An focal (Vol. XXIV Edition 1)

VOL. XXIV Edition 1

SEPTEMBER 2015

PRESIDENTS WELCOME

ORIGINS OF WOLFIE

OUT IN UL’S SUCCESSFUL YEAR

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PAGE 16

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SETTING THE BARR

BY SEAMUS TOOMEY

COMFORTABLE and confident Thomas Barr greeted me with a firm handshake and a cheerful smile, wearing a bright vibrant multi coloured jacket he exuded a sense of happiness.

After a few minutes of pleasant chatter we got down to business and I started with a few questions eager to hear about the man who’s, indeed, setting the Barr for not only Irish athletes but UL’s up and coming.

Thomas Barr is one of the few who are heading to the Olympics in Rio in 2016 and he described the feeling as “kind of surreal” seeming still not to really believe what he’s accomplished.

He recently brought home Ireland’s only gold medal from the World University Games in South Korea with his 48.78 second run in the 400m hurdle final.

He’s been training since he was 9 years old and admittedly says he was never a top runner.

That is until the past 4 years when he came to UL and began training seriously.

“When I came to Limerick the last 4 years is when I started to take off.”

The Athletics club were a great club to help Thomas achieve what he has so far, even the varsity competitions have helped he said saying they take away the pressure, you just go on the day and do your best. A big difference to the pressure an international competition holds such as the WGU and what that can put on you.

Barr explained that he was ranked favourite for WGU 2015 and that he was relieved more than anything just to have performed well on the day “With expectation comes a lot of pressure , glad I was able to deal with it and pull it off”.

“Probably the biggest win I’ve ever had.”

Has his win at WGU gone to his head?

Nope Barr says it hasn’t even really sunk in

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THOMAS BARR Photo: Rory Lewis

yet, he even seemed sceptical that it will any time soon.

“Still hasn’t really set in, don’t know if it will because I’m still in the middle of season still working towards the World Championships“.

So what’s Thomas Barr doing with his training right now for this ever approaching competition, well if you think he’s upping the ante and killing himself you’d be wrong, he says that currently he’s trying to maintain and keep healthy and that the real hard work will come in October to March .

Never shy of staying busy he’s now doing a masters in sports performance and nutrition

in UL and believes his nutrition has improved greatly from this and likewise his overall health and performance.

Having an Olympian at the dinner table won’t be a shock for his family though as they’ve had many dinners with their other child, Thomas’ sibling Jesse Barr who’s also an Olympic 400m hurdler having competed in the London 2012 Olympics.

Thomas puts the success of the family down to a combination of good genetics and strong work ethic saying it’s a “mixture” of the two, as well as being afforded everything an elite level athlete needs “really good coaching, well looked after, we have everything you need”.

An Focal - Official Newspaper for ULSU

With the WGU 2015 win being Thomas’ biggest to date his goals for Rio are to get his time under 48.5 seconds which he stresses is such a hard thing to do and it could take the entire year to shed just .2 or .3 of a second off his current times.

But he won’t be alone in his efforts to do that with everyone involved in the Athletics Club offering their advice and encouragement to help his motivation and training and all of us here in UL are wishing him the best in his important year ahead.

“For the strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack” – Rudyard Kipling

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September 2015 EDITORIAL

Welcome Back! What a year it's been

TOMÁS HENEGHAN WELCOME everyone! From fresh-faced 18-year-olds to the veterans, welcome to UL and to a new An Focal. My name’s Tomás, though some people find the fada and lack of a ‘h’ a bit tricky so you can call me Tom if you like. I’m the new Editor of An Focal for the next few months and I have many of those big plans you always hear people talking about.

I think it’s fair to say it’s been quite the summer. For you first years, specifically the newly released from secondary schools, your most notable change is probably going from school to college and all that entails.

For returning UL students, you are coming back to a different university in many ways. Yes, there have been a few enhancements around the SU and there’s this shiny new building where the car park in front of the Lonsdale used to be. But the biggest change, and maybe it’s not that noticeable, is that we are now a more open, inclusive and welcoming campus.

Why? Well, 1,201,607 of us walked into national schools all around the country about three months ago and voted ‘yes’ for marriage equality. Of course it was not just UL students and I’m sure many UL students also

CREDITS EDITOR: Tomás Heneghan CONTRIBUTORS: Seamus Toomey, Colin Clarke, Ciara Corcoran, Marian O’Donnell, Seán McKillen, Professor Don Barry, Professor Edmond Magner, Professor Alison Perry, Professor Tom Lodge, Seán Lynch, Amy Lee Fox, Johanna Griffin, Keith Quinlan, Patricia Moriarty, David Tierney, Caryl Yulo.

voted ‘no’. However #ULove ran an incredible campaign in the run up to the referendum.

ULSU registered hundreds of students to vote for the first time in their lives.

The referendum on marriage also pushed the SU into new lands, where it made it’s historic move, taking a stance for the first time on a national referendum issue. With a spectacular push from our own LGBTQ society, Out in UL and the hard work of our SU staff, students and former sabbatical team, Mike Forde, Shane McCormack and Tommy Bolger we ensured UL played its part in making grá the law.

Although those from all generations (well those over 18 anyway) who said “yes” to equality, love and family should be commended, it was the students and young people who pushed this so far over the line you’d think half the country was getting married next week.

Thank you too from me personally. You’ve made this country a better place for me, my family, my friends and god willing, some day my own children. You’ve made this campus, my home for the past five years, a more beautiful and welcoming place to be.

But to the practicalities of this upcoming year. Building on the work of previous editors and staff at An Focal, I have hope to put my own stamp on the newspaper with a number of new enhancements. Firstly I plan to move from a monthly issue to a fortnightly issue. A ‘letters to the editor’ section will come in so that you all can interact with An Focal - you

can give your feedback and suggestions, comment or critique, debate or tease out an issue of discussion.

Key to interacting with you means bringing the newspaper to you. We’ll distribute more widely, promote heavily, run and publish polls on everything from student services to national issues.

You can take your pick from news, lifestyle, events, sports and probably anything else you can think of.

Some tips though before I finish this up because for the newbies, especially the first years, the next few weeks are going to be quite the maze. For one thing those Ski-slopes you keep hearing about, they’re not actual ski-slopes, UL would need a pretty big freezer for those. No, the slopes are the glass slopes on the main building in the courtyard near the Foundation Building.

Next is the infamous (trust me, that definitely is the best description of him) Brown Thomas. No, not the shop. He is the statue in front of the Skislopes, near the library main entrance.

As for you, well, take care of yourself. Have fun but don’t overlook the work side of things - believe me, the mountain to climb to get back on top of work at the end of the year is one I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

But you also need to make sure you’re healthy and when you’re not, that you ask and get help. Unless you truly are the uniquest of little flowers, you will struggle at many points throughout your time here in UL. That’s perfectly okay and

normal. What you need to do is always seek out help though, whether it’s talking to a friend, your family, your advisor, the counseling department, a lecturer or even people here in the SU. Best finish up by saying you’ll love it here, UL is the best there is...just ask the Sunday Times, they obviously

know a quality university when they see one. Keep in mind always that An Focal is your newspaper for you, the students, by the students...yes, all 13,000 of you. It’s your voice, make use of it.

You can get me on anfocal@ ul.ie or over at Twitter (@ AnFocal_UL) and on An Focal’s Facebook page,

whether you want to write for the paper, complain about the paper or just have a chat about anything An Focal related.

P.S. Eden lives up to its name with the scones there. If you too love your scones (not scons) make sure you get in to Eden early - they tend to sell out pretty quickly.

First Gender Neutral bathroom for ULSU LAST week the University of Limerick Students’ Union (ULSU) introduced a new gender neutral toilet into the main Students Centre. It is the first such facility on the UL campus.

ULSU President, Colin Clarke said the new facility was important for trans and gender-variant people as they must deal with access problems to public facilities.

Mr. Clarke explained: “ULSU believes in equal access to public facilities and for all students to be able to safely and comfortably use a public restroom.

Nobody should have to fear harassment or be uncomfortable when using these facilities.

“It’s important to be progressive - hopefully this step will encourage other organisations to follow suit and develop a more inclusive society. We will certainly be lobbying the University to try and bring this initiative across the whole UL campus.”

Secretary of UL’s LGBTQ society (Out in UL), Seán Lynch stressed the importance of gender neutral toilet facilities. He explained:“Gender neutral bathrooms are a huge part of making trans people feel more safe and more accepted everywhere.

Giving trans students the option to use a bathroom, free from judgement, where they feel safe, is hugely important.”

Mr. Clarke also pointed to the recent enactment of the new Gender Recognition Act, saying: “It’s about breaking down barriers and ensuring that our Students Union and University are a welcoming place for everyone.”

TOMÁS HENEGHAN

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September 2015

Are you interested in news, sports, lifestyle, clubs & socs news?

Write for An Focal this semester!

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New Year, New An Focal

4

September 2015 NEWS

ULSU President's welcome

COLIN CLARKE WHAT’S the craic. I’m Colin your new student union president. It’s an absolute pleasure to be your president and I’m going to be working hard over the next year to try and make this place better and more exciting for you. I was elected by you, the students so you’re the most important people here. If we’re not doing things

right, tell us. If you want us to do something we’re not, tell us. I work for you.

My main role is working towards increasing your involvement with the union. I also sit on over 30 university committees as your student representative. I’ll fight tooth and nail for you all, providing you don’t kill a puppy or something stupid like that.

Puppies are sound!

The best advice I could give having gone through five years here would be to get involved. We have over 70 incredible clubs and societies here from skydiving to ultimate frisbee and debating to drama. The opportunities to go on foreign trips and to gain valuable life experiences with all of these clubs and societies are endless. You will make friends for life once you attend that first meeting or training session. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Also don’t be afraid to make

Welfare Team CIARA CORCORAN THE Welfare Team is a group which tackles welfare issues throughout campus and is run through the welfare office. The Welfare Team is an opportunity to get involved in tackling welfare-related issues that are relevant to students, answer questions that current students are asking, and most importantly, we have fun doing it.

Our campaigns range from mental health awareness, drug and alcohol issues, and body image concerns. We welcome all volunteers who have a passion for student welfare or who just want to get involved and meet new people.

The Welfare Team is a fantastic way to get involved in university life and meet new people. Not only this, members of the team will develop an array of skills varying from project management and communication to marketing. These skills also include those arising from various training opportunities throughout the year including suicide awareness and intervention training and sexual health training. Your involvement in the Welfare Team will also allow you to apply for the President’s Volunteer Award which you will hear so much about throughout the year.

We welcome anyone and everyone to join the team, from 1st to 4th year, access students, postgrads, mature students, international students…….

Finally, it’s about having fun and doing good work at the same time. You will make some great friends, have so much fun and learn a huge amount about yourself.

So don’t forget to keep an eye out at the recruitment drive! We’ll be having our first meeting Wednesday week 2 at 6pm in the SU, see you all there!

a mistake. Whilst college is about academic learning it is also about life learning. The best way to learn how to live the good life is to make mistakes but learn from them. I picked the wrong course in first year and had to repeat.

Yes it meant another year but it also meant four more happy ones. Do what makes you happy.

If you get in trouble academically or are finding things hard, talk to somebody. Talk to anybody. Be it a housemate, classmate or councillor, talking helps. College can get tough, for some of you this may be your first time living away from home but it will get easier. My door is always open except when it’s closed…because then it’s not open…but more often than not it’s open.

On a happier note, I hope you guys are ready for a chaotic year. Our fresher’s and charity weeks last year

were incredible but we might just have a few surprises for you this year. One of the things I’ll be doing this year is ‘Pints with the President’ one evening a week, so you can talk to me in a relaxed environment over a cold pint or a coffee. I’ll also be doing a ‘Beat the President’ series where I’ll challenge students each week and if you beat me you can win great prizes like Wolves merchandise or free tickets to events.

UL is not just a place for students either. This year we are working on our strategic plan as we believe UL has a huge part to play in the wider community. We will be distributing our student newspaper An Focal to off campus housing estates in order to communicate the great work we are doing in the union and what’s been going on. We have recently hired a new full time editor and have decided to produce An Focal every

two weeks like the good ol days.

