Volume XIX - Issue Three

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University Observer Comment: Defining Patriotism

OTWO: Mumford & Sons V O L U M E

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Features: State of the Union

W W W. U N I V E r S I T y O b S E r V E r . I E

24 hour UCDSU release previously missing accounts study area to open on campus by AOIFE vALEnTInE · DEPUTy EDITOR

A 24-hour study area is due to open this week in the new student centre. The facility is being trialled over the coming weeks, with a view to sourcing a more permanent location if there proves to be sufficient demand. The area is located adjacent to the swimming pool entrance in the new student centre which has up until now been used for the induction of new gym members, is set to hold “roughly 40 to 50” students at a time. UCD Students’ Union Education Officer Shane Comer stated that he would “love to have a permanent location for it, but a much larger one, similar to the berkley Lecky Ussher in Trinity. This will be used on a trial basis and we’ll see if it goes well.” The facility, which is still dealing with “logistical issues”, was due to open at the start of term, but the University were reluctant to put it in place, partly because the new student centre was intended to bring all non-academic activities to one end of campus, and all academic activity to the other. This would bring a study area into the recreational area. Comer commented that he hopes to amend this if the trial period proves successful: “The ultimate aim is to see plans for redevelopment of the library and newman area, to see some sort of 24 hour access facility in that area. I’ll be looking for a permanent facility, but that’s obviously extremely long term.” Security is also an issue, with no supervisory staff being provided by the Students’ Union for the space. Comer says they are working “to create, with campus services and Pulse security, a sort of monitoring service. They’ll pass it every so often to make sure nothing is going on.” The Union, however, will be responsible for all liabilities, with Comer stating: “There’s a cost to the SU in terms of liability, so if there is damages caused but we are under insurance.” Comer believes that students who do not currently have access to the library because they have not paid their fees or are waiting on a grant, will be able to use the facilities, however this is still under negotiation. “That’s something I’m currently trying to nail down with the student centre management but I don’t see that being an issue.” He is aware that the facility will be not be needed all day and says when it comes to reviewing the usage of the area, he will be “hammering home that you can’t use stats from say, 9 in the morning to 9 in the evening, because we do have libraries on campus that do open during those hours.” He expects that the facility will become overcrowded as it approaches exam time, and says to cope with that he will “look to do something similar to what my predecessor did and open up the blue Room or the Astra Hall” to cater for the surplus.

UCDSU President Rachel Breslin and Gerry McNally of McNally Business Services Limited release accounts at first Union Council . by EMER SUGRUE · EDITOR

The figures for UCD Students’ Union’s finances for the last five years were released last Thursday at the first Union Council, with details of the losses made each year. The yearly deficits show the highest losses in 2008/09 with a €726,000 shortfall, over 250% higher than the previous year’s loss of €281,000. Regarding these figures, Students’ Union President Rachel breslin stated: “I will ask for a more detailed breakdown of the particular years and why there was a f luctuation, but it could even be the way that payments were made, because there were a lot of late payments from other years so perhaps there

was a larger cash inf lux in 2009 that was used to push out expenditure from 2008 or before, because that did happen quite frequently. There were no startling differences between years or between administrations.” The accounts for the Students’ Union Shops between 2007 and 2012 were released alongside the main Union figures, showing a huge shift in the money generated over the period. While a profit of €88,000 was generated in 09/10, the next year saw a loss of €282,000. When questioned about possible reasons for the dramatic losses, breslin described the figures as “puzzling” but claimed that year did not see “any administrative or management

changes” that may account for it. There will however be an investigation launched by the Union into the reasons for the losses of both the shops and the Union as a whole. “I think that does fall down on me. I have seen those figures and there was nothing which stood out. In 2011, you have the issue with the ball [which made a large loss] and there was a higher overall spend but there wasn’t anything that stuck out particularly extenuating ... when you break it down year by year you miss out on the detail that there was a continual presence here and a continual mismanagement that remained constant.” The budget for the following year, including detailed accounts for the

three months ending September 30th 2012 were also released, showing a surplus of €123,508 for the period. breslin explained: “We’re spending a lot less now. A lot of that is because we physically don’t have the money in our accounts to spend more but it does show a very different ethos in the Students’ Union that we’re trying to spend as little as we can... I don’t expect our spending habits to change really at all once the loan does come through.” The accounts will be finalised on Thursday once auditors Grant Thornton sign them off, and more detailed figures will be released at Union council on October 25th.

€5000 saved on class rep training by DAnIEL KEEnAn · nEWS EDITOR AnD CHARLOTTE MCLOUGHLIn Union Rep training took place in nUI Maynooth on Saturday October 6th, with a significant cut in costs from previous years. As opposed to a weekend long event, Union reps were brought on a daylong training event. Cutting costs was a priority for this year’s Students’ Union, who in 2010 brought the class reps to a four star resort for a full weekend of training, costing approximately €12,000. Last year, the Union cut €3,500 of the cost, but training remained a weekend long event. “It was €375 for transport for all reps,” says UCD Campaigns and Communications Officer Paddy Guiney. “Speakers were a mixture of former people who were in the Students’ Union and who

sat on council, and professional speakers. In total, for the speakers, it’s estimated at €850 for nine speakers, including expenses… We got the nightclub for free. The most expensive thing, and it’s the necessity, was the food. To break it down, it cost us €4 for their breakfast, €4 for lunch and €10 for dinner; so it was €18 per student, and about 80 people.” “I can’t confirm it, but apparently class rep training in other colleges is in the €20,000, excess. Last year (in UCD) it was €8,000. The year before it was €12,000; this year, the estimated fig ure is €2,665.” The use of nUI Maynooth as a base for training was a cost saving move by the Students’ Union, as the

use of their facilities were given free by the Maynooth Students’ Union. Guiney says the Union didn’t use the facilities in UCD, as “less people would’ve gone and people would’ve left during the half day, because it was a very long day.” Reps were trained in public speaking and negotiation skills, as well as the basics of being a rep. Guiney was confident that the reps are now fully trained to carry out their duties, despite the shortened time period for training: “I’m very confident they will be effective for the council and their classes. I was on class rep training last year, and I feel like a weekend away is not necessary.” This year sees the introduction of a two tier rep system, with

a number of class reps serving under the Union reps. Class reps are mostly in charge of the social aspect of the Union and their training is due to take place on campus, once elections are over. “The class reps process is beginning next week in the Ag. building and we have a plan of action with the conveners about where we will go in each class, and we will divide out which ones need the most. For example, English, Drama and Film all have the one class rep. So, we’ll be looking at filling two extra seats from the class in Drama and Film, and will be walking into classes holding informal elections from the beginning of next week.”


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