University Observer Volume XVII - Issue 12

VOLUME XVII ISSUE 12

NE QUID FALSE DICERE AUDEAT NE QUID VERI NON AUDEAT

IRELAND’S AWARD-WINNING STUDENT NEWSPAPER

12th April 2011

SU END OF YEAR REVIEW

FEATURES

WE TAKE A TRIP INSIDE THE NEW STUDENT CENTRE AND LOOK AT WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER

EACH OF THE SABBATICAL OFFICERS ARE ASSESSED

BY OUR TEAM

PAGE 11

PAGES 6-7

OTWO

O-two 12TH APRI L 2011 ISSU E 12 VOL.

The Univ ersity Obs erver’s Arts

MERCURY PRIZE WINNERS ELBOW ARE INTERVIEWED AS THEY PREPARE FOR THEIR SLANE GIG

& Culture

XVII

Supplem ent

Mark Pot ter of Elb ow cha rock sta ts to O-t rdom and wo abo ut drinking with Villa gers

+INSIDE

> COP TO THE FUTURE AND BACK

PART 2 > NOVELTY TWITTER ACCOUNTS > ISLAM AND FASHION > GLASVEGAS

SU admits to misinforming students over UCD Ball tickets AMY BRACKEN, SARAH DORAN & PAUL FENNESSY

E

nts Vice-President Jonny Cosgrove has admitted that the ‘security breach’ announced by the Students’ Union on the day the tickets were due to go on sale for the UCD Ball was a case of misinformation.

The admission comes after it was announced that the Students’ Union and university authorities had re-opened negotiations regarding the UCD Ball last Friday.

The University Observer understands that the Students’ Union had been informed by the university on the day prior to Wednesday March 30th, the original date for ticket sales, that the university would not be able to comply with an aspect of an agreement between the two bodies that would close the campus at 1pm on the April 21st, the date the Ball was scheduled to be held, with the exception of Emergency Services.

SU President Paul Lynam told The University Observer that the SU then tried to amend the article, but the Gardaí rejected the amendment two days later, on March 31st, when it became apparent that the event would have to be cancelled.

Cosgrove told The University Observer that the decision to withhold the announcement of the cancellation from students until April 2nd was as result of ‘April Fool’s Day’ being the cancellation of the Ball occurred.

Cosgrove defended the Union’s mention of a security breach, claiming that had they informed students of the difficulties, it would have “destroyed all negotiations” with the university.

Cosgrove admitted that he was just “trying to buy some time” and that there was no way for the tickets to be sold “on a safe basis” when it was becoming apparent that refunds might have to be issued.

Speculation has been mounting that the 2011 UCD Ball may be rescheduled to facilitate the university authorities’ access requirements. Last week a university source, who wishes to remain anonymous, claimed that the Ball would take place the day after the semester two exams finish on May 14th.

Continued on page 4

Students take a break from study to bask in last week’s luxurious weather. Photographer: Cormac Altman

Student drinking on the rise despite economic hardships, survey reveals QUINTON O’ REILLY, PAUL FENNESSY & AMY BRACKEN

A

survey conducted by The University Observer has revealed that the number of UCD students drinking excessive amounts of alcohol has risen since the recession.

78 per cent of students surveyed said they suffered memory loss as a result of alcohol consummation on a night out, in comparison with the 67.9 per cent of students who answered positively to the same question asked by this newspaper as part of a similar story in April 2009.

Students were asked how many alcoholic drinks they would normally consume on a night out, with 48 per cent admitting to

consuming six or more drinks per night and 28 per cent saying five to six drinks.

The results also revealed that 89 per cent believe alcohol is an inherent part of university culture.

The number of students taking illegal drugs is also on the rise, with 45 per cent admitting to engaging in this activity, compared with 41.8 per cent in the survey conducted two years previously.

Of those who answered positively to the drugs question, 77 per cent said they had taken cannabis, 10 per cent had taken ecstasy, 13 per cent had taken cocaine and 9 per cent admitting they had used LSD. 91 per cent of drug takers said it was relatively easy to acquire drugs, while 43 per cent said they had little difficulty obtaining them on campus.

The University Observer spoke to Students’ Union Welfare Vice-President Scott Ahearn, who said he was not surprised at the results, describing it as being commonplace in student life. However, he expressed his belief that students should become involved in activities besides alcohol, such as cinema and debates held by various societies on campus in the evenings.

Ahearn spoke of the difficulties in promoting the message of sensible drinking and said he believes that to have any major success, a national campaign must be mounted: “USI need to focus on this a lot more. You need it at national level. A ‘by students, for students’ approach. Drink Aware is quite a good organisation,” he said, adding: “It is a difficult campaign. It is not just telling people ‘don’t drink’.”

Ahearn said that the drug-related results produced by the survey were “worrying” and of the two, he feels that that “drugs more so than alcohol” was the biggest problem.

With the intricate link between alcohol and Irish culture, Ahearn is adamant that society as well as university life is answerable for the fact that 70 per cent of those surveyed said they felt under pressure to consume alcohol at social occasions.

“It’s not a difficult question. It’s society. We all do it. Go to any major Irish town and you probably have more pubs than any other business. I come from a town where there’s 55 pubs – double the amount of pubs than restaurants.”

The survey, which was distributed on campus last week, had over 320 responses.

Denominated Arts graduates not being conferred with CAO degree title SARAH DORAN Chief News Reporter

U

CD staff and students have voiced their displeasure after it came to the attention of The University Observer that a number of students from the School of Arts and Celtic Studies graduating this year will not be conferred with the same degree title as their CAO course title.

Students who entered UCD with the courses such as History, Politics and International Relations, Geography and Environmental Planning and Economics, Politics and Law are conferred with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, despite their course having had an entirely different CAO code.

The denominated course codes were reportedly taken off the system when the CAO applicants were accepted to UCD and they were placed on the Arts Omnibus.

Students who entered History, Politics and International Relations in 2008 had to have had obtained a minimum of 495 points in the Leaving Certificate in comparison with the 355 required for Arts Omnibus that year.

School of History and Archives lecturer Dr Declan Downey deems it “not fair at all” that students are graduating with a different degree than expected. Dr Downey insists that “there may be perfectly valid reasons why, but I think that it’s up to the student body and the representatives in the Students’ Union to take this matter up with the university authorities, because I think that it is a serious matter, there are

contractual obligations here”.

UCD Students’ Union Education Officer, James Williamson, stated that he wished not to comment since he didn’t know “the layout of the course”. However, Williamson said that his understanding of the situation was that students entering the stated denominated courses had the advantage of being guaranteed places on core modules for the entirety of their degree.

Dean of Arts and Celtic Studies, Dr Joseph Brady, said that he was “appalled at any suggestion that there are superior BA degrees and inferior BA degrees, they are all at the same level”.

“The BA degree comes in many flavours but they are all the same degree [and] all of the programmes lead to the same degree – it is as simple as that,” Brady continued. “CAO points reflect demand, not quality.

“BA students follow the same degree structure, they are subject to the same regulations and they get the same degree, regardless of how they enter the degree.”

A UCD graduate who studied History, Politics and International Relations described the situation as “a bit of a let down really, we applied for something and it turned out that it never really existed”. The graduate also expressed their disappointment at not having their CAO course title on their degree transcript.

The number of separate entry paths has been reduced in recent years according to Dr Brady, with the opinion being that separate paths are only for distinctive opportunities, like single subject History or International French or Psychology in particular, where there is a limited amount of places.

2

THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 12 April 2011

EDITORIAL

news@universityobserver.ie

The UCD Ball For a seemingly innocuous and fun social event, the UCD Ball and recent circumstances relating to it have provided a telling insight into the disparate mindsets of students and college authorities It says a lot about UCD and the priorities of Irish students in general that over the course of the academic year – a year that has brought a new government, mass emigration and the ignominious bailout of our banks – that despite all these disturbing, potentially life-changing occurrences, the events surrounding the UCD Ball have arguably drawn the most impassioned response of all amongst students.

First, there was the announcement of the lineup and the ensuing debacle that followed. While students were, of course, entitled to be underwhelmed by the preliminary acts announced, the abuse aimed at UCD Entertainments Vice-President Jonny Cosgrove was unacceptable.

The sinister, loutish comments, which appeared on the UCD Ents Facebook page, were a sad indictment of the startling immaturity of many UCD students. These comments were justly condemned by the vast majority of level-headed students. Whether the Students’ Union can successfully sanction any of those responsible for making the comments remains to be seen, however it is worth investigating this possibility if it encourages people to think before they type in future.

The UCD Ball’s subsequent cancellation naturally exacerbated matters. The Students’ Union say they are blameless in the matter and

have suggested college authorities are entirely responsible for the debacle. UCD, meanwhile, have been conspicuously silent on the matter, save for a letter from Registrar Philip Nolan addressed to Students’ Union President, Paul Lynam, briefly outlining the reasons why the Ball was cancelled and emphasising that “student health and safety is of paramount importance to us all”.

Regardless of what either side claims, the fact that these obstacles could not be resolved sooner represents a stunning level of collective incompetence. Impressive as the Students’ Union response has been with the ‘Save Our Ball’ campaign – a campaign which was supported by 3,000 people on Facebook in addition to acquiring 1,300 signatures on an online petition at the time of going to print – the strong impression remains that this situation could have been averted entirely.

The Union state that “University authorities reneged on the commitment, given to the Students’ Union to close campus as per the stipulations laid down,” before adding that this commitment had been made on October 21st. But clearly, the mistake was owing to a failure to effectively communicate at a fundamental level, something that absolves neither party entirely from blame and speaks volumes about the relationship (or lack thereof ) that exists between

them.

And even if the UCD Ball ultimately goes ahead, it seems unlikely to live up to its billing as “Europe’s biggest private party” and will surely take place on a smaller scale, in comparison with previous years.

Yet while it is disappointing that, as a result of the scheduling problems coupled with the largely underwhelming response following the announcement of its preliminary lineup, the end of year festivities for UCD students might not be as spectacular as was hoped, some perspective is needed. The UCD Ball is, ultimately, little more than an elaborate social event. Some students’ claims that the disappointment surrounding the event has “ruined” college for them seem more than a little hyperbolic.

While it is a shame that the UCD Ball has experienced so many problems, the hysterical reaction of these students seems indulgent, especially at a time when the country is in crisis. The student population need to gain a sense of perspective and be able to prioritise the primary focus of the UCD experience – achieving academic qualifications, which will be required to tackle the ultimate challenge of salvaging our tarnished reputation in Europe and elsewhere and controlling our own destiny.

Thank you The University Observer wishes to thank everyone involved this year for their devotion to the paper A word of thanks to people working on The University Observer and our readers is necessary today.

Many people often seem to forget that the section editors and contributors of this newspaper are unpaid students, who devote their free time to helping the paper.

This has been a challenging and at times, turbulent year for the paper, and it says so much about the character of those involved that we have emerged from the experience as a stronger and more cohesive group than ever. We can hold our heads high.

No one can relate to what the job of running this prestigious paper entails until they have experienced first-hand, the obsession, the frustration and the anxiety, which are more than compensated for by the sheer joy and satisfaction that editing it regularly involves.

This job would be simply impossible without the selfless dedication of our contributors, and in particular, the core group of section editors who deserve to be thanked in print.

Killian, you have been like a third full-time editor at times, your dedication to the cause never ceases to amaze me. I can remember editing your very first article when I was a section editor. Watching you grow and develop into a mature and confident journalist has been one of the many highlights I’ve experienced while being involved with this paper.

Emer, your chirpiness and good-humoured nature, coupled with natural wit and flair for creative writing have played a significant role in making this year the best O-two I have seen in all my years writing for the paper.

George, you made an incredibly swift transition from contributor to section editor, but I never had any doubt that the Music section was in assured hands. Your knowledge of music and levels of dedication consistently exceeded all expectations of a section editor’s role.

Jon, your presence has made the office such a fun place to work in. Moreover, your inimitable writing style has added an extra dimension to O-two this year and your articles have always been a pleasure to read. You are a highly intelligent writer with a natural gift for storytelling.

Donna, the Fashion section has been exemplary with you at the helm. Though you only edited it for the final four issues, you still managed to make a considerable impact by putting your own effervescent stamp on the paper.

Leanne, your passion and warmth both in person and in print has

simply been a joy to witness. You are undoubtedly one of the best writers to ever grace the pages of this paper, and your mental health article was one of the most powerful and honest pieces of journalism I’ve ever read.

Nathalie, people like you are the reason I got so involved with the paper in the first place. Your infectious enthusiasm always enlivened the office and made me smile even during my worst moments, while your creativity and highly entertaining writing style were the hallmarks of a truly outstanding Features section.

Alan, you have brought a fresh perspective to the Science, Health and Technology section and your knowledge of science and allround friendliness are a credit to you as a person. Working with you has been a pleasure.

Kate, you never fail to amaze me. You should be enormously proud of the talent and versatility which you’ve displayed over the years writing for the paper, and the dignified and selfless manner in which you operate are attributes that make you a truly wonderful section editor and person.

Ryan, being Sports Editor is a difficult job, which often requires you to give up large chunks of your weekend. The fact that you took to this task with consummate ease speaks volumes about you as a person and the obvious excitement and enthusiasm you have for writing sport made you perfect for the section.

Sarah, I think christening you ‘Sunny D’ was one of my most astute moments, as it perfectly encapsulates your personality. Your promotion to Chief News Reporter provided a breath of fresh air to the office at a time when it was desperately needed, and it was one of the swiftest and easiest decisions I made once I became Editor.

Journalism is in your DNA. Katie, you truly are a baby-faced assassin. You are a wonderful writer and a terrific person to boot. You are also probably the most organised person I’ve ever met – I’ll never know how you manage to juggle so many different activities and I’m sure you’ll be a success in whatever career you elect to pursue amid the variety of options at your disposal.

Amy, News Editor is often the most thankless task in the paper.

Yet you undertook the role with such passion, enthusiasm and wiliness that the role fitted you perfectly. Thank you for being a better news reporter than I ever will. Your sheer determination and indefatigable nature will bring you far in life.

To all the ex-Editors and Deputy Editors, and particularly the ones who presided over my years writing with the paper – Stephen and Michelle, Rob and Dave, Dani and Zelda, and Catriona and Gav – your unrelenting support, encouragement and friendship has meant more to me than you’ll ever realise. You have set the bar incredibly high and I have done my best to uphold the high standards that you set.

In addition, there are three members of staff that I have had the pleasure of working with over the course of the year that I wish to thank.

Bridget, I know you put your heart and soul into working with the paper and you should be more than proud of the first seven issues of this volume. Remember that the paper will always love you, and that we fully appreciate all the amazing work you’ve done for us over the years.

Jenn, thank you so much being an awesome friend and for having the Zen-like patience to put up with my penchant for submitting copy at ungodly hours. The design of the paper has been consistently excellent this year and I’m sure you will continue to do amazing work for whichever publication is lucky enough to have you in the future.

Quinton, you’ve been a fantastic Deputy Editor and friend. I’ve never worked with anyone who has complemented my strengths and compensated for my shortcomings as much as you have. You truly are a special person.

To my family and friends outside the paper, I also wish to express my gratitude. Thank you for supporting me through the good times and the bad. You have kept me sane during the occasional hours I spent outside the office.

Finally, I wish to thank our readers. Whether you are an avid reader or someone who just glances at Mystic Mittens occasionally, your feedback and support means so much to the paper. Always remember the importance of student media and that we care every bit as deeply about student issues as the majority of you undoubtedly do.

Student media is an essential component of university life. It’s the reason so many talented people fill our national airwaves, newspapers and television sets. It’s the reason thousands upon thousands of students marched to protest against the reintroduction of thirdlevel fees. And it’s the reason that drives me to finish writing this article at 5.01am on a Friday morning.

No 30%

No 11%

Yes 70%

3

12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER Yes 89%

News

news@universityobserver.ie

Reaction piece: alcohol and drugs survey No 55%

No 22%

Yes 45%

Yes 78%

After the results of our drinks and drug survey, Quinton O’Reilly got the reaction of SU Welfare officer, Scott Ahearn and Manager of EDIT, Jerry McMahon Scott Ahearn: SU Welfare Officer

W

hen told about the results stating that 40 per cent of those surveyed drink two to three times a week, Ahearn stated that he wasn’t surprised saying that it represents student life and felt that the volume reflected the consumer aspect of student drinking.

“The price is reflecting the survey. The consumption is reflecting the survey; that the cheaper the price, the more people drink and go out,” explains Ahearn. “Also you have to bear in mind off-licences as well. You can get a bottle of wine and which would represent four drinks in one night, which would cost about €7. There are a lot of variables regarding that survey.”

Another statistic that Ahearn was concerned about was the percentage of students who experienced a moment where they couldn’t remember part or all of a night out. While concerned about it, he felt that these students could learn from their experiences: “I still think individuals need to learn lessons from when those occasions occur so they can learn their limits. So when you’re educating someone in terms of alcohol awareness so that they can testify that; they themselves know their limits.”

However, he was adamant that society was the reason behind the university’s and country’s drinking problem. “Go to any major Irish town and you probably have more pubs than any other business.

I come from a town where there are 55 pubs – double the amount of pubs than restaurants. It’s society and that’s where it comes from.”

While saying that it was an unfortunate outlook that many students felt pressures to drink on a night out, Ahearn states that for those uninterested in drinking, “there are a lot of alternatives…I think it’s important that students realise that alcohol isn’t the central focus. It shouldn’t be the central focus. We’ve a very strong international presence of students here from different countries where, owing to religion, alcohol isn’t accepted. In some cases, it can be quite different from the people you surveyed.”

Ahearn commented on the percentage of students admitting to taking drugs by saying that he found it: “Worrying. I think that’s quite worrying that 45 per cent have admitted they take drugs. It’s not a good thing,” he says. “In a lot of ways, the difference between alcohol and drugs is, drugs is illegal, alcohol is legal”

Jerry McMahon:

1) Do you drink?

2) If yes to Q1, how often would you drink?

Manager of Edenmore Drug Intervention Team (EDIT) & Chairperson of Dublin North East Drug Task Force (DNEDTF)

W

hen notified about the results of the survey, McMa-

hon felt that the statistics regarding feeling pressure to drink and not remembering part or all of a night out was more akin to general Irish life.

“Student drinking is just one particular kind of reflection of a more general national problem. And, you know, for the challenge that we have either to find the courage some place else for our social interactions if we feel not as much at ease as we should feel,” said McMahon. “To find the courage to fit with that and address that problem is a challenge for all of us.”

Through his experience in working with various addiction cases, McMahon felt that there was too great a focus on alcohol as social interaction not only among students but also in wider society.

“If the next day were defining what constitutes a good night out, it’s not purely or particular or exclusive to students that a criteria that sometimes people apply is that they can’t remember half of that night,” he says. “They’re assuming because they can’t remember that it must have been a fantastic night and I see that right through all age-groups.”

When asked for his opinion on the results regarding drug habits, McMahon said that the figures didn’t surprise him but did concern him. He warned about the dangers of drug addiction stating that many people only discover the side-affects “afterwards the hard way”.

“Sometimes the person actually taking the drug is the last one to notice and certainly, very frequently, is the person most in denial about the downsides of taking drugs,” said McMahon. “But the same thing also applies to drugs as I said, about alcohol. The challenge to enjoy ourselves without misusing substances – be they alcohol or drugs.”

Ultimately, McMahon feels that the only way to properly tackle both issues of alcohol and drug abuse is through openness and debate: “I think the issue is to increase awareness and to question ourselves more, individually and as a society, as to why we need to present such a risk to ourselves as individuals, and to our families, our friends, and our society. Why we have to take such a risky way to enjoy ourselves, and life.

“What I advocate is open-debate and the complexities, particularly for something like cannabis, and whether it should be legalised or not legalised,” he says. “We should have much more of an open debate in Irish society, and maybe starting with the elephant in every room: our misuse of alcohol.”

No 10%

More than 3 days a week

Yes 90%

More than 3 days a week 3) How 2% many drinks would you usually have on a night out?

2-3 times a week 40%

2%

Once every 2 weeks 14% 8% Once a week

2-3 times a week 40%

Once a month

Once a week

Hardly ever

34%

34%

2%

5) Do you think there’s pressure on students to drink on social occasions?

4) Has there ever been an incident where you could not remember part or all of a night out due to drink?

No 30%

No 22%

11%

3-4 drinks

17%

5-6 drinks

28%

More than 6 drinks

44%

Yes 70%

Yes 78%

6) Do you think alcohol plays a significant part in university life?

1 – 2 drinks

7) Have you ever taken drugs before?

8) If yes to Q7, what type of drugs?

