in student accommodation; the antithesis of home life.

There are lots of fun puzzle games to play with your new housemates. These include ‘whose turn is it to take out the bins’, ‘who drank the last of the milk and wasn’t arsed to replace it’ and, my personal favourite, ‘who got sick in and/ or blocked the toilet again’. With mysteries such as these keeping you entertained for hours, you will never have to play Cluedo again.

But fear not; we here at the UCC Express will guide you through how to survive the day to day stressfully life of a student. Today we will walk you through the three corner stones that make up the circle of student life…

Akin to this, it is very important to keep your house clean and tidy to avoid accidents and mishaps. A startling recent study found that an incredible 78% of domestic accidents occur in people’s homes.

Diet and exercise

In order to avoid these accidents please follow these easy steps.

Diet and exercise are a fundamental part of keeping a healthy body and mind while in college. However many students find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet due to the lack of funds to accommodate the rising price of fruit, their inability to cook healthy meals or, the hardest obstacle to overcome, their blatant laziness. To compound this, such a lack of fruit and vegetables in a student’s diet can lead to many diseases and illnesses, such as scurvy and anaemia.

Hovering is a long and arduous process, so why not just kick everything on the floor under the couch. Nobody ever looks under the couch and it frees up the floor so no one will slip on the Amber Leaf boxes that cover it.

In order to avoid these nasty aliments, follow these easy tips and you will be as fit as a single, 33-year-old unemployed man.

If you find it difficult to get enough vitamin C in your diet, start your day by grinding up a Berocca boost and rub it into your gums. Not only does this help you save time waiting for it to dissolve in water, but you also get to experience how Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan starts there day.

Similarly if you find it hard to consume enough fruit, try having a can or two of Bulmers with lunch, breakfast and dinner. Bulmers comes in a range of different fruits and flavours. It’s basically an apple in a can; just think of it as a fizzy smoothie of sorts. Also the fact that it comes in a six pack means you will keep the doctor away for six of the seven days in a week.

Household hygiene They say home is where the heart is.

This is important to remember when deciding where to live during the course of your academic year in UCC. For many people this will mean leaving

When cleaning your plates after dinner, don’t bother putting waste food in the bin, just scrape it into the sink. By doing this you ensure that the food will rot, ferment and decompose in the plug hole, thus creating your house’s very own compost pile. This not only helps the environment but saves you money on water charges as your sink will be constantly clogged, reducing the amount of water you will need to use in washing up.

If you can manage to complete these easy steps, your house may just get on Grand Designs in the not too distant future.

Party In the immortal words of the Beastie Boys: “you gotta fight for your right to party;” and I have a feeling that’s what most of you have some here to do exclusively. Drinking, partying and poor decision making are an important factor in getting the most out of your parents money in college.

When going out in college, it’s important to get the most out of your money. This is especially important when buying drink. Make sure when buying vodka to get Tesco Value. Not only will you get so drunk you may get sick through your nose, you can also run a small car or a lawnmower on whatever vodka is left over the morning after.

Music is a key component of a good night out, so make sure you have a banging playlist to impress your friends. Songs such as Avicii ‘Levels’ or the Avicii ‘Levels’ remix that plays backwards are always at the top of what people want to hear. Similarly, when in a night club go up to the DJ every few minutes and ask him or her to play requests. DJs love being told what to do and will appreciate you contributing your great taste in music.

Dress to impress is my motto when going out, so I never compensate when it comes to my looks. This is why it’s important for guys to wear as much River Island as possible. You want to look like someone who just came back from an audition for a One Direction body double and failed to get the part.

Remember you can repeat an exam but you can’t repeat the craic. Unless that exam is a test to see how much of your liver and brain cells have been destroyed, killed and eradicated by binge drinking; in which case you will be lucky to be able to remember what course you are doing by the end of Freshers’ Week.

So what have we learned?

UCC is an exciting academic and social hub, which may of us are lucky to attend. It is a place of limitless craic, fun and good times; however it is important to find the right balance between work and play. Ensure that you look after yourself, your house and your grades during the college year.

You don’t want to wake up in May in a house that now looks like a Calcuttan slum, with a hangover that could subdue ten men and realise you may have to go to CIT. Nobody wants that.

So if you follow the tip and tricks in this article, you might just survive the academic year and make it back here next September.

Warning: results may vary.

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, August 19th 2014

In Mom We Trust Duncan Disorderly

Moving out of home and into college accommodation for the first time is a life-defining experience. For some, the transition is flawless and exhibits little or no change from the routine of life back at the home ranch. For many, however, the proverbial leaving of the nest can be akin to a Spartan baby being cast out into the wilderness to discover whether or not he is worthy.

It’s a process everyone should undergo at some stage (the moving out of home, not the Spartan baby exodus) and you can learn much about yourself while you’re at it.

I remember in my first year in student accommodation, I had many brighteyed dreams of maintaining a pristine house where visitors would clamour at the door to gain entrance to my immaculate domain; where we could have a nice cupán tae and, who knows, maybe some biscuits if the night was heading that way.

