University Observer, Volume XVIII - Issue 8

niversity U bserver O

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opinion

sport

an Interview with Connacht’s

David McSharry v o l u m e

UCD Law Society Auditor describes own behaviour as “arrogant and reckless”

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Should UCD leave the Usi?

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OTWO talks to

Steven Moffat Roddy Doyle · Darina Allen Cathy Davey · S Club

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Copy Bureau not to re-open despite protest

by Kate Rothwell · DEPUTY Editor

UCD Law Society Auditor Francis Mc Namara has described his behaviour as “arrogant and reckless” when questioned by the University Observer regarding the controversy which led to the resignation of nine members of the Law Society committee last week.

In an email sent to a member of the Lawsoc committee on January 15th, Mc Namara expressed his preference for that member as his successor as Lawsoc Auditor, as well as stating which other committee member he would prefer either as Vice Auditor or Treasurer; “In my opinion, the optimum result for next year would be you as Auditor with ... as your right hand.”

Mc Namara went on to imply that there was an agreement between himself and Societies Officer Richard Butler regarding his selection as next year’s Chairman of Societies Council, an elected position; “Myself and Richard Butler have reached an understanding and I will probably run for Chairman of Societies Council as Stephen’s successor.”

Speaking to the University Observer, Butler stated that he did not know to what Mc Namara was referring to and that no such ‘understanding’ existed.

“There is no arrangement, understanding, agreement or any other form of outcome discussed, arranged or in any way planned for any position within the Societies Council for Mr Mc Namara, or any individual, nor could there be, as this is something that the Auditors vote on among themselves.” He went on to say that Mc Namara had already made a statement to him regarding the matter; “I have already accepted Mr Mc Namara’s statement to me that he inadvertently phrased his email in a careless manner, such as to allow a number of interpretations to be made from his comments.”

Mc Namara stated to the University Observer that he had incorrectly phrased his comment regarding this ‘understanding’; “I mis-phrased, I believed that we had come to an understanding on how far I’d progressed as Auditor.” He continued by expressing regret for his actions; “I was arrogant and reckless; I didn’t appreciate my

SU President Pat de Brún addresses the crowd at protest objecting to the recent closure of the SU Copy Bureau

UCD prepared to support SU in “addressing the resourcing issues”

by Katie Hughes · News Editor

Students’ Union President Pat de Brún has confirmed that the SU Copy Bureau will not be re-opening, despite a protest being held on January 25th against its closure. “This was not something that was done flippantly, it was nothing but a last resort.” committee and my pride has led me to hurt many people with whom I’ve shared wonderful friendships … Over the past week I’ve realised some truths about myself and I will do my best to learn from past mistakes in the execution of my role as Auditor.”

A prominent member of Lawsoc, who wished to remain anonymous, indicated that elections for Lawsoc Auditor could, subject to UCD approval, now be held as early as next month. This source also maintained that the society was unlikely to disband over the controversy.

Photographer: Caoimhe McDonnell

Seconder of motion to rehire Copy Bureau employees withdraws support

Protest described as “more like a riot” by member of Student Centre staff

SU President de Brún confirms that Copy Bureau will not re-open

Auditor of the Socialist Workers Student Society, Karl Gill was pleased with the turnout and level of interest at the protest, estimating there to have been up to 300 people present, “it was fantastic to see that people were angry and wanting answers.”

A motion was put to Union Council two weeks ago regarding rehiring the recently let go Copy Bureau employees, but was rejected by a vast majority. The motion was put forward by Gill and seconded by Auditor of the Inclusion, Participation, Awareness (IPA) Society and second year Social Science Class Rep, Brian O’Brien.

O’Brien has since withdrawn his support from the cause after viewing a YouTube video of de Brún and Campaigns and Communications Officer Brendan Lacey being “pulled out of their offices and heckled and being made speak in front of two to three hundred people.”

O’Brien maintained that “it was a good protest, it got people out but you

cannot drag people out of their offices and make them speak … Pat shouldn’t have gotten the abuse he did, no one should abuse someone for taking a decision – he has to make hard decisions and that’s his job.”

De Brún confirmed the extreme behaviour, stating, “I was disappointed by a small minority who resorted to verbal abuse and name calling. I don’t think there is a place for that in the University and I think it undermined their protest.”

An anonymous employee of the Student Centre described the protest as being “more like a riot … it was something I’ve never experienced before, what I heard was … swearing. I was a little bit scared, it just all suddenly happened. I heard all the loud yelling and the swearing and I wouldn’t expect a protest to be like that.”

Following the protest, De Brún released an open letter to UCD students detailing the reasons behind the decision and information about the Union’s current €1 million debt.

De Brún explained his reasons for releasing the letter, “I felt that it was time to engage a bit more directly with students on the ground about the current financial situation because I’ve become very concerned that that campaign was spreading quite a bit of misinformation and exaggeration. I think that students deserve to be told exactly what the facts of the financial situation are and I wanted to lay it out in plain and simple terms, and ensure that it reached as many people as possible.”

The protesters suggested that the Union approach the University for financial support, an idea that was dismissed by de Brún in his letter. However, when asked whether the University would be willing to consider bailing out the debt, a UCD spokesperson stated, “the University has been, and intends to be, fully supportive of the Students’ Union in addressing the resourcing issues, and providing input to the work which has been undertaken by the firm of professional accountants.”

Belfield FM’s removal from SU would be “a large step backwards”

by Katie Hughes · News Editor

UCD’s student radio station, Belfield FM, will no longer have a place within the Students’ Union should the new draft of the constitution pass a student body referendum in the next few months.

Students’ Union President Pat de Brún supports the idea of having a student radio station on campus, but believes that it no longer has a place within the SU, stating, “we are in fa-

vour of Belfield FM, we think it’s a good idea. It has a place on campus but we don’t think the place for it is within the Union.”

Belfield FM Station Manager Peter Branigan expressed his disappointment at the news, “we feel that exiting the SU structure would be a large step backwards for the station and would not be beneficial for its volunteers. We also feel that it might discourage prospective students from coming to the University, instead choosing a univer-

sity with better media facilities.”

De Brún defended the move, stating that the SU is unable to give Belfield FM the attention it requires, “I don’t think there’s enough of a focus within the Union and I don’t think, with the nature of the Union, there ever will be a focus or resources put into it … a society structure would benefit it more and suit it more.”

He explained that when Belfield FM was originally established, it was only intended to lie within the realms

of the SU for a couple of years before moving on and finding a home elsewhere, an idea that, he insists, “fell by the wayside”. The SU will continue to support Belfield FM during its transitory process. However, under the new constitution, Belfield FM will not have a constitutional status within the Students’ Union.

De Brún cited Belfield FM’s move to their new studio in the new Student Centre as a time to “solidify it in a home that is more suited to it … I believe that

home is within societies and we have tentative support for that to go ahead.”

No talks have taken place with Societies’ Officer Richard Butler to date, which appears to have left the station in an uncertain state. According to Branigan, “the response from our staff has been overwhelmingly negative towards the news. Many are in first or second year and would have hoped to work with the station again next year, and are now left unsure of what next year’s structure will entail.”

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The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Observer News news@observer.ie

SIPTU strike action refused

by Chloe Duane

UCD Dance Society perform at Refreshers’ Day in the Astra Hall

Photographer: Brian O’Leary

IPA becomes recognised college of UCD

by Katie Hughes · News Editor

The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) has become a recognised college of UCD, following a reception to mark the event was held in Newman House, St Stephen’s Green on January 30th. Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn was the guest of honor at the event.

According to an IPA spokesperson, “our joint vision is that by combining the experience, capacity and reputation of the IPA and UCD, Ireland can create an internationally recognised centre of teaching and research excellence in the sphere of government, where top leaders from the Irish and European public

sector and further afield come to develop their skills and competencies.”

Following the recognition of the IPA as a UCD college, the IPA will continue to operate as an independent body, with its own board and governance arrangement. However, the partnership with UCD is expected to provide new opportunities for IPA’s clients in Ireland and internationally in the areas of joint academic programmes, joint research activities, joint delivery on international programmes, and the sharing of technology, library and other facilities.

The IPA was founded in 1957 and is the national centre for the development of best practice in public administra-

tion and public management. It provides education and training specific to the needs of public servants, although this training is not provided exclusively to them.

An IPA spokesperson stated that the reasoning behind the partnership between the IPA and UCD is that “Ireland needs to ensure that its public service is leading global practice. This is central to national welfare and competitiveness. Developing new capacity and skills is critical to the future of the Irish public service, and it is anticipated that the new IPA-UCD partnership will play an important role in supporting the transformation of the Irish public service.

Two of highest paid university employees reject pay cut

UCD announce partnership with leading biotechnology company

by Aoife Brophy

UCD and Elan Corporation plc recently announced a partnership that will create several initiatives to develop biotechnological research. Elan is a Dublin-based pharmaceutical company founded in 1969.

As part of the initiative, an interdisciplinary chair in the ‘Business of Biotechnology’ will be established.

This will involve collaboration between the Smurfit School of Business and the UCD School of Science. Elan will also sponsor two post-doctoral scholarships and run a series of lectures that will discuss the development of the global business of biotechnology.

“Rapid advancements in biology, computational application and diagnostics combined with the globalisation of the biotechnology industry require future business leaders to have the skills and expertise to manage a portfolio of assets within the environment of a dynamic and ever changing risks/reward equation,” said Elan Chief

Executive Officer, Kelly Martin.

Mr. Martin went on to discuss the need for particular expertise when working with medical products. Legal, global market and environmental considerations need to be taken into account when pursuing a career in biotechnology. “Business leaders will need to balance complex and multidimensional considerations such as patient requirements and personalised medicine, which needs to take into account genetic markers and scientific discovery that can be accelerated by advancing approaches to drug discovery.

The effective management of complex regulatory and legal frameworks, along with global pricing and reimbursement will also be a prerequisite to success.”