1%

Cocaine

Cannabus

34%

Ecstacy

10%

Marijuana

33%

LSD

9%

Other

No 55%

No 11%

Yes 45%

Yes 89%

7) Have you ever taken drugs before?

No 9%

10) How difficult do you feel it is to acquire drugs on campus?

Not very

34%

Somewhat difficult1 %

Very

1%

None

I don’t know 55%

Yes 91%

13%

9%

4

THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 12 April 2011

News News in Brief University of Cambridge, England Two Cambridge University students were arrested on the March 26th and charged with ‘aggravated trespassing’ onto the premises of a London store named Fortnum & Mason, as part of the occupation of the premises by the protest group named UK Uncut.

This action was allegedly taken in response to the claim that the Associated British Food group, in which the owners of the Fortnum & Mason food store (Wittington Investments) have a 54 per cent stake, were evading an annual tax of £10 million.

While one student admits to his participation in the protest as a member of the UK Uncut group, the other student was there as a “legal adviser”, independent of the group, to provide “legal advice to protesters”.

The activists were allowed to leave the store at 6pm, following re-assurance from Police that they would be brought towards a “safe environment”. However, on departing the store, the 150 protestors were surrounded by the police and treated in a violent manner. 145 were arrested for aggravated trespassing and criminal damage.

The protesters claim they were “tricked” by the police, and lured from the building under the pretence that they were going to be directed to safety. The police brutality was condemned due to the alleged “peacefulness” of the protest.

The two Cambridge students will appear before the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on the 13th and 17th of May respectively.

University of Virginia, USA A first-year college student died from injuries after he fell from the roof of the university’s four storey Physics building on March 26th.

The student, whose name was Thomas Gilliam IV, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the university’s Medical Centre shortly afterwards. Police investigating the incident are treating it as an accident and have ruled out the possibilities of foul play, alcohol abuse and suicide.

University Police Lt. Melissa Fielding explained “when Mr. Gilliam tried to walk along a part of the shingled roof he was unable to keep his footing and fell forty feet to the concrete below”.

A formal statement was released the following day stating the circumstances of the student’s death. In the statement, police clarified that they “are aware that there is a group of University students who try to enter secure spaces on [University] grounds as part of a challenge,” adding that student testimonies confirmed that Mr. Gilliam had gained entry into the building and let other students in so they could “make their way to the roof”.

A memorial is to be held later this week for Gilliam and four other students of the University who have passed away during the college year.

University of British Columbia, Canada The Board of Governors (BoG) of the University of British Columbia held a meeting to discuss the proposed increase of tuition fees by 2 per cent on April 5th.

The meeting went ahead despite the results of a college referendum held last month, which showed that 8,737 students supported the lobbying for lower tuition.

However, the disappointingly low turnout of the university’s students at a number of consultation meetings with regards to the issue was given as the reason for the go-ahead of the meeting.

Student Representative for the BoG, Sean Heisler, who stated that as a result of the lacklustre turnout, the students now “have few options to counter the raise”.

However, students claim that the consultations were not organised sufficiently in advance. Student Ashley Zarbatany stated: “They basically sent out an email saying we’re raising tuition and didn’t give a chance for students to give input back.” A student picket was organised by Zarbatany for the morning of the meeting to “build up momentum” behind their campaign.

The university’s Students’ Union has publicly denounced the prospect of increased tuition fees, and has set up a strategic committee to help students who need financial aid.

Heisler supported this campaign by saying: “If my Dad has tons of money and it’s funding my education, I don’t care about tuition. An ultimate goal is to take that money and funnel it into student aid for people who actually need it.”

- Ben Storey

news@universityobserver.ie

Executive and Programme Officer nominees announced Ryan Mackenzie Sports Editor

C

tions.

andidates for the Executive and PRO positions of the Students’ Union have been announced ahead of the Sabbatical Elec-

RON (Re-Open Nominations) will be the only opposition for many of the candidates in the elections, which will take place this week on April 13th and 14th, as a significant number of races will be uncontested this year.

In the Executive Elections, current Postgraduate Officer, Martin Lawless, is running unopposed to retain his position, similarly to Caoimhe Seoige and Patrick Wolohan, who are running unopposed for Oifigeach na Gaeilge and Gender Equality respectively.

Taking over from Welfare Vice-President candidate and current Women’s Officer, Regina Brady, Wolohan will be the first person to hold the position of Gender Equality Officer if he is successful. The role will replace the office of Women’s Officer, which was changed during the Sabbatical Elections via referendum.

The position of Environmental Officer will be contested between Roisin Carlos and Conrad Richardson.

A number of Programme Office positions

H

A mysterious robot advertises a paintball course on campus last week Photograph: Elizabeth Treacy

are also uncontested this year, with Emma in the university.

Lynch running for Agricultural Science, In Science, the five candidates competing Roisin Conrad for Business, Aiden Conroy for the position are Samir Belhout, Pauric for Health Sciences & Nursing, Catherine Ennis, Evan Heritage, Shane Sheridan and Murnan for Law & BBLS and Rebecca Chris Wong. The four candidates running Keeffe for veterinary. for Arts are Mícheál Gallagher, Philip McHowever, multiple candidates have preCann, Mark Stokes and Aisling Sheerin. sented themselves for the position of Arts None of the current PROs are seeking reand UCD Science PRO, the two biggest faculties election.

- University Observer 29 March 2011

At Students’ Union Council last Tuesday, UCDSU Returning Officer Morgan Shelley apologised for the fact the Executive elections are being held in week 11 of term.

This goes against Article 23 of the Students’ Union Constitution, which states: “The Postgraduate Officer, the Irish Language Officer, the Women’s Officer and Environmental Officer shall be collectively be known as the ‘Directly Elected Executive Officers’ and shall be elected annually in elections held not earlier than the seventh week of the second semester and not later than the tenth week of the second semester.”

Shelley admitted the mistake and said that he would accept any queries regarding the timing of the elections.

The results of the Sabbatical Elections were announced two weeks ago, with current Campaigns & Communications VicePresident and former Law PRO, Pat de Brún, voted as the next Students’ Union President.

Sports Officer, Brendan Lacey, will take over from Pat de Brún as C&C Vice-President, while Stephen Darcy will succeed Jonny Cosgrove as Ents Vice-President. Second-year Business and Law student, Rachel Breslin will become Welfare Officer, while Sam Geoghegan will succeed James Williamson as Education Vice-President.

Continued from front page

owever, Students’ Union President Paul Lynam last week told The University Observer that the UCD Ball would “100 per cent not take place on May 15th” if it was to be rescheduled.

The Students’ Union last week launched the ‘Save Our Ball’ campaign which has been endorsed by celebrities such as Miriam O’ Callaghan. When asked if he was optimistic that the UCD Ball would be rescheduled, Lynam said the SU’s “position hadn’t changed” and that they would “continue to campaign” in an attempt to convince the university to agree to a rescheduled date.

UCDSU and university authorities have been at loggerheads ever since the Union claimed “college authorities” were solely to blame for the event’s cancellation. UCDSU Campaigns & Communications Officer, Pat de Brún, earlier last week accused the university of censorship, stating on his Facebook profile: “UCD Authorities have now refused the SU permission to send out our All-Student E-Mail because it laid out the facts about why they cancelled the ball! That will not stop us, WE WANT OUR BALL!!!”

The Union then engaged in censorship themselves after reporters from The University Observer were prevented from taking photos of projection slides being displayed to Class Reps and had their cameras forcibly removed by Chair of Council, Áine Gilhooly at last week’s SU Council in the Astra Hall. Students’ Union Education Officer, James Williamson, later apologised to The University Observer for the manner in which they had removed the camera, explaining the reasons for the censorship.

Williamson stated, via email: “I am just emailing to apologise about Council. Before entering Council this evening myself and the President were legally advised that under no circumstances was any of the information contained in the presentation to [be] released outside Council. The reason for this is because myself and the President were delivering the information in the correct and most accurate manner. If such a document were to be distributed, the opposite may occur.

“This is not to say that this may have been the case with you but this is what we were advised for everyone. I apologise if you felt singled out in Council as you were the only ones who were effected [sic]. The message was to assert to everyone the importance of the information.

This is also the reason why standing orders of council were raised but I do apologise for the manner in which this was delivered.”

No re-instatement of rescheduling of the UCD Ball had been announced at the time of going to print.

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12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

NEWS

news@universityobserver.ie

NEWS IN BRIEF Power failure hits Trinity Ball Students attending the annual Trinity Ball last Friday were subjected to a disruption by a power cut on the main stage while The Streets were performing.

TCD Students’ Union newspaper The University Times wrote on Twitter: “Not currently blinded by the lights” as attempts were made to salvage the performance.

The University Times also tweeted that once the amplification system was up and running again, members of security used flashlights to direct the crowd’s attention to the stage.

Over 7,000 tickets were sold out for the event, while acts performing on the night included Limerick musicians The Rubberbandits, Bell X1, Fight Like Apes, and Jesse J. TCD Students’ Union Ents Officer, Darragh Genockey, told the Irish Times that students were most excited about the Rubberbandits playing at the ball: “We actually put out a questionnaire to see who everyone was looking forward to seeing and the feedback for the Rubberbandits was just incredible.”

Genockey was unavailable to comment on the power failure when contacted by The University Observer.

- Amy Bracken Fifth annual Student Film Festival at UCD UCD’s Film Society held the fifth annual Student Film Festival in the first week of April. The event, which was held over the course of three days in the Astra Hall, included workshops, guest speakers and film screenings.

The event saw a reception, screenwriting and acting workshops in which an estimated 20 people took part.

A talk from the Chairman of the Irish Film Board, James Marks, was held on Wednesday before production workshops, teaching people how to make films by providing them with scripts and cameras. An editing workshop took place later in the day.

A preview screening in the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) in the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield took place on Thursday morning, followed by a Q&A session with the acting director of the IFCO, Ger Connolly.

For the remainder of the day, a variety of student films were screened.

Entries came from various secondary schools as well as UCD, NUIG and IADT. A ceremony was held at the end of the day to recognise the best films shown.

Film Soc Auditor, Ciarán Treacy, was “very happy with how it went – it took a lot of organisation to get everything together, to get guest speakers in, getting workshops together and the films themselves.”

- Katie Hughes Rás UCD in aid of UCDVO set to begin The second annual Rás UCD 5K Road Race will start at 12pm on Saturday April 16th, starting outside the Sports Centre.

The bi-lingual 5km road race is being jointly organised by An Cumann Gaeltacht, UCD Volunteers Overseas, UCD Sport, UCDSU and the UCD Athletics Club.

The inaugural Rás claimed over 450 participants and €5,000 was raised for UCD Volunteers Overseas. Use of the Irish language was promoted across campus and actively encouraged throughout the event.

All entry fees for the 2011 Rás will go directly to UCDVO, which currently runs education, construction, reforestation and physiotherapy projects in India, Haiti, Nicaragua and Tanzania.

Organisers of the Rás told The University Observer: “The event itself combines different aspects of UCD life; namely sport, volunteering and the Irish language, which all come together to make the Rás a truly unique UCD event.”

Refreshments are to be provided after the events, and free T-shirts and Centra goodie bags will be up for grabs for the first 500 people to register, as well as over €1,000 worth of prizes.

Payment can be made on the day of the Rás in the Astra Hall, and for those who pre-register online, entry fee is just €8 for students and €12 for non-students. More information can be found at www.ucd.ie/rasucd.

- Amy Bracken

5

Ex-UCD Student to make feature-length documentary as part of 17,000mile bike trip KATIE HUGHES Deputy News Editor

A

UCD Arts graduate is set to make a featurelength documentary of his 17,000-mile journey cycling from the Northernmost tip of Alaska to the south of Argentina this summer to raise money for the Carer’s Society of Ireland.

Ian Lacey, a former UCD student of Archaeology and Geography, aims to raise €100,000 from the trip, and will be accompanied on the journey by his friend, Lee Saville. They have named their project ‘365 South’ and will be travelling through 15 countries by bicycle over the course of several months.

Lacey, who has received backing from a production company and Setanta Sports, is due to begin his journey on July 15th.

Speaking to The University Observer, Lacey said that the reason for fundraising for the Care’s Society of Ireland was because he and his mother have spent a number of years caring for his grandmother.

“At the very start it was just something that we wanted to do, it would just satisfy our adventurous spirit, we always wanted to do a lot of travelling and I’ve done bits and pieces at a time, but nothing like where I’d go for a year or extended periods of time,” explained Lacey.

“So it started off as that, one trip that would be a challenge, but we also wanted to do something positive for others.”

Lacey described hearing of someone who had made a similar journey, and that he was hit with a desire to make the same trip himself.

The journey will begin in Deadhorse, the northernmost town in Alaska, and will finish up in the Patagonia region, located in the very south of South America. According to their website, the journey is over 17,000 miles and ‘the route [they] chose was one that aimed to follow the historic Pan American Highway to the closest extent possible’.

Lacey and Saville will be unsupported throughout the journey and will carry their tents, food and equipment on their backs. However, Lacey is hopeful that locals will offer support throughout the journey.

The biggest difficulty facing the 365South team, according to Lacey, is planning the exact route that they should take: “The biggest difficulty is probably planning, trying to know the exact route that we’re going to take,” he says. “We know where we want to go right now, but there’s some areas that we’d be unsure how many days we’ll be on our own, or if we’ll meet anyone on the road. Places like the Atacama Desert, in Chile, can be really difficult, it’s a desert and nobody really lives there, apart from on the coast.”

Lacey is hopeful that many UCD students will share their website on Facebook and Twitter pages where they be providing updates on their preparations over the coming months.

Student Bar ‘struggling’ following significant losses; manager injured AMY BRACKEN, SARAH DORAN & KATIE HUGHES

I

ncoming Students’ Union President and current Campaigns and Communications Vice-President, Pat de Brún, has admitted that UCD Student Bar, which is run by the Students’ Union, is “really struggling”.

This news comes after it emerged that its manager reportedly suffered a broken ankle, after a random assailant attacked a car in which he was a passenger.

De Brún told The University Observer: “The [price of ] soft drinks went down, but unfortunately, as with all other drinks, they’ve now gone back up, because the bar is really struggling. Once it gets to a certain point, we can’t demand that drinks are a certain price if the accounts aren’t adding up. So it was there for a while and then unfortunately the bar wasn’t bringing in enough revenue to maintain that.”

This admission comes a few months after Ents Vice-President Jonny Cosgrove announced that there were no more free drinks tokens available for class parties.

Cosgrove told The University Observer: “The bar – it’s our venue. It’s our thing to

work.” Cosgrove said that his aim for the bar was that “if you didn’t know anyone you could go down to the bar and meet someone, because it’s not about getting drunk, it’s about enjoying the process. I do think that’s something that has been lost, particularly in our generation.”

Cosgrove attributes the fall in bar sales to students who go out mid-week and “get the bottle of vodka...the average spend for a first-year going out in Dublin is about €6 to €8. That’s insane. That’s not manageable.”

De Brún, however, is optimistic that the drinks promotions can be reinstated in the next academic year: “It’s something that I would like to re-instate next year.”

Cosgrove also said that the bad weather in December cost the bar: “That put us back in terms end-of-exam parties, which were a great form of income for the [Students’] Union.” He cited the fall in bar sales as among the reasons why he was not able to promise some of his aims for the Student Bar in his election manifesto last year.

“I think that we battled it pretty well by making it cheap enough for people to come,” Cosgrove explained. “On big nights where there was an act that was

definitely going to sell out, those nights we wouldn’t have drinks promotions on.

I was not going to stand behind that. I said ‘just because you’re getting them in doesn’t mean you can rob them blind’.

“I think it’s something that’s across the board. As I said, licensed premises are shutting down across the country everyday, purely down to economics. I think we’re doing the best we can,” he added.

The University Observer also understands that the Student Bar manager, Declan Hyland, was reportedly injured in an incident while driving out of UCD last week. Hyland suffered a broken ankle after an unnamed individual approached a car in which Hyland was a passenger.

A university source told this newspaper how the individual in question began “bonnet surfing” on the car and damaged the windscreen in the process. Hyland subsequently suffered the injury while attempting to pursue the perpetrator.

The attacker has been reprimanded, however it is yet to be confirmed whether he is a UCD student.

Representatives of the Student Bar and the university were unwilling to officially comment on the incident at the time of going to print.

UCD - University Observer 29 March & 12 April 2011

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6

THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 12 April 2011

NEWS

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President review: Presidential material?

NATALIE VOORHEIS Deputy Features Editor

T

wo achievements stand out for Paul Lynam as the highlights of his year as Students’ Union President. The first of these is the march against fees that saw 5,000 UCD students take to the streets in protest as part of a national campaign commanding a 40,000 strong student attendance.

Lynam states: “It was the largest student protest since the 1960s. And I’m proud of that.”

The second of these achievements was the creation of 15,000 graduate internship places by the USI after the UCDSU pushed for graduate unemployment to be made a priority during the first national council in July. Lynam expresses his pride that one of his team’s policies had been initiated on a national level.

“It was a sense of personal pride as well as pride within the national organisation and indeed this organisation [UCDSU] that put it on the agenda within the USI that 15,000 graduate internship places were accepted in the 2011 budget.”

At the start of the year UCDSU laid out twelve priorities, chosen from the manifestos of the officers with the aim of achieving them by June 30th. Notable achievements from these priorities include the semesterisation of the registration fee, the expansion from a six-day week library to a seven-day week library, working towards solutions to graduate unemployment and the negotiation of a new instalments plan for students living on residence.

Regarding the twelve priorities worked towards by the UCDSU, Lynam says: “They achieved some one hundred percent, they made progress on others and they gave a good stab at others.”

Despite these positives, Lynam does not describe his year as Students’ Union President as perfect, saying: “Did I make mistakes? Absolutely.” However, Lynam attempts to qualify this, by claiming: “Will next year’s make mistakes? Definitely. Did last years? I’m sure he did. Mistakes come with the job.”

Despite this admission that not every move made was a successful or correct one, Lynam is adamant that all his decisions, without exception, were made by him with the best interests of the student body in mind. The service of whom, he explains,

has been a job that he has “adored”.

Lynam responds to allegations that his manner of execution of his role as Students’ Union President has been too hands off, by saying: “It’s a fair criticism. I think the president, when he sees a weakness in an officer should intervene,” implying that he did not do so but declining to cite specific examples.

He furthermore refers to his leadership techniques as “laissez-faire” at times, but made the point that it was important that he did not exert too much restriction over the SU officers as a whole for the good of a productive working environment.

Some people have noted that the presence and productivity of the Students’ Union declined slightly in November, following the intensive efforts of the march.

In response to this, Lynam explains: “I do think it is safe to say that we were just preparing for the exams and we weren’t as proactive as possibly we could have been, but November usually is a quiet enough month for a Sabbatical Officer.

“But we reviewed ourselves and went at it again in January,” he continues. “Out of twelve months there is going to be one month that’s first place and one month that’s twelfth place. November would have been twelfth.”

Lynam describes the Students’ Union’s year under his presidency as “overall a good year,” adding: “We were absolutely as visible as we could have been. Could we do more? I’m sure we can but there are times when we need to be in the office getting the deals done that need to be done for students.

He claims “the Union is better than it was one year ago” and when questioned about promises made in his manifesto that unfortunately did not come to fruition, Lynam explains that he felt it was better to make a lot of promises even though some might not be achieved, as it forces you to work harder at fulfilling as many as possible. For example, plans for turning the Student Centre into a cinema one night per week, as outlined in his manifesto, were never realised.

When The University Observer put this to Lynam, he responds that he had prioritised Welfare during the year and that such measures as a student benefit fund were more rewarding on a cost-benefit ratio than the cinema plan and had therefore been pursued instead.

Lynam is running for the Seanad now that his term as SU President is coming to an end

Lynam is quick to point out his proudest personal project achievement which involves a deal he has been working on with the HEA to ensure the security of funding over the next five years for UCD’s Counselling and Health Centre services to

the tune of €600,000 per year. This deal has not yet been approved, but Lynam is optimistic that it will be accepted in May. As Lynam’s year draws to a close, the exact nature of his legacy remains yet to be determined. If his deal is accepted by the

HEA, it will constitute a major achievement in student welfare and if the Union’s Save Our Ball campaign is successful, he may be able to garner back some of the student support lost in the UCD Ball’s cancellation.

Campaigns & Communications Officer review: A pat on the back?

KATIE HUGHES Deputy News Editor

W

ith a year where national campaigns were brought to the forefront, Campaigns and Communications Officer Pat de Brún certainly had his work cut out for him as he embarked on a year of representing the students of Ireland, and not just those of UCD, on more than one occasion.