This year, we have placed greater emphasis on events.

We have big plans for new events including our new student dog racing night ‘the wolves go to the dogs’ which is happening on Thursday of week 4. We also plan to hold a number of non-alcoholic events just to offer something a little different and healthy.

But the one big event that we are working on is UL Fest which we have made progress with over the summer having met with the president, vice president, buildings and estates and many other key stakeholders who are supportive of the idea. Our vision is that we could hold a fantastic music and arts festival on Plassey Lawn outside Plassey House and raise a significant amount of money for charity.

This could be an event staff, students and alumni could really enjoy together.

It’s important that we continue to grow and continue to learn as a union. In July we got the opportunity to visit both Manchester and Leeds Universities’ Students’ Union which was a fantastic experience as they are both considered two of the best in the UK. Their unions don’t compare to ours in terms of staff and resources, for example Leeds have 70 full time staff. In order to reach that stage we need more income generating resources and we have a strategy moving forward which I hope I’ll be able to discuss in future editions.

I want to welcome you all, both old and new students.

My final piece of advice is to just take that first step and get involved.

Welcome to your new home. Welcome to the Wolfpack. GET WOLFIE, it’s going to be a HOWL (sorry that was shite).

Sabbat team’s either/or Barrys or Lyons Colin-Barrys Marian- Barrys Ciara- Barrys

Salted or buttered popcorn Colin- Salted Marian- Salted Ciara- Salted

Stables or Scholars Colin- Stables Marian- Stables Ciara- Scholars

Cats or Dogs Colin- Cats Marian- dogs Ciara- Dogs

Galaxy or Cadburys Colin- Cadburys Marian- Cadburys Ciara- Cadburys

Plain or Spicy Chicken

Lectures or Tutorials

Colin- Spicy Marian- Plain Ciara- Spicy

Colin- Tutorials Marian- Tutorials Ciara- Lectures

Walkers or Taytos

In-y or out-y

Colin- Taytos Marian- Taytos Ciara- Taytos

Colin- in-y Marian- in-y Ciara- in-y

GAA or Soccer Colin- Soccer Marian- GAA Ciara- GAA

Pub or Club Colin- Pub Marian- Pub Ciara- Pub

Takeaway or taxi Colin- Takeaway Marian- Taxi Ciara- Taxi

Heels or Flats Colin- heels Marian- flats Ciara- heels

Stay in or go out Colin- go out Marian- go out Ciara- stay in

Red or Blue Colin- Red Marian- Blue Ciara- Red

Fags or rollies Colin- rollies Marian- fags Ciara- fags

*Note- neither Marian nor Ciara smoke!

Killmurray or Plassey Colin- Kilmurray Marian- Plassey Ciara- Kilmurray

On or Off campus Colin- off Marian- on Ciara- on

Twitter or Facebook Colin- FB Marian- FB Ciara- FB

Your house or mine Colin- mine Marian- mine Ciara- mine

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September 2015

Helping you look after yourself CIARA CORCORAN Hi everyone, WELCOME back, we’ve missed you! To all our new first years, welcome to UL and prepare for the best 4 years of your life.

I’m Ciara, your Welfare

officer for this year. While Colin represents you all as President, and Marian looks after your academic issues, I help you look after yourself and your well-being. I deal with your non-academic needs such as; mental health, sexual health, accommodation issues, and financial aid. Anything that you have a question or issue about I’m here to help as best I can.

It is my job to offer informal advice and assistance on any issue you have affecting your welfare or well-being. I'll help you out as much as possible and if I can't, I’ll refer you to someone who can. It doesn’t matter what year you’re in or what you’re studying,

Know your SU Staff

Liz Gabbett - Democracy Development Manager

everyone is welcome in my office. If there is anything that bothers you, I’ll make it my priority to help as best as I can.

Throughout the year I will run awareness campaigns such as Mental Health weeks and Sexual Health and Guidance Week, also known as SHAG week. I'm also the person with the condoms - 3 for €1 and the €1 goes to charity, win-win!

Just call into my office or ask behind reception.

Keep an eye on your student handbook diary and the ULSU Facebook page for what campaigns will be on each week.

If you fancy getting involved in organising these with the Welfare Team just drop me

Adele O'Carroll - Facilitie s& Support Services Manage r

Michelle Whyte ator Clubs & socities Coordin

s Paul Lee - Clubs & societie Development Manager

Barry Costelloe SU Accountant

Keith Quinlan Events & Promotions Man ager

Killian Stone - Marketing & Communications Adminis trator

paperwork, and many phone calls.

Starting on September 10th (Wednesday, week 1) we’re marking World Suicide Prevention Day in conjunction with UL Smarter Travel. This will be a cycle resembling the national Cycle Against Suicide. There will be orange bicycles and t-shirts dotted around the campus with the aim of stopping the growth of suicide in Ireland. If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer or cyclist just drop me an email or call into the Union.

In week 4 it’s Physical Health Week with lots happening on campus in conjunction with the First Seven Weeks programme. There will

be events held every day with information about how to stay healthy and happy. Sexual Health and Guidance (SHAG) week will be held in week 5 so keep an eye out for all the fun stuff on campus. Make sure to pick up the next edition of An Focal for more information about both of these campaigns.

Just remember, it’s ok not to be ok. No problem is too big or too small; I'm here to help you so call in to see me at any time. Get involved, be engaged, keep an eye out for each other, and you will have the time of your life.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Ciara.

No question too big or small!

MARIAN O'DONNELL

Martin Ryan SU General Managerr

an email on suwelfare@ul.ie or call into my office. I’ll also have small projects popping up throughout the year which I will keep you all updated on.

Not having you guys around over the summer was unusual but the SU was busy as ever.

We’ve visited SUs in the UK, I’ve planned awareness campaigns for the year, I’m in the final stages of creating a grant/finance guide, and been generally busy with bits and pieces that pop up throughout the day. I’ve met many people within and outside the university who will help give you all the best support we can provide. I’ve also had to do the boring not-so-exciting stuff like attending meetings,

HELLO everyone and welcome to UL, if you’re in first year, and welcome back if you’re returning for what promises to be another fantastic year!

To our fresher’s, you are about to start a life changing experience and to our fourth years, this is your final year so make it count!

My Name is Marian O’Donnell and I’m your VP Academic Officer. My role is to advise, assist and represent students on all academic issues. My door is always open so if you just have a question, want to double check something or you have a more serious problem such as issues with lecturers or tutors, exams, repeats, course work, modules or you want to change course there is no such thing as a stupid question, call in and ask! I know that it’s only the start of the year and we shouldn’t be talking about problems yet but that’s what I’m here for, to

ensure that your journey through this year is as smooth as possible.

There is no question to big or small so call in at any time and ask me anything.

As part of my role I also work with Liz (our Democracy and Development manager) to develop and facilitate Class Reps and Student Council. They are our eyes and ears on the ground and are an essential part of the work we do here in the Union. SO if you are interested in being a class rep make sure that you pick up a form and get involved, whether you’re in first year or fourth year.

Everyone who attends UL has one thing in common: you are all here to get a degree.

Over the next year you will stumble across some books, write thousands of words, stray into the library and hopefully be a little bit wiser.

Make the most out of your year so you can look back in a few years time and start every sentence with “Remember that time we…” Try everything, do everything, and experience all UL has to offer such as Clubs and Societies, Class Reps, the President’s Volunteer Award, the list is endless!

Don’t cut corners. Procrastination will be your constant companion for the next year, that and the constant battle between a glorious sleep in and a 9am lecture. You will skip lectures, miss tutorials and hand up essays late. You will struggle to balance the social life with the academic life, unless you’re some kind of super-human – Go you! But for the rest of us mere mortals, it’s OK to slip up now and then, but at the end of the day don’t forget that you are

in UL to get an education, to learn, to become infinitely or marginally wiser!

Don’t forget you can contact me by email (suacademic@ul.ie), by phone (061 213 491), through almost all forms of social media and using carrier pigeons is actively encouraged.

After 4 years in UL I think it’s good to impart some advice on our new students and some of the older ones.

Marian’s Top Tips for Surviving UL! 1. Go to class! – seems like an obvious one but try and get up and head to those 9ams as well as the 5pms. If it’s one you have to sign in for defo be there!

2. If you’re in the wrong class get up and leave as soon as you realise – it will be more awkward if you stay there.

3. The print room is impossible to find – bring someone who knows where they are going or prepare to get lost.

4. Tutorials start week 3! So don’t turn up by accident on Week 1 or forget to show up at all Week 3.

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September 2015

Playing a crucial role for postgrads SEÁN McKILLEN Hi all and welcome to the University of Limerick. My name is Seán McKillen, and I am the President of the Postgraduate Students’ Union (PSU) here in UL. The PSU is

the official representative body of all postgraduate students in UL. Whether you are new to the area, or returning after previous study here, I would just like to introduce myself and give an insight into the services that the PSU provides and what you can expect over the course of the coming year.

The PSU is based in the Stables Courtyard. The President’s office is located in here as well. We have a common room which people are free to use all year round. The common room is stocked with free teas and coffees as well as kitchen facilities (microwaves, kettle etc.) which people can avail of. The general opening times are from 8am-8pm from Monday to Friday. You can rent a key from my office, which allows you access in the evenings and at weekends.

The PSU is one of only two Graduate Unions in Ireland.

We play a crucial role in making sure that the views of the postgraduate community are represented at the governing level of the University. I sit on various committees that directly impact on campus and academic life and am empowered to make representations on behalf of students to these committees as well as to their departments/faculties/supervisors. Together with other offices, I am here to ease the transition to postgraduate study. Through cooperation with vital services such as the counselling service and the international office, the PSU will make sure that you will not have to face these challenges alone. We are lucky that we have an autonomous body to advocate for the distinctive

issues that we all face as postgraduate students.

I firmly believe in transparency in the decision making process at all levels of the University. After taking office I established a constitutional consultation process where students could have their say on the wording and provisions of our constitution. This process is still ongoing, and I hope that you will consider getting involved during your time here. I want to facilitate an open exchange of ideas and opinions that will lead to the formation of an even stronger Union.

To this end, I would like to announce that our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Wednesday 30th September at 6:15pm in the PSU common room. All postgraduate students are welcome to attend, and I hope to see a lot of you there. You can get involved by running for positions on the PSU Executive and Council. I’ll send out more details about the positions available and how you can get involved in the coming days.

Other items on the agenda

include the establishment of faculty-specific research forums and the establishment of bursaries for conference attendance and participation. If you have anything you want to put on the agenda, please email psupresident@ul.ie to have your voice heard.

During the course of this semester I will be hosting a weekly social event on campus for new students. Feel free to pop in for a tea/coffee and a chat. If you have any concerns or need advice, then this might be the perfect venue for you. I’ll be in touch soon with more details on this. I am also hoping to host a monthly pot luck dinner in the PSU common room, where people of different nationalities and backgrounds can come together, swap dishes and meet new people. As I said before, I’m here to aid the transition to postgraduate study, and welcome any opinions on other events that people would like to see happen over the course of the year.

My focus throughout the year will be on academic and career progression of our

students. Although a healthy social is welcome, I want to encourage everyone to use their time here to grab every opportunity that they can. As I mentioned earlier, I aim to establish bursaries to facilitate conference presentations. I will be working with the graduate school and the careers office to provide workshops on conference presentations as well as writing for academic publications.

All postgraduate students are also members of the ULSU. You are entitled to join any of Clubs and Societies (C&S) that operate on campus. With over 70 active C&S groups, there is something for everyone. For those just starting, it is a great way to meet new people. I would strongly urge you to check out what they have to offer.

That’s it from me for the moment. If you have any questions or queries feel free to call over to my office or email me. I am looking forward to working for you in the coming year. Best of luck with your studies.

ULSU Charity Week success TOMÁS HENEGHAN LAST May the University of Limerick Students’ Union (ULSU) presented its €30,000 Charity Week and donation fund to four local charities.