That simply wasn’t the case. The reality was that all I could entice possible visitors with were some of our basic amenities... “Hey guys, want to come in and try some of our freshly squeezed water? Have a seat on the couch there, lemme just move that mould to the side for you.” Needless to say, our visitor count barely reached double figures by Christmas.

Another obstacle I encountered was in attempting to control my spending. A chicken roll here, a Jagerbomb there; my funds were rapidly dwindling. One’s budget can take quite the battering as college progresses as many Freshers discover that the one thing missing from their lives up until now was a double mochafrappacappalattecino from Starbucks or the New Bar’s chicken curry.

Come April and May, dust has gathered in wallets college-wide and the phrase: ‘what’s a dole? I think I want one,’ becomes a lot more commonplace. The average student may have 99 problems, but being rich ain’t one.

But there is a fall-back scenario, a plan B, a last crusade. She goes by the name of Mom in most cultures and is usually only a phone call away.

I had trouble showering in my old house, so I contacted the mother for some reassurance and guidance. “Open the door, step in, turn the nozzle to a heat that you find manageable and scrub in a counter-clockwise movement” was what she told me. I should have been standing at the shower when listening to her; I was in the kitchen so I ended up trying to wash myself in the oven.

Mom will always know what weatherconquering attire to don, regardless of your opinion. Even if it is 30 degrees outside with not a cloud in sight, if your mother tells you to wear a coat, you better damn well wear a coat because if she thinks it’s going to rain, it’s going to bloody well rain. I could take a trip to the most isolated parts of the Saharan desert, where it hasn’t rained for hundreds of years, and if my birth-giver told me to wear a coat, you could bet your bottom dollar that it would piss out of the heavens.

Why living at home is not for losers Trevor Drinkwater That’s right, I’m a home bird! I’m sure all you cool dudes with your rock music and jazz cigarettes are already profiling me – just ragging on the square who’s still stuck living at home; quietly going mad due to lack of freedom and sexy time.

Ho ho, but little do you know that if your hypothetical subconscious literary reaction was reduced down into the metaphor of a 1980s movie, you would be the sports jacketed numbskull jock boys and I the unlikely bespeckled hero; destined to come out on top against all odds. This success achieved by either a robot of my own construction, a serum which makes me irresistible to women, a defrosted caveman-turned-skater dude, or some sort of magnificent combination of two or more.

You might think that being king of your own party domain and living with several other newly released members of the human race is the greatest thing to ever happen to you now, but I’m here to set you scallywags straight and defend my fellow homies.

Let me forcefully create a word-picture within your mind... You’ve been out the night before; you’ve pretty much painted the town a shade which could at worst be described as off-red, but best case scenario full on scarlet. You wake up the next day, still suffering from the unmistakable mental shrapnel which only one and a half pints of Coors Light are capable of causing.

You knew you shouldn’t have had that extra half pint, you know what it does to you, you animal. You’ve

“got a thirst on you” as your ignorant roommates would say, their unwanted idiosyncrasies already beginning to grate.

But all you have for comfort is your terrifyingly small room and your aforementioned acquaintances: all of them busy subsisting entirely on strict diets of milk and over-hyped amateur sports; probably transfixed in a discussion about whether a Massey Ferguson would beat a David Brown tractor in a fight.

In your desperation for human contact you actually begin to situate yourself in odd positions within your comically tiny student home in order to simulate a de facto hug from the ever encroaching walls. However the cold, poorly plastered embrace of your abode does little to salve your crippling home sickness.

Now compare your life to mine and weep. Well I’m not tired for one thing, having only completed a single pint; I’m not a frigging monster! I also managed to chat up a lovely Chiquita, although things seemed to turn south when I mentioned my mommykins for some reason. In retrospect she must have been an orphan, or one of those unwanted children; the poor girl.

This was a blessing in disguise however, as without her to slow me down I managed to catch the classic 11.30 bus home; the bus of legends!

As if my night couldn’t get any better, this selected sojourn afforded me a lovely chat with an elderly man named Norman. I loved his wry observations about the growing apathy towards the old and infirm, but found I differed greatly when it came to his hatred of

“the Gays” as he affectionately called them. I didn’t bother disagreeing with him of course, because he would be dead soon and he holds little to no power within society for reasons he had previously outlined in great length.

And as if that didn’t solidify the superiority of my night, here comes the kicker... Do any of your new cellmates know how you like your tea in the morning? Didn’t bloody think so!

My mom on the other hand actually knows how I like my tea, having honed the skill wonderfully over 21 years of bringing it to me in the morning with my Coco Pops. Just in case anybody was interested, I take it milky with four sugars; that way it tastes like a lovely warm tea-y milkshake.

I think by now I’ve made you all pretty jealous, so I better leave you to wallow in your own loneliness. Oh and one more thing... hugs are on tap at casa de mammy! Booyeah! Enjoy life in the independent lane losers.