“Elan’s commitment will enable us to fuse the best thinking and skills within the University, which includes our science, business and medical schools. We expect the creation of Europe’s first interdisciplinary chair in the ‘Business of Biotechnology’ to stimulate innovation right across campus,” said UCD Presi-

“UCD and IPA are ideal partners to pursue this common vision. UCD’s strengths complement the mission of the IPA. UCD has academic expertise in key areas such as business, law, economics, finance, social sciences, computer science, public health, planning, and civil engineering, which will allow the IPA to also act as a gateway to leading edge knowledge and research that can provide the Irish public service with new insights. On a very practical level, all students in future enrolling in IPA programmes will receive their awards from UCD. For new IPA students, the access to pathways of learning available through a major university such as UCD will be a major bonus.”

A SIPTU ballot proposing strike action for members of the UCD Students’ Union’s staff, in response to the SU’s job cuts and the closure of the Copy Bureau, was refused last week.

President of the SIPTU education branch in UCD, Dr. Kieran Allen, stated that “people have a variety of tactics to deal with injustice, one of them is strike action, one of them is encouraging solidarity from students, one of them is publicity. People obviously decided they didn’t wish, in the Students’ Union at that point in time, to engage in strike action.”

However, the trade union in UCD is not opposed to taking this issue further until a solution is found. “We will be pressing the college authorities to engage and deal with this problem … There are many disabled students who cannot go across the road to a private shop to get their photocopying done, there are many people who don’t have computers, there are many people that find, for example, that printing out individually at home is more expensive, and there [are] many people, if you like, that don’t have the same amount of time.”

Following the protest held on Wednesday, Students’ Union President Pat de Brún stated that the SU had no other alternative and could not reinstate the Copy Bureau. Dr Allen stated that the language used by de Brún “was the language used by Margaret Thatcher back in the eighties. There are always alternatives … you have to look at your budget and decide what is essential.

“There is a pattern emerging in UCD, under the impact of the economic crisis. I think there are some elements of the University that wish to use this opportunity to outsource or to privatise what they would consider non-essential services … we have the copy services being removed, or their attempt to remove it, the next target is the Main Restaurant. There is a proposal currently underway that the Main Restaurant will be privatised.”

He also stated that this is not only an SU issue, but also one that the University itself is responsible for. “The Students’ Union have a responsibility in terms of how they spend their money.

I believe money has gone missing and there is a deficit and so on, that’s up to students to sort out, but so too does the University. The University appointed an administrator who was responsible for the accounts … now if that is the case the University cannot wash its hands of it, and nor can it wash its hands of the fact that there is a vital service that students need that is being withdrawn.”

by David Farrell

dent Hugh Brady.

The programme will run for approximately seven years and is expected to create a competitive edge for the Irish pharmaceutical market; “as an Irish-based neuroscience biotechnology company that operates on a global scale, we understand the myriad opportunities and challenges as they are part of our everyday journey. Navigating these complexities and combining the interdisciplinary decision-making process across business, clinical and scientific disciplines will be essential for the long-term, future success of Elan,” stated Mr. Martin.

“We, as a company, are committed to being leaders in how to manage within the biotechnology industry perspective and are delighted in this instance to share both financial support and experience with UCD,” concluded Mr. Martin.

It is expected that Elan will donate in excess of €3 million to the project, some of which will go towards the completion of the new Science Hub.

Three of the eight employees in Irish universities on an annual remuneration of over €200,000 have responded to Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn’s request to voluntarily lower their salary to that of the recently set pay ceiling, with one indicating an intention to make a voluntary waiver of a portion of salary and two declining.

Minister Quinn set the €200,000 pay ceiling for future appointments in a letter sent out to the chairpersons of Ireland’s seven universities in July 2011. According to the Department of Education and Skills, Quinn stated that employees “whose current salary is in excess of the relevant pay ceilings would be requested to make a voluntary waiver of salary of fifteen per cent, or by a lesser amount if the application of the full fifteen per cent reduction would bring their salary level to below the applicable pay ceiling.”

This new cap of €200,000 is currently exceeded by 105 academics across the country. Of the 105, 95 are Academic Medical Consultants, a majority of whom are jointly paid by the HSE and their university. A Department of Education and Skills spokesperson confirmed that excluding academic medical consultants, there are currently eight university employees on

annual remuneration over €200,000.

NUI Maynooth and DCU are the only two universities who employ no staff members earning over the paycap. Of the remaining five, University of Limerick had seven Academic Medical Consultants, while NUI Galway and UCC paid a number of Academic Medical Consultants and the heads of their University over €200,000.

Both UCD and Trinity College were the only institutions to pay staff other than their Heads or Academic Medical Consultants over the cap. These staff are, according to a Department of Education and Skills spokesperson “appointed under the terms of a framework agreed between the universities and the Higher Education Authority, which allows universities, in very limited and exceptional circumstances, to depart from Ministerially approved pay scales” which is set out in Section 25(5) of the Universities Act, 1997.

Top academics, including UCD President Hugh Brady, have claimed that the cap will hinder the efforts of universities to hire top calibre candidates.

When questioned regarding the possibility of capping the salaries of staff that are not Heads of Schools or Academic Medical Consultants, a UCD spokesman remarked, “The university does not comment on individual contracts of staff.”

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Residences Ball cancelled

by Katie Hughes · News Editor

The Harry Potter-themed Residences Ball, which was set to take place on February 1st, has been cancelled.

According to Students’ Union Welfare Officer, Rachel Breslin, the event was cancelled due to slow ticket sales, “tickets had been on sale for a few days and it was coming to the point where we had to confirm acts and pay for acts. We would have had to pay for the dinner, so we were coming to the point where

our costs were increasing significantly.

We just didn’t want to run an event that wouldn’t break even.” Forty tickets had been sold, and deposits were held for twenty.

The ball was originally expected to take place before Christmas, but according to Breslin, there had not been sufficient time to advertise the event.

The purpose of the ball was to allow students living on campus to have an event to go to together as a house or apartment, “so they would have an

event that they would remember together because a lot of the time, and I know myself, I wouldn’t really see the people I lived with in first year anymore, even though I got on really well with them. It’s something that you could remember that you did together as a house, particularly for international students who don’t have a faculty ball, because a lot of their friends would be living on residence with them. We thought there would be a market there and tried to see if it was feasible, and we

didn’t want to run it at a loss.”

Breslin expressed disappointment that the event had to be cancelled, but maintained that another event aimed at students living on campus would be organised instead, “I would have loved to have seen it happen, but it just means we’ll do something else that’s residences orientated instead … I think we did try our best but the interest just wasn’t there.”

Students who purchased tickets will receive a full refund.

Kylemore change Welfare support plan

by Katie Hughes · News Editor

Restaurant and hospitality service provider, Kylemore Services Group, are no longer planning on donating money to the Welfare Fund, but will instead set up their own separate fund linked to the Students’ Union Welfare Office.

Students’ Union President Pat de Brún explained that instead of a direct contribution to the fund, Kylemore will cater to the requirements of students in need, which can range from a pass for free food in outlets across campus for the year, to financial assistance.

The initiative was confirmed last week, and according to de Brún, “there was a willingness there on Kylemore’s part to get it in place and operating by the end of this year … I think it’s a nice [idea] because it’s a very obvious contribution to someone in financial need as opposed to handing money over … They are still displaying a willingness to engage with us and to assist in student activities. I’m hopeful that it does come through.”

UCD Students’ Union’s draft of a new constitution is due to become available to students this week. Among the changes introduced are a mandatory referendum as to whether the SU should be affiliated with the USI, a change in the class rep structure, and the elimination of two Sabbatical positions.

The referendum deciding whether the SU should affiliate with USI would be constitutionally expected to take place every four years. Should the constitutional referendum pass, Students’ Union President Pat de Brún stated that he would expect the USI referendum to take place in the “earlier part of the four years … there’s an appetite out there for it.”

Under the current constitution, there are a certain number of Class Reps elected, based on class sizes, who represent their classes at the fortnightly Union Council, as well as organising social events and assisting with internal class issues. Should the new draft pass, the same number of Union Reps would be elected, who would in turn appoint an indefinite number of Class Reps. The Union Reps would represent their classes at Council whereas the Class Reps would deal with direct class issues and, despite their informal appointment, have constitutional status.

According to de Brún, “Union Council Reps will be the ones that represent at Union Council and discuss Union policy and make Union policy, and keep Officers accountable … the idea behind Union Council is to form policy, it’s not there for discussing a broken water fountain or an issue with the vending machines and that’s where the College Councils come in. All the Class Reps and the Union Council Reps within a

News in Brief

by Jack Walsh

Refreshers’ Day a success UCD held its annual Refreshers’ Day event on February 24th. Ninety-five clubs and societies were represented at the event, which is a continuation of Freshers’ Week, held in Semester One, and is facilitated for the entire student body.

Chairman of the Societies Council, Stephen Whelan stated that “the event was well promoted, and in my opinion was the most successful Refreshers’ Day we have run here on campus. A number of societies are also actively engaged in this year’s Community Week at the minute, which no doubt helped us promote Refreshers’ Day to as wide an audience as possible.”

Whelan went on to highlight the event’s importance in UCD’s social calendar, “Societies and clubs are a vital part of the university experience, not to mention personal development.

Refreshers’ Day provides our students from overseas, who are just starting in UCD, with an opportunity to experience firsthand the wide and diverse range of societies and clubs available to them during their time in Belfield. It is also a great chance for people who may have missed out in the first semester to try something new.”

Students who could not attend are reminded that they can join clubs and societies at any stage of the semester.

Health Promotions Committee cooking competition

The applications will be made based on Students’ Union Welfare Officer Rachel Breslin’s assessment of their circumstances, “some people are better going to the Welfare Fund, sometimes the Welfare Fund applications have closed.”

No limit has been finalised on the number of applications that can be put

Proposed new constitution to be released

by Katie Hughes · News Editor

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particular college will be there to discuss those issues, and if they need to be brought to Union Council then, they’ll be brought there.”