A priority of de Brún’s when he was contesting the position last year was to make the Students’ Union a more relevant, visible and accountable body; this is something he believes that he has achieved during his tenure as C&C Officer. “I think that we did that and that I’m proud of it, it’s obviously not perfect but I think it was a big improvement.”

Whether this goal was achieved to the extent that de Brún planned is questionable, but there was undoubtedly a considerable amount of effort put into the Union being more visible to the students, with lecture addresses, residence visits and open meetings taking place on a relatively regular basis.

De Brún cites the importance of the open meetings and the significance of being more accountable to students as the foundations of a stronger Union. “It makes us more open to criticism, but I think that’s beneficial for us, it

makes it more difficult for the Officer, but it improves the Union, it’s debate and it’s constructive – constructive criticism improves us.”

One of lowest points of the year for de Brún was the cut to the distance requirement for the grant: “It was very difficult, as we had worked and worked and lobbied the Oireachtas and this was just one issue that never came under our radar as a national movement.” He describes it as a “cruel” step taken by the government, which was served as a “low blow” to students.

A day de Brún regards as one of his “biggest successes” and simultaneously one of his “lowest moments” was November 3rd, the day of the national march against raising the registration fee, graduate unemployment and cuts to the grant.

The low point of the day came a few hours after the march took place, when news started to filter through regarding a breakaway group and that “there was a chance that all the work and all the intent of all the students that had marched under our banner and for the issues that they believed in was in danger”.

The march can ultimately be seen as de Brún’s biggest success of the year. Having acted as the co-ordinator of the event on UCD Students’ Union’s side, it was his doing that an estimated 5,000 UCD students took part in the event.

De Brún regards helping to organise the march against fees as one of his “biggest successes”

De Brún acknowledges that despite having been involved with an intensive campaign to prevent the increase of the registration fee, the move still came. “It’s a bit disheartening sometimes that you can do everything right and run a campaign to perfection, but you know some cuts are going to happen.”

However, he insists that he “doesn’t have any regrets, I worked hard all year and we’ve had a lot of challenges but we’ve had a lot of successes as well.”

De Brún defends the aspects of his mani-

festo which he failed to achieve, such as the weekly information leaflets and Union noticeboards across all faculties, as being down to naivety: “The one thing I would say is that when you’re a second year Law student, it’s difficult to grasp exactly how things operate and how realistic some things are.”

The recruitment and training of Class Reps was something de Brún insists was a major step forward. “We had a record number of Class Rep nominations and a record number of Class Reps,” the outcome of

which was having a “more engaged and engaging council”.

Due to the extensive effort put into national campaigns, they took precedence over campaign weeks such as International week, Environmental week and LGBT Week.

“Campaign weeks and the likes didn’t get as much attention as other years, which is unfortunate as those weeks are very important.”

It is also due to these more pressing matters arising that de Brún did not implement his idea of year-long campaigns, as opposed to just concentrating one-week events. However, he insists that that a year-long campaign was in fact run by the Irish office, having himself “put together some proposals for Irish language residences, that was in theory accepted and still being considered”.

Regardless of the fact that a few of the propositions in his manifesto never came to fruition, de Brún enjoyed a reasonable year as C&C Officer who managed to strike the right balance in communicating with students and “fighting the fight” – we have undoubtedly seen a considerable amount more of the Union on campus this year than last and with de Brún having been elected as next year’s president, we are certainly due to see much more.

12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

SU REVIEW

news@universityobserver.ie

Education VicePresident review: Just Williamson?

After a year where cutbacks and maintaining regular services was vital, James Williamson took over during a stormy period where further cutbacks were threatened. While not having the most specWilliamson looks set to become USI’s tacular year, Education Officer for next year Williamson can be satisfied with how he’s conducted himself throughout.

Saying that he has “a few more achievements on paper,” when compared to his predecessor, Donnacha Ó Súilleabháin, Williamson feels he has had a successful year, saying: “It’s been a tough year. I’ve enjoyed it.

“I think I’ve been a good Education Officer, I’ve done my best in everything that I’ve promised to do, the year isn’t over and obviously when you’re running, you don’t fully understand the job so there’s one or two things that you won’t be able to get done, but that’s the way with every brief.”

Williamson says one criticism made towards him was the lack of publicising his achievements throughout the year, but said that it wasn’t in his nature to hype himself up. “I don’t like getting up there and saying ‘I did this, I did that’, said Williamson. “It can be quite difficult if you’re in the middle of something which you know is going to take you six or seven months, you don’t want to be giving updates every few minutes, because you may end up showing your cards.”

Regarding his biggest achievement of the year, he says that it was extending the library opening hours to include Sundays throughout the term. While a significant achievement for maintaining academic standards within the university, when he was asked how much of a role he played in achieving this, he immediately replied: “It was completely me. If myself and Paul weren’t here, the library wouldn’t be open on a Sunday, it wasn’t the priority of the people who were here.” While he’s entitled to state his achievements, such an answer comes across as slightly jarring when considering the modestly phrased statement that came before it.

However, he felt that it was a significant jump from what the previous sabbatical team had done regarding library hours, saying: “Last year’s team hadn’t got it on their agenda to have the library open on a Sunday, it’s the SU position that the library hours shouldn’t be cut back. If there’s an attempt to cutback library hours, you should fight it.”

Williamson is adamant that the majority of his manifesto ideas were all achieved with the exception of three, an exact figure either highlighting a defensive element to his personality or one that signals a perfectionist. One of these three ideas that didn’t come into fruition was an advice helpline to deal with student queries, which ran into immediate problems mainly to do with training and staffing.

“It would mean that our programme officers and exec officers would have to man them and that’s not possible because myself and Scott are the only students who have been trained enough to deal with those student queries,” he explains. “There’s not a chance that I would be able to give them the training required as part time officers that I received as a full time officer [to adequately deal with student problems].

He admits that his lowest point this year came after the USI fees march back in November. Admitting that the entire Students’ Union “took their foot off the pedal” due to their exhaustion from campaigning. He also mentions the Christmas exams period where he received death threats because of their cancelation, saying it was necessary to make sure all students were safe and didn’t risk their livelihood making their way into exams.

Williamson’s next stop is to put his name forward for USI Education Officer when nominations open again or return to fourth year Science to complete his degree.

Should he be elected, his experiences this year will be put into good use and may mean that UCD students will see and hear more of Williamson for another year.

- Quinton O’Reilly

7

Entertainments Officer Review: When it snows Ents blows

Welfare Officer review: Wel-fairy Godfather Part II

“I can guarantee you that if we were to do a survey of who your Ents Officer was this year, I’m pretty sure [knowledge] would go pretty high.

Where the approval rating would be I don’t know, because of Cosgrove has had a mixed year at the people’s helm of Ents different mixed opinions,” says Jonny Cosgrove.

Any conversation with the incumbent Ents Officer could not but turn immediately to the cancelled UCD Ball. Whilst negotiations with the University have resumed, at the time of going to press it seems likely that for many students the initial cancellation will define Cosgrove’s term.

“I was not happy about the way the situation was handled, but I will defend us to the end. If [the cancellation] was my fault, I’d be the first person to stand up and say it,” he insists. “People need people to vent on, I can take that I don’t mind.”

Cosgrove defended the decision to falsely claim there had a security breach arguing: “Anyone with a bit of cop on, I think, would have done the exact same thing.” Considering that the Union has often been criticised for an alleged lack of transparency, the wisdom of such a move is highly questionable. Furthermore Cosgrove’s contention that they could not release news of the cancellation on April Fool’s Day for fear of not being taken seriously appears a little inane.

However, he was adamant that he would do his utmost to rectify the situation: “I want us to have a Ball,” Cosgrove states. “If that means it’s going to be a slightly more hectic time for me, if the college play ball then I’m up to the challenge.”

Cosgrove ran uncontested for the position last year and believes that student familiarity with him may have impacted upon the reception he received. “I think expectations were a little high and it was up to me to have to try and take that. I think I performed to the best of my ability, I’ll be honest on that.”

One of Cosgrove’s main aims was to “bring back the Bar,” reinvigorating the venue by cutting costs. However, with the recent revelation of the bar’s economic struggles the impact of Cosgrove’s campaign can arguably be disputed. Despite the downturn, he remained optimistic about the future: “If we want the bar to continue, we need to keep the prices down, but we also need to get the students to get in behind it, otherwise I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen to it.”

Cosgrove’s highlights of the year included the success of Thursday Night Live, securing a deal with Vodafone to become UCD Ents largest sponsor, the return of the Fashion Show and his work on the creation of an Ents Forum in USI, which will shortly become a working group.

The success of his Get Involved Initiative was another “win” for Ents, with over 400 people signing on to join the Ents Crew.

Cosgrove is adamant that he found the healthy balance between an on-campus presence and the necessary admin work: students who had difficulty contacting him may beg to differ.

He pinpointed the arrival of the snow and cancellation of the Christmas Ball as the low point of his year. “My entire second semester had to be completely redone,” Cosgrove explains. He argues that the necessity to reschedule led to the cancellation of plans to unite with Trinity College for a Dublin Rag Week, and that the financial loss at Christmas forced him to pull back on certain initiatives.

He also acknowledges the failure to properly launch the Ents website, which he had prioritised in his manifesto and was eager to dismiss the issues regarding excessive Ents texts as something which “comes up every year”.

Cosgrove claimed that no Ents calendar was produced as clubs and societies failed to get back to him on time, whilst the Summer Sessions by the lake, which he promised, have been abandoned in favour of the Save Our Ball Campaign. If Cosgrove can save the Ball, he may save his legacy.

As regards his plans for next year, Cosgrove will finish his BA in History and Politics: “You don’t stay in UCD as long as I have and walk away without a degree, it’s just not on.”

It is difficult to scrutinise Welfare VicePresident Scott Ahearn, as his tenure has provoked little controversy and the only pitfalls are minor ones that he himself highlights.

Ahearn rates the overall SU performance Ahearn has arguably had the most as having been successful year of all the Sabbatical high, and deOfficers nies the belief that there was a slackening in SU activities following the November 3rd protest against third-level fees.

“In terms of each individual brief, Paul had successes, Jonny had successes, Pat definitely had successes and he’s just been elected and is staying on, James had successes like Arts Peer Mentoring and a range of other things with the library, and I feel myself that I’ve come out with successes. So as a team, I think we’ve done well in terms of the Save Our Ball campaign.”

He cites two Welfare Weeks as among what he regards as his best achievements over the year: “The aims of my Welfare Weeks were to promote me, promote what I do and promote what we have.” He is also proud of what he perceives as his achievements in Residences and his work for students suffering with mental health issues.

Ahearn’s immeasurable contribution to helping students with mental health issues has inspired his desire to study Social Work at postgraduate level following his next sabbatical year as USI Welfare Officer: “That one second pause where a person says ‘yes.’ You are probably the first person who this person has told; this person is contemplating killing themselves. You have to take it from their end, talk to them about, and see it from their end. Why is it they do that?”

Ahearn cites the biggest issue facing students this year as being finances. He investigated the system in place in other colleges in order to help implement better financial support services for students in UCD. While he says he will recommend a full-time Financial Support Officer to be implemented in UCD, as is the case in DCU, he admits that this will simply be a recommendation.

He did not simply work for the welfare of UCD students. He also worked for improved efficiency in terms of the role of Students’ Union Welfare Vice-President by establishing the Welfare Crew.

The Welfare Crew has served not only to assist the work of the Welfare Vice-President and to provide yet another opportunity for students to become engaged in college life, but it has also provided a platform for aspiring SU Welfare candidates, particularly the incoming Welfare VP, Rachel Breslin, of whom Scott is confident is ready to take the reigns and to continue and further his legacy.

He adds that September 2010 proved to be the most challenging period of his two-year tenure as Welfare Vice-President: “For me, September was the closest I’ve come to saying ‘there’s only so much that I can do’.”

While finances have been cited as one of the major issues facing students at that time, Ahearn also believes that the situation on UCD Residences that month, when hundreds of students arrived on campus to discover their Res rooms were unavailable and that they would have to seek temporary accommodation for the first few weeks or term, was also prevalent.

Ahearn’s handling of the situation is difficult to criticise, as arguably, there was very little he could do except listen. “I’m very proud of what I’ve done with Residences, but that was incredible. To have angry mammies from Galway on to you; it was very difficult to manage that.”

Undoubtedly, Ahearn’s role in the initiation of the Meet Your Neighbour/Life Scheme cannot be undermined, and his recognition alone of the difficulties facing students living away from home from the first time is to be his credit, especially as he admits having thoroughly enjoyed the transition and living in Belgrove for the first year of his degree.

Overall, in both years of his tenure, it is difficult to find fault with the performance of the Welfare Vice-President.

The queue outside his office of students with personal cases wishing to speak to him is testament to his approachability and the prevalence of Welfare across campus and in campus media reflects Ahearn’s stellar commitment to his role.

-Amy Bracken

-Sarah Doran

8

THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 12 April 2011

JOB POSTINGS Editor Applications are invited for the position of Editor of The University Observer for the academic year 2011/2012.

The Position: The Editor of The University Observer is responsible for all aspects of the newspaper. The Editor is responsible for the management of the newspaper, the publication and distribution of the newspaper, the content of the newspaper and is responsible for the co-ordination of the newspaper’s writers. The Editor is responsible for all internal appointments (with the exception of the Deputy Editor and the Designer) within the newspaper as well as any disciplinary matters that may arise (with the exception of the Deputy Editor and the Designer).

The position of Editor of The University Observer is an extremely demanding one and applicants for the position should be aware that the role involves working unsocial hours in a highly pressurised environment. The position includes working alternate weekends.

The Editor is responsible for all deadlines being met by the newspaper.

The University Observer is editorially independent from the Students’ Union, as enshrined in the Union constitution. The Editor has complete authority over the content of the newspaper, proviso to the standard regulations governing newspaper content (e.g. libel etc).

The Editor is appointed for the full academic year, 2011/2012.

Applicants should note that no formal training is offered to the successful candidate.

The Candidate: The candidate should exhibit a serious commitment to journalism. Ideally, the candidate should have at least three years experience working for a newspaper or media organisation.

It is preferable but not essential that the candidate is/was a registered student of University College Dublin.

The position is a full time one and the candidate should be aware of the pressurised environment under which newspaper editors operate. The candidate must be in a position to prove to the interview panel his/her ability to meet fixed, non negotiable printing deadlines whilst working at speed and under pressure.

The candidate should exhibit a clear sense of duty towards the newspaper, combined with sharp commercial acumen.

A strong knowledge of social media is essential in order to manage the demands of The University Observer website.

Remuneration: Wages currently stand at €500 per issue (12 editions of the paper are normally published), however this is to be reviewed in June 2011. As well as this, expenses incurred during production of the newspaper may be reclaimed. In addition, the successful candidate is currently entitled to a commission rate on all net revenue secured from advertisements placed within the newspaper, however this will be reviewed in May 2011 and may be reduced. More details are available on this matter.

Application Procedure: Applicants for the above position must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a detailed proposal, outlining how the candidate intends to operate and manage The University Observer. The proposal must include a comprehensive outline of strategic changes that can be made to improve the newspaper. Specific areas where the newspaper can be improved should be dealt with in some detail. The applicant should also outline his/her proposals for the day-to-day organisation and management of the newspaper.

Applications should be sent to the following address: Mr Paul Fennessy, The University Observer, Student Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.

Applicants with further queries should contact Mr Paul Fennessy, at 01 716 3120, weekdays during business hours.

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview, where they will be expected to answer any questions raised in relation to their proposal. Members of the interview panel will include the current Editor, two previous Editors of the newspaper, the financial administrator of the Students’ Union and the current Union President.

Note: • Applicants are only permitted to enter this competition individually. Joint applications will not be accepted.

• Canvassing members of the interview panel will lead to an automatic disqualification.

• No formal training is offered to successful candidates.

Closing date for applications is 5pm, 29th April 2011.

Art & Design Director Applications are invited for the position of Art and Design Director of The University Observer for the academic year 2010/2011.

The Position You will be responsible for the design and layout of the newspaper, working in conjunction with the editors and contributors. The position will require work at alternate weekends, whilst working hours during the week are flexible. Although this work is highly demanding it is also highly rewarding. The successful candidate would be expected to constantly strive to improve the overall design of the newspaper. The University Observer’s design has been honoured at the Student Media Awards, winning Best Design & Layout.

The Art & Design Director is not responsible for any content, rather on its presentation. The Art & Design Director is to report to the Editor and Deputy Editor.

Remuneration: Wages currently stand at €450 per issue (12 editions of the paper are normally published), however this is to be reviewed in June 2011. As well as this, expenses incurred during production of the newspaper may be reclaimed. In addition, the successful candidate is currently entitled to a commission rate on all net revenue secured from advertisements placed within the newspaper, however this will be reviewed in May 2011 and may be reduced. More details are available on this matter.

The Candidate The successful applicant will have good computer skills and be proficient in Adobe InDesign as well as Adobe Photoshop. A good working knowledge of Apple Macintoshes is essential. Experience of Adobe InCopy is desirable. A personal interest in graphic design and typography would also be preferable. As a person you should possess ability to meet tight deadlines and manage a large workload. You must also have the ability to meet technical guidelines from printers and have a basic knowledge of the four colour printing process.

Application Procedure Applications should be sent to the following address: Mr Dave Carmody, UCD Students’ Union, Student Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 Note: Applicants will be required to present a portfolio of work upon request.

Closing date for applications is 5pm, 29th April 2010.

news@universityobserver.ie Deputy Editor Applications are invited for the position of Deputy Editor of The University Obser ver for the academic year 2010/2011.

The Candidate: The candidate should exhibit a serious commitment to journalism. Ideally, the candidate should have at least three years experience working for a newspaper or media organisation.

It is preferable but not essential that the candidate is/ was a registered student of University College Dublin.

The position is a full time one and the candidate should be aware of the pressurised environment under which newspaper editors operate. The candidate must be in a position to prove to the inter view panel his/her ability to meet fixed, non negotiable printing deadlines whilst working at speed and under pressure.

The candidate should exhibit a clear sense of duty towards the newspaper, combined with sharp commercial acumen.

A strong knowledge of social media is essential in order to manage the demands of The University Obser ver website.

The Position: The Deputy Editor of The University Obser ver, upon direction from the Editor, is responsible for all aspects of the newspaper. The Deputy Editor, subject in all matters concerning the newspaper to the direction of the Editor, shall be responsible, with the Editor, for the management of the newspaper, the publication and distribution of the newspaper, the content of the newspaper and is responsible for the co-ordination of the newspaper ’s writers.

The position of Deputy Editor of The University Obser ver is an extremely demanding one and applicants for the position should be aware that the role involves working unsocial hours in a highly pressurised environment. The position includes working alternate weekends.

The Deputy Editor is responsible for all deadlines being met by the newspaper.

The University Obser ver is editorially independent from the Students’ Union, as enshrined in the Union constitution. The Deputy Editor has authority over the content of the newspaper, subject to the standard regulations governing newspaper content (e.g. libel etc).

The Deputy Editor is appointed for the full academic year, 2011/2012.

Applicants should note that no formal training is offered to the successful candidate.

Remuneration: Wages currently stand at €450 per issue (12 editions of the paper are normally published), however this is to be reviewed in June 2011. As well as this, expenses incurred during production of the newspaper may be reclaimed. In addition, the successful candidate is currently entitled to a commission rate on all net revenue secured from advertisements placed within the newspaper, however this will be reviewed in May 2011 and may be reduced. More details are available on this matter.

Application Procedure: Applicants for the above position must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a detailed proposal, outlining how the candidate intends to operate and manage The University Obser ver. The proposal must include a comprehensive outline of strategic changes that can be made to improve the newspaper. Specifics areas where the newspaper can be improved should be dealt with in some detail. The applicant should also outline his/her proposals for the day-to-day organisation and management of the newspaper.

Applications should be sent to the following address: Mr Dave Carmody, UCD Students’ Union Student Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.

Applicants with further queries should contact Mr Paul Fennessy at 01 716 3120, weekdays during business hours.

Short-listed candidates will be called for an inter view, where they will be expected to answer any questions raised in relation to the proposal. Members of the inter view panel will be as decided by the Students’ Union, the financial administrator of the Students’ Union and the current Union President.

Note: • Applicants are only permitted to apply for this position individually. Joint applications will not be accepted.

• Canvassing members of the inter view panel will lead to an automatic disqualification.

• No formal training is offered to successful candidates.