Console, Share a Dream Foundation, Rape Crisis Midwest and Novas Initiatives all benefited from the fundraising events held during ULSU Charity Week last March. Each charity received an equal €7,500.

Outgoing ULSU Welfare Officer, Shane McCormack presented the cheques to the four charities at an event at the university in May. Mr McCormack said the Student Executive at the university had chosen the four charities from just under 60 charity nominations this year.

He also said funding was raised from various sources including condom sales throughout the year, local donations and charity week profits.

He explained: “We are delighted to be able to hand over €30,000 today. We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to raise funds for the charities and also those that were not nominated this year can be nominated next year.”

“This is definitely the highlight of the year. You can see result of the effort put in by students and ourselves. Hopefully next year students will

be able to go in with that same energy and come out with the same result for the next four worthy causes.”

Describing the funds as “a great benchmark”, outgoing ULSU President, Tommy Bolger said the €30,000 was double the amount raised last year by the union.

He added: “I’d just like to thank all the students that volunteered, not just for Charity Week but throughout the whole year. The Students’ Union depends wholly on volunteers, we’ve only got a certain number of staff.

“It’s definitely a good note to be going out on. It’s the biggest week of the year from the moment you get elected all eyes are on Charity Week as a big week and it’s an indicator of the whole year really.

The Union is going from strength to strength.”

On the night Pauline Londra from the suicide charity, Console thanked all those who participated in the fundraising efforts for the charity.

Ms Londra explained: “I wish to thank the student union and all the volunteers for all their hard work and effort they put into raising much needed funds for the various charities including Console.

Shay Kinsella from the children’s charity, Share a Dream Foundation said the money the charity received would go towards the creation of an accessible playground in Limerick for disabled children.

Mr Kinsella explained: “Once again UL have shown Limerick as an extraordinary community reaching out a hand of love and friendship to hundreds of very sick and disabled children who all too often feel they are forgotten about by raising an incredible

€30,000 for four charities in the area.

Verena Tarpey of Rape Crisis Midwest said the donation came at a good time after the centre was forced to close last September for a month due to a lack of funds.

Ms Tarpey explained: “This

money will go towards maintaining the current services here - paying the mortgage on our premises, the electricity bills and keeping our doors open.

“Rape Crisis depends on so many volunteers to help deliver our service. Likewise,

we must recognise the team of volunteers who organised and managed the ULSU Charity Week - it simply could not have taken place without them.

Chris O’Connor from Novas Initiatives said the charity was “overwhelmed” by the €7,500 donation.

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September 2015 SEAMUS TOOMEY THE First 7 Weeks programme is what you first years, incoming international students and returning arts students will be depending on to get around campus.

Admittedly I remember asking where the ever elusive Millstream building was in my second year here.

They help point you in the right direction, give you some helpful tips and make your first (you guessed it) 7 weeks a little easier so you get settled in ok.

Karen McGrath is one of the magnanimous people offering up their time to help you newcoming (and forgetful returning) students to get around campus (and much more).

Or in her own words: “We’re here basically to help students settle in to college life and to make the transition from second level to college”.

The First 7 Weeks programme helps students in many more ways you see.

They’ll be bringing in guest speakers and providing other services in conjunction with different events such as mental health week and health and wellbeing week.

It’s a programme that’s beneficial to the college and its students, as Karen McGrath says: “obviously happy students make for happy lecturers, make for a happy university”.

It was the first programme of its kind to be introduced to a

First Seven Weeks college in Ireland and it’s one of UL’s selling points.

This year will be the second year that the programme sets up its base of operations (called the hub) in the SU Courtyard and it’s likely to be their permanent base for the years to come.

This is a particularly essential set up because without the hub there wouldn’t be a place for people to ask those embarrassing questions that they won’t ask on public forums such as the first First 7 Weeks programme’s Facebook page.

There’ll even be blood-pressure checks and breast checks that UL Arena will be helping out with.

For the first week there’re two guides at every entrance door for every building and these are a massive help to get you around to where you need to be.

This is because week one is such a busy week and this is simply needed to help alleviate the amount of questions they would otherwise get.

But after this, as week eight approaches and the First 7 Weeks programme ends, footfall dwindles and people learn to find their way around campus.

SoUL Week SEAMUS TOOMEY

SOUL Arts Fest is something still relatively new to UL, so first year or veteran postgrad you probably still don’t know a whole lot about it.

First off it’s called SoUL Arts Fest now because week sounded…well, weak. So we’ve got a big new banner with loads of societies featured on it but no clubs and that’s because this is the one week in the year where we put a spotlight on societies, the often underappreciated (somehow) middle child of two.

And what exactly does putting a spotlight on societies mean - are we going to make them sing and dance for us?

Well, yes some of them, presumably Music and Dance, but there’ll be lots of other events to behold as well seeing as we’re equipped with the talents of 31 societies.

Michelle Whyte (C&S Coordinator) and one of the brain boxes behind SoUL week is expecting this year to be the biggest yet.

It’s a relatively new event

to be added to the UL calendar but after only two years it’s growing fast.

“I expect the week to have gained traction and popularity off the back of the success of the past two years,” Ms Whyte said.

Expect to see two big names gracing the stage for the concert that lands on the Thursday night of week seven.

The main stage event is the most memorable night of the week and this year maybe even the entire semester, with two acts there will surely be something for everyone.

So get your tickets early before they sell out, this is an event on par with that of freshers week or RAG week music acts.

The international society will be busy hosting not only their International food fair, but also their weekly TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) event in Stables on, well Friday.

The food fair has been a wonderful event for attendees in the past few years showcasing the culinary skills of our students as well as the variety of foods

eaten around the world.

TGIF is always a fun week and a personal favourite of mine, it’s often referred to as international night because most people who go are internationals who haven’t/ can’t go home for the weekend.

Regardless, this will be this night but amped up in every sense - expect the international society to splash out to hold something bigger than their usual TGIF events.

The Tea Appreciation society will be hosting a historical tea party (with the History Society) where attendees dress up as their favourite historical figure and enjoy conversations over tea, in character of course.

They’ll also be bringing in a Japanese Tea Master for a Japanese Tea ceremony, imagine a good cuppa, but better. Ógra Fianna Fáil and Young Fine Gael will be hosting a political debate sure to set emotions flaring and tempers soaring.

Who knows, maybe you’ll be watching the future Taoiseach screaming and cursing his head off.

When the teammates matter more!

SEAMUS TOOMEY THERE are lots of reasons why you would cancel a date with your significant other, championship games, kayaking in the Alps, Brocon, 3 wall handball tournaments, World University Games 2015 or you just want to hang out with Michelle in the C&S Office.

Over summer a text between a couple (presumably a guy and girl) has gone viral thanks to SPIN South West.

In the text the (we’re assuming) guy defends his prioritising of a UL match over a date with his (more assumptions) girlfriend and when she gets angry his cocksure rebuttal is a wonderful example of just how important a hobby can be to someone.

Ahh young lovers locked in a row over differing interests, here at C&S we don’t blame him, looking at our survey from last semester we know just how important a sport or hobby can be to people.

“Being part of this club is the thing I will remember in years to come long after college has finished, they’re the teammates who turned into sisters, the friends who turned into family and the highlight of my college life. I can’t imagine not having been involved in the club.”

We think this C&S member nails it right on the head so that’s one person on the side of the guy - who would you side with?

Maybe they could join UL Boxing Club to sort it all out.

8

September 2015

President's Welcome Welcome to UL or welcome back. I want to say a particular “Fáilte” to our first years and a heart-felt “Welcome back” to all other students.

AS we start this semester together we have much to celebrate. Among a host of accolades and achievements of our students and staff, I know that you will take particular pride in being a student of Ireland’s “University of the Year 2015”. The Sunday Times Good University Guide awarded UL this title to recognise our commitment to graduate employability, our dedication to providing an exceptional student experience, our industryrelevant, award-winning research and our deep community engagement.

We recently celebrated the conferring of 2,422 new graduates who leave UL with much optimism, benefiting

as they do from an unbeatable employability advantage over other Irish graduates. The employment rate of UL graduates one year after graduation is more than 20% higher than the average for the other six Irish universities. We call that the UL Edge – and it is something of which this university is justifiably proud. Our most recent survey revealed that more than 7 out of 10 of our graduates are going into direct employment. And most of the rest go on to further study and research. Our doctoral graduates are also very much in demand, with 94% of last year’s PhD graduates currently in employment. So you can study and research

at UL with a great deal of confidence for your future prospects.

Our Research Impact initiative guarantees the relevance and impact of our translational research and we lead nationally in this space, making a positive impact on so many fields across economic, social and cultural domains. And we recently launched the UL Research Impact PhD Scholarship Programme to support the next generation of our brightest researchers, to add to many other scholarship programmes that will support UL students in their studies.

We are particularly proud to be one of only two universities in Ireland to win

the coveted Athena SWAN Bronze award recognising best practice in recruiting, retaining and promoting women in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine).

In UL we have worked hard to ensure equal opportunities for all, leading the way in gender equality with the highest percentage of women at professorial level in Ireland (31% at UL compared to 19% nationally).

I look forward to meeting you during AY2015-16 at student exhibitions, awards ceremonies and the wide range of sporting events and clubs and societies activities that make UL such a vibrant and dynamic learning environment. I would encourage you to consider participating in the President’s Volunteer Awards which has been established to harness, acknowledge and support the contribution that students make through volunteering both on and off campus to help those less fortunate in our communities. And I do hope you will avail of the First Seven Weeks programme and all the other guidance, support and information services that we have in place to help you achieve your absolute best during your time at UL. This semester we are launching our new Strategic Plan. We have evaluated with pride what we have achieved over the last 5 years under our previous strategy Pioneering & Connected. Our collaborative efforts have created

Mr. Don Barry, President of UL. a solid base from which we know we can grow. We will now be even more ambitious as we pursue greater global reach and impact and secure an enhanced international profile that reflects our contribution to all our futures. I look forward to sharing our plan with you and to implementing its exciting initiatives in collaboration with every UL student.

But for now I extend the hope you will grasp every opportunity that life as a UL

Plassey House - CREDIT: UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK WEBSITE

student offers. You can rely on the foundation you are receiving here at UL to help you achieve a challenging and rewarding future career and life and I am confident that, individually and collectively, we can make your time at the University of Limerick truly special.

Go n-éirí go geal libh i 2015 agus i 2016.

Best wishes, Don.

9

September 2015

Faculty Heads welcome you to UL

ON behalf of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new students and to welcome back all returning students.

For our new students in particular, this is an exciting and challenging opportunity, one that I hope will be rewarding and enjoyable for each and every one of you. As I write this welcome note, we are in the middle of the conferring schedule for students who have completed their studies in the past year. If you ask any of the graduating classes about their time in college, one resounding comment from them will be on how their time here has flown by.

As you commence your studies I would ask you to consider and think about what you hope to achieve as a student here, to pause and think of what your reflections of your time here may be when you follow in the steps of the current graduating classes in four years’ time. Remember that while your own graduation may seem like a long way away, the length of time that you will spend at the University will be less than the time period you spent in secondary school. Think of how quickly those years have gone by. Your journey to complete your programme starts on Monday of week 1, make the most of the opportunities that come your way, avail of all that is to offer here, academically, culturally and socially. I hope that your time here is enjoyable and rewarding and wish each of you every success.

WELCOME to all the new students in the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences at UL. I hope that you will enjoy your chosen programme in one of five Departments, or in the Graduate Entry Medical School, of our Faculty.

For many of you, attending your chosen course at UL will have been your goal for a long time. You are finally here to begin this new phase of your lives, so very well done!

Bring your work ethic with you and then take advantage of all that this wonderful campus has to offer, both academically and personally.

I hope that you will become involved in the great social and sporting life at the UL campus. There are great sport and exercise facilities, as well as wonderful clubs and societies to explore.

I encourage you to be open to new ideas. Question your own belief and ways of doing things, and be willing to try new things and meet new people – these are likely to become your close friends in the years that follow.