The position of Campaigns and Communication Officer would cease to exist under the new constitution.

A shifting of responsibilities will also take place, for example, the responsibility of Class Reps, which at this point lies with the C&C Officer, will move to the Undergrad Education Officer as they will have a smaller workload due to their no longer having a responsibility to postgraduate students. Similarly, national campaigns will be the President’s responsibility and smaller, local campaigns will be that of the Welfare and Equality Officer.

De Brún insists that the changes are an improvement on the current system, “I see this as an improvement, a rationalisation, and it gives the right workload to each officer; whereas now I think some officers have more in their workload than other officers.”

The elected position of Ents Officer will be replaced by a Professional Entertainment Manager, who will be recruited as a staff member due to too large an unaccountable financial burden being placed on the role of Ents Officer at present, “there is so much financial responsibility given to the Ents Officer because, by the very nature of it, you are dealing with big numbers and it’s a challenge to try and make that money back … the President currently doesn’t have much power over the Ents Officer because we’re all elected just the same, by students.”

De Brún confirmed that the position of Ents Officer has too much free reign, so the introduction of an Entertainment Manager will make the office more professional, without losing the focus of Ents.

forward, “so we’re going to send in as many applications as we can and hope for the best, but they do seem committed,” says de Brún.

De Brún also recently received a price comparison list between current food operators in UCD and their former counterparts, which was compiled by UCD Commercial Manager, Gary Moss.

“This comparison does show that there hasn’t been an increase but I’m still looking in to whether the list of goods is comprehensive, is it covering everything that is on sale and was on sale … I believe there is one [outlet] which was not there yet,” de Brún stated in relation to the Pulse Café in the Health Sciences Building.

FEE condemn SU change of stance on free education

by Denis Vaughan

UCD Free Education for Everyone (FEE) have voiced their indignation following UCD Students’ Union President, Pat de Brún, announcing his intention of putting a motion to SU Council regarding the Union’s stance on free education.

Should the referendum pass, the SU would be mandated to represent the majority’s views. National Treasurer of FEE, Suzanne Lee, has stated that “this coming semester, I can’t imagine that the two of us are going to see eye to eye.”

Last semester, Dublin City University (DCU) held a similar referendum, in which students voted overwhelmingly in favour of free fees. Because the referendum was conducted without provision for the transfer of votes it was found to be in breach of DCU SU’s constitution and as a result the mandate was declared void. Loan schemes, full fees and graduate taxes were amongst the alternative methods of funding for education that students had the option of voting for.

Lee acknowledged that another increase in fees was probable, “I would say they will [rise]. When all the government is getting is one march a year they know they can do what they like. For a while there was a little wave of occupations and now there seems to be no mention of anyone doing anything, which is

a bit worrying.”

President of USI, Gary Redmond, echoed Lee’s sentiments, “obviously we’re in a very difficult financial position at the moment. In the short term I don’t see fees being abolished because of the fiscal situation that we’re in. I think we have a Minister for Education who is committed, if he could, to abolishing fees in the morning but I don’t think he could even if he wanted to.”

De Brún defended his decision, stating, “I one hundred per cent believe in free education as the best model for third level funding and that it should come through progressive taxation … at the same time, that has been our policy for a number of years and even though we’ve campaigned, and campaigned very well I believe, for each of the last number of years we have still seen successive increases in the Student Contribution [Charge].”

“Whatever the Union’s policy is, as decided by students, we would do everything we can to lobby the government and fight against any increases, but at the same time I think it’s time we look at the various different funding options that are on the table.”

Should a referendum take place and reverse UCD SU’s policy, a motion can be put forward at the next USI congress to have USI’s overall policy altered. The next congress is scheduled to happen in April.

The Health Promotions Committee (HPC) in conjunction with UCD Students’ Union and Student Advisors have launched the annual student cooking competition. The competition, which has been run for various years by the HPC, aims to promote awareness of ways of making cost-effective, healthy food, with various prizes, including entry into the Student Cookbook, which is handed out to all first and second year students at the beginning of term.

A cooking demonstration took place in the Student Centre on January 23rd.

The final submission deadline is February 2nd, which ties in with a final demonstration and cook-off on February 14th.

SU Campaigns and Communications officer Brendan Lacey has endorsed the idea, stating that “it’s something just to show students that there are actually quite healthy meals you can make on a budget and it’s particularly in their interest to come together with one or two friends and make a couple of dishes that are really good for you.”

Lacey went on to say that “we don’t do enough as a community in UCD and that’s something we’re working on, something I’ve always worked on, trying to create a little bit more of an open community feel around UCD.” The competition is open to all students and staff.

UCD Ad Astra Academy Sixty-five students have been presented with scholarships from the UCD Ad Astra Academy. The scholarships are awarded in recognition of exceptional achievements and talents in scholarship, sport, and the performing arts. The awards were presented by the President of UCD, Dr Hugh Brady, at an inaugural ceremony in O’Reilly Hall.

UCD Ad Astra Academy scholars receive specialised supports to develop their talents, individual academic mentoring, a programme of specific Academy activities and a bursary covering fee remission, reduction of on-campus accommodation costs, and a stipend.

“The UCD Ad Astra Academy offers unique opportunities and supports to a diverse group of high-achieving and highly talented students,” said the Registrar and Deputy President of UCD and Director of the UCD Ad Astra Academy, Professor Mark Rogers.

“The university recognises exceptional students when they join, as well as those who develop their talents while studying … Through membership of the Academy, students displaying elite potential to international standards in academic pursuits, sports or performing arts are encouraged and supported to develop their talent further.”

Ad Astra Scholarships are awarded to students when they accept a place in an undergraduate programme or as they progress through their studies at the University, based on subsequent performance.

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international

Cervical Cancer Programme launched during Fresh Start Week

News in Brief

by Catherine Murnane

Free academic e-books for five American universities 400 students from various disciplines across five American universities will be given the opportunity to use free e-books as part of their academic studies. This pilot initiative, which has already proven successful in schools such as Indiana University, aims to provide a straightforward, cost-efficient way for students to attain access to academic reading materials.

The Associate Vice-President of the University of Virginia, Michael McPherson, welcomed not only the economic, but also academic advantages of using e-books instead of printed textbooks. Mr McPherson noted that through the use of e-books, “instructors can annotate portions of the text for all students to see, and can enable students to share their annotations with the class”.

Students involved in the scheme will be provided with e-texts formatted by McGrawHill, which can then be accessed by the Courseload reader from any computer, smartphone or tablet. The Courseload software also allows for students to print a hardcopy of the e-text for a fee, should they wish to do so.

Should the pilot scheme prove successful, the universities involved will consider introducing this model on a permanent basis, with students paying a discounted fee for access to the software and the materials it provides.

The students taking part in this pilot scheme are currently studying at the University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Virginia, Cornell University and the University of California Berkeley.

UCLA keeping theft at bay In response to high rates of laptop theft at the University of California, Los Angeles, a new, free and updated form of security has been introduced to protect students from further theft.

The decision was made in response to statistics released by the University’s Police Department, UCPD, which stated that 160 laptops had been reported as stolen by students in 2011.

This security software is made up of a variety of new features, such as a GPS tracking system, which is activated and controlled by the individual student themselves. When a laptop is stolen, the owner can activate an alarm on the laptop, which causes a siren to resonate from the sound system when it is turned on.

The owner also has the option of locking down their laptop from another computer if they feel that their personal information is at risk.

The new software provides for laptops that are mislaid by displaying the owner’s contact information on the login screen, in an attempt to assure the return of the laptop to its original owner.

Though the new software can be downloaded free of charge by students and staff alike, the university will pay $5,000 a year for its upkeep. This fee is currently being covered by the Office of Insurance and Risk Management, who are expected to continue covering the costs for the next number of years.

Mr Adams is confident that as the number of users of the software increases, the less UCLA will be targeted by thieves.

UBC Vancouver seeks to strengthen its non-academic misconduct policy UBC Vancouver has begun to implement new procedures to ensure that their students act responsibly not only in their studies, but also socially. The decision was made in light of the success of a new approach to discipline, which has already been implemented on the campus of UBC Okanagan.

This new approach to discipline bypasses the formal hearing procedure that exists under the current model, providing students with the opportunity to accept responsibility for their actions themselves. Students will now liaise with a representative from the Vice President’s Student Office, where they will be given the opportunity to consider ways to make amends for their actions. University Counsel at UBC, Hubert Lai, is confident that ninety per cent of cases will be capable of being dealt with under this model.

However, more severe cases will also be provided for under the newly created ‘President’s Non-Academic Misconduct Committee’. This committee, whose members consist mainly of students, will take on a much more investigative approach into the issues at hand than the previous hearing committee, which took on a ‘prosecutor – defender’ format.

Although the majority of academics at UBC have welcomed the new procedures, students have expressed concerns that under these new procedures, those who display more remorse will be shown more leniency. “Who knows if they will be stimulated to do exactly what they did again?”, questioned a fourth year student at the college.

It is hoped that the new policy will be formally introduced in September 2012.

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

by Niamh Hynes

February 25th saw the launch of the Cervical Cancer Vaccine Programme in UCD as a part of Fresh Start Week, which took place on campus for the first time last week. The vaccination is being offered for €299, which stands at close to a fifty per cent discount.

Fresh Start Week was held as an expansion of Health Week, which was held in previous years. It was moved to the start of the year in recognition of students making New Year’s Resolutions.

Students’ Union Welfare Officer, Rachel Breslin explained that the week was divided into four sections: healthy

Competitors warm up for Fresh Start Week’s wheelchair basketball game eating, exercise, sexual health, and mental health in order to cover the various resolutions students had undertaken; the objective behind this was to “help students pick one or more of these areas and help them make and keep a healthy habit in that area, or even to give them an idea for a kick-start to a healthier 2012.”