Closing date for applications is 5pm, 29th April,

12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

9

FEATURES

features@universityobserver.ie

Graffiti with a conscience More than just a signal of vandalism or urban degeneration, Natalie Voorheis explores the emergence of Irish street art culture

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hen

most people think of the word graffiti, images of urban deDeputy Features Editor generation, vandalism and scrawling and unreadable lettering are conjured up. The prolific nature of tagging, the act of writing your name in a public place, has created a lot of bad press for the world of street art in Ireland and a relationship marked by animosity between the graffiti artists and public authorities.

Unbeknownst to much of Ireland’s public, the street art scene of Dublin city consists of a full blown artistic movement, championed by a

Bertie Ahern colored with the stripes of a tiger as a critique of the boom years - Artist: ADW

close-knit artistic community far removed and developed from the mindless graffiti tagging of opportunists. This movement strives to reclaim the public space for the people of Dublin.

21st century culture has led to Dublin’s cityscape becoming the playground for multimillion-dollar advertising companies and corporations, whose billboards, huge and dominant, force an unwilling public to become active participants in their campaigns. In other parts of the city, urban degeneration and poor council planning has had a negative effect on our cityscape.

The rise of Irish street art since the late 80s has provided an important alternative to these views of the city, with works emerging in the last couple of decades being consistently culturally and politically motivated.

The Irish street art scene, compared to those in cities such as New York and Barcelona, is in its infancy. Despite this, a number of artists of note have emerged in the last decade that are of an international standard and have been recognised as such. These artists include: ADW, Will Saint Ledger, Canvaz, Maser, Karma, Conor Harrington, Asbestos and Xπr.

Much of the recent Irish street art is recognisable for its distinctively Irish nature. Political and social comments specific to Ireland are a predominant theme in many of the artists work.

The development of the Irish economy, for ex-

ample, from the highs of the Celtic tiger days to the economic lows of recent months have been followed closely by these artists.

Perhaps most famous among these images is one by artist ADW, situated in Ranelagh, of Bertie Ahern’s face, painted with the stripes of a tiger. ADW commented on his artwork, saying: “Bertie was gone, but there was still something that I wanted to say. The recession had hit, Bertie was the face of that, he was the top dog.”

Cultural comments about the development of Irish society are also a popular theme. Street artists have echoed the concern evident in modern Irish literature and film over the last couple of decades about questions over Irish authenticity, identification and categorisation.

Such events as Ireland entering into the European Union, which resulted in a more ethnically diverse populace than ever before in this country and the globalisation of Irish culture, raise questions about a modern definition of Irishness. ADW’s famous mural on the side of an alley of Rathmines Church depicting mother Ireland, being blown by the winds of change, pensively surveying a shamrock and the face of a Celtic tiger side by side is a reflection of this.

Another example of the socially conscious nature of Ireland’s street art scene is the “They Are Us” project that began in 2010. This series of outdoor public art works were inspired by Dublin City itself and were a tribute to its Northside and Southside, the visible and the secret and the good and the bad of the city.

The project was a collaboration, graffiti artist Maser painted the images that featured the words of musician Damien Dempsey. One example appeared at the Bernard Shaw Pub in Portabello, proclaiming, in larger than life-size lettering: “In a world full of shame and regret, do something to be proud of.” Another, filling the whole height of a block of flats in Ballymun, declares: “Concrete jungle mother farewell to your stairwell forever.”

Another, whose relevance is painfully acute in recent months with regard to our financial collapse and government’s failures, states that “greed is the knife and the scars run deep”.

The project raises €29,229 which was donated to The Dublin Simon Community. Maser’s work in the “They Are Us” project highlights the positive aspects of graffiti. His clever use of a typeface style popular on the signage of the 30s provides a stark contrast to the unpolished works of some careless taggers.

His art is an example of how graffiti can enrich the cityscape, while being socially conscious.

The Irish street art scene has been dominated in recent times by Maser, whose prolific output has meant that his work has become instantly recognisable within the Dublin cityscape.

Not all street art, however, is politically or socially charged, some aims to simply make the passer smile such as Maser’s “Maser loves you” campaign. Another example of this is Vango’s cleverly executed piece in Kilarney, County Kerry. This work is situated on the wall of an orchard and depicts Sir Isaac Newton typing away on an Apple Mac Book.

The Irish street art scene is very much still

Eire 2010: Conas Ata Tú. We changed Santa Claus. We can change you Artist: Canvaz

In a world full of shame + regret, do something to be proud of - Artist: Maser

in its infancy and has not been subject to such fantastical Guerrilla stunts as those executed by world famous British artist, Banksy.

One stunt, however, did make national headlines for its politically charged agenda.

In March 2009, artist Conor Casby placed two paintings of the-then Taoiseach Brian Cowen on the walls of the National Gallery of Ireland and The Royal Hibernian Academy Gallery. He had no permission to do so and this, combined with the paintings’ tonguein-cheek depiction of an overly plump Cowen naked Concrete Jungle Mother Farewell to your Stairwell Forever - Artist: Maser from the waste general public’s unconsciousness. mural, while the next it may be covered by anup and holding a toilet roll in one painting and Street art in other countries has long since other artists work. Once you become aware of a pair of underwear in the other, garnered a sebridged the gap from an underground culture the presence of street art in Dublin, suddenly verely negative reaction. to one embraced by the mainstream media. It is you begin to see it everywhere, and find yourself A media frenzy followed, as newspapers and more regular than not, for instance in America, walking through Dublin’s streets with a fresh radio stations attempted to pinpoint the artfor an artist to take the focus of their art off the sense of excitement for what is to be found. ist. When Today FM eventually succeeded, street, place it on a canvas, hold an exhibition Street art has become an important form of the Gardaí stormed their building threatenand glean profit from their work. In Ireland, democratic self-expression, uncensored social ing a search warrant if the radio crew did not this trend is only beginning and thus, the Irish commentary, political opposition, observation hand over the artists’ details. Today FM refused scene is still in its most crucial and authentic and satire. It engages the public, not just in their to do so and Casby turned himself in shortly mode, free, on the street and for the people. environment but also in the concerns of the soafterwards. The Gardaí investigated Casby for The joy of street art is that it is in an ever-evociety in which they live, in a way that has never offending decency, incitement to hatred and lutionary state. Unconfined by gallery hours, been done before. criminal damage, but the charges were never admission fees, or critical agenda, it is free and Irish street artist Canvaz puts it perfectly when brought against him. for the people. Ironically, the joy of the art lies in he says: “Street art is like an underground newsCasby’s aim was to make a comment about its transient nature, which is also its unfortunate paper, commenting on the news of the day.” the control exerted by powerful people over the aspect.

Who knows where the next commentary will images, which appear in the media and the imOne day you might pass your favourite wall come from? portance of these images in their effect on the

10

THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 12 April 2011

FEATURES

features@universityobserver.ie

Here comes the summer As we all start to prematurely pack our summer bags, Ronan O’Kelly looks at the trips that Irish students are taking for summer 2011

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ith another academic year drawing to a close, the shadows of exams and essays loom large over the campus. For many students, the brightest light at the end of this proverbial tunnel will be the promise of sunnier shores, new experiences and general mischief that comes with the annual summer holiday. Therefore, The University Observer scoured the campus to find out how students plan to spend those long-awaited four months of freedom.

mous havens for students who seek to leave their inhibitions at home and blow off some steam by the beach.

For his first trip outside the British Isles, English student, John O’Reilly, is going to one of Europe’s most infamous resorts, Santa Ponsa, in search of two weeks of drunken revelry. “We were going to go to Oxegen, and we just said ‘fuck it, we’ll save our money instead and go away,’” he says. “It’s not really a shopping kind of place, more like drinking and relaxing, so, looking forward to it.”

The Working Holiday The student’s working holiday has become an Irish institution, with thousands of young people choosing to bid farewell to the familiar, and set up a new (albeit short-lived) life in farflung corners of the globe. For many planning to make the move, finding employment can be the single most pressing issue upon which the success or failure of their trip rests. With work becoming increasingly scarce, more students are choosing their destinations based on how healthy the country’s job market is.

Arts student, Brian Mooney, is planning a move to the seemingly recession-proof Canada.

Asked about the likelihood of him getting a job over there, he says: “Very, very likely. My brother’s over [in Vancouver] working, and he said there’re loads of jobs, especially for Irish people.”

Humanitarian and Aid Work While booze and debauchery have a somewhat timeless appeal, many students feel that the most rewarding way to spend the summer months is by replenishing some karma and giving back to those less fortunate. One such individual is Third year Mechanical Engineering student, Gareth Kavanagh, who is currently fundraising for a trip to Haiti as part of UCD’s Volunteers Overseas programme.

“We’re working in a kid’s sports and literacy camp, and we’re planning to teach them throughout the day, and then do construction work during the afternoon,” he says. “Ever since the earthquake, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done.”

“It’s my last opportunity before I leave college, so it’s now or never, basically. You’ve got to just take life by the balls – get involved in everything, that’s what college is about,” he says. “You never realise how, in later life, you’ll regret not doing something.”

Law and Economics student, Niamh Kenneally, is planning a trip to India with friends to travel and do humanitarian work, but is aware

A Fortnight in the Sun While the working holiday continues to prove a popular choice, there are many who feel that after a backbreaking year of college, a relaxing summer holiday is the best way to recuperate.

Certain European resorts have become infa-

of some of the hazards involved in undertaking such a journey without the aid of a programme.

“We haven’t decided where we’re going to go (in India) yet, because apparently it’s not that safe to go there.

“It’s to do something completely different.

It’s not Thailand, or not inter-railing or whatever, you can do some volunteering as well, so you don’t feel like you just drank your way through the summer.”

Irish summer For those who feel that a summer abroad doesn’t appeal, or simply don’t have the funding for such costly undertakings, this year’s Irish summer itinerary is looking extremely promising. While large music festivals such as Oxegen and Electric Picnic remain the highlights of many students’ plans, a large number of smaller festivals have emerged over the past few years that are beginning to draw in sizeable crowds.

Arts student, Emma McKee, is attending the annual Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival in Bundoran, which has seen a steady increase in ticket sales since it first outing in 2008, primarily thanks to word of mouth. “One of my friends is organising it,” she says. “She was there last year and said it was brilliant, so we’re going up”.

A student’s summer is a sacred thing. With each passing academic year comes the realisation that, for many students, these may be their final opportunities to explore the world without any ties to such adult matters as mortgages and careers. So, whether it is at home or abroad, carousing or volunteering, it is clear that UCD students consider it important to make the most of those precious few months.

Not everyone’s summer consists of sun and sandy beaches like the one above; others’ encompass opportunities such as volunteer work

Postcards from Abroad: Chicago As his time in Chicago comes to an end, James Fagan reflects on how his year away from home has helped him find who he is as a person

“Y

o u seem much

(more) sure in yourself, you know that? More solid.” Ciaran was across our hotel room as I was about to pass out for an hour’s nap.

I hadn’t seen him since, what I can only assume is, over a year ago. “It’s difficult to place my finger on it but it’s as if you aren’t a try-hard anymore, less ephemeral.”

It was hard to really understand what he was trying to tell me. I can probably chalk that up to the tiredness at the time, the debilitating flu I was fighting or the almighty hangover from the night before. However, I think I got the gist of it; my American sojourn has had profound effects on who I am.

I was in Vermont that weekend attending the US Universities Debate Championship as a judge. I had decided to go to it, as it would give me a chance to catch up with some old friends, meet some fun new folk and have a last hurrah before the finals countdown. Burlington is your quintessential college town, picturesque, tiny and filled with sorority houses. It made a great change from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

If I had to look back on the eight months I’ve been here, I can say that I have really warmed to living in a metropolis. There’s something exciting about the constant buzz, the lights and the people in big cities that small towns and the countryside lacks.

Everything is set up for convenience, so daily life is a breeze.

However, my trip to Vermont reminded me of allure of quiet living.

Being able to look up and see the stars for the first time in almost a year really is amazing. Can I definitely make a call over which one I prefer? Probably not, but I’m glad to be in a position where I have experienced both.

When you move away from your home, your familiar settings, your close friends and your family, there is a big adjustment you have to make. I’m sure many UCD students from outside of Dublin can understand what I mean, but I think that when you can’t hop on an intercity train or pick up the phone to call (time difference is still a pain after eight months), there is a greater feeling of isolation.

The feeling is further compounded by the fact that life back home plays out through Facebook. One has to really try to make the most of it and integrate; otherwise you won’t feel like you’re really there, but waiting to return instead.

Chicago has been good to me. I have made some fantastic new friends from all types of walks of life, I have a job that keeps me afloat and shows me the ins and outs of practicing law, got up to some crazy adventures and I finally got to live out my childhood dream of visiting America for an extended period of time (before August, the only American soil I set foot on was the embassy’s).

Will I ever return to America? Sure. It is a great place. Would I ever move to America? I don’t think so.

While it is fun and exciting, I feel the culture is just too glossy. As you dig beneath the surface you see inequalities and prejudices. It is a country where it is cheaper to buy processed, fattening foods than to buy fresh produce. Moreover, it is a country more obsessed with military might and political wrangling than on fixing its education, environment and health systems.

Yet despite all of this, I’ve been proud to make it my home for the year. I would urge anyone who gets the chance to go on an exchange. You will learn more about yourself than you could ever imagine. And if you do go on one, be sure to engage with it fully, from the classes to the people you meet and the parties you make. It will be the best year of your life.

Chicago’s urban location causes cloudy and perpetually starless skies

I’ve watched Ireland’s slow decline etch itself out through the papers and global news outlets. It would be nice to say that it is where my future lies but I somehow doubt that. Whatever happens, I know that I’m equipped with the skills to make something of myself anywhere.

At least I’ll always have had my time in the Windy City. Goodbye Chicago, it’s been great.

12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

11

FEATURES

features@universityobserver.ie

The centre of attention With curiosity of the new Student Centre growing, Features Editor Leanne Waters goes on site to get a taste of what students can expect from the development.

The opening date for the new Student Centre has been provisionally set for December 2011

A

t a time when the country seems to have reached a point of utter stagnation, UCD and its alumni Features Editor are apparently facing what appears to be a much brighter future. In the midst of tax hikes, reduced wages and a turbulent shift in government, a most industrious change is occurring on the Belfield campus.

Most of us, at some point or another, are sure to have passed by what currently looks like an old quarry site from the onset. Looking slightly closer, however, one may see the rapidly growing design of UCD’s new Student Centre.

The project administrators promise: “The new Student Centre will revolutionise student life in UCD. In a single step, UCD will jump to the top of the league of Irish universities for on campus, accessible, quality student facilities”. With this in mind, The University Observer went on site of the development to get a feel for what we have all been waiting for.

One of the first impressions the construction makes is that of scale. A maze of building work and scaffoldings, the centre is an architect’s playground and retains tremendous presence when up close.

Indeed, in terms of size, the structure champions our beloved old Student Centre effortlessly and near swallows it up entirely by comparison, with its 11,000 square metres, three storeys, and near three acres of coverage.

To the front of the design, we are guided through what will become a magnificently crafted outside area. It boasts a small cafe looking onto an animated live space and to the inside of the building, the structure is spread over three floors. The ground floor encompasses a

theme of relaxation to the right and work to the left. To begin with the relaxation aspect to this design, the hugely anticipated cinema is sure to not disappoint.

With a 100-seat capacity, the cinema promises to “add hugely to the range of facilities available to the UCD community on campus”. It will be open to societies for “film showings, clubs for video analysis, classes for academic screenings, private parties as well as public screenings of the latest blockbusters and some of the great classics in cinema history, as well as the opportunity to organise student film festivals and showings of original work”. In adding to this already famous feature of the new centre, the entrance will be donned with couches, flat screen televisions and a shop.

Up a floor now and the left side of the structure is to boast the much-anticipated UCD gym. The 850 square-metre space is to include new equipment, a spinning room, a cardio area, a separate weightlifting area, as well as two dance and aerobics studios. It looks set to be an exercise-junkie’s dream and set up to overlook the pool, which sits firm as the heart of the hub.

Having ten lanes and a measuring of 25 by 50 metres, SC2 administrators say that: “A long sought-after goal of both students and staff, the new pool will move UCD to the forefront of sporting facility provision in Ireland. It will be the largest pool in south Dublin, and will be a full-sized 50 metre Olympic pool, endorsed by FINA and the OCI.” Walking around the entire building – while still skimming over details – takes a little under an hour and thirty minutes. This can stand to prove not only the scale of the project, but the complexity of it also. And yet in spite of this, the result of such an intricately complex design remains rather simple.

There is a tremendous feel of continuity

throughout; a fact which most incoming students destined for the Newman building will be sure to find comforting. The grandeur of the new Student Centre does not compromise the minute attention to detail that has been so affectionately agonised over at every turn. In the execution of such a project, it seems that the concern is forever about the quality and perfection of student life.

How such a project began can be found in the new Student Centre brochure, in which the motivations of the construction are greatly detailed: “It has long been a goal of UCD to have the best student facilities in the country. The Student Bar, near the restaurant, was originally conceived as part of a larger complex of student facilities that were never finished in 1970s.”

The opening of the Student Centre in 2001 was intended to be the answer to the problem of the lack [of] facilities for student life. However, as the student population continued to grow, the range of student activities at all levels continued to expand and the space available in academic buildings was constantly reducing, the Student Centre was beginning to [be used] beyond its capacity and so the new Student Centre project was developed.”

The objectives of the new Student Centre are simple. Among the many reasons to be found, the project aims to “significantly upgrade” the already existing sports facilities, to create “dedicated, purpose built, high quality facilities for student organisations,” to “augment and compliment the already existing student life facilities”.

Arguably the most important of all the aspirations, however, is that of the empowerment of the student. The project aims to endorse student control over their organisations and facilities.

In this way, both the desires and the needs

of the students are greatly being met; as such an objective means that a potentially vacant space is being transformed to one of lively interaction. It is therefore the ongoing utilisation of these facilities that will ultimately make the space a success.

On the academic side of things, thankfully there appears to be little to let up. The upcoming debating chambers is the focus here, with a seating capacity of 250, as well as space for a further 200 people along the balconies. “Debating had always been at the heart of UCD’s student life. The Literary and Historical Society and the Law Society have consistently been the largest and most active of UCD’s student societies.

“They have been at the forefront of debating the most controversial issues in Irish society and have brought guest speakers of international renown to the University. As part of the new Student Centre project, a modern, historic and unique debating chamber will be built to give both societies (and more) a permanent home. This chamber will put UCD on the map.” Said chamber will be fully soundproof, a green room for speakers and guests, a PA system and space for rehearsals.

The 120-seat theatre provides the same high standard. With a 12 by 10 square-metre stage, 24-hour rehearsal and production access, full lighting rig, prop and costume storage and more, the DramSoc along with the entire alumni are sure to be impressed.

It is also added that the fully equipped black box theatre will “represent a huge expansion in the range of facilities available to UCD students who hear the calling of the stage... the theatre will also be available to host touring theatre companies and students studying drama.”

Consuming the top floor of the three-acre centre is the already famous Media Suite, which will be sure to bring UCD student media to greater heights than ever before.

Highlights of the sector include a production studio and broadcast suite for Belfield FM, a film studio, newsroom and editing suite for the Campus Television Network, as well as production and administrative offices for The University Observer.

As a result, student journalists will have 24-hour access to a variety of high-tech and efficient resources. “UCD has one of the most thriving and successful student media of any Irish university. The new Student Centre will contain permanent, purposebuilt, state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that UCD will continue to lead the way with the most active and innovative student media in Ireland.”

As curiosity grows, so do the hopes of staff and students alike as to the many opportunities this monumental scale investment could potentially provide. With hopes that the new Student Centre could be in use as early as December 2011, current and future students will forever have at their disposal one of the great markers of the UCD experience.

As someone who entered the current site with a rather pessimistic view of what would be found, one may contend that such views will be short lived and rapidly transformed when the might of this structure is seen through its very purpose – to greater enhance the student life.

Information about the new Student Centre can be found on the website at www.ucd.ie/ studentcentre/sc2. Information and updates can also be found on the new Student Centre Facebook page at www.facebook.com/studentcentre.

12

THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 12 April 2011

FEATURES

features@universityobserver.ie

A brief history of the SU After a widely followed election, Sarah Doran takes the time to look at the history of the UCD Student’s Union

U

p o n r e g istration to study at UCD, students automatically become members of UCDSU. Therefore, it seems rather strange that the Union’s history remains a mystery for many students who seem to know relatively little about the origins of the student organisation.

Founded in 1975, UCDSU was formed as a successor to the Student Representative Council (SRC). UCD students established the SRC in the early 1900s to represent student interests; it only had one full time officer, the SRC President. In 1975, it was replaced by UCDSU and three full time officer positions were created; the Student’s Union President, the Education Officer and the Social, Cultural, Welfare and Travel Officer.