If you need assistance, ask for it…people are here to help.

Fulfil all your goals and ambitions….go after them…and enjoy the journey!

Professor Alison Perry Dean, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences

Professor Edmond Magner Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering

WE’RE so pleased that you’ve chosen to spend the next four years with us. In our faculty we make a point of trying to create an environment that is friendly and accessible. For instance, all our lecturers commit themselves to being able to meet you individually at particular times that they’ll post on their doors.

You can visit them then without an appointment to discuss anything about the coursework that you’ll be undertaking with them: things that may be puzzling you or simply issues that you find interesting and would like to know more about. That obligation begins with me as Dean. It’s important to us that you know from the start that we are here to support you and to take an interest in your progress. It’s a big place, the University, and it is easy to get lost particularly when classes are very large. We want your experience here to be life-changing and we know that takes effort on both sides. People learn in different ways but what really separates students who are successful from those who are not is commitment and motivation. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have the potential to do very well. It’s our job – all of us – to make sure that you realise and fulfill that potential. You are mainly what we are here for. I hope your time at UL is happy and helpful.

Professor Tom Lodge Dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Five things the Writing Centre can do to help students’ writing SEÁN LYNCH MANY students, especially those transitioning from secondary school to university, struggle at some point with adapting to academic writing, or finding a space to write.

Structuring essays, referencing, or making an academic argument are just some of the challenges that face university students when writing.

For almost a decade, the Regional Writing Centre in UL has been there to support students in all aspects of writing.

Here are just five things that the Regional Writing Centre offers, to help students with their writing: • The Writing Centre’s peer tutors talk to students about any current written assignments, on a one-to-one basis. The peer tutors can address any aspect of writing, or the writing process, helping them see problems in their papers. Sessions, for up to an hour, can be booked at: ul.mywconline. com.

• Writers' groups are run in the Centre on a weekly basis.

Writers who struggle to write in isolation or who are easily distracted can be amazed at the amount of work they do when writing in a room filled with other writers. The Writers’ Space accommodates up to eight students in the distraction-free room, and runs on a first-come first-served basis.

• The Centre runs regular workshops for students of UL, including academic and dissertation workshops. Details of time, place and topic of workshops can be found on the events section of the Writing Centre website and will be circulated to all students via email.

• The Writing Centre’s How I Write, Ireland series looks into the processes through which authors write. Joseph

O’Connor and Donal Ryan are two previously featured authors. The Centre also leads the One Campus One Book initiative, which encourages all members of the campus community to read the same book and talk to one another about that book during the academic year.

• The Regional Writing Centre’s website features resources

to assist all students in becoming better writers.

The Centre is open weekdays from nine to five, in Main Building room C1-065, just down the hall from Starbucks Café in Red Raisins.

Email writingcentre@ul.ie for any queries, or visit ul.ie/ rwc.

10

September 2015

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ORIENTATION WEEK !!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ORIENTATION WEEK!!!!!

- Any vehicle deemed to be causing an obstruction - Parking on Grass margins

Littering:

AN GARDA An SIOCHANA Garda Siochana Drinking in a public place:

Under Litter Act, 1997: NO person shall deposit any substance or object so as to create litter in a public place or in any place that is visible to any extent from a public place. Failure to keep your property free of litter can result in a fine or prosecution by your local authority.

Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence that can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €150 or a maximum fine of €3,000 if you are convicted of a litter offence in the District Court.

You can be issued with an on-the-spot fine by a litter warden local authority or by a member of the Gardai.

Drinking in a public place:

This notice is to remind you that it is an offence to drink in a public place under local Bye-laws this includes: THIS notice is to remind you that it is an offence to drink in a

Parking:

public place under local Bye-laws this ANY vehicle illegally parked will be issued with a fixed charge includes: - Having possession of a can bottle containing alcohol with an intention of consuming ticket. This includes anysame - Having possession of aorcan or bottle containing alcohol with vehicle that is parked without displaying a relevant parking an intention of consuming same permit: Laws make provision for Gardai or other authorised Bye Laws makeBye provision for Gardai or other authorised persons to issue on the spot fines of €75 - Parking near or on pedestrian crossings persons to issue on theopen spot fispaces. nes of €75 to those found drinking in public - On double yellow lines to those found drinking in public open spaces.

Noise levels: UNDER the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Sec. 108) : Noise such as that coming from other homes, that is continuous, repeated, loud and occurring at such times and of such duration that it affects the quality of life of the person(s) in the vicinity.

The maximum fine for conviction on breach of noise regulations is €3,000 or 12 months in prison or both

A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WILL BE ADOPTED FOR ANYONE IN BREECH OF ANY OF THE ABOVE

Littering:

UL STUDENT UNION MnMs

Under Litter Act, 1997:

No person shall deposit any substance or object so as to create litter in a public place or in any place that is visible to any extent from a public place. Failure to keep your property free of litter can result in a fine or prosecution by your local authority.

(S TUDENT P ATROL – MEITHEAL NA MAC LEINN)

Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence that can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €150 or a maximum fine of €3,000 if you are convicted of aM&M litter offence in the District Court.

The ULSU teams will be out You can be issued with an on-the-spot fine by a litter warden local authority or by a member of the Below is some information on who the M&M's are and what Gardai.

during Freshers Week. their role is. If you see them around say hello!

Parking: Any vehicle illegally be issued with a fixed charge ticket. Thisnecessary. includes any THE AIM OFparked THEwill MnMs all safety precautions vehicle that is parked without displaying a relevant parking permit: PROJECT: 6) Advise students to close in -

Parking1)near or onand pedestrian crossings Advise help students so as

-

On double to yellow preventlines them committing any

-

offences, getting ned oran arrested.

Any vehicle deemed to be ficausing obstruction

windows or doors to prevent crime and reduce noise levels.

FRESHERS WEEK 2015 without injury or becoming a victim MnM DUTY MANAGER Mark to crime.

Nother ( +353 86 888 7398 ) Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Sec. 108) : Noise such as that coming from 3)isAttempt to reduce confl ictand occurring HOURS OF MnM other homes, that continuous, repeated, loud at such times and ofPATROLS such duration that it andinstudents 1) Sunday 1st 9pm 2am. affects the qualitybetween of life ofresidents the person(s) the vicinity. through preventative measures.

2) Monday 2nd Thursday 5th 3pm to The maximum fine for conviction on breach of noise regulations is €3,000 or 12 months in prison 4) eg. Noise reduction, litter reduction 8pm, and 9pm to 2am. or both and clean up, etc.

Limerick County CouncilIN have agreed A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WILL BE ADOPTED FOR ANYONE to provide rubbish bags, to facilitate BREECH OF ANY OF THE ABOVE THE MAIN DUTIES AND litter picking over the course of the RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE weeks nights, and to collect said bags MnM: during the week.

1) Patrol given area at assigned time.

Sabbatical Officers will take it in turns 2) Meet with, talk to and advise as to assist MnMs each night. many students as possible.

3) Take a friendly approach to STUDENT SAFETY TIPS: each student you are there to Travel in a group. There’s safety in help them not enforce rules. See numbers. yourself as a friend to each student Plan ahead and know how you will not as security or the Gardaí. Be get home at the end of the night. approachable, helpful and fun! Try to Drink responsibly - pace yourself. remain as enthusiastic as you can!

Keep track of what you are drinking 4) Report any incident or crime to as well as how much. Do not leave Duty Manager and Gardaí. your drinks unattended.

5) During quiet times clean up your Always leave a club/pub with a friend patrol area as best as you can. take or a group of friends. Avoid leaving -

Parking2)onEnsure Grass students margins get home safely

Noise levels:

with strangers.

If you are out and feel unwell, ask a trusted friend or a member of a pub/ club for help.

If a member of the group has had too much to drink, ensure they get home safely.

Do not walk home alone in the dark.

Keep to well-lit, busy streets, main roads and footpaths.

Do not walk home by the river at night. Never mess around/near the river. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol.

Keep enough money to pay for your journey home.

Book a taxi home in advance using a well-known and reliable companyTake a picture of the Taxi Driver Licence when entering the vehicle Register with Safe Cabs -Plassy Cabs 061 336 336 Keep the numbers of local taxis stored on your mobile phone.

If you have a long wait for a taxi, stay somewhere safe and well-lit until your taxi arrives, ideally with a friend.

If you are travelling alone ensure to let people know where you are going.

When you are on your way home, let someone know when to expect you.

Make sure your phone is charged.

Keep your phone out of sight and do not attract attention to it when not in use.

Look after bags and valuables.

If you are having a house party, take care when letting in visitors and ask forI.D. if in doubt. Ensure all valuables are safely locked away.

Contact campus security or the Gardaí to report any suspicious activity.

Note: There will be morning and evening alcohol checkpoints every day during Charity Week. Student villages will also be checked at random.

PREVENT BURGLARIES: Secure all doors and windows.

Light up your home, use timer switches when out.

Store keys safely and away from windows and letterboxes.

Record details of valuables and don’t keep large amounts of cash at home.

Use your alarm, even when at home.

A Message From Your Students’ Union

11

September 2015

Why volunteering should be on every fresher’s mind JOHANNA GRIFFIN WE can all take a trip down memory lane and remember the feeling of opening our CAO offers with trembling hands. No matter how hard you spent the night before convincing yourself that you’ll be ok if you do not get offered your first place, you ripped open your letter and your hopes were high. For us lucky ones we got offered the University of Limerick, voted Sunday Times university of the year this year.

The University of Limerick did not get voted No. 1 in Ireland for its academic courses and excellent resources only, it got voted No. 1 because it also offers all students an all-round amazing student experience.

One of these experiences is volunteering.

As a fresher I never knew about the supports and encouragement provided to student volunteers by the Community Liaison Office (CLO) at UL. I only learned about this when I attended a co-operative interview for the post of President’s Volunteer Award (PVA) Administrator in my second year at UL. It was only then that I discovered a unique and unsung programme that was reaching out to help students and provide them with the best possible way of enhancing their student experience.

Before I started my co-op placement with the CLO I didn’t know that UL staff would work with local, national and international community organisations to create student focused volunteer opportunities - Or that UL recognises, supports and acknowledges student volunteers, whether they volunteer through the PVA, at home, in UL’s Clubs and Societies, on UL campus, in Limerick city/ county or abroad.

As well as that, I never knew the President of the University Professor Don Barry is so supportive of all student volunteers. In fact the entire UL community, the organisations hosting student volunteers, friends, family and fellow students turn out to support student volunteers at the Annual PVA ceremony.

This year the PVA ceremony takes place on the 25th September at 3pm in the University of Limerick Concert Hall and Freshers are all invited. UL is also the only higher education

institution in Ireland that formally acknowledges volunteering on the student transcript.

Anyone who graduates with a PVA on their student transcript will walk into an interview with something more than any other graduate. I urge any student out there, who is not already volunteering and has one or two hours a week to spare, to go to the PVA website, www.ulpva.ie and browse the opportunities.

Whatever your interests are; working with adults, children, animals, sport etc. you will find an opportunity that suits you.

You may not have volunteering on your mind at the start of Freshers Week but on your graduation day when you hold your degree in your hand, don’t regret missing out on the UL student volunteer experience.

Take my word, when you get involved in volunteering you are giving yourself a real opportunity to develop professionally and personally and gain a really valuable student experience that will benefit you when you enter the world as a UL graduate. Now that I am almost finished my co-op placement with the PVA (which has been very valuable), I intend adding student volunteering to my UL student experience and of course my transcript.

The University of Limerick through the CLO is not just supporting UL student volunteers, it is also leading the development of a unique national student volunteer database and website. This new system will establish Ireland as the only country in the world that captures the collective voluntary contribution made by students in higher education and allow community based organisations to promote their volunteer opportunities directly to this group.

The website, www.studentvolunteer.ie, will be launched before the end of 2015 and will be fully functional in 2016.

I am delighted that I got the opportunity to work with the CLO on the development of student volunteering and this truly unique student volunteer system. I am privileged to say that for the past nine months I have worked with some of UL’s most inspiring and ambitious staff, students and community organisations both on and off campus.