10 |

Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

Crossword C R O S S W O

U C C 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 9

10

11 12

13

14 15 17

18

19

22 23

25

16

20

21 24

26

27 28

29

30 32

35

31 33

34

36

Across

1 Creative writing graduates’ wages, much like their product! (9) 5 In position of influence as union officer this year (5) 9 (& 18D) Michael Murphy can be found sweating here (4,4) 10 This sporting group is on course to success (4,4) 12 Payment for entry (3) 13 Lectures start on this (4) 14 Make your debut here, before coming to college (4) 15 George Washington or Oliver Plunkett in Cork (6) 17 Faculty based in Áras na Laoi (3) 19 A collection of banknotes (3) 21 I signal before joining this club (7) 22 Symbol of UCC anatomy (5) 23 FYI, it’s a mix of business and IT (1,1,1) 26 Weeklong fundraiser (1,1,1) 27 Graduate’s paper (6) 28 Fleas prove to be wrong (5) 29 Two per academic year, like Obama (4) 30 Admissions body for third level (1,1,1) 32 Dreaded test of students (4) 33 Western sister college of UCC (1,1,1,1) 35 See 27D 36 City-side digs which host ancient department (8)

Down:

1 You students are more modern than the rest (8) 2 Trial out interactive teaching (8) 3 Deceased graduate and traditional composer, with MEP daughter on a radio (1,5) 4 Boole’s best work was a garble (7) 6 Number of times you sit 32A to avoid August (4) 7 Most unattractive man overlooks main campus (6,4) 9 ORB President given nickname from Home and Away, perhaps (3) 11 Event to say ‘Welcome’ to 1D, as Gaeilge (4) 16 24D is in this category of societies (8) 17 Named after 4D mathematician (7) 18 See 9A 19 Building code for 4D students (1,1,1) 20 Initially, they empower students with disabilities (1,1,1) 24 Society claims I raise awareness of faith (7) 25 27D used coordinate this as a coach (6) 27 (&35A) Candidly keen to lead sport (6,6) 28 Machine which produces facsimiles (3) 31 7D’s building won a prize for being this, according to legend (4) 32 Organ missing in 22A (3) 34 Key to find computer science website, for one (1,1,1)

Sudoku

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48)

R D

Across 1 Creative writing graduates' wages, much like their p 1 9 8 4 6 5 In position of influence as union officer (5) 9 (& 18D) The President can be found sweating here (4,4) 4 3 10 This group is on course to success (4,4) 9 Payment 7 3 for entry (3) 4 12 13 Lectures start on this (4) 3 7 6 14 Make your debut here, before Freshers' Ball (4) 15 2 George Washington 1 or Oliver Plunkett in5 Cork (6) 17 Faculty based in Áras na Laoi (3) 8 5 banknotes (3) 19 A 3collection of 21 I signal before joining this club (7) 2 9 8 1 22 Symbol of collegiate anatomy (5) 23 FYI, it's9a mix of business and2IT (1,1,1) 26 Weeklong fundraiser (1,1,1) 8 Graduate's 2 7 6 27 paper (6) 9 28 Fleas prove deceptive (5) Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Sat Aug 9 13:57:24 2014 GMT. Enjoy!

29 Two per academic year, like Obama (4) 30 Admissions body for third level (1,1,1) 32 Dreaded test of students (4) I just need to press this button to finish my grant application!

33 Sister college of UCC (1,1,1,1) 35 See 27D 36 Archaeology building (8)

Comic

3 weeks is a reasonable time to wait for neccessary funding

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, August 19th 2014

The Selfie: A closer inspection

T

Conor Shearman | Features Editor he selfie, an idea so intrinsically linked with the self that one might be forgiven for pronouncing it with a Sean Connery slur.

The selfie is not purely a selfish notion however. Rather the true power of the Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of 2013 lies in the latter part of its definition; “a photograph taken of oneself… uploaded to a social media website.” The modern selfie is not a picture confined for one’s own amusement but a method of social interaction, presenting oneself to the wider world.

Image: Gerard McCarthy

Although the selfie as shared online may be a recent phenomenon, the concept of the self-portrait is one which stretches back throughout time.

Whilst self-portraits have been uncovered in civilizations as far back as Ancient Egypt, it was the Renaissance which brought the concept of the self-portrait into public consciousness for the first time, with the likes of Durer and Rembrandt producing consistent self-portraits throughout their lives.

In a similar vein to today’s selfie, these self-portraits can be viewed as acts of self-promotion. By showcasing their skills at self-portraiture artists hoped to generate further commissions. The central difference in the modern selfie is that it has no (or very little) artistic merit. The self is both the central object of the selfie and the object being offered for self-promotion, rather than any skill set.

The rapid growth of the selfie trend has left researchers behind in assessing whether it is a benign form of social interaction or possesses more serious implications.

The meteoric rise of social networks utilising the selfie, such as Snapchat (where globally users now send over 700 million photos and videos on the service every day) are now being used by researchers to investigate its effects.