The first SU President was Enda Connolly, who is now Chief Executive Officer of the Health Research Board, while the first Education Officer was Joe Little, RTÉ’s current Religious and Social Affairs correspondent. Billy McGrath was the first Social, Cultural, Welfare and Travel Officer and went on the become RTÉ’s Commissioning Editor for Entertainment in 2000 and Executive Producer of Programming at Midas Productions in 2003.

The Union endeavoured to champion the cause of UCD students, founding facilities such as “The Trap” in the late 1970s when student services on campus were limited: the Students’ Club [Student Bar] was in a prefab behind the old Number 10 bus stop and the only social event held weekly on campus was a Saturday night dance in the restaurant building.

In an interview published in the online blog, The Hidden History of UCD, Billy

McGrath explains that the Students’ Union believed that students would be apathetic about the Union when there were “such miserable and non-existent facilities to congregate and meet”.

UCDSU formally requested and petitioned the university for a games room but when the request went unanswered the Union sourced three pool tables and smuggled them into the large room beside LG1 in the Arts Block, McGrath claims. When the tables were not removed, the Union had posters printed advertising the new facility.

McGrath states that the university almost immediately contacted the Union, informing them that the room could be used as a games room provided that they ensured that a supervisor was employed.

Union campaigns in the late 1970s sparked controversy in the Irish press. The Irish Times published an article in February 1976 detailing the events of Rag Week, as UCD students ran ‘riot’ through Dublin city centre. The article highlighted a claim made to the Irish Independent that students from Bolton Street College of Technology (now part of DIT) had kidnapped Billy McGrath in retaliation for UCD students’ “attack on Bolton Street”.

Following further unrest during Rag Week in 1977, the Union voted to fundamentally re-structure Rag Week. In an article published in the Irish Independent in February 1977, then-SU President Charles Connolly stated that in future, UCD Rag Week would be a week “devoted to helping the community”.

It was only in recent decades that the Students’ Union began to take its current form: the current Student Centre is only eleven years old. The Social, Cultural, Welfare and Travel Office was divided into separate Welfare and Entertainments Offices and for decades, there were four Sabbatical Officers.

In 2001-2002 a fifth Sabbatical position,

Student apathy towards the Students’ Union is reflected in its voter turnout, which rarely exceeds 5,000

Deputy President of the Union, was created.

This was replaced three years later by the current Campaigns and Communications Officer position in 2008. The last decade also witnessed the rebranding of the Sabbatical Officers as Vice-Presidents.

The ten non-Sabbatical Executive Officer positions have only been in existence for ten years, whilst the Mature Students’ Rights Officer has only had an exclusive portfolio since 2008. In the latest Sabbatical Election, a referendum to rebrand the Women’s Of-

ficer as Gender Equality Officer was passed.

In 2006, the Union witnessed the creation of seven Programme Officer positions: a further four PRO positions were created in 2008 when the Business and Law and Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine faculties were awarded separate representation.

Of course, student dissatisfaction and apathy has often led to questioning of the real impact of UCDSU on student life: low voter turnout in numerous Sabbatical elec-

The laws of physique

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i t h less than t w o weeks of college left, the approaching summer is sure to break the cocoon lifestyle of student living. No longer will it be acceptable to live off frozen pizzas, nightly two-litre bottles of Centra Cola and counting the run for the last bus to town as your weekly exercise.

The overwhelming shame that will follow the honeymoon period of the opening weeks of the holidays will inevitably leave many with two choices: new clothes or new you? With the hopeful anticipation of a blissful summer, The University Observer spoke to a number of students to find out about their fitness regimes (or lack of ) and opinions on student lifestyle in general.

Biomedical Science student, Rob Owen, explains that he likes to “do something once a week. I usually go for a run or do some weights, stuff like that.” While Arts student, Ronan Holcroft comments: “Back home I play a lot of football. I play with Tarmonfeckin; it’s my local club. I train twice a week and I do a bit on my own as well in the gym. I’m pretty serious about it.”

Holcroft’s dedication and enthusiasm

stems from his footballing background. “I was playing with Louth under 21s there in January and February and we had a drinking ban for a little while,” he says. “If I had to stay off alcohol, I would.”

However, despite the fitness regime of the above, most of the students interviewed set little time aside for exercise in their routine making it easy to see why the general consensus of student slobbery is widely applied. But with summertime approaching, is there an additional pressure placed on people to strive for that ‘perfect body’ excessively promoted in certain aspects of the media? Second year Arts student, Julie Seagrave, believes there is.

“You notice at this time of the year that magazines start telling you how to lose your stomach and I guess that puts pressure on people to join gyms,” she explains. “Even if people say they’re not self conscious about it, they kind of are because there’s going to be pictures of you on Facebook, and you don’t want to look a mess.”

With that in mind, many people would make resolutions to exercise and eat healthily, but later fall back into their own habits as the days and weeks progress. One person who knows about this is gym instructor, Gavin O’Byrne, who works for Crunch Fitness in the UCD Sports Centre. He believes that the advent of sun means that

With summer fast approaching, Sean Finnan looks at student fitness and talks to Gavin O’Byrne from Crunch Fitness about achieving the perfect beach body

Free time, good weather and the lack of academic commitment make summer the perfect time for a spot of jogging

more people would try and get fitter during this period.

“There’s definitely an exercise buzz that comes with the summertime. I wouldn’t say it necessarily gets busier, but there definitely seems to be certain groups that keep coming back,” says O’Byrne. “There’s something I’ve noticed about the changing of the seasons that makes people want to get more active, which is great to see.”

For those that wish to use the upcoming months as a time to improve our fitness

tions has arguably reflected this. During the recent Sabbatical election race, Campaigns and Communications candidate Suzanne Lee stated her belief that “not everyone should have to be a member” of the Students’ Union and that an “opt-out” clause should be provided for unsatisfied students.

With Constitutional Review on the cards and a new government in office, 2012 could prove an interesting year for UCDSU and its newly elected Sabbatical team.

levels, in a spot of self-promotion, O’Byrne references the memberships rates for the gym as an example, but refers to the benefits of having an instructor to guide you along the way.

“Obviously there’s cheaper ways of doing it. Some people prefer doing their own routines, but here you do get the added benefit of being in a gym and great arrangements of exercises to go through and professional help.”

O’Byrne mentions that, generally, the

best way to lose weight is to do a lot of low intensity exercises rather than doing cardiovascular exercises for long amounts of time. He emphasises the importance of guidance to maintain motivation and set goals: “Sometimes people want to get fit the cheapest way possible and they haven’t got the greatest expertise in what they are doing. Here, you will get that professional help.”

A vital point O’Byrne makes is about the importance of keeping hydrated throughout the day, which is an area that people neglect when they begin an exercise routine.

“A lot of people who start an exercise routine tend to feel hungrier, but there’s nothing cheaper than water,” says O’Byrne. “[It’s] one of the most important things and people actually neglect it, which I noticed recently.

“If you tend to keep yourself hydrated, drinking three to four litres a day, you tend to feel less hungry automatically so that’s probably going to cut the cost in itself.”

So ditch the Centra Cola, wave goodbye to Goodfellas and just get exercising either through a gym, going for a run in your local park or just exercising in the comfort of your own home. The summer is long, so make the most of it and maybe you’ll return to university with superior fitness levels and physique.

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UCD BALL F.A.Q. Why was the UCD Ball cancelled?

Why the original increase in price?

The FAQ's below have been compiled as a result of questions posed on the internet and questions that have been sent directly to the Students' Union. It is important to point out that under Irish Law (Planning and Development (Licensing of Outdoor Events) Regulations 2001) any event that has a capacity of over 4999 people requires planning permission from a local authority. As part of this process and in line with previous years, conditions are laid down by the Gardaí, HSE, Dublin Fire Brigade, the Environmental Unit of Dún Laoghaire and observations from local residents. UCD Students' Union hired diffusion events (the event management team behind Oxegen, Marley Park and Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures) to both manage the event and to apply for the event licence on behalf of UCD Students' Union. In December 2010, following agreement from UCD, UCD Students' Union lodged its application for an event licence which includes:

Many factors contributed to the increase in cost from previous years. The change of location (which was necessary due to the fact that last year's venue was no longer available, it is now the site of the Sutherland school of Law) meant that there was a cost difference that unfortunately must be covered in the ticket price. As the site used last year is now a construction site there was no costs relating to returning the site to its original condition. This was not to be the case this year as the running track would have been required for its original purpose as soon as possible.

"UCD Campus will close to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic except emergency services and event related transport from 13.00 on Thursday, April 21st.'

As part of the application process UCDSU, advertised its intention to apply for such a licence in both local and national print media (Evening Herald, Irish Independent).

On February 11th, Dún Laoghaire County Council granted a license to UCD Students' Union to hold the UCD Ball based on the licence application submitted in December, in addition to 30 other conditions (in line with 2010) In late March, the Students' Union were made aware that the University felt that they could not close the campus at 1pm as previously agreed and the university was therefore not in a position to comply with the licence for the UCD Ball 2011.

Following consultation with the professional event management team, the Students' Union immediately proposed the following modification to section 4.3 of the event licence application, any deviation from the initial application requires approval from the statutory agencies. (Gardaí, HSE, Dublin Fire Brigade) "The campus will not be closed and normal campus activities lectures and sports activities will occur but there will be no vehicular access onto the campus from 1:00pm except for emergency or ball related traffic, however vehicles already on the campus will be allowed to leave through one designated exit on campus. Pedestrian access through all gates will be maintained."

This proposal was rejected by the Gardaí on health and safety grounds. As the university would not close the campus at 1 pm despite their previous commitment to doing so, the licence for UCD Ball 2011 was therefore null and void meaning the event is not legally allowed to proceed.

What alternatives did the Students' Union propose?

1. The Students' Union proposed an amendment to the application which was rejected.See previous question.

2. The Students' Union proposed an unlicensed 4999 capacity event (as per UCD Ball 2008 and 2009). For health and safety reasons this was rejected by the statutory agencies (see above) as they felt the capacity would be too limited based on previous experience.

3. Both the University and the Students' Union consulted the event management company to investigate the feasibility of having an off campus event (O2, RDS etc) This was not possible given the short time frame for a number of reasons both logistical & financial.

The projected cost for an off-campus event was in excess of €250,000.00 (costs provided by Diffusion Events). UCD SU would have needed to sell 7240 tickets to break even for an off campus event based on the additional costs and no revenue from beverage and food sales. In light of this, and the fact that we would not satisfy the demand of the student body, this event was not a viable option.

What happened to the budget?

The SU does not set aside a budget for the UCD Ball. The budget is based on an eighty percent sell-out rate of the ball and the projected alcohol and food sales. As no tickets have been sold for this event, there is NO outstanding budget. The only cost associated to the ball thus far is the cost of promotion and preparation of the event license.

The second factor which must be considered is relating to the stipulations laid down by the Gardaí. This year the Gardaí have insisted that increased security and an additional Garda presence would be necessary for the event to be licensed. UCD Students' Union would need to cover this cost. The final factor which contributed to the increase in cost price was the fact that the capacity has been limited, again by a stipulation enforced by the Gardaí (see answer to question above).

Was campus closed in previous years?

In previous years only the areas of the campus directly affected by the ball were closed early however during the 2010 Ball it became necessary to close large parts of the campus for operational reasons.

In light of the need to close the campus during the 2010 Ball, it was a stipulation in the event license application (see above) that the campus must be closed.

A campus closure would involve the shutting down of buildings and the cancellation of teaching hours. Last year was the first year that a licence was necessary for the event due to the numbers attending. In previous years a licence was not required as the capacity was well below that which deems a licence necessary.

What is the plan now?

The Students' Union Executive will meet on Monday to plan the next steps.

Negotiations will continue until a satisfactory outcome is worked out. Following the Executive meeting on Monday UCD SU will announce details of the next steps.

Was this a result of unconfirmed headline acts?

No. When the line-up was released on Tuesday 29th March, it was stated explicitly that these were the support acts only. As in previous years the headliners or main support acts were announced initially. (This process is standard throughout the music industry and students will be familiar with this process from Oxegen etc. where acts are announced in stages). Students unfortunately assumed that this was the final line up.

A specific plan was laid out in terms of promotion and this was being followed. The announcement of headline acts was due to take place the week commencing April 4th.

Will you not still have to pay all the bands, resulting in a waste of students' money?

UCD SU inserted a stipulation into the contract between UCDSU and all acts that the contract could be terminated by UCD SU if the SU was unable to gain the necessary legal approval for the Ball. .For further information, Students' Union Council will take place on Tuesday April 5th. Please contact your class rep in order to pass on any input. Council will take place at 6pm in FS01, AG Building.

FOR UPDATES CHECK

www.ucdsu.ie

12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

15

COMMENT

comment@universityobserver.ie

Assessing continuous assessment With exams approaching and continuous assessment becoming an increasingly standard method of judging academic prowess, Bríd Doherty and Eoghan Dockrell debate the merits of long-term evaluation for third-level students

Against

ams without having received any prior feedback or guidance.

One of the clear advantages of continuous assessment is its guidance-oriented nature.

Continuous assessment is an approach that captures the full range of a learner’s performance. As such, teachers and administrators are able to comprehensively assess learners’ progress. This system also gives sufficient time for educators to provide feedback and for students to correct problems.

Another advantage of continuous assessment is that it places lecturers and tutors at the centre of all assessment, so that they are properly involved in the education of their students. They are not merely giving lectures and then marking an exam at the end of the semester. They are gradually guiding their students through the subject and are constantly aware of their progress. This thus encourages more teacher participation in the overall assessment or grading of his or her learners.

One of the other important aspects of continuous assessment is the availability of valid and reliable test and essay questions that can be used throughout a semester.

However, it is also necessary that the results of continuous assessment be handed back within a reasonable time frame.

I have written three essays over the course of my degree and didn’t receive the results of any of them until I had completed the semester. It seemed a wasted opportunity for constructive feedback, which would have helped me to prepare for my exams and polish my writing skills.

The continuous assessment approach has many advantages over the more condensed method. It makes assessment more meaningful and more representative of the learners’ overall abilities. To use an exam-only

I

n life you are continuously being assessed. By your peers, parents, virtually every other category of people you come in contact with and possibly by God. The particular methods of assessment vary. It may not come in the structured form of midterms and MCQs, but unless you’re like Tom Hanks’ character on that deserted island in Castaway, you’ll always have someone assessing you (and even he had Wilson).

Being continuously assessed is inescapable in most spheres of human existence, but it isn’t necessarily a good thing. This is equally true when it comes to the provision of education, as continuous assessment can actually have a debilitating effect on the learning process.

In recent years there has been a gradual move by higher education institutions worldwide to adopt and expand on a continuous assessment approach. The old and outdated all-or-nothing style finals are fast becoming a distant memory. Forests have been felled on the subject and the unanimous verdict is that continuous assessment is the way forward. Some in the academic community even see it as a kind of silver bullet that will improve standards. This position cannot be blindly followed and needs to be challenged, because there are serious shortcomings to continuous assessment.

There are, of course, some advantages and you don’t have to look any further than the opposing piece on this page to get a picture of what the benefits of this method are.

Nonetheless, the negative aspects simply outweigh the positives.

Splitting an academic year in two and dividing exams between Christmas and summer has its merit. Most modules only last for the duration of one semester and having

Instead of learning and having a real interest in the subject, I end up being more focused on impending deadlines an examination soon after the last lecture of term makes a lot of sense. There is no point in waiting until the summer when it has been months since you last looked at notes on that subject. However, that is where I draw the line.

Continuous assessment becomes too continuous for me when I scroll down through a module description and check how I’ll be assessed. If a module has an essay, a presentation and an end of semester exam, I’m less inclined to take it. Why? Because by week four the date is set for my presentation; by week six I receive the title of an essay that is due on the last day of term and which I can’t really start working on until I’ve gotten the presentation out of the way. Then on top of all that, I have to study for an end-ofsemester exam.

The problem is that I’m in quasi-exam mode for the duration of the module.

The whole thing is a haze of cramming and rushing to finish essays and presentations and generally being under constant pressure. The result is that instead of learning and having a real interest in the subject,

Continuous assessment has been more widely used in recent years both in second and third-level education

I end up being more focused on impending deadlines.

Furthermore, students aren’t robots. I can’t flick a switch and say to myself that I only have to study half as hard in X module because I already have 50 per cent done. In reality, what happens is that you probably spend somewhere around the same amount of time and effort studying for every subject, regardless of whether it’s a 100 per cent or 50 per cent exam.

Until mankind evolves to a point where we can accurately calculate exactly how much time should be afforded to subjects based on what percentage is left in the end of semester exam, modules that have more continuous assessment elements will always receive disproportionately more attention.

In short, they’re more time consuming, but you won’t be getting any extra reward for the extra work.

Another argument against continuous assessment is that some university authorities might see it as a relatively easy solution to improving standards. Other (perhaps more costly) measures, such as reducing lecture sizes and putting more emphasis on participation and engagement in tutorials and seminars, could be more effective but don’t receive as much consideration as they deserve.

One of the strongest points against continuous assessment is the decision to have 50/50 or 30/70 distributions between the penultimate and final years of a degree. This means that Arts and other three-year degree students have but twelve short months at UCD before they have to start worrying about results that will contribute to their degree. For many students, this realisation only dawns on them midway through sec-

ond year. But too late, you’ve got a quarter of your degree completed and there is no turning back.

No, we’re not yet living in an Orwellian university with helicopters chasing us down the concourse, cameras in the library and lecturers continuously assessing every letter we type or word we write. That scenario is at the extreme end of the continuous assessment spectrum, but we could be heading there sooner than you think. Simply put, what is required is less assessing and more learning. Right now, the former is negatively affecting the latter and the correct balance needs to be restored.ou.

-Eoghan Dockrell

For

T

here has been an age-long debate about methods of assessment used in universities. Across UCD itself both continuous assessment and exam-only assessment are employed. The advantages of continuous assessment over exam-only assessment are clear as continuous assessment gives students a better chance of achieving their full potential. Students get a better-rounded education by consistently being put to work, rather than laying idle for an entire semester only to caffeinate themselves and cram for two weeks prior to exams.

The introduction of continuous assessment has led to a widespread negative attitude towards exam-only assessment among students and academics. It is often punctuated by the question: “Why must the work

and teachings of an entire semester be condensed into a single two-hour exam?”

This is a question that has been bothering educational practitioners since the dawn of education itself. Can one short examination adequately assess what a student has learnt over a long period? How would a student who happens to fall ill and could not write the final examination be graded?

To answer these questions, educational measurement experts and educational policymakers have come up with the concept of continuous assessment. Many universities all over the world have adopted this approach in assessing learners’ achievement in many subject areas. In Namibia for instance, the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture have asked that continuous assessment be implemented throughout each tier of the educational system.

But what exactly does continuous assessment entail? As continuous assessment takes place over a period of time, the student is assessed throughout the learning process rather than only after it has ended. This means that it is possible to track the improvement of the learner and easily identify areas where they are having difficulties. As such, more directed support and guidance is available, and the learner is given more opportunities to improve.

My own personal experience of assessment has predominantly been exam-only and I have little to say about it that’s positive. As a law student, my entire degree depends on approximately two weeks of the year: one week of exams at Christmas and one in the summer. This is not an adequate means of teaching students the law, as it takes the practicality out of the subject. It also means that we face into these vitally important ex-

Continuous assessment gives students a better chance of achieving their full potential method of assessment is not a reflection of a student’s ability, rather it is a depiction of how well they can cram at the end of a semester.

Is that really what education should be about? Is the ability to memorise an entire semester of work and write it back out again really what university educators are training their students for? I don’t think so.

UCD and its students would greatly benefit if continuous assessment were brought in across the board. It would give each and every student a fair and equal chance. It would also ensure that students are constantly engaging with their course and are actively learning rather than lying idle and then staging an epic cram at the end of the semester.

- Bríd Doherty

16

THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 12 April 2011

COMMENT

comment@universityobserver.ie

Have a heart

An opt-out policy is not the solution to Ireland’s lack of organ donors, writes Philippa White

T

here were roughly 30,000 deaths in Ireland last year. Take this number, halve it, halve it again and then continue to do so a number of times. This will not bring you even close to the number of organ donations that were made by deceased donors in the same year.

Naturally, not all of these people were suitable candidates for organ donation, yet this does not mitigate the fact that in 2010 there were, incredibly, only 58 donations of organs in Ireland.

Last week was Organ Donor Awareness Week and in spite of the sense of optimism surrounding the campaign, no amount of enthusiasm could eclipse the abysmal statistics regarding organ donation in Ireland: 2010 saw the largest drop in donations having ever been recorded in the country; there are still 650 people in the country waiting for an organ transplant and there has been a sharp increase in the number of Irish people starting dialysis treatment in the last several years.