The events organised for Fresh Start Week included wheelchair basketball, a movie night for first years,

and a campus-wide survey on sex and sexual health. “The Welfare Crew gave out fresh fruit, there was a live cookery demonstration in the Student Centre with the Health Promotions Committee and a talk by Bodywhys”. A Harry Potter themed quiz was held, which attracted 300 students and raised €1,200 for Bodywhys.

Student feedback from the week has been positive according to Breslin, “I have had several students come in

Photographer: Rachel Breslin to me because something in the week highlighted and raised awareness on an issue that they themselves are affected by or suffering from, and they hadn’t known who to talk about it to before.”

There are plans for a road safety week and an information campaign aiming to help students secure a parttime job at the end of the year. The next Welfare campaign to be launched is Sexual Health, Awareness and Guidance (SHAG) Week.

UCD hosts first CAO Information Clinic

BY Sara Holbrook

Belfield FM will lose the support of the Students’ Union if the new Constitution passes its referendum See front page for full story

NovaUCD company shortlisted for Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Award

by Sara Holbrook

UCD spin-out company based in NovaUCD, Wattics Ltd, was announced as a finalist for the Application of Research and Development category in the Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards 2012 last Friday.

Wattics has developed a “smarter metering system”, which manages a business’ energy consumption using a single metering sensor clipped onto the main electricity switchboard. This system can be used to identify the energy use of individual appliances or machines, allowing businesses to identify energy inefficiencies and take measures to significantly reduce their electricity bills.

Dr Antonio Ruzzelli, Anthony Schoofs and Alex Sintoni founded the company as a spin-out from UCD’s School of Computer Science and Informatics, and the CLARITY Centre for Web Sensor Technologies. Jurys Hotel Group, KPMG, OPW and Norfish Ltd are currently among Wattics’ clients.

Co-founder & CEO Dr Antonio Ru-

zzelli expressed his delight at reaching the final, “being shortlisted for the Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards 2012 is a fantastic team achievement. It recognises and validates the hard work and dedication of everyone associated with the establishment of our young Irish start-up company. Wattics is a game changer in the energy management market and aims to be rolled out worldwide. Our unique and powerful software technology is currently saving thousands of euro for our clients.”

He continued by explaining the benefits and accessibility of the system, “it can be applied in businesses around the world to assist them in understanding, managing and ultimately reducing their energy consumption. It requires no complex retrofitting, no appliance sub-metering and no wiring. A single clip-on meter or sensor combined with Wattics’ software technology is all that is needed.”

The Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards seek to acknowledge and further the best service,

product or operational innovations in Ireland. Shortlisted finalists receive a €10,000 communications package in Innovation Magazine and an iPad with a one year subscription to the Irish Times ePaper. The overall winner will receive a communications and advertising package worth €150,000.

InterTradeIreland Strategy and Policy Director, Aidan Gough stated, “companies that embrace an ongoing culture of innovation are more likely to grow and to sustain growth. The high standard and diverse range of entries to this year’s awards from public and private sectors, and from businesses of all sizes, is extremely encouraging and evidence that innovation as a growth process is being embraced by more and more businesses across the island … These awards honour those who are leading the way with their pioneering work.”

Winners in each category, as well as an overall winner who will be selected from the six category winners, will be announced at a ceremony on February 28th.

UCD hosted a CAO Information Clinic on January 21st. This is the first year this type of event was held, and it was attended by approximately 350 students.

Both mature and second level students participated in the day, with UCD staff present to answer questions before the CAO application closes on February 1st. Programme stands were set up to give students course-specific guidance. Three sessions were held throughout the day – a morning session for mature students and two afternoon sessions for school leavers.

UCD Registrar, Prof. Mark Rogers, introduced each of the sessions, and this was followed by a presentation from Irish Times correspondent Brian Mooney and talks by UCD staff.

Student Recruitment Manager, Kathy Murphy, explained that the event was held to allow students to get firsthand help with the CAO application process. “A lot of times mature students want to come in, for a one-to-one and maybe have a chat with admissions, and that’s what really drove us and then we decided to open up the second and third session for school leavers.”

Ms. Murphy stated that the mature student session was “extremely well attended” and explained that there was no plan for the event to be held on a larger scale as the lower numbers “meant [students] could come in, sit down and go through their personal queries and they were being answered.

That’s very valuable for people who have that type of query.”

Many students from outside of Dublin, as well as several international students, attended the event. “We were surprised, I suppose with one or two coming from both Europe and England because it was only really a session for an hour and a half … it wasn’t an Open Day as such.”

Overall, the pilot event was considered “very successful … and [we] would be encouraged to do it again.”The society plans to send more teams to the championships again next year, when it will be taking place in Berlin.

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The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Observer Features features@observer.ie

Island Politics

Fifty years after Seán Lemass opened negotiations with the European Union’s predecessor, Matt Gregg explores Ireland’s continental relations

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reland is facing a potentially pivotal moment in its relatively short history, as it seeks to balance national interests with attempts to find its place in a European Union struck by crisis. Years of incredible Irish growth and development, no doubt boosted by European integration, have come to a grinding halt, to be replaced by austerity measures and re-emerging questions concerning the legitimacy of outside interference.

Common politics are not a possibility according to Coughlan, who maintains that the EU can never truly be democratic and is a product of a bygone era. “Essentially, it should be seen as a Cold War creature and a result of the situation after World War Two, where the larger continental powers tried to recover prestige they lost by joining together to become a big noise in world politics that they could not be individually,” he says. “That’s all out of date and irrelevant now, and so is the European Union.” He continues, “There is a totally fallacious argument that, for people to matter in the world, they need to belong to a large state” which drives European integration and, in turn, leaves European states open to exploitation by their larger neighbours.

“The relationship between Europeanisation and national identity is terribly important.

If you look closely at Ireland, there is a tension between the sovereignists and those open to multiple identities”

“Who listens to Luxembourg or Croatia or Ireland in global politics?

They are listened to because they are key players within the EU”

Paul Gillespie, former Irish Times European Correspondent & UCD lecturer

Paul Gillespie, former Irish Times European correspondent and UCD lecturer in Politics, says that Ireland’s approach to the European Union, under its various guises, has always been governed by both Anglo-Irish relations, as well as “a European dimension to Irish nationalism.” Gillespie believes that Sean Lemass’s opening of negotiations for European membership in 1962 was motivated both by a desire to avoid becoming isolated from Britain, who had opened negotiations in 1961, and also from a natural tendency to look to Europe as a “counter-balance to Britain.”

Political motivations behind Ireland’s involvement in European affairs cannot be ignored yet, then as now, economic concerns were also a key driver towards integration. Daniel Thomas, Director of UCD’s Dublin European Institute, outlines Ireland’s reliance on trade with Britain as the overriding concern for the Irish government. “[Ireland] had political independence decades earlier but there was still economic dependence on Great Britain, and joining the economic community was a way to diversify Ireland’s markets,” he says, while also pointing out that, if Ireland had not followed Britain’s lead in joining this European market, Anglo-Irish trade could have suffered significantly. “In terms of the economic welfare of Irish citizens, there is no question that being a member of the EU was a huge consideration for all these multinational corporations that have been investing in Ireland for the last twenty-five years.”

The primacy of economic reasons and Anglo-Irish relations is echoed by Anthony Coughlan, former lecturer at Trinity and director of the National Platform for EU Research and Information Centre, a non-governmental, openly ‘Eurosceptical’ organization.

However he, in contrast, believes that the levels of integration today go far beyond what Lemass could have envisaged, and are at the root of Ireland’s current financial woes. “Lemass was in a difficult position as we were heavily dependent on Britain at the time,” he says. “But I am fairly certain that he didn’t envisage that the EU would develop the way that it has, into running most of our policies and now proposing the exchange of intimate details con-

Daniel Thomas,

Taoiseach Minister Enda Kenny addresses a press conference at the end of a summit of the EU heads of State in Brussels

cerning national budgets in the context of a monetary union.”

The current Eurozone crisis has been used by Coughlan and many others who have taken a consistently Eurosceptic stance, to suggest that membership of the European Union is not in Ireland’s best interest. Coughlan argues that the loss of control over monetary matters is the most evident manner in which European policy has hurt Ireland.

“Our extremely competitive independent Irish currency prior to joining the Eurozone gave us the Celtic Tiger.

The loss of control over our interest rate made our Celtic Tiger boom and turned it into a bubble which burst and caused the consequent slump,” he says.

“The European Central Bank forbade us to let any Irish bank go bust and therefore required us to pass on the bad debts to the Irish taxpayers. This was the result of European Central Bank policy and an independent Irish government would not have gone down

