An Focal 8th September 2009 Tuesday
Official Paper of the University of Limerick Students’ Union
Volume XVIII, Issue 1 FREE
ULSU TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST FEES
Students protest on Thomond Bridge. Credit: Denis Vahey
By Aoife Ní Raghallaigh - Editor
THE UNIVERSITY of Limerick Students’ Union has vowed to continue the fight against the reintroduction of third level fees following an announcement by the Department of Education on Thursday, August 20. The statement, which was circulated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), confirmed that all incoming first years will be informed that the may be liable for fees from next year. ULSU was mandated by the student body to campaign against the reintroduction of third level fees in any form by a plebiscite last semester and ULSU President, Ruán Dillon McLoughlin, stated that the Union would continue to do whatever possible to stop the reintroduction of fees. “This year, instead of each union around the country working alone in the fight against fees, the unions will be coming together for a more unified response to this threat”. It is hoped that a unified approach and campaign against fees will be
much stronger and more effective that a number of singular voices. During the summer ULSU officers met with other Union representatives on three separate occasions; at UOS Training, at the Forum of University Students’ Unions (FUSU) and most recently representatives from the Munster colleges met. On each occasion the threat of fees was discussed in detail, as was the best way to lead the campaign against third level fees. A number of local, regional and national campaigns have taken place and are in development as a result of these discussions. Following FUSU the decision was made to take a full page colour advert in The Irish Times on the day of the CAO results. The advert, which was booked in conjunction with 24 other unions throughout the Republic of Ireland, informed students and their parents of the cost of a four year degree plus the cost of living, if fees are introduced; €70,000. The advertisement listed every TD in Ireland as well as their position on fees and urged students and their parents to write
to their local TD. The advert called on everyone to lobby those who were in favour of fees to change their stance and to commend those who are against the reintroduction of fees. Speaking on the matter Mr Dillon McLoughlin said that aim of the advert “was to empower students and parents with the information needed to lobby their local representatives. Fees, in any form, will have a significant impact on families of potential third level students. At this time of economic uncertainty, when parents are already worried about the cost of education it is detrimental to introduce additional costs. Furthermore these costs will not improve standards in third level education as the introduction of fees will not lead to an increase in funding to universities.” He also stated that “due to substantial pressure resulting from the advert, a number of TDs have now changed their position on fees”. Campaigns and Services Officer, Fergal Dempsey, also clarified that “the advert was about sending a message to all 166 TDs that the general
public cannot afford an additional unwarranted expense”. In addition Mr Dillon McLoughlin stated that the reintroduction of fees will not solve the current economic situation but rather it will result in creating a long term barrier to third level education as students will be deterred from entering education on account of the substantial debt they will incur as a result. A regional protest has also been organised following a meeting with representatives of Students’ Unions in the southern region. The protest, which will take place on Thursday, 8 October (Week 5), will start at University College Cork and will see students from Waterford, Tralee, Limerick, Cork and Carlow marching through the city. A similar protest, which was held during the last academic, saw 6000 students take to the streets to campaign. It is hoped that this number will increase at this year’s campaign. Mr Dillon McLoughlin assured incoming first years that the Union would do everything in its power to prevent the reintroduction of third level fees.
granting Limerick a University as one my personal highlights in my time as Minister for Education. It was an honour.” Current Minister of Education, Batt O’Keefe says that UL’s facilities are something to be proud of. “Over the past two decades the university has grown from just under 4,000 students to more than 10,000 today. The university offers a top quality educational experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and its graduates have a record of high employability. Congratulations to all the students and staff at the University of Limerick, both past and present, as they celebrate 20 years as a university.” Minister
O’Keefe also spoke to An Focal about fees, which he claimed involved “complex and competing considerations. I appreciate its sensitivity; however, it is an issue that merits consideration at this important juncture in the development of higher education and also given the current economic circumstances. I have signalled that it is not my intention to recommend any new form of student contribution be introduced before 2010. In the event that it is decided to introduce a form of student contribution from a future point, such arrangements would also apply, from that time, to those students who would have entered higher education this year.” Campaigning for a University in Limerick started in 1845, when the then Mayor of Limerick tried to get Queens College in the city, which instead went to Belfast, Galway and Dublin. On Thursday, June 1st, 1989, the University of Limerick Act was passed through the Seanad, ensuring the Treaty City
would be granted a University. That day, over 5,000 people turned up on campus to celebrate, including UL’s founding president, Dr Edward Walsh, founder of Ryanair, Dr Tony Ryan and Deputies Michael Noonan and Willie O’Dea. Also present was Chuck Feeney, the Billionaire from America who donated millions to UL. He also flew over a number of crates of Champagne to celebrate the day. Dr Walsh claimed that it was “an emotionally packed day. It was the end of a long, long struggle. It was almost an emotional achievement knowing the many generations who were involved in attempting to achieve this.” Currently, UL is in the list of top 600 Universities in the world. On Thursday, May 28th, UL started the 20th anniversary celebrations, with music provided by the Funk Junkies, Jazzology, Cruinniu with Orlaith Ni Bhriain and also included dancers from the Irish World Academy.
UL Celebrates 20th Anniversary By Jason Kennedy - Chief News Correspondent
THIS year, the University of Limerick celebrates its 20th anniversary with University status. Formerly known as the Institute of Higher Education, UL was granted University status on the 12th January 1989 by the then Minister for Education Mary O’Rourke. Ms O’Rourke told An Focal that she still follows the progress of the University and is interested to see where it goes next. “I would like to wish all the Students and Staff of the University all the best and continued success in their work. I consider