When the statistics are that bleak, inevitably one must pose the question: how can the situation be improved? An idea that has been toyed with in the past and has now resurfaced is that of an opt-out system of organ donation.

Essentially, this means that everyone would automatically be registered as an organ donor and their consent would be presumed. So un-

less you went out of your way and specifically requested not to be part of the system, you would be an organ donor by default.

On the surface, the idea seems both sound and altruistic – what’s not to like about having more kidneys, hearts and livers available for people who are in dire need of them? Only a minority, and dare I say a rather eccentric one, would be averse to the idea of saving more lives due to the greater supply of transplants.

Moreover, not only would it be altruistic but logical, as more organ donations are blatantly needed. The current system appears to restrict and impede our attempts to acquire the maximum amount of organs. Firstly, opt-in systems of organ donation forces one to think and even plan one’s own death, which is not something most people find easy to do. Equally, even if one is already a registered organ donor in Ireland, a next-of-kin can still refuse to allow donation after the registered donor has died.

Therefore, it seems that an opt-out system might be the solution for which we are looking. However, on closer inspection, it becomes patent that such a policy is in fact ineffective.

An obvious case in point is the Spanish system. Spain has the highest rate of organ donation in Europe. In 1979, Spain decided to change its laws and incorporated an opt-out system where every citizen’s consent to donate their organs was presumed. Alas, there

The introduction of an opt-out organ donation clause in Ireland is being considered

was no significant jump in organ donations that year. Amazingly, there was no significant jump in the following ten years. Suddenly in 1989 however, there was a dramatic rise in organ donation rates. The cause of this turn of events was unrelated to the new opt-out system, however.

New members of staff were being employed in Spanish hospitals. The new staff consisted of organ donor coordinators, whose sole task entailed procuring organs from deceased patients, a task which was formerly that of the doctors. The results were staggering then and to this day, Spain remains an outlier in terms of organ donations rates.

There is much to be learnt from all of this

as we dissect and examine our flawed system.

Like Spain prior to 1989, it is the job of intensive care unit (ICU) doctors in Ireland to choose suitable organ donors from their deceased patients. In this demanding environment, these doctors are often too preoccupied with their living patients to pay much attention to the added burden of finding suitable candidates to donate their organs, as well as getting permission from emotional relatives.

Even if Ireland did adopt the opt-out system and everyone’s consent was presumed, it is unlikely that anything would change. The doctors working in ICU would still focus on their chief task – keeping people alive – and not on assessing potential organ donors.

As a result of our system shifting too large a responsibility on to the ICU doctors, there is a gross disparity between the number of potentially willing organ donors and those who are actually chosen to donate at the time of death. Indeed, Ireland has one of the highest proportions of registered organ donors in Europe. Therefore, the issue lies in bridging this chasm between the number of people who are willing to donate and the number of people who actually donate.

In brief, from additional hospital staff to more human hearts and livers, there are many things needed to improve the current situation in Ireland. An opt-out system, however, is not one of them.

YOU’VE SEEN THE ELECTION, NOW ITS YOUR TIME TO GET INVOLVED

EW

CR

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AR

LF

WE

W Exam Stress?

WELFARE 2011/12 WANTS YOU!

With exams fast approaching always remember if it gets too much drop into Scott your welfare officer or any of your Student Advisers.

Rented accommodation.

With the Summer on its way, if you have any issues surrounding your rented accommodation drop into Scott or get in touch with Threshold on either threshold.ie or ring them on 01-6786096.

Thanks!

On a personal note, thanks to every who voted for me over the past few years, i have loved my time and i wish you all the BEST of luck!!!

Pop into Scott, our Welfare Officer in the Student Centre or contact him at welfare@ucdsu.ie & phone 017163112

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Have you an idea for Welfare? Want to use your skills and knowledge to help your fellow students?

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COMMENT

comment@universityobserver.ie

Minding our language Humour may be subjective, but Kate Rothwell argues that there are some words that should never be used in a comic context

“S

ticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” A word may seem pretty innocuous in itself, but as five members of the Garda Síochána discovered last week, there are some words that we need to use with more caution than others.

The particular item of vocabulary that was brought to the attention of the nation is a four-letter, one syllable word. This word is rape, and it was the casual use of the word and joking allusion to the horrific act that it describes among a small number of gardaí that has, unfortunately, brought the integrity of our entire national police force into question.

Their conversation about two female protesters who had been arrested at a protest against the Corrib gas project was unwittingly recorded on a video camera that had been confiscated from the women. When the video camera was later returned, the women discovered the recording, which revealed that the gardaí in question had, in the course of their conversation, been amusing themselves with jokes about raping the arrested protesters.

The transcript of the conversation was soon published in the national press, and resulted, unsurprisingly, in a public outcry for those members of the force involved to be reprimanded. The Garda Commissioner has apologised for the

A controversial conversation between five gardaí has highlighted the power of language

comments and the five gardaí have, at time of going to press, been restricted to carrying out office duties while an investigation into the incident is carried out.

Yet the damage is already done. Rape is anything but a laughing matter; it is inexcusable and unthinkably traumatising.

It is also frighteningly common, as statistics gathered by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre go to prove. The centre received over 10,000 calls to its national 24-hour

helpline in 2009, but the majority of those callers chose not to report the abuse to the gardaí. Of the rape cases where the reporting status was known, only 29.1 per cent were reported, and only 8.3 per cent of those cases resulted in convictions or guilty pleas.

Rape victims’ faith in the gardaí was already worryingly low, but how can anyone expect them to now turn to the ‘keepers of the peace’ for protection when some

of their members have casually trivialised this most heinous crime? Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan is keenly aware of the damage that has been done to the force’s reputation, stating that victims of sexual abuse “should report those crimes to Gardaí who can take the necessary steps to vindicate and protect their rights and I want to assure them that they will be met with compassion and sensitivity”.

The Garda Ombudsman Commission, whilst condemning the actions of those in question, also acknowledged the fact that some protesters had been intentionally taunting the gardaí. This may give an insight into the tense atmosphere at the protest, but such information is in fact irrelevant, as are the reasons for the arrest of the women involved.

Whatever they stood accused of and whether or not they were guilty should not affect how members of the Garda Síochána treat them. The Garda Síochána website states the force’s main functions as including: “The detection and prevention of crime, ensuring our nation’s security […], working with communities to prevent anti-social behaviour, promoting an inter-agency approach to problem solving and improving the overall quality of life.”

The gardaí, many of whom are undoubtedly cast in an unfair light thanks to the actions of a foolish few, have to deal with numerous unpleasant, violent and highly emotional situations, but it is

their responsibility to treat everyone they encounter with respect. Those who have forgotten their moral and civic duties may treat them with disrespect, but the gardaí’s duty to the State means that they are expected to rise above similar behaviour.

If anything positive can come out of this debacle, it is that the issue of being considerate about our language use has finally been raised. The Irish have long been renowned for a frequent usage of colourful curse words, but the use of abuse-related terms in humorous contexts is a disturbing new trend. ‘Frape’ or ‘Facebook rape’ is the first term that springs to mind.

Used to describe a situation where someone takes advantage of the opportunity to edit or post something on another person’s logged in and unattended Facebook account, the results are often humorous and harmless, but the phraseology is not.

You might think that if you say “I fraped you” to a friend, the only thing that might upset them is what you have posted as their latest status update, but if unbeknownst to you that person is a victim of sex abuse, those three words will resonate for far more troubling reasons.

Language is a remarkably powerful tool. Used with careful consideration, it can generate a great amount of humour and express the most heartfelt of sentiments, but when used carelessly it can cause emotional damage that is beyond repair.

Calm before the storm The averted US shutdown has become the prelude for a much greater battle due for September, writes Quinton O’Reilly

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n hour before midnight April 8th, the Republican House Speaker, John Boehner, presented himself before the numerous journalists gathered in Congress. Boehner confirmed that both the Democrats and Republican agreed to $39bn (€27bn) in cuts until the end of the fiscal year in September and that a government shutdown would not occur the next day. A crisis that had bubbled up over the days preceding this announcement was averted and the country could focus their attention back on stabilising the economy.

The crisis had originated from Obama’s stimulus package to help bailout banks and stimulate the economy.

Having upset many conservative voters with this approach, many Republicans were elected into the House of Representatives through the support of the Tea Party back in November promising to cut the federal deficit of $14bn.

Having won on the back of these promises, the new influx of Republican politicians had pressurised Boehner to challenge the democrats to implement further cuts. Obama had originally promised to cut $33bn but Republicans wanted another $7bn cut alongside this.

But while negotiations were successful and a shutdown was avoided, at best it will only be a short-term reprise for both sides. The next discussion concerning the upcoming fiscal year will take place in September, making the Republicans announcement of their spending plan for the next decade look more like a statement of intent. Their

budget proposes to cut the deferral deficit by $5.8 trillion within the next decade, in comparison to Obama’s proposed cuts of $1 trillion over the same period.

While it’s unlikely that this plan will be implemented when Obama and the Democrats are in control of both the White House and Senate, it does raise questions as to how future negotiations would progress and what way they’ll turn out.

The trump card for the Republicans is their control of the US House of Representatives. With this, any federal legislation that could be proposed by the Democrats could easily be shot down or in the case of the proposed cuts, be held to negotiation.

While it’s suspected that one of the areas targeted by the Republicans was military spending, which skyrocketed from $366.3bn in 2001 to $847.2 in 2010, it’s unclear what other areas will be affected until these cuts are revealed to the public.

However, the Republicans may be unwilling to force a shutdown in the future, considering not only the condition of America’s economy but the frustration felt by Americans with the negotiations.

While negotiations were underway, both Obama and Boehner held press conferences with the sole intention of shifting blame away from themselves.

Both sides could have been blamed for the shutdown had it occurred, either for causing it or being unable to prevent it.

A number of polls conducted during

the negotiations had shown that Americans were split between who they felt was to blame for the crisis. While some Republicans may want to push forward and implement more cuts, they do so while running the risk of upsetting the very people they’re fighting for.

Another potential problem would be the cost had a shutdown occurred. The last one occurred in 1995 during Bill Clinton’s reign and the economy lost $1.4bn over a period of three weeks.

Considering how inflation has risen dramatically since then, a shutdown would have been almost catastrophic for the nation and would have weakened its economic position greatly.

If such a shutdown did occur, it would have dealt a significant blow and sent ripples through a slowly recovering economy. Among other areas, hundreds of federal agencies would have shut down and around 800,000 staff members out of 2.8 million would have faced suspension without pay as a result.

Allowing the economy to suffer even greater losses wasn’t an option if the country was to maintain whatever influences its fragile economy possesses.

The Democrats agreeing to most of the Republicans’ demands was the only way to overcome this problem, a difficult decision considering their difference in ideologies.

When September looms and the next budget is up for review, the cuts that will be introduced will do much more than just change the figures on a balance sheet. Both parties would be best advised to tread carefully before deciding on their next course of action.

The recent negotiations between Boehner and Obama could be telling when negotiations for the 2012 budget arrives

COMMENT

comment@universityobserver.ie

UCD: A year Talleyrand in review Hola assholes,

Some students clashing with gardaí overshadowed the protests against third-level fees in November

As another academic season draws to a close, Kate Rothwell reflects on the past year at UCD

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o year at UCD could be described as dull, but 2010/2011 seems to have been particularly eventful. It began and will end during the depths of a national economic crisis, and the recessionary backdrop has played a part in many of the memorable goings-on of the past eight months.

Students were faced with now familiar financial challenges such as delayed grant payments and the threat of full third-level fees. Protests against the latter highlighted the potential danger of remonstration en masse as some students rioted and clashed with gardaí. The 2011 Budget may not have imposed the feared fees, but it is doubtful that this was a direct result of student protests.

The increase of the third-level registration fee to €2,000 was substantial, and nursing students received a further blow to their bank balance when the government announced that final-year students would no longer receive payment for their work placement. Protests were answered with the promise of a review of the situation, but as with the issue of fees the change in government has left students unsure as to what approach those in power may now take.

Revelations of excess spending by university authorities added salt to students’ wounds as they discovered that there had been a €2 million increase in The Irish Universities Association’s expenditure, €1.6 million of ‘unlawful’ allowances had been paid to UCD senior members of staff and five UCD staff members were listed among the ten highest paid educators in the country university authorities. The reinvesting of unauthorised bonuses in student services came too late; much faith in academic high powers had already been lost.

Students were not the only ones on campus who were voiced their discontent. Many staff opposed the terms of the Croke Park Agreement, which they quite rightly feared could limit their academic freedom. The agreement

is a cost-cutting measure but its implementation may come at the all-too-high price of an end to unrestricted research.

Change was afoot countrywide as a general election turned the tables of Irish politics. A heightened interest in national politics among students added to a high turnout at the polls, but this enthusiasm did not stretch as far as student politics, with little over 5,000 UCD students turning out to vote in Students’ Union elections.

Candidate interest was above par with fifteen students contesting the race in comparison to last year’s eight. With graduate job prospects still unnervingly uncertain, it is no surprise that the positions are attracting more candidates, but this diversity would be of greater benefit if more students viewed the elections as worth voting in.

The future faces of the SU will no doubt be examining the manner in which the incumbent officers handled the year’s challenges. A good starting point would be to scale down the Class Rep training that this year cost a much condemned €11,000.

Further criticism came the Union’s way in December, as Education Officer James Williamson, supported the college’s decision to cancel a number of exams due to extreme weather conditions. This resulted in an angry backlash from hundreds of students, but it is difficult to imagine that there was any other option available. Societies also faced snow-induced difficulties, with a number of end-of-semester events being cancelled or postponed.

Yet these difficulties were minor in comparison to the current furore surrounding the cancellation of this year’s UCD Ball. Whether the ball can be rescheduled is as of yet not confirmed but either way a certain amount of the damage done to the reputation of this year’s Ents crew cannot be undone.

Looking back on the past two semesters at UCD naturally leads to a consideration of

what the next few years hold in store. A stroll through the campus indicates a bright future, with construction of the new Sutherland School of Law underway, the development of the Science Centre visibly progressing and the new Student Centre due to open in January 2011.

University facilities look increasingly impressive but with funding still a serious issue we must hope that both state-of-the art and long-established buildings will be supplied with essential resources. Modern complexes are important for the development of the university and will help to attract prospective students, but UCD needs to ensure that its current students are prioritised. PhD funding and a well-stocked library that is open all week may not be as exciting a boast as a cinema and a 50-metre swimming pool, but basic academic support is vital for UCD’s future.

The future for UCD graduates is still difficult to predict. The national unemployment rate remains high but graduates do have a distinct advantage. The unemployment rate among people with a third-level honours degree at the end of 2010 was 7 per cent, i.e. half the national unemployment rate of 14 per cent at the time.

There are still plenty of opportunities for graduates at home and abroad; it may take longer to achieve a career goal or amass the money required to undertake a Masters, but it can be done. Graduate employment statistics and job market analysis can be interpreted in either a negative or positive light, yet overall it seems that the situation is much the same as twelve months ago.

Patience and perseverance are the virtues that will be essential for those looking to either enter the job market or further their studies. Graduates will have to work harder than ever to achieve what they want, but once they obtain it, they can take satisfaction in the knowledge that they have proved themselves in exceptional circumstances.

Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset… and so another year on this ghastly and vile campus finally draws to a close. The hacks are preparing to go their separate ways for the summer, the incoming sap-bats are planning what staff goons to hire to do their bidding, and are also obviously salivating at their €22,000 salaries they’ll soon start earning for doing nothing, and the suckscieties… well, they’re just sucking. Still.

Normally this time of year sees the hacks enjoying the sunshine, kicking back and relaxing and riding out until 30th June. This year is a notable exception, of course, with recent events clearly pointing to the epic fail that has been the UCD Stupids’ Goonion team 2010/2011 overall.

Were Talleyrand to compose an end-of-year review for these five twats, it would simply read “Waste of space”, and in the case of Calamity Cosgrove, it would be incredibly apt. Not-So-Jolly Jonny has been dubbed the worst Ents Officer in the history of Universal Cretins Dublin by his esteemed colleagues in the Dublin nightlife oligopoly, although he probably fails to see it himself.

A detached observer would consider the fact he’s lost tens of thousands of the Union’s money and also wrecked the only halfdecent event the Union organises as strong evidence of his failings.

Alas, an ego the size of Jonny’s bends not to the pressures of logic and truth. He’s still a TBJL in his own eyes.

This delusion may have something to do with the political farce that Paul “One eye on the Seanad, the other up a skirt” Lynam has orchestrated to help salvage at least some of their ‘reputation’. T-shirts, banners, twibbons and a poorly developed Wordpress website is apparently all that’s required to trick the plebs into believing the pathetic lies of this pathetic organisation.

This political masterstroke of which the twatbats are so proud is simply an attempt to shove blame onto Martin “The other Vice-Presidents don’t talk to me anymore… whatever have I done?” Butler and away from the fact that they were too wrapped up in their own political aspirations to bother their holes organising the UCD Ball. And it doesn’t say much for third-level education that the students of this ailing and moribund institution don’t have the critical capacity to realise this.

But perhaps Talleyrand has said too much – this humble commentator certainly doesn’t want

to be hauled over the coals under the Dignity and Respect Policy by its chief enforcer, James “Judas” Williamson. The reprobate, sporting his new douchebag beard (how appropriate) appears to think this policy gives him carte blanche authority to censor and ban free speech across campus.

But now, we can’t blame him for having such little understanding of university policy, seeing as he hasn’t bothered to develop any of his own over this past year.

Instead, helping his frenemy Pat “Leave Jonny alone!” de Brún to get a new job and refusing to let go of Science Day have been ranked higher on his list of priorities. Looks like he’ll fit right in with USdIe, so. That, coupled with his caustic and nefarious ways will really stand to him as he takes it to the limit of Hackdom.

But Talleyrand does appreciate his passion for self-inflicted pain, considering he’s voluntarily choosing to continue working with Scott “I’ve learned so much from Rebecca Black” Ahearn for another 12 months. Talk about being a sucker for punishment.

At this stage, Washout Williamson has probably heard enough about candles, condoms and the welfare fund to last a lifetime, but there’s plenty more in store now that Ancient Ahearn has been crowned Welfare Emperor for some 250,000 students across the country. Shudder to think.

Talleyrand has always had a soft spot for Soft Scott, since the adoring fan mail he sent some time back. At long last, however, he’s leaving his natural abode, that quaint little office that he spent about 900 elections attempting to get into. God loves a trier.

So they’re all moving on… not necessarily in an upward fashion, mind, perhaps more southerly, or if Talleyrand is in a good mood, laterally. Everyone’s abandoning the sinking Goonion ship. All except Prat de Brún, who’s been promoted to captain, and remains hurled up in a foetal position since the elections, having been handed possibly the worst sabbatical team in living memory (although the outgoing crop could also possibly claim that title).

Talleyrand struggles to think of something vaguely worthwhile that the Goonion has achieved this year, but has no shortage of conceived possible fuck-ups Team de Brún will execute next year. It warms the stone cold heart of this humble commentator to imagine how utterly useless the Goonion will be come September. Sap-bats will do no work, the money will haemorrhage from the coffers, the hacks will scheme against one another… so essentially it will be business as usual.

Thankfully though, Talleyrand will remain within these pages, continuing to observe from on high the nuances and intricacies of Hackdom. Who knew a reeking cesspit of scumbags, idiots and self-centred, hypocritical, manipulative oxygen thieves could even have any nuances? Go figure.

Talleyho motherfuckers!

Talleyrand

12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

LETTERS

letters@universityobserver.ie

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Deputy Features Editor Natalie Voorheis Comment Editor Kate Rothwell

By Daisy Onubogu

Science, Health and Technology Editor Alan Coughlan

Trinket, bA auble or kcnickknack; often D given to c children *Black: cross lues, Blue: own lues.

Sports Editor Ryan Mackenzie

*Black: Across clues, Blue: Down clues.

By Daisy Onubogu

i Lack of care or concern ii The fear of fear iii

iv Unmannered, crude or insensitive

v A sci-­‐fi film based on Steven Spielberg’s childhood imaginary friend. vi Individual lacking in sense or judgement vii Tedious, long list (often of complaints) viii Unmannered, crude or insensitive

i Lack of care or concern

ix A colourless, odourless gar constituting 1/5 of atmosphere.

The fear of fear

xii Long and deep cut or wound

xi Protuberant nub on breast or udder of mammals

iii Trinket, bauble or knickknack; often given to children

xii Separate or isolate from main body.