Director of UCD’s Dublin European Institute

misrepresented and, arguably, mis- particularly at a time when Irish citimanaged Ireland’s economy during the zens are being asked to make substanboom years. tial sacrifices. Thomas does admit that Thomas disagrees and instead arGillespie also highlights national “there are certain ways in which Euro- gues that state size does matter. He begovernment policy as a contributing pean decision-making is far removed lieves that European states “recognise factor to Ireland’s precarious posi- from democratic input and democratic they are better off operating through a tion, particularly the effect neglect- expression.” Nevertheless, he does not European structure than going it alone. ing alliances with similarly sized EU believe that this pooling of sovereignty Who listens to Luxembourg or Croatia states had on negotiations within the necessarily equates to a loss of sov- or Ireland in global politics? They are EU. “The network of alliances that are ereignty. Highlighting that the EU is listened to because they are key playnecessary for a small state to be heard democratic in many other regards, he ers within the EU.” This becomes even in a European setting fell away during argues that the EU also has the poten- more important due to Ireland’s geo2001/2002, coinciding with the prop- tial to be far more democratic, if mem- graphic location. “Participation in Euerty boom really,” he says. “This is a ber states and their citizens become ropean integration has been very good big problem because [these alliances] better acquainted with the system. for Ireland and it doesn’t have good ensure that, if you’re getting deeper “I think the most important thing is viable alternatives,” Thomas says. “A integration, there is a balance between to make European citizens, including small island in the Atlantic somewhere the institutions that suited the smaller our citizens, better informed about the between Europe and the United States states and the emerging system.” Re- EU, because they often do not realise is not a place you want to be. It may be gardless of who is to blame, the Euro- how voters have influence,” he says. a place you want to go to on holiday but zone project is teetering close to col- “Irish citizens are represented directly in terms of economic welfare and polapse. Negotiations concerning a fiscal through the European parliament, they litical influence, that’s not a place you pact continue but it remains unclear if are indirectly represented through the want to be.” The consequence of this is the Euro can survive into the next year. government of Ireland in the two most that, even were the EU to collapse unThe prospect of a Eurozone collapse important institutions for EU decision- der its current guise, he argues that “it is welcomed by Coughlan, who views making, but the average Irish citizen, will be re-invented.” just like the average French or German Although sharing Thomas’s confior Spanish or Polish citizen, see the EU dence of the EU’s ability to ride out “Our extremely competitive independent Irish as a collection of Eurocrats [who are] the current crisis, Gillespie offers currency prior to joining the Eurozone gave us overpaid, faceless and tell us the shape some words of warning. “If the euro our cucumbers should be.” fails, you’re in for a period of very the Celtic Tiger. The loss of control over our Concurring, Gillespie argues that toxic politics in Europe,” he muses. interest rate made our Celtic Tiger boom and Ireland requires greater involvement at “I’m not saying that there will autoa European level than ever before and, matically be a return to 1930s type of turned it into a bubble which burst and caused in contrast to Coughlan, believes that politics but there will be large scale the consequent slump” common politics at a European level instability, which is dangerous for can help create a genuine European small states, including us. We’re betthe loss of monetary controls Eurozone identity. “The relationship between ter to stay with this and argue our membership enforced, no matter its af- Europeanisation and national identity case through it, but argue it more vofects on the economy, as symptomatic is terribly important. If you look close- cally and openly, and help to create of the manner in which membership of ly at Ireland, there is a tension between a better political framework, within Anthony the EU conflicts with Irish democracy. the sovereignists and those open to which this kind of common politics Coughlan, He argues that with Irish law increas- multiple identities. Part of the conflict can emerge.”

Director of the ingly initiated at the EU level, an arena we have over integration is between It goes without saying that the Platform for where “Irish people make up only a these two political cultures.” legacy of British rule guarantees an EU Research & Information tiny handful,” the EU suffers from a As Ireland looks to establish its fu- Irish aversion to outsider interference.

Centre democratic deficit that de-legitimises ture EU position, Gillespie is keen to Nevertheless, the truth of the matter the structure. emphasise that this crisis cannot be is that Ireland, by virtue of its small “This is not democracy,” he says. combated without more “common poli- size, cannot cocoon itself from the outthat road.”

“Democracy requires a demos, a people tics at a European level. I think we’re in side world and its policies will always For Thomas, national governments who can identify with the community a major shift ... we need more capacity be shaped externally to some degree. are just as culpable for the current and communicate with each other. The at a European level because, arguably, Whether it must look to Britain or Eucrisis as any supranational interfer- most obvious point is that there is no bureaucratic structures have been cre- rope, Irish policy choices will be conence. “For years, national governments common language to communicate ated without political ones.” Although strained to a large extent by matters took credit when things went right and through [at a European level]. This cre- not suggesting that Europe become a beyond national borders. As the EU blamed Brussels when things went ates the fundamental flaw of the Euro- federal construct, Gillespie feels the approaches its next major crossroads wrong. That pattern is now coming pean project in that there is no Euro- EU must “be made more politically ac- in the form of a fiscal treaty, Britain is back to haunt us because people don’t pean demos and there therefore can be cessible if you want to be a democrat. taking an increasingly sovereignist posee the way in which Europe is use- no European democracy.”

You really encourage democratic par- sition and resisting deeper integration. ful,” he says, pointing to the manner in The issue of democracy is problem- ticipation by enabling people to have a Ireland must now decide whether it folwhich Irish government officials often atic and is certainly worth exploring, more common politics.” lows suit.

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features

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Democracy in action With trust in the Irish political system at an alltime low, Jason Quigley explores attempts by the political initiative We the Citizens to introduce greater citizen involvement

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n a time when political apathy and distrust is widespread, one “[The aim was] engagproposed method of increasing with citizens so ing political participation is to that they become increase individual citizens’ involvement via citizens’ assemblies. Trainformed of the ditionally met with scepticism by Irish nuances, difficulties politicians, a group of Irish professors created the initiative We the Citizens and complexities of and successfully applied for substantial particular issues, and funding from Atlantic Philanthropy.

Cullen continued, “I was grouped Their experiment set out to see if inthen take informed with roughly eight or nine other parcreased citizen participation through decisions” ticipants plus the moderator. The other assemblies could increase trust in participants represented quite a varithe political system and help citizens ety of age groups; I was certainly the shape Ireland for the better. youngest in my group, while the others The citizens’ assembly that We the ranged from people in their thirties, to Citizens proposed followed a system the middle-aged, to retired people.” Of in use in several other countries where, the moderators he said they “made sure according to Professor David Farrell, that no one person dominated discusHead of UCD’s School of Politics, “You sion, brought people into the discussion engage with citizens directly in a botProf. David if they hadn’t spoken in a while, and also tom-up process where citizens have a Farrell, UCD made sure that we never wandered too direct involvement in helping to take School of Politics far from the core topics we were supdecisions that are important.” Citizens posed to be talking about.” Of the diswould be called into such assemblies cussion he felt that “the dialogue at the to decide on a particular issue in a particular time frame. Examples cited by political and economic problems, and assembly was generally positive. Most Professor Farrell included allocation on how we can improve the system people were articulating reasonable, reof a portion of local government bud- under which we’re governed.” They alisable and constructive points.”

Professor Farrell explained there gets in Brazilian communities, and an discussed both broad and specific topelectoral reform proposal in British Co- ics and as the discussion proceeded, are several factors key to ensuring a lumbia. “a moderator would record all of the citizens’ assembly is a constructive and Steven Cullen, a student participant, points brought up, and we were also all useful process. The first of these is the commuted from Raheny to Tallaght as given markers to use on the table’s pa- selection of participants, that they are a volunteer assemblyman in order to per tablecloth so we could write down “randomly selected, because the altertake part in one pilot. “I was required any points or ideas that we had which native of electing them, or of letting the to take part in round table discussions didn’t come up in the discussion - mod- citizens represent sectors, or interests, based largely around trying to come erators photographed all of these table- either of those alternatives, introduces the dangers of entryism, and the whole up with practical solutions to Ireland’s cloths at the end of the event.”

process being hijacked. Random selection cuts that out immediately.” By using such random selection they prevent existing organisations from exploiting the citizens’ assembly for their own ends.

His second point was regarding the use of expert witnesses. “Clearly if you’re randomly selecting, you’re going to have huge variations in skill set of those citizens, particularly on whatever issue it is you’re talking about. And that’s exactly what we had in We the Citizens – which created an important role for expert witnesses.” These experts would be “engaging with citizens so that they become informed of the nuances and difficulties and complexities of particular issues, and then take informed decisions.” He spoke specifically of an example in British Columbia where 160 assembly members worked on weekends for a year on possible electoral reform and how “by the end of that process those 160 citizen assembly members were experts on electoral systems, more expert then most political scientists would be.”

His final point is that assemblies must be time delimited, and formed

with a specific purpose. “Once it’s done its job it ceases to exist. We’re not talking about a third house of the Oireachtas, we’re talking about a one-off process and it’s set up for a purpose and made very clear from the get-go what that purpose is, so that the members have no false illusions about what their job is.” None of these assemblies exist in perpetuity, which ensures a high level of motivation on the part of participants.

We the Citizens has performed its experiment, and has now dissolved since submitting its report to the government, but the question of greater citizen involvement remains open.

The group behind the initiative are continuing to lobby for the use of citizens’ assemblies, particularly for the constitutional convention the government has committed itself to. Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Minister Brendan Howlin were both present to receive the We the Citizens report. Professor Farrell felt that it was too soon to say what the government’s response would be to their proposals, but he did feel, at least, that “both ministers gave a very positive vibe.”

Ignorance and Neglect On the eve of Rosa Parks Day, George Morahan looks at contemporary racial and cultural relations this side of the Atlantic

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n recent years, Ireland has made a sharp turn towards multiculturalism. For a nation that has been perceived as unanimously white, both by foreign observers and its own indigenous population, Ireland has become more diverse at a rapid rate and has an increasingly large immigrant population.

Institutionally at least, Ireland is probably one of the most liberal and welcoming nations in the western world, and the increase in immigration to this country can be put down to its lenient immigration laws (in tandem with a formerly burgeoning economy). Professor Bryan Fanning of UCD’s School of Applied Social Sciences points out that “we don’t have far-right parties, we don’t have anti-immigrant political movements and that kind of thing. In a sense, basically, our politics is such that racial tension doesn’t find expression.” However, according to Prof. Fanning’s research, the problem of racism in Ireland is one of a series of isolated incidents, including people “who were terrified out of their houses, spat on and beaten up.