One trend plotted by a group of experts in the ‘SelfieCity’ project is that the behaviour is largely based in young people. Analysing over 2,000 selfies posted on Instagram in five cities across the globe, the project found the median age

Image: Clare Keogh of the selfie taker to be 23.7.

a smartphone.

The popularity of the selfie amongst younger generations may not be surprising, but neither is it a trend from which one can draw further inferences.

It is a foolish notion to accuse the latest generation of being more narcissistic when they are simply adapting faster to new technologies.

The selfie is more than simply a harmless by-product of the human drive to interact though. It is a more intimate form of photo both in terms of the closeness of the subject and often of the glimpse it offers into a person’s life. It draws others into aspects of a person’s life that are normally sealed off; whether in bed or at funerals, the private is transferred into the public domain.

Certainly there is an argument that humans as innately social creatures will constantly seek out further opportunities of social interaction, whether these are offered by developing a language or

Whilst an erosion of intimacy may be laughed off by many in a culture in which reality television is so predom-

Image: Tomas Tyner inant, it may also harbour deeper psychological implications. A recent study carried out in conjunction with a number of universities in the UK found that those who frequently share photos on Facebook were at greater risk of damaging real life relationships.

Dr. David Houghton, the lead author of the report, explained the effect: “this is because people, other than very close friends and relatives, don’t seem to relate well to those who constantly share photos of themselves. The information we post to our friends on Facebook actually gets viewed by lots of different

categories of people… and each group seems to take a different view of the information shared.”z The psychological impact of the selfie it seems is twofold; if it has the capability to reinforce existing relationships, then it also has the same ability to damage them. It may be that its capability as a tool for self-obsession or social interaction lies in the hands of the person holding it.

Ireland’s most frequently published College paper, now on all your devices! http:uccexpress.ie

12 |

The Rookie’s Guide to Cork Laura Flaherty

Deputy Features Editor

F

irst off, welcome to UCC congratulations on getting this far! Now that you’re here, here are a few need to know things about life in Cork City.

Firstly, living the student lifestyle means saving as much money as possible for Thursday night excursions, so learning to shop around for deals is a must. Tesco and Aldi are your saviours when it comes to food and drink.

Local pound shops can also be quite useful, especially for the (infrequent, right?) house party when you’re quite frankly better off buying the plastic cups; there’s always someone who breaks everything, as you will come to learn.

When it comes to eating out, it’s hard to beat the traditional McDonalds and Burger King for value. The likes of Captain America’s and Rockin’ Joes are also quite popular, with students offered varying deals on selected days of the week.

Those used to finer dining are best off adjusting their palettes or empting their bank balance.

On the clothes front, there is of a course a Penneys on Patrick Street. However I’d encourage visits to the nearby charity shops, most of which are located on North Main Street. You’d be surprised what you can find in there, and most of the time the stuff is top brands in pretty good nick.

The best thing about Cork City is that almost everything is within five minutes of each other, making life a lot easier.

And now for the fun stuff; the postlecture, recreational activities... After the predictable Tesco Value vodka fuelled house party, you’ll most likely be heading to the Savoy, one of the most popular venues for UCC students.

Other clubs that may be of interest are the Washington Inn, the Bailey, Chambers and, my personal favourite, the Old Oak. Inevitably you will end up in the Bróg on a damp Wednesday evening, although an attempt to class itself up it means it now claims to be 21s.

Beyond partying Cork has much more to offer, from the skate park on Mardyke Walk, to the Lee Fields for the nature and photography inclined.

The Crawford Gallery is a must-see for anyone interested in art and design, as is UCC’s own Glucksman. The Gate Cinema offers great student deals; five euro for any movie at particular times.

Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

make sure to know your bus routes.

These are life savers in winter when it’s raining too.

The most important thing to know about Cork City is that it is an open door.

Enjoy your first few weeks before the essay deadlines and exams start to creep in. Get up early, go for a walk and explore the city you’ll be calling home for the next few years.

Do something wonderful in this wonderful city, after all, as any Corkonian will be eager to tell you: ‘tis the greatest city in the world.

On the topic of student cards: use and abuse it. Being such a student orientated city, pretty much every store in Cork offers student discounts. Make sure to avail of student discounts when traveling home; Irish Rail and Bus Éireann tend to be kind to us.

While everything in the city is centrally located, getting there may not be that simple. If you don’t fancy the 30-minute walk from the likes of Victoria Lodge and Farranlea,

Why bother with the news?

I

Conor Shearman | Features Editor

range of alternatives.

t was a summer week in which two papers led with different stories: one an escalation in the current Gaza-Israel conflict which has left more than 2,000 people dead; the other a scuffle between tween sensation Justin Bieber and actor Orlando Bloom in an Ibiza restaurant.

Statistics produced for 2013 by the UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, demonstrated this change in consumption between generations.

Whilst 34% of people consulted BBC1 as their primary source, 24% of people aged 16 to 24 used a digital media source as their first choice.

It brings to mind the bizarre nature of that concept we know as the news.