Unmannered, crude or insensitive A sci-­‐fi film based on Steven Spielberg’s childhood imaginary friend. xvSudden intuitive perception or realisation of the true nature of something vi xvi IP ndividual lacking in sense or judgement ennsylvania zip code xvii vii T Skipping stones aist cross the surface of water edious, l ong l ( often of complaints) xviii Firearm viii Unmannered, crude or insensitive xix Any large, non-­‐venomous snake belonging to the Boidae family ix E xx city is tohe capital of g_ar __ constituting 1/5 of atmosphere.

Amerald colourless, dourless xxi Section of hospital specially equipped to handle medical emergencies, in short. x Long and deep cut or wound xi Protuberant nub on breast or udder of mammals xii Separate or isolate from main body. xiiixxii Of recent origin Incite, spur on or prod into action. xxiii Green cruciferous plant, whose root is used as a Japanese condiment xiv Threefold xxiv US prize for achievements in journalism, literature and musical composition; Inflict penalty for offence or fault xvxxv Sudden intuitive perception r rtealisation of tThe rue of csountry omething Coniferous, evergreen tree of tohe axacea family; he tm ost npature opulous in the Arab peninsula Occurs every 7z ip days xvixxvi xxvii P ennsylvania code Denial or rejection of all real existence and objective truths xvii Skipping tones across he surface of water xxviii Trench, osften filled with tw ater, surrounding a fortified area, like a castle. xxix 90s Sitcom starring Brandy Norwood xviii Firearm xxx ong shaft with broad blade used as a lever for rowing xix A L ny large, non-­‐venomous snake belonging to the Boidae family xxxi To regard with contempt, scorn or arrogance xxxxxii Emerald city s acon the cfor apital of ___ Thin strip of ib frying xxixxxiii

P ronoun f or b oth s ingular a nd plural Section of hospital specially equipped to handle medical emergencies, in short. iv Incite, spur on or prod into action. xiii xiv v Threefold

Answers can be found by visiting www.universityobserver.ie

Corrections and Clarifications

In issue nine of The University Observer dated February 15th, an article entitled ‘Societies set for Student Centre move’ referred to The College Tribune as a society and that it was discussing whether to accept a office in the new Student Centre. The College Tribune are not a society as nor have they been approached about moving into the new Student Centre.

We are happy to clarify this.

O’Kelly, Elaine Laverty, Alison Lee, Sophie Lioe, Joe Munnelly, Joseph Murphy, Mystic Mittens, Dan Moriarty, Fadora McSexypants, Barry Singleton, Ben Storey, Breffni O’Sullivan, Talleyrand, Aoife Valentine, Denis Vaughan, Philippa White.

Illustrator: Olwen Hogan Photographers: Elizabeth Tracy, Cormac Altmann, Stephen Devine

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Acting Deputy Editor Quinton O’Reilly Art and Design Director Jenn Compeau

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Music Editor George Morahan Film Editor Jon Hozier-Byrne Fashion Editor Donna Doyle

Special Thanks: Peter, Ian, Tim, Malcolm, Ade, Jonathan, Dave, Emma, Jed, Bob, Steve (and the robots) at Trafford Park Printing; Paul at Higgs; Eilis O’Brien and Dominic Martella; Colm, Sabrina and Rory at MCD Promotions; Bernie Divilly at PIAS; Mary Kate Murphy at EA; Giselle Jiang; Dave Carmody; Dominic, Grace, Charlie, Jason, Gary, Stephen, Mark, Sandra, Paul and all the Student Centr Very Special Thanks: Stephen Carroll, Michelle McCormack, Rob Lowney, Dave Neary, Danielle Moran, Zelda Cunningham, Catriona Laverty, Gav Reilly and David and Margaret Fennessy

Online Editor Killian Woods Contributors: The Badger, Kevin Beirne, Laura Brennan, Anna Burzlaff, Gordon O’Callaghan, Stephen Devine, Eoghan Dockrell, Bríd Doherty, Diarmuid Carter, Cormac Duffy, Aprar Elawad, James Fagan, Sean Finnan, Lorraine Haigney, Michael Halton, Imelda Hehir, Andrew Hines, Matthew Jones, Adam Kearney, Daniel Keenan, Ronan

Tel: (01) 716 3119/3120 Email: info@universityobserver.ie www.universityobserver.ie The University Observer is printed at The Guardian Print Centre, Longbridge Road, Manchester, M17 1SN.

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THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 29 March 2011

SCIENCE & HEALTH

Old Wives Tales Debunked: Yawning Keep your eyes open and try not to look too bored as Alison Lee educates you on the science behind yawning

science@universityobserver.ie

Preempting fate As a result of the current state of prenatal screenings for Irish women, a simple procedure can become so complex, writes Alison Lee

Mice and rats are instrumental in testing new drugs and products but are neglected due to their status as rodents.

S Yawning is said to show empathy rather than signalling boredom

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awning is something UCD students will be doing a lot of over the coming weeks. While sitting in stuffy lecture theatres, while stuck in the library as the sun sets over campus, and while trembling in the waiting area at the RDS, prepare to receive many excellent views of your fellow students’ tonsils.

Chances are you’ll be struck with an insatiable urge to join them and find yourself revealing your fillings to the world because, as everyone knows, yawning is contagious. However, the reason for this remains ambiguous; indeed, yawning itself is still a mystery.

Many theories on why we yawn exist. Originally scientists claimed yawning helped relieve feelings of fatigue by stretching muscles, expelling carbon dioxide from the blood and taking more oxygen into the lungs. This hypothesis has been abandoned in favour of more complex theories based on the idea that yawning is an ancient means of communication.

Some yawning experts (yes, they DO exist) believe yawns are an instinctual signal we send each other to increase the overall alertness of a group. So maybe your study neighbour in the James Joyce is unconsciously doing you a favour by flashing his/her tongue piercing every two minutes.

Others believe yawning is an unconscious territorial reflex because, although you may not realise it, we often yawn when in worrying situations. This theory is backed up by research on animal behaviour that shows primates use yawns during threat displays. But to be honest, we don’t really have a clue why we yawn.

Some studies into the “contagious yawning” phenomenon show that when we yawn in response to someone else doing so, we are unconsciously exhibiting empathy.

Research has revealed that autistic children rarely yawn in response to someone else doing so, unlike healthy children who start “contagious yawning” around age four.

This is affirmed by studies that used MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain scanning to show the part of the brain most affected during contagious yawning is the left periamygdalar region, an area associated with empathy. Funnily enough, the “mirror-neuron system”, involved in consciously analysing and mimicking the behaviour of others, is not at all altered during contagious yawning. This hints that yawning is a deeply ingrained, automatic and evolutionarily ancient reflex.

A study testing this “empathy” theory took place in Leeds University. Unbeknownst to them, psychology and engineering students were watched to see which group exhibited more contagious yawning behaviour. The psychology students yawned a whopping 3.7 times more that the engineers.

This tied in with the researcher’s assumption that psychology students, who are supposed to be attuned to the feelings of others, are naturally more “empathetic” than poor, socially retarded Eng students who spend all day glued to computer designing circuits.

So if you let out a yawn as your friend recounts the tragic tale of their latest breakup for the 17th time, tell them not to be offended. You’re not yawning because you’re bored silly and don’t care, you’re yawning because you’re full of empathy for their sad plight.

cientists at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics have recently developed a new test for Down’s syndrome in unborn babies. This test involves taking a simple blood sample from the mother and analysing the small amount of foetal DNA present for an extra copy of Chromosome 21, the cause of Down’s syndrome.

This test represents a breakthrough in the field of pre-natal testing. Until now, an “amniocentesis” had to be done to definitively ascertain whether or not a baby would be born with Down’s syndrome. This involves inserting a needle into the uterus to sample the amniotic fluid in which the developing foetus is suspended. But this carries a high risk: 1 in 300 women who opt for the procedure subsequently miscarry due to infection introduced to the uterus via the sampling instruments.

However in the UK, pregnant women over the age of 35 often choose to undergo pre-natal testing as their babies carry a higher risk of the condition. Although Down’s syndrome usually occurs in about 1 of 733 births, the chances rise to 1 in 350 when the child’s mother is older than 35. Thus older parents are faced with what can be an agonising decision – should they risk their unborn babies life to check for the presence of the condition, or simply wait and see?

The prospect of easy access to quicker, safer pre-natal tests brings us to the ethical minefield of abortion. In the UK, easy access to private abortion clinics means that women whose unborn children are diagnosed with genetic disorders can choose to have their pregnancies terminated.

In fact, in 2008 the NHS reported that 92 per cent of women who received an antenatal diagnosis of babies with Down’s syndrome chose to have a termination. Thus approximately 1,100 pregnancies per year in England and Wales are ended for this reason.

This figure may seem high, but the real numbers may be even higher. In 2009, it was revealed that doctors often didn’t record the real reason for having a termination instead recording the reason as “social” abortions as they wished to spare the women’s feelings.

Why would women rather be seen to have a “social abortion” than admit the reason that their child has Down’s syndrome?

Social abortions are those carried out when the life of the mother is not in danger – for financial or personal reasons, for example.

Perhaps the logic behind this stems from a greater acceptance in today’s society of people with Down’s syndrome. Although the condition is associated with cognitive defects of varying severity, people with

Down’s syndrome often live full and happy lives.

Those with Down’s syndrome today can expect access to education, employment and acceptance by the community – Ireland’s hosting of the Special Olympics opened the world’s eyes to just how capable these so-called “disabled” people are at living life.

However, people with Down’s syndrome only experience a high quality of life if they have fully-committed, loving parents who dedicate vast amounts of their time and energy to looking after their children. This poses a huge challenge.

Children with Down’s syndrome are often born with congenital heart defects, and it is common for them to experience other health issues throughout life such as partial deafness, hyperthyroidism, and poor eyesight. Conditions such as these often require lifelong treatment and medication – a responsibility the parents of Down’s syndrome sufferers must undertake.

While growing up, children with Down’s syndrome often need access to services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. Special needs education must also be provided as children with Down’s syndrome exhibit varying levels of learning disability. Time is not the only resource parents must invest to support their children – money is another factor. It’s no secret that the health service in Ireland is far from ideal.

Take speech therapy for example: currently, children may spend up to three years on a waiting list for an appointment with a speech therapist. This is a completely unacceptable length of time where early intervention is essential to allow them a chance to learn the communication skills necessary to lead a normal life.

If parents are financially secure enough to go private, their children may receive the special care they need. But these days, many Irish families are far from wealthy and the thought of taking responsibility for a child with Down’s syndrome may be too much for some prospective parents.

Another unavoidable question is who will look after their child when the parents pass away? People with Down’s syndrome can indeed lead independent lives, but many need a certain amount of care and assistance.

And what is the current situation in this country regarding pre-natal screening for conditions like Down’s syndrome? Do women in Ireland seek termination if pregnancies due to this condition? Sadly, our knowledge of these matters is almost nonexistent, due to the lack of routine screening for Down’s syndrome here.

On the Down’s syndrome Ireland website, the only information available regard-

ing prenatal testing is a link to a British NHS booklet and another to a similar American publication. It seems expectant mothers in Ireland can expect to be kept in the dark until after their child is born.

Screening tests are available in Northern Ireland, but research has shown that the majority of women refuse these tests due to the emotional impact they would experience.

But surely pre-natal screening for conditions such as Down’s syndrome should at least be an option in modern Ireland, as it is in the UK? Many people argue that pre-natal screening could be extremely valuable to Irish families, as it would allow parents and siblings to prepare themselves emotionally and financially for the birth of a child who will require special care. Others believe that there’s no point to these tests being available here, as abortion is currently illegal in this country.

It seems ludicrous that abortion still isn’t legal in Ireland, even in cases where the unborn baby is incompatible with life. Take for example the famous case of “Miss D”, a young girl whose unborn baby was diagnosed with “anencephaly” – a lethal condition in which the foetus’ head fails to develop.

The 17-year-old was prevented from travelling to the UK for a termination by the HSE who threatened her with restraint.

Miss D won her case against the HSE and flew to England for an abortion. Even after the controversy caused by this case, the Irish government are nowhere near making real decisions on this divisive issue.

Although the real figures are far from certain, currently about 7000 women are thought to travel from Ireland to the UK for abortions each year. If antenatal Down’s syndrome screenings became available, it’s likely that this number would increase.

The Irish government therefore has a number of serious issues to face. Firstly, safer and more accurate antenatal screenings are now available worldwide for congenital defects – chances are women in Ireland will soon demand the opportunity to avail of these. Secondly, the age of mothers-to-be is rapidly increasing, resulting in increased numbers of Down’s syndrome births.

This means the government will come under pressure to fund the extra healthcare and special needs education required to meet this development. Thirdly the contentious issue of abortion, which has been dodged by successive Irish governments for decades, still needs to be addressed. Minister for Health, James Reilly, certainly has a lot to think about, but the current administration cannot hide from these matters behind the economic crises forever.

12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

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SCIENCE & HEALTH

science@universityobserver.ie

Nuclear lessons to learn While an extreme case, those in Fukushima would do well to learn from the lessons of Chernobyl, writes Katie Hughes

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he International Nuclear Ev e n t Scale (INES) is a meter used to rate the severity of a nuclear disaster, with levels ranging from zero – a deviation, to seven – a major accident.

The nuclear crisis, which occurred at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant in Japan on March 11th, was rated at Level 5 due to a small amount of radioactive material being released despite severe damage to the core of the reactor. However, this rating may change as the situation unfolds – with final ratings commonly being assigned after the resolution of the crisis in question.

The accident was triggered following the failure of reactor cooling systems due to the earthquake and tsunami that had hit Japan that day. A power-cut caused by the flooding of the plant by seawater caused the failure that meant that the cores’ temperatures could not be brought down, leading to explosions and melting of the fuel rods.

The 1986 Chernobyl disaster is the only disaster of its kind classified as level 7 under the INES. Due to a failed testing of a new safety protocol, there was an explosion in one of the reactors, which led to the dispersion of massive quantities of radioactive material into the atmosphere, the after-effects of which can be seen to this day.

The difference between Fukushima and Chernobyl is that Chernobyl did not have any

containment vessels in place, meaning that as soon as the external building exploded, radioactivity blasted out into the atmosphere with no constraining structure.

The main reason why the area around Chernobyl is still considered a health hazard, despite being shrouded in tons of concrete with a 30km exclusion zone around the site of the accident still in place to this day, is due to the radioactive elements still present in the area – something Fukushima will undoubtedly face in the years to come.

The half-life of an element is the time it takes for half of the sample to decay: the half life of certain isotopes of caesium and strontium, which are still found in the Chernobyl area, is over thirty years – this means that after thirty years of the substance being present, half of it will decay to a different element. However, it will be another thirty years before half of what remains decays again – and so the cycle continues.

There are two main effects of radiation on the body – it can kill cells and it can mutate DNA. It is because of their ability to kill cells that elements such as radium were used 60 years ago as a direct treatment of cancer – thick lead, which cannot be penetrated by radioactive alpha, beta and gamma particles, was placed around the cancerous tissue to prevent the radium having a mutant effect on other parts of the body.

A radioisotope of iodine, iodine-131 (radioiodine), is a product of the nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium and was emitted from the damaged reactor core in Fukushima I. Iodine, in an non-radioactive form, gener-

ally accumulates in the thyroid; radioiodine follows the same pattern of behaviour which is why, by accumulating in the thyroid, it causes thyroid cancer.

This will have long term effects on those who have consumed radioactive food, as can be seen from the after-effects of Chernobyl – the number of incidents of thyroid cancer in children under the age of five greatly increased after the explosion, the increase was in children as they would have been consuming a similar amount of iodine as adults, but due to having a smaller thyroid gland, would have retained a higher concentration.

The way in which the emitted and remaining radioactive substances are treated is paramount to the safety of the affected area. In the case of the 1979 Three Mile Island incident, also classified as level five on the INES, the majority of the reactor core debris was shipped off site to the Department of Energy’s National Engineering Laboratory.

In the case of Chernobyl, the majority of the radioactive debris was gathered in the remains of the reactor that was in turn covered with bags of sand and lead and eventually enclosed in a concrete ‘sarcophagus’ by December 1986, months after the original accident.

What will ultimately happen to the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant is yet unknown, the worst possible scenario is the complete meltdown of the fuel rods, which could ultimately burn through the ground and contaminate the ground below. Already radioactive water has leaked out into the ocean, contaminating it with plutonium.

The treatment of the Fukushima Dai-ichi

The explosion from one of the reactors in Chernobyl back in 1986 left great emotional scars as well as countless damaged buildings

Plant has not yet been finalised with several obstacles standing in the way – there is great difficulty in removing the radioactive water in basements as well as there being a large buildup of salt caused by seawater being used to bring down the temperature of the core.

The flooding and consequent destruction

of the Fukushima I Power Plant is the biggest nuclear disaster to occur in recent years. The outcome of the event cannot yet be seen due to the plant remaining in an unstable condition, leaving the future of the surrounding area and its remaining inhabitants hanging in the balance.

Belfield FM is currently seeking applications for the position of :

Station Manager The position is part-time and will run from June 2011 to June 2012. Applicants, who should preferably be current or recent students of UCD would need to be familiar with the activities of the Students’ Union and other student bodies and with the details of the |University’s organisation. Previous experience in broadcasting is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities include: • General station management.

• Coordinating with college and institutional authorities.

• Marketing, publicity and sponsorship.

• Recruitment, selection and supervision of volunteer personnel.

• Develop future plans for the continued growth of the station in consultation with the board of directors.

• Licensing and compliance.

• Supervising Assistant Manager(s) and team leading.

The remuneration for the position is under review but will be in line with previous practice.

Assistant Station Manager(s) The position of Assistant Station Manager is part-time and will run from June 2011 to June 2012. Applicants, who should preferably be current or recent students of UCD would need to be familiar with the activities of the Students’ Union and other student bodies and with the details of the |University’s organisation. Previous experience in broadcasting is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities include: • Coordinating the day to day running of the station under the guidance of the Station Manager.

• Ensuring volunteer compliance with station policy.

• Organising training sessions.

• Marketing and publicity.

• Other activities the Station Manager deems applicable.

The remuneration for the position is under review but will be in line with previous practice.

Unsuccessful applicants for the Station Manager position may be offered a position as Assistant Station Manager All applicants must submit a CV and Cover Letter including an outline plan for station broadcast schedule consisting of weekly show schedule and overall yearly broadcast schedule. Closing date for applications are Friday the 22nd April before 2pm. Interviews will be held Thursday the 28th April in the UCD Student Centre. Please send CV and Cover Letter to patrick.oflynn@ucd.ie.

22

THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER 12 April 2011

SPORT

sport@universityobserver.ie

SPORTS DIGEST Ultimate Frisbee The University’s Ultimate Frisbee team finished in second place in last week’s inter-varsity championship, losing out in the final to a strong UCC side. While they were disappointed not to take gold after a terrific campaign, their runner-up finish was an improvement on last year’s tournament, where they finished in third.

After two trouble-free opening ties against Queens Belfast and NUIG resulting in 15-2 wins for UCD, the Students were confident going into a tough encounter against UCC. Unfortunately, this confidence was soon quashed when the men from Cork eased to a 3-12 win and limited UCD to runners-up of Group A. They met the University of Limerick at the quarter-final stage and they proved to be worthy opponents. Despite winning 11-8, UCD were under constant pressure from UL and their overall performance did little for the team’s confidence. They were reassured, however, by a strong semi-final performance against DCU, which booked them a spot in the final along with UCC who had convincingly beaten Trinity by 13-1 in their semi-final.

Unfortunately for UCD they were outplayed and outclassed by UCC in the final and, after a dismal 0-9 start, could only muster a 6-13 defeat. In their first final in four years, a runner-up medal for UCD can be considered a positive tournament and the team will no doubt build on their success.

Trampoline The UCD Trampoline Club obtained thirteen medals over six different categories in the Irish Student Trampoline Open (ISTO) this year. Both teams and individuals from UCD had strong performances, with Team A obtaining a gold medal in the competition.

In the individual categories, gold went to Maeve O’Callaghan at both Intervanced level and in the Intermediate Synchro competition alongside Clara Maria Deeney who also got gold. Pauric Dooley achieved a silver medal in the Elite Men competition, while Sinead O’Loughlin and Siobhan Walsh won bronze in the Advanced Synchro competition.

The competition, which took place in DCU this year, is one of the biggest student trampoline events in Europe and consists of 550 competitors representing 37 different universities from Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

The year marks the end of a fruitful season for the club, who have achieved success in the Scottish Open, Varsities and Colours competitions over the last year.