One black African bus driver described multiculturalism. The closure of the how he was urinated on from above by National Consultative Committee on passengers in a very racially-motivated Racism and Interculturalism in 2008 incident.” UCD Students’ Union Science due to government cutbacks only reinProgramme Officer, Chris Wong, regu- forces this tenet. larly hears of racial hate crimes from Martin Collins, Assistant Director his mother, who is heavily involved in of travellers’ rights organisation, Pathe Chinese-Irish community. “Eigh- vee Point, believes that there have been teen friends of hers have been robbed “various attempts to polarise the two in the past three months. She tried to communities – the traveller commuget the Gardaí to help her in setting up nity and the new, immigrant communia prevention scheme and they were very ties – and people have actually said to unreceptive.” me, ‘we should be looking after travelDespite such incidents of hostil- lers; they are our own people; they are ity between white Irish people and citizens of Ireland, and we shouldn’t citizens or settlers of other races, the be looking after these new communiissue of racism in an increasingly mul- ties.’ ... Suddenly, we have people comticultural nation is not prevalent in ing out of the woodwork, suggesting we the public consciousness. Indeed, the should look after our own first.” Collins Irish people took away the birthright goes on to state that the traveller comof the children of non-nationals born munity has been living on the island of in Ireland to Irish citizenship in a 2004 Ireland for 1,200 years. It seems the referendum, with 79.17 per cent voting recent acceptance of his community to amend the constitution as such. It by the settled people is perceived as an is clear that, for now, Ireland wants to attempt at uniting white Irish against retain its self-image as a white, Catho- ethnic minorities. However, a 2010 lic people, and is resistant to embrac- report by Micheál Mac Gréil, entitled ing the new, if unexpected realities of ‘The Emancipation of the Travelling

People’ illustrated that travellers were late last year would surely paint some still “one of the most despised and ex- Irish politicians as indifferent to imcluded groups in this society.” migrant rights. However, what is more The deduction has to be made that damning of Irish politicians is the dethe settled, white, Catholic Irish per- gree of civility with which the rhetoric son still conceptualises the Irish people and public debate on the issues of racas being identical to them racially, reli- ism and immigration are characterised giously and socio-economically. It’s an – a nation contented with the current abstract notion, but one that finds some standing of the population’s newest outlet in daily life, and Wong has had to members, unwilling to recognise the confront it from time to time. “A lot of antagonism many of them face on a people don’t believe that I am an Irish daily basis. citizen; I have to prove it to them. A lot For a nation with widespread emiof time I don’t, because I’m already so gration so engrained in its shared culpissed off with them.” At the same time tural history, one would believe that Irehowever, Prof. Fanning believes that land would be welcoming of newcomers, “people who are Irish citizens tend to be intent on righting the wrongs their anof the same ethnic group, and perhaps cestors faced in the New World. And there is a degree of what I call ‘ethnic while, legally at least, we are hospitable nepotism’ towards themselves over of those who seek residence here, social others, and that tends to be something and political structures refuse to make we find in other societies.” ethnic minorities, and especially immiThis failure of the white Irish and grants, feel anything more than hostilimmigrant communities to integrate ity or indifference. UCD President Hugh amicably, combined with the relative Brady has taken steps to amend this in apathy of the state and its practices, aiming for international students to points to a continued status of anonym- make-up twenty-five per cent of UCD’s ity for immigrants. The concerns of student body by 2015, which, as Chris immigrants will not be properly taken Wong, the only non-white UCDSU repcare of until they have some kind of resentative correctly states, is “highstake in our political system, and that lighting the fact that we need a more distarts with enfranchisement. It is an verse student body more than anything.” endemic problem facing immigrants With that said, it is a proactive step. Is it that Prof. Fanning labels ‘benign ne- however, a move born out of a dire need glect’. “Political parties are indifferent to enhance UCD’s reputation? Almost to immigrants, they aren’t represent- certainly, nonetheless, it is a racially ining them. There’s a vacuum here, and clusive move, and a similar one should it’s one of leadership. I think the poli- be taken at a national level, according ticians who say nothing on such issues to Professor Fanning. “The government [such as the Darren Scully controversy] should become more proactive in natuare also, basically, not representing ralising people who have been here a their constituents.” very long time, because their children The comments and actions of for- are growing up here and so on. Govmer mayor of Naas, Darren Scully, to- ernments have a duty to be proactive in wards his black African constituents their leadership in these issues.”

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

features

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What’s in a Name?

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midst the cut-backs and funding crisis throughout third level education, the government’s proposal to upgrade certain Institutes of Technology (IT) to technological universities has been met with a lot of criticism and a unanimous outcry from the country’s seven university presidents. Suggested in the Hunt Report, this move could see a whole new type of university emerge with a different focus from traditional institutions.

Regions where the suggested reforms are being considered include the Southeast (Carlow and Tralee ITs), the Border Midland and Western (BMW) region (Athlone, Dundalk, GalwayMayo, Letterkenny, and Sligo ITs), and Dublin (DIT and Tallaght IT). The idea has also received strong support from several senior Cabinet figures, including Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, who represent Kilkenny and Wexford in the Dáil.

Athlone Institute of Technology President, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin, explains the ambitions of the project. “We are looking to create a differentiated institution, one that will be known for the excellence of its teaching and learning, and for its close collaboration with industry.

Such a technological university will be much more than the sum of its parts, it will be a powerful agent of change in higher education for all the communities and stakeholders involved.”

However, the plan is still in its infancy according to Higher Education Authority spokesperson Malcolm Byrne. “First of all there’s no decision that has been made about giving university status to anybody yet. What’s provided for in the National Strategy for Higher Education, the Hunt Report, is for the concept of a technological university and it’s essentially a university along the lines as we know it but it would be more focused on technology and indeed industry.

“What has happened is that the HEA has drawn up the criteria for what that technological university should be.

Those criteria will be published in February and it will then be up to either individual institutions or groups of institutions to come together and to apply to become a technological university,” he says. “It’s not just going to be a name change from X Institute of Technology to X Technological University, they will have to meet the very rigorous standards that will be set out and that will be checked by both an Irish panel and an international panel … if it’s determined that they reach the standards that are set out in the criteria then a recommendation will come from the panel that the combination would be able to be a technological university.”

The debate on what exactly these

“Such a technological university will be much more than the sum of its parts; it will be a powerful agent of change in higher education for all the communities and stakeholders involved”

AIT President, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin

criteria will be is ongoing, and rumoured to now be involving various ministers. So far it has been accepted that the new universities would be expected to move away from the arts and humanities courses and focus on technology and the sciences. But what actually is the difference between a university of the type that currently exists, and one that is ‘technological’?

Gerard Casey, UCD Professor of

Following mooted plans to upgrade the status of Institutes of Technology, Sally Hayden explores the ramifications for Ireland’s Higher Education system

Athlone Institute of Technology

Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Carlow Institute of Technology

Dublin Institute of Technology

Sligo Institute of Technology

Dundalk Institute of Technology

Philosophy, is sceptical of what he says Assurances by Byrne that “the stanis politically-fuelled “creeping univer- dards that would be expected in acasityitus” and claims there has always demic terms would be the same as any been a fundamental gap between the other university” lend weight to this two kinds of institutions. He says appraisal. that one of the traditional variations Outside of the debate over educahas always been in the way a student tional approach, the way upgraded exis trained to think. “The main differ- isting ITs to university status would ence, let’s say in relation to something benefit rural areas is also something like engineering, because they both do that has been highlighted. Irish univerthat, was that the ITs, whether they’re sities are currently very urban-centric, designed to do this or not, were produc- and there has long been a desire by ing people who were employment-fit some to alter this. It is hoped that new almost immediately. That is to say they university status will promote and defitted into the existing employment velop rural regions, not only by keeping structure, they went out into the job students in the area, but also through market with the skills they needed for the work that they hope to carry out. that job market. The difference [with] “How a BMW Technology Univera university education, however, in en- sity will best serve the needs of this gineering is that you’re training people region is at the heart of our discusto devise the solutions to problems that sions,” according to Dundalk Institute don’t yet exist.” of Technology President, Denis CumThe proposed promotion then seems mins. “Research and innovation that at variance with a view President Mi- supports indigenous and multinational chael Higgins echoed last week when speaking about the “intellectual crisis” “The standards that he believes Ireland is facing. He spoke about the special role of the university, would be expected in “And were universities not special places, academic terms would the citizens of the future may ask, for the generation of alternatives in science, be the same as any culture and philosophy? The universiother university” ties have a great challenge in the questions that are posed now, questions that are beyond ones of a narrow utility.”

Higher However Professor Joe Carthy, Education principle of the UCD College of SciAuthority ence, does not agree that technological spokesperson university can’t make a contribution Malcolm Byrne to thought and development. “I think there’s a good tradition of technical universities in other countries, in Ger- industry will be central to its operation, many and in the United States, the best which will be a catalyst for job creation. known being Massachusetts Institute This will build on our substantial track of Technology (MIT) and no one would record of supporting enterprise.” dispute its contribution to global eduYet research is another topic that cation so I wouldn’t be too concerned. causes controversy. Byrne says that I think university status would mean “One of the requirements [of becoming that the university academics would a university] is in the area of research have the freedom to do the kind of re- and there is that issue between research that they need to do. I think, and search and learning, so those criteria one assumes, that they would be able are going to have to be set out. I’m not for excellence in their areas.” going to pre-empt what the criteria are

“Has anybody thought this through? We’re being systematically cut in here, right now we literally have an embargo on tea and biscuits ... soon they’ll have us out cleaning the floor”

Professor Gerard Casey

because they still need publication, but obviously research would be one of them. Clearly anyone who wishes to apply for designation as a technological university would have to reach or exceed the criteria that [are] set out.”

If the extra funding required to research and publish is considered, Casey believes that these reforms don’t make sense right now. He points out the much larger teaching involvement in ITs means that they currently don’t have time to research, and questions whether the new dispensation would result in more staff being required to provide time to do both. “It’s not like waving your magic wand, like Cinderella’s fairy godmother turning the mice into horses, it doesn’t quite work like that. You have to think it through. It’s a change in emphasis, it’s a change in what you do. A significant change. It’s not just a name, it’s a different reality.”

He passionately outlines the real crux of the issue as he sees it. “Has anybody thought this through? We’re being systematically cut in here, right now we literally have an embargo on tea and biscuits ... soon they’ll have us out cleaning the floor. The universities in Ireland are plummeting down the rankings for whatever they’re worth, which is not much as far as I’m concerned. The bottom is falling out of the market. There’s an embargo here on buying books for the library. We cannot buy books for our library. This is in a research institution. It’s pathetic.”