What is the news but a grouping of information that someone, somewhere, has decided should be relevant to our own lives? Simply because it is the purpose of the news to inform, hardly makes it the obligation of the people to listen?

The seemingly endless nature of news today and the sheer range of available sources, from constant Twitter reactions, to 24-hour news channels, mean that the way we consume news is changing. It is no longer accepted as the almost divine force that it once was; it is questioned, probed and some sources are rightly held under more scrutiny than others.

The result is a change in the sources that we consult; where once RTÉ News may have been considered the gold standard, people now are faced with a

The increase in competition between media outlets presents them with a dilemma: how do they maintain their popularity? How can they ensure that what they produce as newsworthy is also popular?

The problem for media is that far too often the public have an appetite for stories which are not particularly newsworthy at all. Simply glancing at the most viewed stories on The Guardian website last year offers a sense of this: one of the biggest stories of last year, the revelations by whistleblower Edward Snowden on widespread NSA surveillance garnered 3.8m views, whilst Sinead O’Connor’s open letter to Miley Cyrus on fame amassed a cool 2.4m views.

It is difficult therefore for media to justify placing significant issues before the popular, if it is the popular story generating demand. While this may ring true purely from a perspective of maximising revenue, profit alone

should not be the sole aim of the media.

The media has a responsibility to the public; it owes them an education in the ways of the world. Alain de Botton, a philosopher and author whose book The News: A User’s Manual was published last year, has argued that the role of the news goes beyond simply informing the public: “the point of the news is to make the nation flourish, to help the nation to go better.”

The tragedy or scandal we read about in the news everyday has a purpose.

Exposing criminality aims to make society a better place. Reporting on deaths in a natural disaster hopes to trigger means by which less death can be caused in the future.

If the people are changing the way in which they consume the news, then the news too needs to change in response to the people. It must adapt to make itself significant in our own lives.

Popular news must be made significant and significant news must be made popular.

Accepting the news as a force of positive change makes it powerful far and beyond its current purpose.

Reading about Justin Bieber’s latest fight may be a waste of our time, but learning not to commit the same idiocies ourselves is priceless.

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, August 19th 2014

On Mature Reflection Diarmaid Twomey Another September has arrived and, for the second year in a row, I have been looking forward to this month for a reason other than the possibility of Cork returning from Croke Park with some silverware.

Entering year two of my four-year degree, I am less anxious about the year ahead than I was last year. I feel that this year I can truly embrace the experience of UCC. Of course my first experience of college, at age 29, will in many ways be decidedly different from most Freshers. But in many other ways, it will be very similar. Therefore I want to use this piece to pass on my tips to those who have just walked through the beautiful gates of UCC. I will try my utmost to avoid littering the scribes of my advice with clichés, or filling these inches with irrelevant information; so here goes…

The most critical piece of information I have for those starting out is to enjoy the experience: engage with people outside your course; avoid cliques and cozy clubs. Spread your wings, join clubs, chat to strangers, and always remember your future best friends,

colleagues and partners may not share the same classroom or course code with you.

But don’t fall behind on your course work. Us mature students have a habit of asking all the questions, lining out at the front of every class like the front row of a scrum ready to engage with the opposing lecturer. But even us mere mortal matures have a tendency to fall behind in course work, submit assignments late and cod ourselves into thinking we’ll ‘make up the ground’ over the weekend. I still need to make up the ground in subjects from last year so trust me, you never make it up!

For the love of God, venture beyond Washington Street! Cork has some amazing pubs and, while the music scene is not as strong here as it used to be, Cork nightlife has so much more to offer other than the regular haunts of the college contingent.

Don’t limit yourselves to the back alleys off Washington Street and the pubs named after shoes and witchery.

Think of Washington Street as the strip of neon lit pubs in the centre of your holiday destination, while the real gems lay beyond the neon signs and gimmicky drink promotions.

Remember to look out for one another

and not to be too hard on one another or yourself. Not everyone is suited to college. Not everyone needs college to discover their life’s dedication.

Therefore not everyone will enjoy their time in UCC; many will leave or decide to change course before the end of year one. This is to be encouraged.

“My first experience of college, at age 29, will in many ways be decidedly different from most Freshers.

But in many other ways, it will be very similar.”

If you’re not happy doing what you do, don’t settle for it; strive for more. Strive for happiness and contentment in your future discipline. Remember college education is about enriching your mind with knowledge, challenging the status quo and becoming a more rounded person. You are not in college to provide multinationals with the requisite skills when it suits them. You are in UCC for your mind, not their bottom line.

Finally, I’m sure many of you are aware of the issues Ireland and the planet currently faces. What the world and certainly Ireland needs now, more than it ever has, is a throw back to the days when student movements were movements that were taken seriously and almost always engaged with.

Nothing has diminished more rapidly, since the end of the last century, than the willingness of the y o u n g e r generation to participate in protests that are so pivotal to the improvement of Irish society and the world. So, I would beg of you all, get mobile, voice concern, raise objections and hold placards.