Sailing The UCD sailing club recently sent two teams to the prestigious ISAF Team World Championship qualifiers invitational. Their opposition was the University of Limerick, George Gladiators and Supertroopers. Both UCD teams came very close to earning a spot in the finals, but unfortunately missed out on qualification after coming agonisingly close.

-- Ryan Mackenzie

Harder, better, faster, stronger The use of drugs in sport is a common taboo, certainly in the world of professional cycling. Barry Singleton suggests that their legalisation would be a step in the right direction

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hree-time Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador, presently awaits a decision which will determine the future of his career. He tested positive for the banned drug Clenbuterol on the final rest day of last year’s tour, which he won. He still insists his inadvertent ingestion of contaminated meat was responsible for the positive test.

A decision by the Spanish Cycling Federation to acquit the rider was appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the International Cycling Union and World Anti-doping Agency.

The verdict will be announced ahead of this year’s Tour de France, but whatever the result, the whole affair has dealt another blow to the sport’s image.

Coverage of professional cycling is now more likely to read like a lesson in pharmacology and forensic medicine than a discussion of training and tactics. Of the last 20 tour winners, only four have not tested positive. One of these four later confessed to using a banned substance, and another was banned for alleged involvement in a doping scandal.

Those who have tested positive have been subject either to sanctions or sustained allegations of drug use. The preceding years since dope testing began don’t fare much better. Overall, winners have tested positive far more often than not.

Not only has the attempt to clean up the sport failed, it must fail.

Drugs are getting smarter and smarter and more closely mincing the body’s natural processes makes them more and more difficult to detect.

Gene doping is likely to make its debut in professional sports soon – if it hasn’t already – and is only detectable by means of a muscle biopsy.

It’s time we allowed the safe use of performance enhancers in cycling.

This isn’t as radical a position as it seems at first. We already allow some the use of certain performance-enhancing drugs and medical interventions – namely caffeine and intravenous nutrition respectively.

Allowing all cyclists access takes care of the most obvious objection – that their use constitutes cheat-

Alberto Contador is one of a long list of cyclists who have become embroiled in doping scandals

ing. But the term ‘safe-doping’ may strike many people as an oxymoron.

It shouldn’t. Current policy tends to distinguish along the lines of ‘natural’ and ‘unnatural’. Whether something is natural or unnatural tells you nothing about its safety. The result of abiding by poorly conceived concepts of ‘natural’ and ‘unnatural’ is an inconsistent and confused policy.

A big determinant of an athlete’s performance in an endurance event such as cycling is the ability to deliver oxygen to the muscles. Both EPO and blood-doping raise red-blood cell levels thereby increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood. EPO and blooddoping are banned. However, external technologies like hypoxic air tents or altitude training, which achieve the same effect, are accepted.

There is a danger to an athlete’s health if the concentration of red blood cells is too high. The solution to this is to set a safe level, beyond which athletes will not be allowed to compete. The concentration of red blood cells can

be detected cheaply and reliably by a blood test.

Up until now, we have been asking the wrong question – whether something is ‘natural’ or ‘unnatural’. We should be asking whether something is safe or unsafe. There will of course be unsafe drugs, and we will have to continue to try and eradicate them. Concentrating limited resources on fewer substances will mean a more successful ban than we have currently.

The big objection is that the use of performance enhancers is against the spirit of the tour. Even a superficial glance at its history shows this to be false. Since its inception, athletes have resorted to everything from alcohol to cocaine in order to cope.

As philosopher Julian Savelscu noted that a vision of sport that seeks to reward those with the greatest natural ability makes the sport no different from a dog or horse race. Humans are different to dogs and horses. We have the ability to exercise judgment. We

already make decisions as to our diet, training and tactics and therefore, we should be allowed to choose what substances to take as well, provided they are safe.

The greatest performance enhancer of all is easy to overlook: the bicycle itself.

When it comes down to it, the bicycle is an artificial means of enhancing the efficiency of human locomotion. It enables us to go faster and further than if we were to use our legs alone.

And it brings its own risks as we could fall off and be injured, or in rare cases even killed.

Legalising the use of performance enhancers in cycling is not merely the least bad solution – but a positively good one. We should welcome performance enhancers, just like we welcome more aerodynamic bikes, better training regimes and so on.

Riders race not only against each other, but also against the ghosts of the great riders of the past. The aim should be to go faster than ever before.

The Badger: Blamed for ‘McCleangate’ and other indiscretions!

In her last column of the academic year, the Badger throws caution to the wind and takes no prisoners, mainly because her sett isn’t large enough

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fter years of decency and respect towards this fine institution, years of ignoring its inferiority to Trinity and years of shifting the abuse overseas to where sport is professional and most talented Irishmen make their living, the Badger let loose his opinions on UCD. But it would seem UCD just wasn’t ready for the Badger.

Two weeks ago, The University Observer (the paper you’re reading, just in case you were afraid you might be accidentally reading

The College Tribune) printed an article, a very well written and completely accurate one, in which the Badger spoke of this university’s rugby boys. Actually, it was the club’s scout, John McClean, who took the brunt of it. As it turns out, it didn’t go down too well with the men’s club.

The Badger is annoyed, very annoyed, and rightfully so. After months of covering dull Division 2 rugby and making the golden boys out to be even greater than they already think they are, one utterance of negativity and UCD RFC gives the silent treatment. It’s so unfair.

Well, in case you were expecting an apology, the Badger has only this to say: Grow up and stop crying over what a small furry animal said about you, but thank you for reading the Badger’s column nonetheless.

Now, onto a real sport. The Badger is going to compliment someone for a change: José Mourinho is a cool guy. He epitomises what coolness really is, and that is being awesome and knowing it. For nine years, the handsome devil pleases his home fans across the continent by not losing in front of them – a

simple but brilliant strategy.

His arrogant, and at times girly, mates in Madrid went a bit loco recently, however, and decided to pull a disastrous practical joke on their fans by losing to Sporting Gijon. It’s obvious, well at least it is to the Badger with all his superior intellect, that Mourinho simply sought to add ‘Most Stupid Loss’ to his growing list of records, because being unbeatable gets old fast – take it from a particularly impressive Badger who learnt this first hand.

Speaking of being great, the Badger can’t help but notice how lacking in this area English sport is at the moment. This may be a risky move by your favourite “short-legged, heavy-set omnivore” – that’s how Wikipedia describes badgers, a description this Badger finds rather insulting – given England’s inability to take criticism, but let’s give it a go anyway.

It’s a sad state of affairs when Ireland beat you in sport, but when they beat you at a sport they didn’t even realise they competed in, you know you’re in trouble. The Irish cricket team, comprised mainly of the worst players from the southern hemisphere, re-

cently beat the inventors of the game at the World Cup. Yes they have a World Cup, despite the fact that only a handful of people play the sport and even less know the actual rules. This was embarrassing for the English, because apparently there were a few people with too much time on their hands watching.

Incidentally, some powerful people on the cricket board decided to avoid this happening again by removing the Irish from the next World Cup, but keeping the English in it for some reason. Something about cutting down on the bad teams to avoid boring cricket matches. The Badger didn’t realise England were a good team and that good teams can make cricket interesting.

On that note, the Badger is sad to say, he must sign off one last time for this year.

Twelve issues of world class sports reporting and some other stuff, mostly filler, is all she wrote – not in the case of sport, women never write sport – and your cuddly Badger wants to thank all of you who have followed him over the past few months. You have truly wasted your time.

12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

SPORT

sport@universityobserver.ie

Managing expectations The UCD soccer team have the most inexperienced squad in the Airtricity League. Micheál Halton met up with their manager, Martin Russell, to discuss the current state of the club

They came, they saw, they drafted Stateside is gearing up for the biggest day on the NFL off-season calendar, with the draft imminent. Kevin Beirne looks at the class of 2011

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he off-season for an NFL fan can be a difficult time.

With the actual season lasting less than five months, the NFL is a hypothetical league more often than not. With the threat of a lockout in 2011 seeming more and more likely every day, it is not an easy time for the average gridiron fan.

Fortunately, April offers a small reminder of what we are missing. The NFL Draft is, in its own right, an institution. The three-day event, where dynasties are built and legends are born, takes place this year in its usual location, New York, from the 28th to the 30th of April.

This year, the main story of the draft is the hype surrounding the Heisman Trophy winner – Auburn’s inspirational quarterback, Cam Newton. He looks set to be taken first overall by the Carolina Panthers, a franchise in dire need of a leader.

Newton carried the normally irrelevant Auburn to the BCS National Championship game this year, where

they overcame Oregon 22-19. Newton’s play this season means he is still regarded by most as the best quarterback in the draft.

Physically, he is impressive. Standing at 6’ 5” and weighing almost 250 lbs, his size is prototypical and his speed is far above the average for an NFL quarterback. His arm strength is huge.

However, he is sometimes lacking in accuracy and could end up falling into a very familiar category of quarterbacks that are perfect for the collegiate game, but lacking in the abilities and attitude necessary to excel at the highest level.

It will be interesting to see how he adapts to a pro-style offence.

Newton comes into the NFL already carrying the weight of expectation on his shoulders. His raw abilities cannot be questioned, but it remains to be seen if he can truly become an elite passer of the ball. It is because of this, that he resembles Vince Young more so than Peyton Manning.

On the defensive side, the hottest prospect is arguably LSU’s Patrick Pe-

terson. Some are saying that he could be the first cornerback to ever be taken first overall. However don’t be surprised to see him land somewhere outside of Carolina.

The furthest he should slide is to the San Francisco 49ers at number 7, who badly need a big-play defensive back, but any team in the top 10 would definitely consider him. He has the athleticism and size to play safety or cornerback. He could be relied upon to play on an island from his very first snap – he is that talented.

Peterson, however, is not perfect. He has a tendency to bite on pump-fakes and double moves. He could have trouble against an elite receiver like Andre Johnson or Reggie Wayne. He is similar in height, but over 20lbs heavier than the New York Jets’ All-Star corner Darrelle Revis. Whether or not he can match Revis’ impact on the NFL remains to be seen.

The class of 2011 looks promising, so hopefully there will be a league for them to play in next season.

ACCOMMODATION AT CORRIB VILLAGE NUI GROUNDS GALWAY

Martin Russell’s skills as a coach and tactician played a significant role in helping UCD gain promotion to the Airtricity League Premier Division back in the 08/09 season

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any Belfield students might not be familiar with the name Martin Russell, but as UCD AFC aim to push on in their second consecutive season in the Airtricity League Premier Division, his is a name you will be hearing a lot more of.

Russell is obviously a man with a passion for his job and he is not afraid to speak his mind when asked to analyse why his team has been struggling so far. The students entered this season in the all too familiar position of being a team in transition, having lost a number of key players from last year’s squad.

UCD have managed just one win, against Drogheda United, so far this season. Their lack of experience, in comparison to other sides in the league, is pinpointed by Russell as a contributing factor to his side’s poor start: “When you’ve got players coming from schoolboy football and they’re asked to play in the first team,” he says. “They’re inexperienced at that [level] and you need a certain time to grow.”

UCD may suffer from a large turnover of players between seasons, but the approach that is taken to young players is worthy of high praise and is unique in Irish soccer. The opportunity to play football while getting an education is something that should be more prevalent in the Irish game and UCD should arguably serve as the template for how players are brought through in the future.

Russell can see the benefits of this approach and is quick to extol its virtues: “UCD is different to all the other teams in the Premier Division. The emphasis that is put on education is right for young players.”

In many ways, UCD have been a victim of their own success as bigger clubs have come in for some of their best performers from last season: “We’ve lost some of our players because we couldn’t afford to keep them.”

On the other side of the coin, the former Middlesbrough man is well aware of the number of players who drop out of the game, only to be left with nothing to fall back on: “Football is littered with players who, by the time they’re 20, they’re out of the game and you know it doesn’t have to be that way.” Russell’s own son Sean has obviously followed his father’s advice and he

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is currently a member of UCD’s first-team squad, having made his debut last season.

The lack of support for the Students has always been a problem, but Russell is quick to point out that this is a league-wide problem.

He doesn’t lament the situation, but instead focuses on what he sees as the solution.

“We need to improve everything,” he says.

“The clubs need to do better, the media need to promote it better and maybe get more games on TV and the population need to want to come and see us.” He sees the example of the FAI Cup final as a positive for the league: “Sligo Rovers played Shamrock Rovers in front of 30,000 people, it gives you an inkling of what could be there.”

If there is one niggle that Russell has, it is that UCD haven’t had live coverage of a game since they entered the Premier Division last season. With UCD seeking to broaden its support base, all coverage is important.

When you take into consideration UCD’s seventh place finish last season and their Setanta Cup participation this season, it is all the more irritating.

“I don’t know if there’s another side that hasn’t had a televised game since we’ve been there [in the Premier Division], I think our younger players do warrant that and hopefully this year we can create an opportunity, to make the cameras come.”

Russell is filled with enthusiasm when he talks about the structures that have been developed in UCD. Now entering his third season as first-team manager, he is quick to share the credit with those working around him for his successful spell in charge, which included promotion to the Premier Division in 2009 and participation in the Setanta Cup this term. “It has been important for me to have the people around helping,” he explains. “We have good staff here and you need that and the players need that backup in order to help them grow.”

UCD may not have started this season in spectacular fashion but, with Russell’s record of success and a developing group of young talented players who are all keen to learn, it would be foolish to bet against them turning it around. Their next challenge is an away fixture to St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park. A tough task for a struggling team, but a positive result could be just what’s needed to rejuvenate this young team’s season.

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12 April 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OBSERVER

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sport@universityobserver.ie

SPORT

VOLUME XVII ISSUE 12

12th April 2011

PAGE 22

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BARRY SINGLETON LOOKS AT THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE OF DOPING IN SPORT AND QUESTIONS ITS PREVALENCE

JOSÉ MOURINHO AND THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL TEAM MAKE THE BADGER’S HIT LIST IN HIS LAST COLUMN OF THE YEAR

FOLLOWING UCD’S SLOW START TO THE SEASON, WE TALK TO MANAGER MARTIN RUSSELL ABOUT HIS HOPES FOR THE CAMPAIGN

Lack of firepower costs Students again Another loss for the UCD soccer team last Friday has further compounded their position at the relegation end of the table. Stephen Devine reports UCD 0 – 2 Bohemians

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CD continued their disappointing start to the season when they welcomed Bohemians to the Belfield Bowl on Friday night. The students, who are without a win since the first day of the season, started with a conservative formation which saw Graham Rusk playing in the lone striker role, as UCD tried to contain the firepower of the Bohemians’ strikers.

It was Bohemians who had the best of the early exchanges. After failing to adequately deal with a corner, it was only some super reflexes from UCD keeper, Ger Barron, which denied Bohemians’ an early lead. Bohemians Gary Burke constantly threatened down the left flank and it was only a couple of last ditch tackles and some poor Bohemians finishing that kept the sides level midway through the second half.

Darren Meenan was at the centre of anything that was good for the Students, as the midfielder caused Bohemians some trouble down the right flank. However, the final pass constantly failed to find its intended target and was easily dealt with by the visitors’ defence.

Another great chance went a-begging for Bohemians, as some great interlinking between Flood and Traynor should

have opened the scoring for them. Clean through on goal, he could only send his shot wide of the target past the beaten Barron.

The half ended with consecutive Bohemians corners. The deadlock was finally broken with the last action of the half when Bohemians’ captain, Owen Heary, popped up unmarked at the back post to head beyond Barron and give the away side a deserved half-time lead. UCD, by comparison, failed to get a shot on target to worry the visitor’s keeper, Chris O’Connor, in the entire first half.

The Students returned having made two substitutions and with a different formation, now playing with five across the middle in an attempt to gain some supremacy in the midfield. The substitution of Meenan at half time was odd, having arguably been his side’s best player in the first half.

Despite the home side’s numerical advantage in midfield, it was still the visitors that enjoyed the majority of possession.

UCD were under constant pressure down the right wing from Keith Buckley, and if his crossing had been more accurate, their lead could have easily been increased early in the second half.

Halfway through the period, Traynor found himself in a race to the ball with UCD’s goalkeeper Barron and it was the

UCD man who won only for him to fail to alleviate the danger by sending his clearance skyward. Fortunately for the home side, they managed to scramble the ball clear to leave only a goal between the sides with 20 minutes to go.

As the half progressed, the visitors seemed content to sit back and defend their lead, allowing the home side to enjoy more possession. However, they were once again unable to construct any fluid passages of play and failed to worry the Bohemians keeper.

As the match progressed, the pitch started to show signs of wear and tear from the numerous rugby matches that have been played on it in the past few months. This led to both teams failing to control simple passes with large clumps of sand being seen when the ball bounced. As the season continues into the summer months, conditions will improve with soccer being the only sport to be played in the Belfield Bowl.

As UCD pushed more men forward in the final ten minutes in an attempt to find an equaliser, or even a shot on target, they were left exposed at the back. After centre back, Yarro Harro, failed to deal with a breaking ball, Anto Flood found himself clean through on goal. The former Shelbourne man made no mistake with his finish to put the result beyond doubt and

UCD continued their slow start to the season with another loss to Bohs Photo: Stephen Devine give the visitors a deserved 2-0 win. egation battle come the end of the season.

UCD will now need to regroup before UCD AFC – Barron, O’Connor, Nangle, their visit to Richmond Park next week to Haro, Leahy, Corry, Meenan (Marshall take on St Patrick’s Athletic, in a game in 45), Creevy, Rusk, Benson (Belhout 72), which they will face former UCD players, Langtry (Boyle 45) David and Evan McMillan. The Students’ Bohemian FC – O’Connor, Heary, lack of firepower upfront is going to make O’Brien, Rossiter, Burns, Price, Burke it another difficult campaign, and they (Bayly 64), Buckley (Forrestor 78), Flood, will most likely find themselves in a relTraynor (Joyce 82), Brennan

Premiership pedigree: the top 5 players of the season With the 2010/11 Premiership season winding to a close, Gordon O’Callaghan looks at the five most impressive performers of the campaign

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his season has been one of the most competitive, shocking and unpredictable Premier Leagues in recent years. So, who have been the shining stars? No doubt a difficult question and one that has thrown up the following five outstanding players of the year for debate.

Carlos Tevez: Nineteen goals in twenty seven appearances is pretty impressive, but it has been his drive and hunger, as typified by his one man show against West Brom in February, that makes Tevez a must on this list. Despite a turbulent relationship with his Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, he has never given anything other than 110 per cent when he’s on the field.

Manchester City has the lowest goals tally

of the top four teams. The bulk of the goalscoring responsibility has fallen on Tevez’s shoulders, and despite the odd strop, he has been the standout player of the season.

Rafael Van der Vaart: It was a straight shoot out between Van der Vaart and Gareth Bale for a place in the list, but regardless of the fact that Bale made it onto the PFA Player of the Year short-list, Van der Vaart has been the better player over the whole season.

Ten league goals in 21 appearances, coupled with seven assists, have kept Spurs chasing that final Champions League spot.

His technical ability and the fact that he can actually use both feet have added some much-needed guile to a Spurs team that can often appear naive.

Charlie Adam: Blackpool have added a significant degree of colour, bright tangerine to be exact, to the Premier League this season and Charlie Adam has been the heart and soul of a team that many predicted were a certainty for relegation.

The quality of his passing and his set-pieces have earned him praise from the likes of Daniel Alves, and has seen him shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year Award. Apart from Newcastle, Blackpool have scored more goals than any other team outside of the top four, and Adams’ contribution of seven assist and nine goals have meant that many football pundits may be eating their words come May. Edwin Van der Sar: The Dutch shot stopper has been the stand-

out player at Old Trafford this season.

Manchester United’s defensive woes have been well documented with the long-term absence of Rio Ferdinand, the retirement of Gary Neville as well as the fact that Jonny Evans and Wes Brown are not top class and the da Silva brothers are still young and somewhat inexperienced at this level, means that it has been left to the 40-year-old Van der Sar to marshal an often makeshift defence.

United may have conceded more goals then their closest rivals but the fact that they have not conceded even more and are looking comfortable at the top of the table is in no small part down to the Dutchman.

Scott Parker: It might be a bit strange to have a player from a club that has consistently been in the

bottom three all season on the list. It might be even stranger to find out that said player can’t be found on any of the goalscoring or assist charts, but the fact remains that Scott Parker has been an undeniable rock of reliability in the West Ham midfield, and perhaps the most important factor in their resurgence.

His tally of five league goals, a personal best, is a good contribution from a midfielder more known for his battling qualities rather than attacking prowess. Parker’s best asset has been his leadership skills. His manager, Avram Grant, has never been much of a leader and Parker has filled that void. His half-time speech at West Brom on February 12th, which teammate Carlton Cole described as a tear jerker, has given West Ham the drive to perhaps stave off relegation.