12

September 2015

UL Smarter Travel

TRAVEL

Hey folks! UL recently won a number of national awards for Smarter Travel! I decided to interview the Smarter Travel team to help give you the low down on what Smarter Travel is and also to give you tips on how UL Smarter Travel might be beneficial to you!

-Wolfie

What’s so good about Smarter Travel in UL? Driving to college is becoming a thing of the past! Nobody wants to spend all of their hard earned cash on petrol, not to mention wasting hours sitting in traffic or trying to find a parking space!

It especially doesn’t make sense when you could walk or cycle to UL for free and almost twice as fast!

Our team promotes Smarter Travel (e.g. walking, cycling, taking the bus and car-sharing) to all UL staff and students by opening peoples’ eyes to alternatives to single-occupancy driving.

UL Smarter Travel Team - Seán Collins & Ross Higgins

We currently have some of the best facilities in the country for Smarter Travel and in turn more and more people have decided to quit driving and travel smartly instead! This is why the UL Smarter Travel team and the UL Students’ Union were awarded Smarter Travel Campus of the Year!

Left - Marian O’Donnell, Colin Clarke & Ciara Corcoran ULSU Below left - Smarter Travel Awards 2015 ceremony, Dublin. UL award winners pictured from left to right: Ross Higgins, Seán Collins, Siobhan O’Dwyer, Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Aileen O’Connell, Shane McCormac and Martin Ryan.

Below right - RSA Chairperson, Ms. Liz O’Donnell, presenting the RSA Leading Lights Award to Seán Collins on behalf of the University of Limerick.

Smarter Travel Campus of the Year

National Cycling Campus of the Year

Smarter Travel Students’ Union of the Year

RSA National Best Campus Award

13

September 2015 TRAVEL

What Smarter Travel services are available?

There are cycle routes all around campus!

Smarter Travel Routes

Smarter Travel Showers

What facilities are available?

What are the incentives?

If, like me, you aren’t quite sure how to do some simple fixes to your own bike, come to the maintenance classes to learn some great tips!

Need a bike and some accessories?

Visit my friend Pat here for some of the best quality reasonably priced bikes around! He also does a great buy back deal!

Bike Maintenance Classes Pop up Bike Shop

This is the most secure place to park on campus!

Need to get your bike fixed? Visit Gary Sheehan to get free bike maintenance! He visits every Tuesday!

Plus it’s free!!

Secure Bike Hubs

Free weekly bike mechanic with free High Vis gear

Pictured above are recent leisurely cycle tours to Limerick City, Castleconnell and Clare Glens

How do I find out More?...

Real Time Bus Information

What challenges can I take part in?

What events are organised?

Want to places ne see some amazin ar g some greaby campus and mee t peop t cycling tole? Join the urs!

Bike Skills Classes

ges to hallen to win e art in c Take p ith a chanc having be in wprizes while! great great fun

Student Cycle Challenge, Marchathon, The UL Smarter Travel Challenge and the National Smarter Travel Student Media Awards

Keep an eye on your emails for all UL Smarter Travel updates and check out the links below!

Take part and Travel Smart!! -Wolfie

Search:

For all UL travel related information visit

For all queries please email

Limerick Smarter Travel

ul.ie/gettingaroundcampus

SmarterTravel@ul.ie

14

September 2015 LIFE&STYLE

A year to remember SEÁN LYNCH

Marriage referendum: One of the most uplifting moments for me was during the debate at the Students’ Union UGM, on whether or not the Union should support a yes vote in the referendum.

To see so many of my peers, regardless of gender or sexuality, speaking from their hearts on, not why the Union should support a yes vote, but why the union needs to support it, was genuinely touching.

Seeing the result of the referendum on a national level was, of course, hugely uplifting as a member of the LGBTQ community, but I was never as proud to be just that in UL, as when not one single person at that UGM voted against the motion to support the right of all, regardless of sexuality, to

marry. Being able to go out with other members of the society, and those involved with the SU was great, but the response from 90% of those that we talked to was even better.

Gender recognition Another huge step forward for trans people in Ireland was, of course, the Gender Recognition Bill, enacted recently. Not only did it finally recognise the rights of trans people to be recognised legally as their correct gender, but it also marks a huge step forward towards society, as a whole, becoming more accepting.

Out in UL Awards On a national level, winning the GALA award, for Best LGBT Student Society 2015 was brilliant and inspired us to really push the work of the

Out in Dublin SEAMUS TOOMEY OUT in UL went to this year’s pride parade in Dublin where smiles, love and rainbows decorated the streets of Dublin on this special year.

Special why? Well we held a referendum on whether or not to allow equal rights to marriage for all (and something about presidential candidacy age) and the amazing thing is Catholic Ireland voted ‘yes’.

Thomas Coneran, Out in UL’s OCM said, “It's amazing to see how much the LGBT community have accomplished in the past year. It's a great feeling knowing that people are accepting me for who I am and accept me for choosing who I want to be with”.

Even more historically important (ok perhaps not) UL’s Students’ Union took a stance on a referendum. This is something that has never happened before - as the Students’ Union we have taken a neutral stance on every other referendum.

So why this one, I hear you ask? Well first of all let me thank you for asking such an intelligent and wonderfully worded question.

I like to think it’s because the students of UL recognised the importance and necessity of this vote and it was by no means an easy task to convince the Students’ Union.

Through a more than tense UGM, a heated debate over the administration side and some voting, UL for the first time ever were actively pushing people off the fence and encouraging them to vote for love.

Lorcan O’Donnell, Out in UL Health and Safety Officer (HSO) said: “For me, this was never a vote on whether we obtained the right to access marriage or not. It was a vote on whether the people of Ireland thought LGBTQ people deserved a secondclass form of equality and a second-class form of citizenship simply because of the way we are born.

“Through the tireless work of Out in UL and hundreds of other organisations and individuals all over this country, we carried the message of love, acceptance and fairness to every corner of Ireland. As a result, I never thought I could be as proud of being a part of it, or of being Irish when the result came through that glorious day that was May 23rd 2015. We Made Grá The Law!” Historical importance aside, Pride was wild this year and the LGBTQ+ community came from all corners of Ireland to Dublin for one massive session and the stories I’ve heard are not suitable for print - not even a little bit.

So what are Out in UL’s official story of what they did in Pride this year? They represented UL’s LGBTQ community up in Dublin and nothing else, definitely nothing to do with debauchery…

society even further.

However, I think having our event, Queerbash, nominated as one of the best events in UL for the year and winning the C&S award for the overall best society, for the first time, showed that our work is really recognised by the whole wolfpack. Representing the work of all UL Clubs and Societies at the national BICS awards was an absolute honour for the society.

Prides This was my second year at Dublin Pride and I can honestly say I have never felt I had more reasons to be prideful than this year. I honestly think that every member of the society who marched at either Limerick or Dublin Pride this year with the society would say that seeing all the support there for the LGBTQ community across Ireland is very special.

Work of the society: (From website) Out in UL’s four main aims are: support, education, showcasing the LGBTQ community, and bringing the LGBTQ and wider community together.

We achieve these aims through the wide variety of events we host, the services we provide and the committee’s passion for the society and its members. All objectives are to improve the experience

of LGBTQCISAP (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Curious, Intersex, Straight Allies, Asexual, Pansexual) students in the University of Limerick

Contact info: Email: outinul@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/ OutInULSoc Twitter: @outinul Website: outinul.ie

15

September 2015 LIFE&STYLE

Freshers Week!

A massive welcome to our new first years to the UL Wolf Pack. Here at ULSU Ents we've organised a jam-packed Fresher's Week full of daytime fun & night-time activities!

KEITH QUINLAN DURING the day our Student Centre will have DJs playing music and lots of different companies handing out freebies & deals for students. These include: Vodafone, Oxygen.ie, Odeon Cinema, The Delivery Guys, Bank of Ireland, Spin South West, Bus Eireann, Student Leap Card, JustEat.ie and Supermacs.

Also, there will be a Farmer's Market on Tuesday, and a poster sale on Tuesday and Wednesday in the red raisins (posters are a key element of any college house!).

Our night time events are as follows: Sunday: Welcome to UL night in The Stables Club - Doors at 9:30 pm.

Monday: Fresher's Foam Party in the Student Courtyard.

Tuesday: Mr Belt & Wezol are playing in Crush '87. This is gonna be mega!

Wednesday: The main event: Fresher's Fest - Live music & fun in The UL Student centre (Check our Facebook for full lineup).

Thursday: Launch of our weekly UL Club night in Crush '87. Friday: TGIF International night in The Stables Club.

We have a limited number of VIP Banter Bands available on a first come first served basis. These bands grant access to all events for the week. They are only ¤22. (These only guarantee access until 11pm however so be sure to get in early) Further information on times and ticket prices are available on the ULSU Ents Facebook page. Tickets available now at the SU Reception. Don't delay in getting your tickets because they will sell out fast.

We hope to see you all there and best of luck in the coming weeks/years with the University of Limerick!

-ULSU Ents Office

16

September 2015 LIFE&STYLE

The Origin of

Wolfie SEAMUS TOOMEY OUR beloved Wolfie was not always as he is now.

Originally he was Ultan Woulfe born a mute in Ossory in Ireland in 1182, which is nowadays Kilkenny and western Laois. He lead a normal life until the age of 7, he was out with his 6 other siblings exploring the wilds of the area during the end of Samhain the day when the Irish calendar turns over to a new year, from the sunset of October 31st to the November 1st sunrise. It was a dark night with violent storms and howling winds, the trees arched over with the force and the tall grasses whipped back and forth with the direction of the wind.

Ultan darted through the trees, in his still human form, searching for somewhere to take shelter.

They weren’t supposed to be out on Samhain, it was a mystical date in the Irish year. One where the dead could easily walk the living land again and the living could meet their death early journeying into the underworld. But to them this was no more than a fairy tale;

hocus pocus told to them by their parents to keep them out of trouble. It had already been hours though and they were far from home, it looked as if they would be spending the night in this dark eerie expanse of wood.

Not far away were his 6 siblings scouring the large forests for their youngest brother. The storm obscured anything more than 8 feet in front of them from view though and their efforts to find him failed. Ultan meanwhile found a large circle of trees; they seemed to stand stacked near to each other and made a dense canopy to protect from the rains above. With little hesitation for the legends he’d heard about fairy forts Ultan dashed forward into the tree line.

It was immediately different, calmer but heavier, with its own atmosphere. The rain outside was muffled and sounded far away. Ultan slowly made his way deeper into the woods until he was utterly lost, he didn’t feel a sense of worry though and was fixated on a dark figure lying a few hundred yards ahead of him. As he grew closer the figure separated and it was apparent he had been looking at two not one, each step cleared more detail and soon he could make out a wolf next to a lifeless human body. His pace slowed but without his curiousity waning he kept on approaching until he was upon them. The man had no marks on his body but he looked like he had been there a long time, the dirt on him looked set and hard to remove and there was even moss growing in his hair and bushy beard.

Suddenly the wolf spoke, alarming Ultan, it said, “I am a faoladh, one of the two chosen each 7 years to become a protector of these lands, for me it has been

a difficult 7 years but my time is coming quickly to an end. You are chosen to replace me, you will guard all life and nature in this Kingdom, this is the duty I bestow upon you”. Ultan while taken aback sat and thought it over for a few minutes until the wolf barked, “You must answer now there’s not much time”. Ultan looked down and took a deep breath before nodding in agreement.

The wolf spoke, “there is one more thing you must know, you must leave your body somewhere safe so it is not moved so that you can find it after your seven years, if it is moved you will stay in wolf form forever. This is a perfect place that only appears during heavy storms, after your seven years the fairies who guard this fort will start a storm so you can return”. Approaching Ultan the wolf nestled its head against Ultan’s chest and Ultan’s human body fell limp and when he opened his eyes his body was laying in front of him, he had become the wolf.

He turned to see a transparent blue spirit enter the man’s body before the aged moss covered form got up and left.