We owe it to the next generation that will walk through the gates of this beautiful college.

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14 |

Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

The story of the high five Stephen Walsh | Sport Editor “My name is Borat – high five!”

One might be wondering why I happen to be quoting a movie that has no obvious relevance to any sporting matter, but I want to talk about the gesture detailed in that opening line.

It’s a gesture that has now become an international sign of acknowledgement; the high five.

October 2nd 1977 was reputedly the first day the ‘high five’ gesture was ever used; Glenn Burke of the LA Dodgers was attributed with the invention. A contemporary newspaper report described the incident as:

“It was the last day of the regular season, and Dodgers’ left-fielder Dusty Baker had just gone deep off the Astros’ J.R. Richard. It was Baker’s 30th home run of the season and it was a wild, triumphant moment and a good omen as the Dodgers headed to the playoffs.

Burke then stepped up to the plate and hit a home run and Baker returned the gesture, meaning that their celebration wasn’t a one off and, as per the aphorism, the rest is history.

Dusty Baker spoke about the gesture, saying to ESPN:

Little did they know how much of a worldwide impact the gesture would have. It took just three years for the trend to move across the country from Los Angeles to be featured in the New York Times on the 1st of September 1980. Almost every sporting event since has featured the ubiquitous high five.

“His hand was up in the air, and he was arching way back. So I reached up and hit his hand. It seemed like the thing to do.”

Glenn Burke was subsequently traded to the Oakland A’s for Billy North during the 1978 season, following to a falling out with General Manager

“Glenn Burke, waiting on deck, thrust his hand enthusiastically over his head to greet his friend at the plate. Baker, not knowing what to do, smacked it.”

Al Campanis. Burke was supposedly offered $75,000 to marry a woman in attempt to cover up his homosexuality but he declined to participate in the deception. Back in 1970s America, the idea of a gay ball-player was an anathema to baseball fans and it is widely believed that homophobia was behind the LA Dodgers’ decision to release him.

relating to his sexual orientation.

The loss of Glenn Burke to Oakland had a detrimental effect on the Dodgers’ set up as their clubhouse lacked the buzz of his presence, yet the players kept the high five going as they felt it helped with team bonding. Burke eventually retired from playing Major League Baseball at 27 years of age in 1980, due in part to the constant abuse suffered

Next time you give a high five to your friend, spare a thought for Glenn Burke, the man who invented it.

Glenn Burke passed away in 1995 eventually succumbing to the drug addiction he struggled with for many years. One obituary on the day written about Burke said: “At the end, the man who invented the high five could barely lift his arm.”

In profile: UCC Judo Club

In Profile: UCC Darts Club

Tim Kelly

TJ Kenneally

Judo is all about using your opponent’s own size and strength against them, so everyone has the ability to progress in our club. We host between two to three gradings in the Club during the year to further develop everyone’s individual skills.

Following a resurgence of interest in our club last year, we have some great plans for all members this year.

In November, we will be hosting a

Describe your club

Plans for the current year…

The Darts Club was founded five years ago and since then has moved from strength to strength. Just last season UCC won two league titles, going undefeated in both league seasons as we enjoyed a highly successful year.

This coming year we will enter our first ever campaign playing Premier Division darts against the best teams in Cork, which is a proud moment for all at the club and a great time to get involved. In singles competitions UCC Darts Club also enjoyed success, with our own Kyros Stavrianos winning two singles titles by beating some of Corks finest darts players.

To compete amongst the best teams in the Cork Darts Players’ Association Premier Division.

Club Nickname

Our Judo Club is one of the oldest judo clubs in the country, along with being one of the oldest martial arts clubs in college. We pride ourselves on being one of the friendliest clubs in UCC and our ability to collaborate with others.

Jigoro Kano founded judo in the late 19th century. Kano originally learnt jiu-jitsu, as he wanted to find a way to overcome opponents who were much larger than him. However jiujitsu had a number different disciplines and Kano decided to combine the best possible parts of the sport to form judo, which translates as ‘the gentle way’.

The 180 Crew

from 7pm and players of all standards are welcome. Come to the Clubs open day for a chat and see what sets us apart from many others. Don’t be shy, hope to see you all in September.

very special session inviting all thirdlevel institutions to come down to the Mardyke for training. We will be also hosting the All-Ireland University Judo Championship in February for the first time in 10 years.

Don’t worry; we have a social side as well. Last Christmas, we took our family Christmas photo when Tralee IT came up to visit us for a night out.

Meanwhile for R&G Week we had our Gladiator event which was a great success and raised a lot for the charities despite the heavy rainfall.

So if you feel like checking us out, find us on Facebook or Twitter. Or better yet meet us at Clubs’ Day or visit us at one of our trainings, and ‘throw yourself into something new’!

When and where do you train?

If it’s a bit of craic you’re after, then there’s no better place to come to socialise and meet new people. We meet every Monday in the New Bar

Any major achievements for your club in the past year?