Carthy, while supportive of the overall idea, echoes this sentiment. “There’s

Institute of Technology, Tallaght

Tralee Institute of Technology

almost an implicit thing that it’s not going to cost anything, and it’s difficult to believe that that could be the situation ... Some people kind of think it’s almost like you’re just changing the name plates, like the current institutes become universities and there’s no cost change. I suspect that’s not the case.”

He continued by saying that there was a certain snobbishness associated with gaining university status and that the plan could affect CAO choices, even if no structural or budgetary changes were introduced. University status, even as just a name, can affect an institution’s ability to attract top students.

It is likely that real reform will require investment in existing ITs and the question is, do we need to spend to aid recovery? In a joint press release by the Presidents of DIT, IT Tallaght and IT Blanchardstown it is suggested that perhaps these new institutions would respond to what Ireland is currently lacking, which could in turn aid the economy. “In the context of Ireland’s national recovery plan, we will work towards building a new and exciting civic and technological institution, providing a world-class experience for our students, and developing graduates who will respond to the needs of society.”

However the issue of cost will not simply disappear. The exact criteria for the upgrades will be revealed in February, when we can expect the funding debate to reach a climax. Technological universities exist successfully worldwide, and lend to the production of a more diverse and skilled workforce.

The benefit that would be brought to rural areas is also undeniable, but it is a sad fact that in Ireland education cannot function or compete internationally without substantial money coming in. Without funding these new technological universities could not get off the ground and into the rankings. Without substantial funding and genuine re-organisation, a superficial change in label will do little to paper over the cracks emerging across the Irish higher education system.

8

features

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Postcards from Abroad

Toronto

T

his New Year has been a time of firsts. It was the first time I missed a flight, from London back to Canada. This is definitely something I never want to repeat for the sake of both my sanity and my wallet. International flights are not cheap, and spending twenty-four hours in an airport is not anyone’s idea of fun. In fact it’s pretty awful. Without a few hours of BBC’s Sherlock, and a season of Breaking Bad, I don’t think I would have made it.

Still, make it back to Canada I did, albeit a bit later than intended, just in time for another few firsts. My first Canadian winter, followed by my first night in the hospital, and my first set of stitches. These firsts are all related.

Originally I was quite enjoying the Canadian winter. I’ve been lucky in that it has been rather mild here, practically still summer up until the new year, and even now that winter has arrived temperatures have been nowhere as low as they have been in the past. It has

been snowing, which I love because we get far too little snow in Ireland, but it has not been at all heavy by Canadian standards. As a result, I haven’t had to acquire much in the line of winter wear. My incredible landlord bought me a winter coat for my birthday, and apart from that I had been told to buy a “tuque” and winter boots to be fully protected against the cold.

If you’re confused by the word tuque, do not be alarmed. I had no idea what it was when someone first mentioned it to me. In fact, after asking a few Canadians and even looking it up online I am still fairly confused. Everyone who mentioned this mythical piece of winter attire had either different views on what constituted a tuque, or had no idea whatsoever. The only real headway I’ve made is that it seems to be a term for a hat. Why not just use the word hat then? Crazy Canadians. In the end I just got a hat. I also decided against the winter boots.

That was a mistake, and possibly

On his return to Canada after the winter break, Niall Spain is keen to hit the ground running

why I ended up in hospital.

Canadians are so efficient at clearing the snow away that it’s easy to just take for granted that a path will be completely free of snow, or indeed ice, wherever you go. After two weeks of this I got a bit relaxed, and was fully unprepared for that almost invisible patch of ice. Being without winter boots and thus without much grip on

my shoes, I fell pretty spectacularly. I managed to break my fall on a nearby wall but only with my head, hence my first hospital trip and five stitches in my forehead.

Still, despite those minor disasters, things have been great. I may have an everlasting hatred for Gatwick Airport, but the first semester in Canada ended in fine style. I had a great Christmas

with my family and friends, and I’m thrilled to be back. The new college term has been eventful, highlighting in particular an aspect of Canadian society that we really don’t seem to exploit in Ireland: themed parties.

Consider this; in the past week I have been to a Lego party (where you play with lots of Lego), a Nintendo party (fancy dress with a Nintendo theme), and then there’s a Blanket Fort party on Friday (we’re turning a friend’s apartment into a giant blanket fort - how spectacular is that?). Last semester there were many others, from the run-of-the-mill Toga parties to the more risqué ABC parties (Anything But Clothes). Even better is the fact that everyone takes the themes pretty seriously. There’s nothing worse than people showing up in normal clothes at a fancy dress party. It’s just not on.

I find these themed parties spice up going out in a great way. The variety is amazing, and you not only have the fun of preparing for these parties yourself, but also of arriving and getting to see what everyone else did too. These should happen more at home.

Stitches and themed parties aside, life in Canada continues as normal.

My landlord consistently buys me lunch, despite my attempts to evade his charity, and in return asks only that I teach him how to use the Internet and his new Blackberry Tablet. He is eighty, and has never used a computer before. It’s been an experience. The only worry I have is that my facicious use of the word ‘eh’ (pronounced ‘ay?’), seems to be becoming less and less of a joke. Canada is contagious. You’ve been warned.

Luíonn siad chomh maith go gcuireann an tacaíocht mhór atá ag an PNA, agus an easpa tacaíochta do na Coimeádaigh agus na Daonlathaithe Liobrálacha in Albain, go bhfuil an ceart ag Parlaimint na hAlban an reifreann a eagrú, agus nach bhfuil ag an rialtas in Westminster.

Tá baol ann do na trí mhórpháirtí in Westminster, agus iad ag eagrú an fheachtais in aghaidh neamhspleáchais. Dá mbeadh polaiteoirí Sasanacha chun tosaigh san fheachtas, is mór an seans go mbeadh cuma mar fheachtas ‘coilíneach’ atá ar son leasa Shasana,

agus in éadan leasa na hAlban, ar an fheachtas in aghaidh neamhspleáchais.

Is amhlaidh atá seo go háirithe dá mbeadh lámh ar leith ag Coimeádaigh san fheachtas. Tá an Lucht Oibre ag meath le déanaí, agus rinneadh dochar mór do na Daonlathaithe Liobrálacha in Albain sa toghchán anuraidh mar gheall ar a bpáirt i gcomhrialtas leis na Tóraithe in Westminster. Ní dhéanfar maitheas d’íomha an dá pháirtí sin dá gcomhoibreoidís go ródhlúth leis na Coimeádaigh.

Ar a bharr seo, tá i bhfad níos mó gnaoi ag Albanaigh ar Alex Salmond agus an PNA ná ar na páirtithe eile nó a gceannairí, i nDún Éideann nó i Londain. Cé nach bhfuil tromlach glan ar son neamhspleáchais faoi láthair sna pobalbhreitheanna, níl tromlach glan ann in aghaidh neamhspleáchais chomh maith, agus mar thoradh, beidh an cinneadh déanta ag na daoine a deir ‘níl a fhios agam’ faoi láthair, mar iompóidh siad an scála.

Dá vótálfadh Albanaigh ar son neamhspleáchais, bheadh tionchar mór ar an tír seo chomh maith, sa Tuaisceart go háirithe. Síleann a lán Aontachtaithe go bhfuil an ceangal idir iad agus an Bhreatain bunaithe níos mó ar Albain ná ar Shasana. Dá n-imeodh an Albain an Ríocht Aontaithe, bheadh an ceangal idir Tuaisceart Éireann agus fuílleach na Ríochta Aontaithe níos laige, i meon mhórán Aontachtaithe ar aon nós.

Ar a bharr sin, bheadh Tuaisceart Éireann níos iargúlta arís, go tíreolaíoch, sa Ríocht Aontaithe ná mar atá sí faoi láthair. Ní mór an iontas é mar sin go raibh ceannairí aontachtacha, Peter Robinson agus Reg Empey ina measc, ag déanamh ráiteas in éadan neamhspleáchas na hAlban ar na mallaibh. Go híorónta, dá ndeighlfeadh an Bhreatain, mhéadófaí an dóchúlacht go n-aontódh Éire arís.

Cinneadh na nAlbanach Agus Alex Salmond tar éis a fhógairt go bhfuil sé chun reifreann ar neamhspleáchas na hAlban a ghairm in 2014, pléann Niall Mac Taidhg an cúlra stairiúil agus caitheann sé súil chun tosaigh ar an fheachtas féin

I

s tréimhse an-suimiúil i stair na Breataine atá ar siúl faoi láthair, agus feachtas neamhspleáchais ag dul i neart in Albain. Go stairiúil bhí ríocht ar leith idir Albain agus Shasana, agus bhí siad i gcogadh le chéile go rialta. Ach roinn siad an monarc céanna i ndiaidh 1603, nuair a corónaíodh Rí na nAlbanach, Séamas VI, mar Rí Séamas I Shasana i ndiaidh bhás Eilís I. Céad ina dhiaidh, i 1707, aontaíodh an dá ríocht mar Ríocht na Breataine Móire. Ní raibh gnaoi ag muintir na hAlban ar an aontas ag an am. Dúirt Raibeart Burns go raibh Albain “ceannaithe agus díolta d’ór Sasanach.” Ach le linn na trí chéad ina dhiaidh, bhí cuma ar an scéal go raibh Albain, an Bhreatain Bheag agus Sasana sásta in Aontas le chéile, agus go raibh scarúnachas suntasach sa Ríocht Aontaithe gaibhnithe in Éirinn.

Ach ar feadh na 50 bliain seo caite, neartaigh náisiúnachas in Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, agus i 1999, cruthaíodh parlaimintí cineachta i nDún Éideann agus i gCaerdydd. Ba é Páirtí an Lucht Oibre páirtí ceannasach na hAlban le linn an leathchéid seo caite. Tá fuath ar na Tóraithe ag cuid mhór na nAlbanach, mar gheall ar pholasaithe tionsclaíochta Thatcher agus ar an Cháin Cheann go háirithe.