Outside the fairy fort Ultan’s brothers and sisters were still desperately searching for his body. Ultan still within the walls of the fairy fort could see figures crawling out of cracks in the ground. Out of these splits in the earth came dead warriors, the legends of Samhain were real and they were coming for the new protector of Ossory. The spirits were quick and fierce brutally attacking Ultan. They grabbed at him and tried dragging him into the underworld. Fighting back he slashed the dead away standing guard over his lifeless body. But then screams echoed through the entire wood over the persisting storm. Turning Ultan could see his family running for their lives from the malicious creatures of the underworld.

Looking down at his familiar human form Ultan had a hard choice to make. Snapping out of his momentary trance he made his way quickly to his loved ones his choice now perfectly clear. Leaping onto a group of spirits in pursuit of his fleeing family he crashed into the walking dead and sent them flying in several directions. He stood guard of his family who were stiff with shock and fought back each advance of creatures from

the underworld. Eventually catching a break between waves of their unrelenting foes Ultan signalled his family to run. The storm was dying off quick and he could see the sun coming up over the horizon. Ultan spotted his body being heaved into a small crevice in the earth but couldn’t make his way through the surrounding horde.

He instead guarded the path to his family and defended the way until the sun had risen and the spirits had all returned to the underworld.

Ultan returned to his family home, he was now forever a wolf but better able to protect his family and those in need and was happy with his decision. He lived with his family and followed them for generations until they settled in Limerick and the last of his ancestors died off, now he protects the students of UL, almost 1000 years later, under the affectionate name Wolfie. If you’re ever in need of help he will save you and safeguard you from vicious lecturers, untidy housemates and worst of all clingy one night stands.

17

September 2015

Clubs and Societies – What we’ve been up to SEAMUS TOOMEY IT’S been months since you last saw us (unless you’re Tomas Walsh or Sean Lynch) and we’ve been up to some very exciting developments (and archiving/filing) which you’ll get to see soon.

For a start we got a big banner of a wolf pack put up inside the C&S office which reads: “For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack” - a quote from Rudyard Kipling which adds a lot to this frankly kick-ass piece and gives it that metaphorical touch.

(Clue: The wolves are a metaphor for clubs and societies…And our mascot…You know, Wolfie) Wolves running together through a snowy tundra looks like a pretty awesome backdrop while you’re sitting there chatting about committee developments.

Next in line we got a new sprinter van and it too is awesome. It’s got a nice new ‘152’

register, is another wonderful shade of white to add to our collection and best of all has a lot of updated features such as LED raves (they’re just lights but a rave’s just lights).

Besides this we’ve been organising SoUL Fest (arriving week 7) and the Recruitment Drive (Wednesday this week).

SoUL fest is the time of the year where we showcase our societies so there’ll be lots of events from a fashion show to a concert, and I don’t mean a small concert by a wedding band, I mean Hudson Taylor and the Academic.

The rec drive (that’s our cute name for the recruitment drive) will be a massive membership haul where clubs and societies convince you that they’re great and will provide you with the college experience you’re looking for.

There have also been super tense meetings about all of the above and orientation and freshers week. Those have been exciting in their own way.

The C&S Newsletter doesn’t write itself so

we had to work on that as well, that kept us extremely busy keeping up with all 70-something clubs and societies via their Facebook pages and whoever happened to call in to the office over summer i.e. Tomas Walsh and Sean Lynch.

Writing that and a blog (that you might have seen) has been an arduous experience, trying to arrange interviews, remembering to attend said interviews, completely forgetting and having to apologise profusely and awkwardly getting stood up at rescheduled interviews. It’s not easy.

After all that exciting stuff Michelle Whyte has been going through your clubs and socs budgets and re-filing and archiving all of the other ones from the past decade (essentially endless amounts of paper and boxes and more paper).

I’ve been sitting here watching her and writing about it, it looks pretty tough lifting all of those heavy boxes and dragging them up and down the stairs, fair play ta’her.

Friends – C&S’ secret weapon SEAMUS TOOMEY SO using a piece of analytical software (I know exciting right?) I uncovered a somewhat touching recurring motif inside of the survey.

In question 50 of the C&S survey we asked: “What does C&S mean to you?” and a staggering number of students replied with extremely positive stories.

And while each of these are touching in their own individual way, what I found was striking was how frequently one word was used by everyone.

It sounds cheesy but that word was ‘friends’. It appeared 176 times in the 618 replies and was the 17th most used word, following words such as ‘to’ and ‘the’.

17th place sounds pretty poor but out of the 1938 words used during these 618 entries it’s actually quite an achievement, especially going up against heavy weights such as ‘to’ which scored 688 uses.

Clubs and Societies Coordinator, Michelle Whyte has seen this for herself. “I’ve seen first-hand that UL C&S has been instrumental in many students settling in well into the campus and making friends for college and for life,” she says.

It’s a nice thought that when asked what clubs and societies mean to you that such a large portion of people skip over new skills, fitness, C.V. builders and fun and go right to the word ‘friends’.

It’s completely understandable though.

Look at all of the photos on the Clubs and Societies Facebook pages - groups of people working together on some mutual interest whether that be gaming or kayaking, going on far away trips and competing alongside each

other as one university.

The president of the Comedy Society, Amy Lee says it helped her too. “It was really nice to find people with similar interests who weren’t just first years and go to different events around campus that weren’t freshers-focused.”

To me it’s not one bit surprising that these several week long trips to far away lands

such as the Alps, France, Tokyo and many other places have helped such strong friendships prosper and grow.

Friends are an important part of everyone’s life and when new students come to UL, either from abroad or fresh out of 6th year, it can be hard to make friends.

So why not join a club and society and make some new friends with similar interests.

18

April 2015

First Semester - Events Calendar SEAMUS TOOMEY

Week 1 This is where the fun begins, the start of your 4 years here at UL and we start that on a high note with freshers week where there will be several events on every day for the duration of the week.

Just look back at previous years and you’ll see the foam and paint parties, themed nights in stables and a plethora of big name bands including Wheatus, Scouting For Girls and Newton Faulkner. As well as that we want you to snapchat us your first week of college so we can see all the hilarity that ensues in the wake of freshers. The #AskYourUnion campaign will continue.

Week 1: Freshers’ Week, Snapchat Your First Week Week 2: ULSU Bookshop opens, #KnowYourUnion Week 3: #ULBioBlitz - UL Campaign Week 4: Health and Wellbeing Week, Physical Health Campaign, UL Dog Racing Event Week 5: SHAG Week

Week 2 ULSU Bookshops will open, queues will be big, prices won’t. The #KnowYourUnion campaign will be providing you all with interesting facts about our services and other services around the college.

Week 3 is where we set off the ULBioBlitz campaign. This will be all about the breath-taking flora and scenery around UL’s beautiful campus.

Week 6: UL Open Days (Attack of the 6th years)

Week 4 is Health Week - there’ll be a massive focus put on physical health, teaching people how to eat healthy on a budget and get fit. UL Dog Racing Event.

Week 7: SoUL Arts Fest Week 8: Mental Health Week, Full Moon Party, Halloween Ball, Console Wristband campaign Week 9: Rainbow Week

Week 5 is SHAG Week - it isn’t what it sounds like, there will be no carpets on campus, I know, I’m disappointed too. Instead it’s a week where we focus on sex…..ual health.

Week 6 /UL Open Days also known as attack of the 6th years - students from all around Ireland will arrive in UL with the sole purpose of making the lines in Subway and Spar idiotically long.

Pack a lunch or go to Eden, trust me no Subway is worth it, nothing is worth the queue and incessant LOLing of youngsters. Get off my campus you darn kids!

Week 10: Papa John’s Pizza Party Week 11: Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week Week 12: Christmas days and club stickers Week 13: Reading week, destress and exam prep week, procrastinaps Exam Week 1 Exam Week 2

Week 7 is SoUL Arts Fest - the spotlight gets put on societies to perform and hold events to get more people involved and show off what our 31 societies have to offer. It will be a week filled with various events including big name music acts, fashion shows, international food fairs and tea parties .

Week 8 is Mental Health Week, coinciding with Halloween events in the Stables and a full moon party. There’s also a Console wristband campaign.

Week 9 This is rainbow week. Out in UL’s week to celebrate modern sexual diversity. Expect events like trans and LGBTQ+ workshops and guest speakers and lots and lots of colour.

Week 10 is Papa John’s Pizza Party - what more is there to say? Pizza + party, you know what to expect. Also this is the week you can start using the word Christmas. Any prior uses of aforementioned word will be met with prosecution.

Week 11 is Drug and Alcohol Awareness week. THIS IS NOT A WEEK TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF WHERE TO GET DRUGS. Ok so now that that’s out of the way, this week will help people become aware about how drugs have impacted many people’s lives.

Week 12 is Christmas Days - it’s Christmas in the Stables, we can’t do 12 pubs on campus there’s just 4. You do the math. It’s 12 > 4 and conversely 4 < 12. I don’t care if you’re doing Arts you should still know this.

Week 13 is Destress week - expect to be provided with plenty of bubble wrap to pop as well as procrastinaps available. Exam prep week and reading week also taking place but would you rather be well prepared for exams or relaxed. We’re giving you the choice so it’s your call (and repeats cost money, cha-ching).

Exam Week 1 Hahahahaha exams, enjoy the fruits of your procrastination.

Exam Week 2 Some of you are free, some of you aren’t, hope you’re ready for round 2.

SEAMUS TOOMEY LOTS has happened in UL since the Spring semester of 2015, especially on the construction side of things - they’ve built an entire new building and named it ‘Analog Devices Building’.

I know it’s a terrible name but no prizes for guessing who paid a large sum of money (€2 million) to have it written there.

The building features a modern looking café with equally modern and eccentric looking chairs and couches, benches outside

What’s new in UL this year? with a mix of wood and stone, a large cube that looks like it belongs to the illuminati and really thin long windows to fix your hair in.

And cube trees that look like they were brought straight out of minecraft.

I finally got a look inside it and it definitely feels very new and cool looking - I think it will be a nice addition to the campus and now I don’t have to walk across

a zebra crossing to get to the gym so on the account of that alone I’d say the €54 million was worth it.

An extension to the Arena is also being built which will add new state of the art facilities that provide much needed space to the ever busy halls, gyms and pools. In other words, good news for clubs, particularly clubs such as kayak, archery and swim but maybe not so much for chess.

We’ve also gotten a new sprinter, it’s a great improvement on the last sprinter van and is now equipped with LED lights, reclining seats for everyone, speakers and down lights fitted to crew area of vehicle (Light to have blue night light and switched from the dash) and a bulkhead to separate the crew and cargo area as well as many other finer details.

This sprinter has already

been called to action and accompanied Outdoor Pursuits Club (OPC) on their Alps trip that ended in midAugust. By no means is a trial

by Alps an easy first job for any vehicle but with a considerable price dropped on it, we think it’ll go the distance.

Besides that the Students’ Union has undergone a makeover.

First off the pool room has been moved into the front

room and the common room has been pushed to the back.

Now you can enjoy music while you relax and you don’t have to walk as far to play pool.

We’ve now got footprints going up the stairs too and have transformed the disabled toilets into gender neutral toilets for everyone’s use.

We hope to see you there.

19

September 2015

Those three words JEAN POWELL Those three words mean nothing to a girl like me I’ve been too badly burned And that’s what I learned That those words meaning nothing to me If it was an art to break your heart Then you’d see my work in the national gallery Through the carnage I’ve come out quite tarnished And yet there you were Our first date was at the bar And you didn’t get very far But I thought I could really like you And we made a deal to make it easy Uncomplicated, unromantic and not one bit cheesy.

Now I see love is a choice you make It’s in the way you behave It’s how you make me laugh And enjoying what you have So don’t say those three words that are so insignificant to a girl like me Don’t say them with meaning or flippancy Don’t look into my eyes and consider them All I want you to do Is to behave like they mean something to you Cos those three words mean nothing to me

The Laughing Staircase DAVID TIERNEY GRAN pushed dad down the stairs again. It was late at night. Dad had been going to the bathroom and she had thought him a burglar. A grown man sneaking around in pitch darkness; what else was she supposed to think? It was obviously the burglar’s fault when dad ended up in hospital and gran would boast of her bravery. Ever since she walloped him with the frying pan we knew we’d have to put her in a home soon. Dementia may have been consuming her mind but she was deceptively strong for a small old lady.