We won the Division 1 league title both sides of Christmas.

What is the best thing about your club?

The welcoming, easy going and relaxed atmosphere you find at a darts night.

Social Media/contact details uccdarts@gmail.com Famous current/past members SU President Haughney.

2013/14,

Padraig

| 15

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, August 19th 2014

Déjà-vu as neighbours prepare to renew intense rivalry

Stephen Barry Editor-in-Chief After a 2013 championship which was heralded as the start of a newly egalitarian era for hurling, this year’s incarnation has reverted to type with a pairing no less traditional than Tipperary and Kilkenny set to face off once again for All-Ireland glory.

Clare may have broken Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary’s collective stranglehold on Liam McCarthy, however this year either the black and amber or blue and gold will lift aloft that famous trophy, making it 15 All-Irelands out of 16 for the Holy Trinity of hurling.

That’s not to say that the likes of Clare, Limerick and Wexford won’t continue to resonate as major contenders, but rather a reminder that the consistent production lines and depth of talent in the hurling strongholds will keep that

trio in near-perennial contention.

scenarios.

If Kilkenny and Tipperary can serve up the sort of fast and physical thriller that wowed the country between 2009 and 2011, then September 7th will prove a red-letter day for supporters.

But as good as Callinan, O’Dwyer and Patrick ‘Bonnar’ Maher have been, they will also need Lar Corbett to fire if he is to repeat his rivalry with Jackie Tyrell.

Galway captured six goals across two games against this defence and you felt that Limerick, like Dublin, left goals on the Croke Park field; something which Tipperary will hope to avoid.

Unlike those games, Kilkenny come in without the cloak of invincibility they once wore, while still being a top-rate side. Meanwhile Tipperary are still Tipp, with some doubts, no lack of skill and huge game-breakers.

The manner of their semi-final win may have been no surprise, after all the side is managed by the man who delivered the final words before the 2010 final that denied Kilkenny their five-in-arow; “attack, attack, attack.”

Facing that attack will be a Kilkenny full-back line that has seen it all before.

However that won’t stop Tipp trying to isolate the likes of Seamus Callinan and John O’Dwyer in one-on-one

In the semi-final it was Tipperary’s fringe players who stood up. Shane McGrath grabbed his chance, while Paddy Stapleton and, UCC hurling captain, James Barry embedded themselves in the full-back line.

Tipperary will have a selection headache in the full-back line but, for once, it will be a good one; bring back the recovering Michael Cahill, but for whom?

That said, Cork did hit nine wides in a close first half and no matter how good the inexperienced Barry or

Cathal Barrett have been, Kilkenny will still target them with the likes of TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly. Fennelly along with his brother, Michael, add a physical and ball-winning presence to the Kilkenny frontline which Tipperary lack.

In the middle, Kilkenny will know that they can force errors on Darren Gleeson’s precise puck-outs and the battle for midfield superiority will be fierce.

Kilkenny’s constant ability to introduce readymade Seniors to the team give them a fresh look as well as vital power on the bench, where Henry Shefflin, Tommy Walsh, Richie Power and Walter Walsh sat out the semi-final.

If it is close, then we will see whether Kilkenny’s experience can swing it or if Tipperary’s young subs can bring an unexpected X factor.

UCC Surf Club was re-established in 2012 with the goal of producing toplevel surfers without sacrificing their education in the process, which tends to be the case for up and coming stars.

They also cater to those who’ve never surfed before and are looking to take up the sport in a safe and friendly environment, with an exciting social scene to boot in locations many clubs don’t ever venture to; such as Costa Rica, Panama and even Australia!

Last year was a successful one for the Surf Club, finishing fourth in the ISA Intervarsities, a year after they had hosted the Intervarsities in Castlegregory. The women’s team are the current standard bearers in the club having been the top team in the country for the past two years.

This success doesn’t come about without hard work and lessons for beginners are held at the start of the year

on weekends, when they are supervised by team riders. Weekend trips away are to be expected and skills are developed on these trips. During the week pool and yoga training sessions are held for fitness and injury prevention. And of course, whenever the waves are good, you’ll see UCC surfers on them!

The Surf Club has big plans for the coming year, with monthly trips to Lahinch and Bundoran planned for everybody. The club will be hosting an intervarsity tournament in the autumn, on a format never used in Ireland before.

In terms of international travel, the club hope to go to Morocco and Portugal this year to catch some quality waves and enjoy experiencing a new country.

The Surf Club in UCC is blessed with its location in Ireland, and being less than a two hour drive from some of the best waves in the country, it may be time to look into a trip up the West coast.

Ben Thistlewood

the club’s membership.

Describe your club

Any major achievements for your club in the past year?

We run, throw, jump and sometimes walk. We cater to all abilities, from beginners to seasoned athletes; everybody is welcome! We train all year-round and you can join anytime.

We offer track sessions and dedicated gym-time, coaching, plus training camps and competitions in Ireland and abroad. If you’re still not sure, join our jogging group; it’s a fun way to start running regularly and explore the best running routes Cork City has to offer.

