Vol. XXIII - Issue 6 - Berliner

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uo The University Observer

above UCD vs UCC in the fitzgibbon cup photo Martin Healy

PREP Drug discussion on the fight against rising HIV figures David monaghan p15

February 14th 2017 Volume XXIII issue 6 universityobserver.ie

skin hunger why we all need a hug every now & then Louise Flanagan p13

New computer science grading system heavily criticised roisin guyett-nicholson editor THE School of Computer Science has received criticism from its students over the introduction of a new grading scheme, which could breach the terms of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012. A new marking system was introduced during semester one of this academic year, following a decision by the school last summer. The system has been described by students as a “quick fix”. Students have also noted that they were not officially told about the changed scheme and were only made aware through word of mouth. This would breach the terms of the Act, which stipulates that any changes to programme with enrolled learners must inform the learners within 14 days of the decision. The scheme was introduced to combat a high amount of A grades in certain modules, which was an issue noted by the school as early as March 2016. Dr. Pádraig Cunningham, Head of the School of Computer science explained: “We had a list in [a] semester of modules, that had an anomalous number of A pluses on them and there was an attendant anomalous number of As as well.” He noted that a number of modules had up to 43% or 67% A grades. However, the move has received criticism for not

including students during the decision making process. The system has also been introduced across the school, affecting students from first year through to fourth year. UCD Students’ Union Education Officer Lexi Kilmartin commented that “we had asked what kind of student input and things they had on it, which didn’t seem like much to be honest and we had expressed concerns about it not being flagged to students before the start of the semester. And the way that was responded to was ‘it’s done now so.” A member of the science programme board also confirmed that they were not aware of any plans to change the marking scheme during the academic year 2015/2016. Students in third and fourth year expressed upset with the change, claiming it could impact their degrees. Speaking to the University Observer one student commented “I’m going for a 1.1 now and when I picked my modules, I didn’t know that two of the five modules I’m doing this semester are both with the new marking scheme… that could easily bring me down.” Another student noted that students in Computer Science have the opportunity to finish in third year with a level 8 degree. They explained “I had an option of taking a full-time job… I only barely decided to go

back but had I known they were changing the grading scheme I would not be here.” Implementing the system for all students in the school does contrast with normal UCD policy on grading changes. Kilmartin noted “the bigger issue isn’t the marking scheme it’s the fact that generally speaking when these kind of things are implemented, they’re implemented from the incoming first years. So I thought it was very unfair that they’re implementing it to current students and students who had already… signed up to how their degree is structured.” However, Dr. Cunnigham explained “there was a suggestion that we should have sort of phased this in, but my view was that we couldn’t do that… If we’re being told that there’s a quality problem in our assessment, we have to fix it and we can’t wait three years to fix it.” There are no campus regulations on grading schemes, though module co-ordinators can choose what scheme they use. However, the issue of added stress was also noted by both students and Kilmartin. Under the academic regulations, the Programme Board for each school is “responsible for… the academic welfare of the students registered to the programme.”

We’re gonna need more glitter gender boundaries in pop Adam lawler otwo p18

UCD FAshion Show A look at some of the young designers of the year izzy forde otwo p22

Consent Classes Dropped by UCD and the Students’ Union Niamh O’Regan Eagarthóir Gaeilge & Roisin Guyett-Nicholson Editor CONSENT classes have been dropped by the UCD Students’ Union and the university. Plans were announced in February 2016 for the union to run classes in co-operation with the university. The UCDSU President at the time, Marcus O’Halloran, explained that the union would run the consent classes with the expectation that the university would take part in running them. UCDSU explained in a statement released to the Univeristy Observer: “The Students’ Union have spent €1,800 on trialling consent workshops during the last 12 months. Over this period, attendance has been generally poor… So far the Students’ Union has been the only stakeholder in UCD putting serious money into the issue of consent.” This follows confirmation by current UCDSU President Conor Viscardi at union council that the university has not funded any consent workshops. Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald petitioned UCD President Andrew Deeks, ask-

ing him to assist the union in “tackling the issue to a greater extent than demonstrated over the academic term of 15/16”. The SU response to the University Observer’s questions did not indicate whether this support has been received or not. The classes were announced following an investigation launched by UCD into allegations of group of UCD students sharing nude photos of fellow students without their permission. While the allegations were found to be false, UCDSU prioritised consent classes as part of a wider #NotAskingForIt campaign. Union welfare officer, Róisín O’Mara explained that the classes would not be going ahead “in the form that they were last semester…We’re looking at different ways to introduce the topic of consent.” O’Mara also noted that she was not aware of any plans within the university to hold similar classes. Classes were run in the second semester of last year and since the current sabbatical officers took

office last summer, workshops have also taken place in the first semester of this academic year. Both were reportedly poorly attended. UCDSU noted in the same statement: “students who feel knowledgeable on the subject don’t attend because they don’t feel they need it and students who disagree that lack of education on consent is a problem issue in UCD/Ireland, don’t attend because they don’t support the workshops as a concept.” The SU report that no difference has been made to the attendance depending on the level of promotion, the only significant factor being that high levels of promotion attracted trolling. The Union is also teaming up with the National Women’s Council of Ireland for their pan European project to end sexual harassment and violence in third-level education. This project is being rolled out across campuses Europe wide, however the Union is unsure as to what the workshops will involve or if the University will support the initiative.

the oscars Why they’re less relevant than ever otwo p10

Keith barry interview with the magician SEáN Hayes otwo p16

february 14th 2017 1


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