Sometimes she would realise what she had done and would just laugh. It was good to hear her laugh, it meant she was remembering.

Our favourite loved one was still here with us. My little brother Tim had this same realisation and, in an effort to make gran happy, kept trying to push Dad down the stairs.

He succeeded three times and she laughed on every occasion.

Months passed by rather quickly after that. Gran was sent to the home, but she didn’t spend long. While a nurse was pushing her trolley a wheel accidentally crushed Dad’s foot and he hopped away in pain only to fall down the nearby staircase.

Apparently, the subsequent laughter had induced a stroke and that was that. At the funeral Tim just kept holding on to my trouser legs and looked confused. It hadn’t hit him yet. Gran was cremated and we kept the urn on the mantelpiece. Unfortunately, Tim was a good climber and

I caught him one day trying to sneak something big into his room. It was grandmother’s urn and Tim’s tiny arms were hugging it close to his chest. Tears were streaming in those giant eyes and his knuckles were white as his fingers clasped the artistic floral designs of the silver container. He finally understood.

“Timmy,” my voice was soft “put that down.”

He didn’t want to let go; neither did I. It was sad to think she was gone.

We wanted desperately for her to be here with us. The loneliness ached. Eventually Tim complied and put the ashes down. That’s when Dad came out to see what the fuss was about. As he did so his foot landed on the urn and… he fell down the stairs.

We both smiled as laughter filled the air.

PATRICIA MORIARTY THE University of Limerick Arts Office will celebrate 15 years with an exciting programme of events for the autumn semester this year.

Established in 2000 the Arts Office supports the activities of arts organisations on campus and works in partnership with other national arts bodies. Over the years we have collaborated with Clubs and Societies in promoting their activities to a wider university audience.

DramaSoc, History Society, UL Literary Society and DebU, and even OPC have all worked with us over the years producing many memorable events.

One of our main pop up areas is the VisUL space in the foyer of EDEN restaurant. We have had several interactive site specific projects here from tattoo walls to chalkboards to literary competitions. The University of Limerick Arts Office Facebook page has an archive of all these events.

This year the long established SoUL Week becomes SoUL Arts Fest echoing its development into a weeklong showcase of music, dance, drama, comedy, debate even cups of tea in the hallowed rooms of Plassey House. Inhouse Music Society bands will play the main stage supporting some big names and fringe events will take place all over the campus.

Watch out this Autumn for ‘Waiting in Line’, an award winning innovative production by Limerick-based Honest Arts theatre company; exhibitions by the UL Tea Appreciation Society; a one off drama commission during SoUL Arts Fest. There will also be an Arts booth travelling to different locations on campus where you can take the opportunity to tell a story, sing a song or generally unleash your creative side.

The Arts Office will also offer a six week long art therapy workshop, free of charge to eight students. The participants will have the opportunity to use the visual arts to explore their experiences of university and no previous arts experience is required. There are also life drawing classes every Tuesday in Dromroe Village Hall.

Tattoo Project

ARTS OFFICE EVENTS cULture@UL SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2015 September 16, 7.00pm – CSG-01, CSIS Building UL The University of Limerick’s Creative Writing programme presents a reading by Pulitzer prizewiining author Richard Ford, introduced by Joseph O’Connor, Frank McCourt professor of Creative Writing, UL ADMISSION IS FREE BUT RESERVATION IS ESSENTIAL. TO RESERVE A SEAT/SEATS PLEASE EMAIL claire.ryan@ul.ie NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER Supported by University of Limerick Arts Office and Limerick City and Council Arts Office

September 18, 12.30 – 2.30pm Bourn Vincent Gallery, Foundation Building SELFIES OPEN HOUSE To celebrate Culture Night the Student Affairs Division invites you to an open house at the Selfies Exhibition. Experience live life drawing from 12.00 with artist Marie Claire Boothman, enjoy a few tunes from UL’s house band Cruinniú and a cúpla focal from Eoin Devereux, professor of Sociology in UL and author of the academic bestseller Understanding the Media and co-editor of David Bowie: Critical Perspectives (with Aileen Dillane and Martin J. Power). All washed down with tae, hang sandwiches and MiWadi!

September 22 – 23, 8.00pm Jonathan Swift lecture theatre, ( B1023 ), 1st floor, Main Building WAITING IN LINE is a fast paced social commentary on the ‘social welfare culture’ that has been created in Ireland over the past 25 years and is presented by Honest Arts Production Company.

Performed by Pius McGrath, Eva O Connor and Johanna O’ Brien and directed by Tara Doolan. it combines Artistry and the latest in 3D mapping technology. This fast paced, thought provoking, physical theatre piece was nominated for Best Set Design at the Irish Times Theatre Awards 2015 and winner of Cutting Edge Artisit award at the Toronto Fringe Festival, 2015 Admission €10; €5 concessions Enquiries and booking details at ularts.office@ul.ie or 0868930919

September 22 – December 8, 8.00pm Dromroe Village Hall Weekly life drawing classes with the Limerick Figure Drawing Society Free introductory class on September 22 – Enquiries to ularts.office@ul.ie

September 24 – October 31, 1.15pm Bourn Vincent Gallery,1st floor, Foundation Building – HYPHAE An exhibition featuring The Mushroom Book with work by John Cage, Lois Long and Alexander H.Smith; soundwalks by Softday and new work by Helena Grimes Curated by Yvonne Davis and Patricia Moriarty The Mushroom Book is on loan from the Limerick City Gallery of Art 4.33 – a performance of John Cage’s iconic piece by Softday

October lunchtime talks and lectures 1.15pm Bourn Vincent Gallery These lectures will focus on the University’s natural environment Irish Seed Savers Mushroom foraging course competition winners announced

October 19 - 22 University of Limerick campus SoULArtsFest Series of events celebrating the activities of UL Wolves Societies OUR HOUSE competition winners announced Full programme details available on Soul Arts Fest facebook page

November 3 – December 31 Bourn Vincent Gallery GAZE A selection of artist’s films including works from the National Self Portrait Collection of Ireland Full programme and competition details available at university of limerick arts office facebook page and www.ul.ie/visualarts cULture@UL is curated by University of Limerick Arts Office and University of Limerick Visual Arts Office

For further information on the programme for semester 1 contact ularts.office@ul.ie or visit our Facebook page.

Tattoo Project by Darren Ryan in Eden restaurant

20

September 2015

CARYL YULO I stepped out of the car and, before saying goodbye, I jokingly asked mam to come in with me (Was I really joking though?). I slept so soundly the night before but a sudden surge of nerves and anxiety made me question how I really felt about Orientation Day. I shook the thoughts out of my head, waved goodbye and walked towards the Main Building.

I was taken aback by the sheer size of the crowd. I weaved myself up the steps and noticed how many of them had already broken the ice with a person that was a stranger only moments before. I felt a tinge of envy. This day sucks, I think to myself (Mind you, I’m usually a very social person; I guess I was still in shock).

I walked down the steps to the first empty seat I saw. I sat down and prepared myself for an hour of awkward silence and mindless phone scrolling.

Luckily enough, the girl on my right was willing to start the conversation. We got to talking about where we’re from, how frustratingly unfair

First Year’s orientation the Geography papers were, what course we were going to do and how the rest of the pack were taking their sweet sweet time in finding seats. It was nice. For the first time I finally felt like myself: chatty, sarcastic and irresistibly charming. I guess the rest of the crowd were in similar conversations because the noise levels were increasing with every passing minute. It was a familiar cacophony, like lunch in school and morning assemblies.

Interference from the microphone cut through the commotion, putting it to a halt. We were given a very warm welcome by four (or was it five?) important figures of the university and for AHSS students. It was lovely; they sounded so excited, so full of energy for the next year. Jokes were made about our mathematic ability (go Humanities!), how my future spouse could well be in the

same room as me, and the reality of pot-noodle dinners. Then the Students’ Union arrived and proceeded to throw condoms into the crowd to promote, in their words, “Health and Safety”.

The rest of the day was filled with laughter and eager conversations with complete strangers whose names I am desperately trying to remember before I see them again next week.

We were appointed a guide, then given a tour of the main building and its many many (seriously, it’s ridiculous) rooms. If this part of the day was a movie, it would be one of those scenes that are sped up and the voices are helium-fuelled. Everyone was giddy after the talks; sitting down for an hour does wonders to your energy levels. All of the volunteers we met along the way were so enthusiastic and lively. Fresher’s fever is what it was. It’s infectious and will result in

overusing words such as “brilliant”, “amazing” and “unbelievable”. Our small group of lost souls bonded over lunch and an obligatory bathroom break (if you’re a girl, you know what

I mean) and by the end of the day, I felt at ease.

I was wrong; this day most definitely did not suck.

Brocon – What you and I missed out on SEAMUS TOOMEY I missed what is the biggest gaming, comic book, anime and related media convention to come to UL. It all happened over the weekend and while I was around Friday I was working.

Not cool life.

With lots going on, there was a selection of great events that people got to see and it was painful hearing about all of the good times I missed out on from friends.

But luckily some of these friends went, had an awesome time and were willing to talk about it... kinda. I may have had to coax their experiences out of them with cookies. Some of their wonderful memories of Brocon 2015 are immortalised below.

The demo of Trench, a 2.5D shooter set in the depths of the ocean, wowed many including Aaron Griffin who said: “It was awesome, Trench was by far the coolest thing. Give me a cookie.”

Jack Kennerly, a friend who is

involved with setting up Brocon said: “This year’s Brocon held plenty of events to appeal to all ages. Our Games Hall played host to a number of Tournaments and games, such as Super Smash Bros., Street Fighter and Magic: The Gathering. I couldn't really choose a favourite as I'm just proud of the amount of growth the con has had. I did however enjoy the amount of variety the trade hall and artist alley had to offer this year.”

Dave Tierney touched on the serious side of the event mentioning the charity work for Pieta House that is done by the convention, saying: “Most importantly, money is raised for charity every year and it always feels great to support a cause.”

Dave also had lots to say about the fun and atmosphere that’s created by the attendees and their cosplays. “It's worth going just to see some of the costumes people wear and Brocon is a fantastic way to meet friendly new people and a great way to get introduced to new films, games and literature.”

Helen Carroll cosplayed in a dazzling steampunk costume and was one of the many Brocon attendees who dressed up for the convention.

Gabby Azelatroh showed her enthusiasm for this development saying the “cosplay was great because that was something new to me this year.”

Along with that was a host of events including several Anime screenings, 30 artists selling their art in the artists alley event, charity auction for Pieta House, a cosplay competition boasting various awards, guests such as Kyle Herbert (he was Professor Oak in Pokemon, Ryu in streetfighter and Gohan in Dragonball Z) and an abundance of traders to buy merch from.

Finding out about these events post brocon makes me feel even worse knowing what I missed out on, seriously Kyle Herbert! That's astounding, he could have gone to comic con in San Diego but instead he was (roughly) 6,000 miles away, here, in Limerick. And that is why Brocon is beloved by many.

Why members club stickers matter AMY LEE FOX WHETHER you’re a new first year or even just a nostalgic older student you probably have a flustered recollection of your first day. You may remember a talk about funny stickers on the back of the student card in the SU but not be completely sold on what they’re for. Something to do with proving you’re 18?

Or something to do with Freshers Week?

Wrong. There is a widespread

misconception that the sticker proves you’re 18 and acts as an ID for events on campus. This is incorrect, so here’s a quick low-down on what that sticker really means.

Simply put, the stickers on the back of your student card make you a member of any of the four bars on campus, including the Scholars, Stables, Pavilion and Sports Bar. You have to be a member to attend these bars, the same way you need a student card to access the library. That’s why in Fresher’s week it’s important to get your

sticker as early as possible to avoid missing out on any events taking place in these venues.