We also have plenty of social events and weekends away throughout the year. So come on out and give it a try!

2nd team overall in the Outdoor Track and Field Championships, our best finish in 10 years – we’re on the rise!

What is the best thing about your club?

Definitely banquets!

the

post-competition

Contact details Ben Thistlewood (PRO), b.thistlewood@umail.ucc.ie

When and where do you train?

Famous current/ past members

Mardyke Arena track and gym.

Our long-distance running coach, Donie Walsh, is an Olympian (Munich 1972, marathon).

Plans for the current year…

To win Irish University titles and grow

Jordan McCarthy | Sport Writer Race of the summer The 2000 Guineas was one of the hottest renewals in recent years. Not only was the performance of the winner Night Of Thunder noteworthy, but many horses behind him that day at HQ have gone on to win, and win big. Kingman (2nd) has won the Irish equivalent, the St. James’ Palace and the Sussex Stakes. Australia (3rd) has become a dual derby hero, while The Grey Gatsby (10th) has landed the French Derby and the Dante. So that race is working out pretty well!

The Star of the Show

The Surf Club, UCC’s most In Profile: UCC Athletics travelled club Club Tom Roche

A summer on the gallops

In one word, Taghrooda! The Sea the Stars filly has had four runs in her career and remains unbeaten at the time of writing, as we approach the Yorkshire Oaks. She was brilliant in the Oaks and scintillating in the King George. She looks special and could go on to greatness. Here’s hoping she does! Kingman has also been superb this season and has taken control of the mile division while Australia has lit up the racetrack too.

The Best of the Rest Ryan Moore has again been marvellous in the saddle this season. He is strong, stylish and tactically brilliant.

Missunited has got to be the highlight for Irish racing fans. The mighty mare finished third in the Ascot Gold Cup before sealing victory at Glorious Goodwood. It was another brilliant festival at Galway with Thomas Edison landing the Galway Hurdle and Road to Riches bagging the Plate.

It has been an exciting summer, and with York’s Ebor meeting, the St Leger, Irish Champions weekend, the Arc and British Champions weekend all fast approaching, there’s plenty more plotlines to come to an end.

UCC

SPORT

Tuesday, August 19th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

Lehane’s toughest exam: finding the soccer / study balance

Image: eyetothegrounds.blogspot.ie

Stephen Walsh | Sport Editor Out with an ankle injury for a few weeks as Cork City continue their title challenge, Rob Lehane hopes to be back for September’s match-up against fellow high-fliers Shamrock Rovers.

Lehane will be eager to add to his 16 appearances this season while, being a striker, he’ll want to see his goal tally of four to increase with the business end of the season just beginning.

Lehane has shown the benefits of hard work and perseverance as he was signed for Cork City from the UCC Munster Senior League team back in March, after impressing in the Collingwood Cup just before the League of Ireland season started. This involved crossing over from the Farm to Bishopstown for training, something that former UCC player Josh O’Shea also did back in July when signing for City.

While in the he played in last February went into the

skull and crossbones the Collingwood Cup in UCD, where UCC competition as second

favourites. However UCC lost in the semi-final to surprise winners NUIM 2-0.

of Ireland football.” However the move has been aided by the fact that he followed in the footsteps of UCC’s Collingwood manager, John Caulfield.

Balancing studies and sport is something that the second year Commerce student has had to learn over the past year, and he is thankful to some of the support services that have enabled that balance.

“I struggled with the maths part of the course but I had a chat with the grind service here in UCC and they set me up with grinds. They were a great help.”

Lehane sees the step up between Collingwood Cup and League of Ireland as huge; “the whole environment is different with better players, bigger crowds and more expectations. Plus everybody wants to progress to League

The big difference between this year and last with Cork City is that training has moved to the mornings and is no longer in the evenings as it was under Tommy Dunne. This has made it more difficult for Lehane, as he acknowledged in saying; “Last season we trained in the evenings, which was fine with college during the day, but now we train in the morning which makes it harder to balance with college.”

An added bonus of attending UCC is that the facilities in the Mardyke Arena, which are second to none, are close at hand and Cork City currently uses them for their recovery sessions.

Lehane is very complementary of the facilities and staff, whom he regularly encounters as he is currently using the anti gravity treadmill for his ankle in the hope of making the Shamrock Rovers tie. “I’m currently out with the ankle but hopefully I’ll be back for the Rovers game if all goes well.”

Inside Sport: Page 15

He spoke about his aims for the near future with Cork City; “I was doing okay up until the injury and hope to just try and get back into the team and challenge for trophies with the team.”

That challenge for trophies has owed much to the large crowds in the Cross, and Lehane hopes that the Rebel Army will be out in force on his return; “This season there has been quality football and the crowds have responded and enjoyed themselves.”

Familiar foes: This year's All-Ireland final is a clash of the titans between Kilkenny and Tipperary, who feature UCC’s Fitzgibbon captain, James Barry.