Member’s club stickers are regularly checked all year round though, so it’s still a good idea to take good care of yours regardless of the time of year. If you lose your sticker or damage it you will have to pay 2 euro to have it replaced.

You have to be 18 to become a member and must show ID when acquiring a sticker. But be warned that these will not be taken as ID on campus so always bring a reputable piece

of ID with you. They are not a legitimate form of identification because they don’t identify you specifically and therefore can be passed around among students making them often impersonal.

But what if you have a friend visiting and want to show them the glory of the stables on a Friday night and they’re not a member? Don’t fear, it’s possible to sign in a friend who isn’t from UL on your own membership but this has limitations with a maximum number having been set.

How do you acquire a sticker? Stickers are just €2, great value for membership of four very different but equally respectable bars and available from SU reception all year

round. Fill out a quick form available at reception, bring some ID (Passport or Driver’s Liscence) get your sticker and you’re ready to rock!.

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September 2015

Music and the people in college who listen to that music SEAMUS TOOMEY

Strokes and Mumford and sons.

Clothes: Flannel, lots of flannel. A Ramones t-shirt underneath.

Music: Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, the Smiths.

Says: “Oasis are the greatest rock band ever, Noel Gallagher is a genius.” (Actually on second thought that’s probably just what Noel Gallagher says himself)

The Metalhead: The metalhead listens to heavy aggressive music, with often times fast technical sections and always screaming.

Clothes: All black. May include spikes and/ or chains.

Music: Slipknot, Meshuggah, Dillinger Escape Plan.

Says: “Death to all but METAL! RRAAAWWWRRR!”

Goth: Very like the metal head but with make up and worse music taste.

Clothes: Completely black, always.

Music: Cradle of Filth, HIM, Nightwish and oddly enough, Taylor Swift.

Says: “I am misery” *ghostly wails while running towards a cemetery*

The Hipster:

Listens to unknown weird sounding anything. Their iPod will include as many songs that sound like flatulence as songs that actually contain flatulence.

Clothes: Something you’d expect your grandfather or a hobo to wear but colour coordinated and skinnier.

Music: Anything that’s obscure or ironic, perhaps Mr. Bungle or Coolio.

Says: “Mr. Bungle are this totally awesome avant garde band who incorporate carnival music into much of their work. You’ve probably never heard of them but they’re totally gnarly, you know their vocalist was Mike Patton that guy from Faith No More.”

DJ: Totally makes remixes that are sick and once played at his younger cousin’s 18th but everyone loved it. May also know how to work the volume button on most music equipment.

Clothes: One of those snapback hats they wear in American music videos. (FYI: we do not live in an American music video) Music: House, Remixes, Born Slippy by Underworld aka the song from Trainspotting.

Says: “Man, I’m a professional musician, my cousin gave me a fiver and a can for my gig at his party, it was massive. I’m the next big thing in Irish Underground Garage Hip-hop Electronica.”

Art Student: Thinks they’re cool and creative but they’re actually super normal. Like so normal it’s kind of weird, but mostly boring.

Clubs & socities office

Stoners: A group of individuals who take part in the herb and it’s rituals including hymns by Bob Dylan such as Rainy Day Women #12 and 35.

Clothes: Whatever man, baggy, comfortable and dirty.

Music: Bob Marley, Kyuss or Bob Marley. Wait didn’t I already say Bob Marley man. Haha Mob Barley.

Clothes: Super generic, lots of cheap brands.

Music: Super generic, whatever’s on the radio, especially if it lacks creativity.

Says: “I love this song, this is my favourite song ever” (always said each month about a different song)

International Student: They are foreign but insist on listening to their Scandinavian folk sitar tracks at every pre drinks session.

Clothes: Usually has a flag on it.

Music: Depends on their country of origin, could be Os Mutantes, Die Toten Hosen or Volbeat.

Says: “Ich liebe Peter Fox, er ist ein Gott.

Irisches Musik ist schlecht und langweilig.”

Indie Cindie/Rad Chad: Thinks they listen to cool music. Actually listens to the

Says: “Pass me that bowl…..of cereal while I roast this joint…..of ham.”

Hippies: Similar to stoners but filled with more love.

Clothes: Knitted from hemp and other non commercial materials.

Music: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Jimi Hendrix, really anything that is from the 60’s or sounds like it’s from the 60’s.

Says: “Man, let’s save the planet, like right now. Did you know I recycle? And I’m vegan?”

What would you do if you were president of UL for a day?

SEAMUS TOOMEY THIS was a question asked of UL students during a survey last semester. It’s a fun idea and has provided some interesting insights into what you the students want from the SU and C&S. So what would you guys do as president for a day, well from lengthening your term and becoming a dictator to unmasking the reptilian overlords you the students had some pretty interesting answers.

The more conservative and probably most useful (as well as most boring) answers included: 1. Better facilities/equipment 2. More sociable training times 3. Sponsorship for the Wolves brand 4. Inter UL competitions (ULympics anyone?)

5. More equal financial support 6. Equipment sharing.

So what are they going to do about this, what are C&S going to do?

They’re getting you presidency of course, All of you!

Ok not really but what they are doing is trying to incorporate all of these things to make C&S better for you and them.

Sponsorship for the Wolves brand is the best example, if we get sponsorship then we get more money which we can spend bettering clubs and societies and funding your activities.

So why don’t we already have this?

Well there are a couple of problems, for one not every Club or Society uses the Wolves brand, another problem is we have to actually advertise the sponsor successfully.

Now there is a solution but it requires cooperation between C&S admin and the members.

So what am I proposing, I’m saying let’s use the Wolves logo more often.

OK so I can hear the UL Vikings (American Football) shouting at me already but hear me out.

First off you can keep your name Vikings, even keep your logo, but just use the wolves’ logo more often and its sponsorship along with it. If we can ensure that all clubs and societies use the logo, sponsorship won’t see one society advertising to a couple of hundred people they’ll see 70 clubs and societies advertising to thousands.

Now that sounds much more appealing to them but what’s in it for us? Well that’s easy this way we get another thing we asked for, equal support.

If C&S get one lump sum for sponsorship of all clubs and socs then they can spread that money evenly.

The alternative is only a few clubs such as GAA, Soccer and Rugby get sponsorship (clubs that already get massive funding) and smaller clubs that don’t have enough publicity

get nothing.

Ok so now we’ve got our money what do we do with it?

Well what else do you think; we’re going to buy loads of stuff like equipment and facilities! If we can acquire more facilities or at the very least accessibility to more facilities we can hold more activities for our ever growing range of clubs and socs. So that’s another two now we’ve got 4 out of the 6.

Equipment sharing and inter UL competitions. Both of these are pretty easy in my opinion, the only barriers are possible insurance issues. After that it’s just a matter of saying “hey everybody, scavenger hunt, first one to bring me back 3 street cones, a trolley and a Garda hat get this swanky UL hoody”…or you know maybe a nice friendly soccer, rugby, badminton and chess tournament to see who really is the King of Clubs.

My point is, some things are difficult to get and we are trying, we can’t give everyone free membership to every club and society as finance is an issue but we can manipulate things to deliver an improved more enjoyable college experience because seeing the response in the survey has shown us that C&S are important to your happiness.

All suggestions made are purely hypothetical suggestions and not indicative of current developments in C&S.

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September 2015

Movies

SEAMUS TOOMEY

This is a list of films you have to have seen to attend college. I fully believe that these should be a requirement just to attend college.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy:

THEY’LL benefit you socially as much as they will creatively or educationally, you see these are the films that if you haven’t seen, people will gasp in horror, they’ll question again and again: “how haven’t you seen it?”

These are all wonderful films. I remember seeing them as a child and I’m sure you do too. Great fight scenes and a wonderful variety of creatures set this in stone as a masterpiece of imagination which even features its own language. If you still want more by the end you’re in luck, the Hobbit films which precede the LOTR trilogy features an equally amazing journey in the same universe.

If you wish to avoid people gasping in your face and questioning your taste in film this is your essential list.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: This is probably my personal favourite, it’s a wonderfully told story about a couple with problems, but with one vital twist. Within this film exists a corporation that can erase memories, so the question posed by the film is, would you erase your memory of an ex? If you’re having trouble getting over someone this becomes an absolute tearjerker but I would encourage you all the more to see. It’s a not quite rom-com but not sci-fi either. Regardless, it’s such an interesting story it transcends gender by being a lot more than just a chick flick and the questions it raises are intriguing and open to interpretation.

Fight Club: I’m not supposed to talk about it…

Harry Potter Octalogy: There’re eight of them, and again whether child or adult you’ll love these films. And you’re a college kid so you decide if you watch them with child like glee gazing at the magic and creatures or with a sober adulthood critiquing the special effects and plot devices. You’ll need to see these just because there are die hard potter fans out there who will stupefy you with endless reasons to watch the films.

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind

American Pie: This is a little closer to the college experience you will have, not daily but you will have one weird experience like this during your time here.

For some people it will be yearly, for others it may be as often as once a month but I guarantee you will have one of these. If you haven’t seen American Pie I don’t believe you, there’s a plethora of them for all generations and they really are indicative of the idiotic things you will do in college.

Toy Story 3: Warning, this will tug on your heart strings. I grew up with the first two as I’m sure you have and watching the third for the first time at the beginning of your college experience may make you shed a couple dozen tears. Andy will have reached the same age as you and the emotions seem raw - you’re leaving your old life, your childhood behind. I’m not tearing as I write this, not at all.

The Hangover: This is essentially your Friday morning, every week. Just toned down by about a billion percent. Still I encourage you to look to this as a survival guide, think of it as a Bear Grylls episode for college. Here you’ll learn tactics to remember, find lost goods/people and even how to deal with the law.

Good Will Hunting:

Mr. Nobody: A wonderful movie for anyone to watch, but especially students who are for the first time in their lives making choices. And that is exactly what this movie is about, choices and how they will impact your life in the future. It follows a child and the decisions he makes at the ages 9, 15 and 34, and how these impact the rest of his life, which is at times quite short.

Robin Williams delivers a fantastic performance as is usual with him. With the strong, uplifting and motivational messages that make this film what it is and Williams’s recent passing you’ll see this film now with a weird new perspective. A good watch nonetheless.

Accepted: Basic story is this kid doesn’t get into any of the colleges he has applied for. So naturally he sets up his own college, as you do. This would have been a great idea - if you’re reading this though you are the alternative to this movie, kid gets accepted to college, leads ordinary life. The end.

You wish your college was as cool as his. Well at least you’re in UL, we’re pretty cool. You could be worse off, you could be in LIT.

Pulp Fiction: If you haven’t seen this movie and your friend has, your friend will scream at you in utter disbelief. It’s Tarantino’s masterpiece - a twisting story which moves around a lot. It’s got drugs, sex, katana swords and a great soundtrack. What more could you want? If you simply must refuse to watch this, please watch at least one Tarantino film. Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, Inglorious Bastards or Django Unchained will all do.

Good Will Hunting

Fast and Furious 7: This is one of those movies you just need to see to stay topical and relevant this year. Car enthusiasts and, in general, guys have been brought to tears because of Paul Walker’s relationship with Vin Diesel outside and inside of the film and the sad true story of the actor’s death.

Marvel: All of them...except Spiderman, even the Toby Maguire ones - they don’t matter. The marvel movies of late have become must-see and cinematic greats. One of their standout features is that they are interconnected and not just in a trivial way but instead in a vastly important way where characters appear in other films to help save the day. Once you watch one you’ll have to watch them all.

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September 2015 ANALOG DEVICES

GRADUATE ENTRY MEDICAL SCHOOL

COMPUTER SCIENCE

HEALTH SCIENCES

MAIN BUILDING

PAVILION

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & SPORTS SCIENCE ENGINEERING RESEARCH IRISH WORLD ACADEMY

FOUNDATION

TIERNEY BUILDING

KEMMY BUSINESS SCHOOL

LANGUAGES SPORTS CLUB

GLUCKSMAN LIBRARY

LONSDALE

SCHUMAN BUILDING

UL ARENA

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September 2015