Shíl mórán Albanach go raibh parlaimint dá gcuid féin de dhíth chun an tír a chosaint ó rialtais Choimeádacha in Westminster. Síleann cuid mhór acu gur páirtí ‘Sasanach’ iad na Tóraithe, atá in aghaidh mianta na hAlban, agus faoi láthair níl ach aon fheisire amháin

ag na Coimeádaigh in Albain.

Ach mar gheall ar an ollmhéadú atá tagtha ar thacaíocht do Phàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba (PNA) sna blianta beaga anuas, is cosúil nach bhfuil áit na hAlban sa Ríocht Aontaithe chomh daingean agus a bhíodh. Bhí bua ag an PNA sa toghchán Albanach i 2007, an chéad uair riamh agus iad ina bpáirtí is mó sa tír, cé nach raibh ach suíochán amháin níos mó acu ná a bhí ag an Lucht Oibre.

Bhí rialtas mionlaigh ag an PNA ó 2007 go dtí 2011, agus i dtoghchán na bliana sin bhí bua stairiúil acu. Bhain siad tromlach glan na suíochán, éacht iontach sa chóras ionadaíochta chionmhaire atá i bhfeidhm do Pharlaimint na hAlban, agus d’éirigh ceannairí na trí mórphairtí eile, an Lucht Oibre, na Daonlathaithe Liobrálacha agus na Coimeádaigh, as a bpoist ina dhiaidh. Mar gheall ar seo, is féidir leis an PNA reifreann ar neamhspleáchas a ghairm.

Anois, tá cuma ar an scéal go bhfuil an rialtas in Westminster, atá ina chomhrialtas leis na Coimeádaigh agus na Daonlathaithe Liobrálacha,

ag déanamh iarrachta toirmeasc a dhéanamh ar chuspóirí Alex Salmond, ceannaire an PNA. Mhaígh siad nach bhfuil cumhacht ag Parlaimint na hAlban reifreann ar neamhspleáchas a ghairm, agus cé gur thairg siad an reifreann a éascú, tá amhras ag mórán náisiúnaithe in Albain faoina gcúiseanna.

Síleann siad go seasfaidh Westminster ar dháta an reifrinn – go ndéanfaidh siad iarracht an reifreann a eagrú níos luaithe ná an dáta ba mhaith leis an PNA – agus an cheist bheacht a bheas ar an bhallóid – go ndéanfaidh siad iarracht tríú ceist, maidir le lánfhéinriail fhioscach, a choinneáil ón bhallóid.

Maíonn a lán náisiúnaithe, an PNA ina measc, go bhfuil polaiteoirí Sasanacha ag cur isteach ar ghnóthaí na hAlban mar thoradh. Luíonn siad go raibh gealltanas i bhforógra PNA don toghchán anuraidh reifreann ar neamhspleáchas a ghairm, agus taispeánann an sainordú treascrach a fuair an PNA sa toghchán sin go dtacaíonn muintir na hAlban le polasaí an PNA maidir leis an reifreann.

Gluais: scarúnachas ..................................................................................... separatism cáin cheann .......................................................................................... poll-tax na Tóraithe ...................................................................................... the Tories Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba ......................... Scottish National Party ionadaíocht chionmhar ............................ proportional representation Daonlathaithe Liobrálacha ..................................... Liberal Democrats forógra ................................................................................................ manifesto aontachtaithe .................................................................................... unionists fuílleach ........................................................................................... remainder

opinion.

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

9

Should UCD leave the USI?

As the proposed new Students’ Union constitution recommends a referendum on USI affiliation, Elizabeth Beecham and Lauren Tracey debate whether or not USI membership is worthwhile

yes.

no.

Elizabeth Beecham

Is UCD’s membership of the Union student participation, even activof Students in Ireland worth the ism, then surely the UCD Students’ €125,000 it cost us last year? I be- Union can achieve this more eflieve UCD can provide the advo- fectively than the USI. Leaving the cacy, support and representation USI would not result in a dilution outside of USI that we so desper- of core student messages such ately need at this time to protect as arguments against fees, as the our welfare and education. I know media seeking the opinions of it is easy to build a straw man de- both the USI and the UCD student bate about the futility of UCD’s leaders would instead strengthen USI membership by highlighting the power of the message. just how much is spent on it, but it The only argument for remainis perhaps the most pressing con- ing within the USI is that it is easier sideration when evaluating how for the government to negotiate we as a student body are benefit- with one umbrella organisation ting from our membership. than with UCD as an outsider, yet Austerity and budget cuts have this argument isn’t compelling become the white noise that in- enough to justify every cent of filtrates all of our university ex- our USI affiliation costs. The USI periences. UCD is struggling to has activated the student moveeducate its ever-growing student ment against fees in recent years population with less funding from and for this it has to be applauded. the state, and its international Apart from this, to me, an average recognition slipping ever lower. I, student, the USI merely reprelike many, believe that every cent sents a bureaucratic level far reshould be utilised in a way that moved from my university experiimproves the student experience, ence and unable to enhance it. and USI membership is not delivering to UCD students to jus- Rebuttal by tify this cost. That €125,000 has Lauren Tracey While I do agree that UCD is a almost endless potential uses on formidable force in the academic campus.

UCD is strong enough in num- world and we are the largest unibers and student leaders to have versity in the country, this is not a pivotal role in any governmental a question of our student popunegotiations without needing the lation and our high status in the banner of the USI to advance our university world. The Irish governaims and grievances. At a student ment refuse to co-operate with population of nearly 25,000 it is academic institutions nationwide; difficult to see how we could be primary education, secondary sidelined, especially considering education and third level budgets our respected place within Irish are all being slashed, while social academia and UCD’s contribution welfare and the health services to every aspect of Irish life and have taken severe hits. Minister society. Some have even argued Noonan and his colleagues are that being so large we dominate determined to take money from the USI, reducing its benefits as a wherever they can, and the strong forum for smaller colleges and in- united voice of not one, but forty united colleges and universistitutes of technology.

Through its Students’ Union, ties around the country would UCD already has the internal be heard much better and make structures to better facilitate stu- much more of an impact than fordent engagement on a greater ty individual voices.

It must also be considered that level, and earlier on in their university education. It is far better leaving the USI would make it placed then the USI to work with much easier for the government residences, clubs and societies to insist on only speaking with just and departments of the univer- that organisation, therefore elimisity, to respond more dynamically nating nearly 25,000 students and effectively, and to do so in and their representatives from tune with the mood on campus discussions.

It is ridiculous to argue that the on a certain issue. Take for example the mental health initiative ability to negotiate as a team with Please Talk, which began in UCD the government on key issues, and spread to twenty-seven col- such as student fees and the exleges across the country. Please pansion of third level education Talk was UCD’s way of starting to budgets, is not ‘a good enough tackle an issue in a sensitive, pow- reason’ to leave the USI. We unierful way and enhanced the sense versity-goers are not the Celtic of community within the Univer- Tiger generation, we haven’t got sity. Regardless of one’s views the money to spend on these exon the SU or its Sabbatical Offic- tortionate fees and if the USI can ers they are an engaged, visible help us avoid paying them, and force on campus and as such are represent us well while doing it, less remote both metaphorically then I am very much in favour of and geographically than the USI. remaining standing alongside If one wants to encourage real them.

“UCD is strong enough in numbers and student leaders to have a pivotal role in any governmental negotiations without needing the banner of the USI to advance our aims and grievances”

“Without the backing of such a major force in student politics, UCD runs the risk of being left out in the cold during both discussions with the government and campaigns for student rights”

Lauren Tracey

Over the past number of months issues. The student march against Ireland’s student population has fees in December highlighted how been faced with some incredibly a connection with the national repdifficult circumstances. With reg- resentatives of students is a posiistration fees set to rise, mainte- tive one for UCD’s Students’ Union. nance grants at risk, and the pros- Student opinions are aired on napects of securing employment tional programmes such as Prime as graduates becoming bleaker Time and RTÉ News through USI by the day, now the students of officials.

University College Dublin may It is also important to consider be asked to consider the possi- that one of the services the USI ofbility of leaving the USI, the sole fers is training events, which allow national representative body for our Students’ Union representastudents in Ireland. tives to “fulfil their roles as effiAt a time when the rights of ciently as possible throughout the students are being progressively academic year.” The USI has been chipped away by a government running successfully since 1959 and intent on skimming money from is choosing to pass on their knowlevery department and sector they edge and skills to Students’ Unions possibly can, how can it even be across the country so that the stuconsidered that UCD should leave dent is represented to the highthe USI? The acknowledgement est standard on all platforms. The must be made that the idea of links with the USI provide UCD’s UCD’s Students’ Union moving SU officials with a degree of credout on its own and establishing ibility, with the skills to represent itself among the larger student the students of their university representatives is appealing, but with responsibility and knowledge, leaving the USI altogether brings and with tools to have their issues the old African proverb to mind; raised accurately and adequately. “only fools test the water with both A break with the USI is not the feet.” There are many benefits to right choice for UCD students at be gained from remaining within this current time, when the possithe organisation, and students bility of even attending university should be aware of the enormous next September is fading fast for gains that come from ties with many. Now more than ever, the the institution. The USI, at its very students of University College core, was conceived to represent Dublin need to be represented, those who had been placed in the not only by their own SU, but at points race and made it to their a national level by a body with as chosen universities and colleges. much experience as the USI. According to figures on the official USI website, presently the Rebuttal by USI represents 250,000 students Elizabeth Beecham from forty colleges around Ireland. The degree of media attention They stand with the Student Un- garnered by the USI-led protest ions’ and fight for the key issues of on fees and student supports is financial support for all students undeniable, yet I fail to see how and ensure that there are appro- leaving the USI could hamper priate standards of living in place, UCDSU’s capability to promote particularly for those who are vul- and highlight these issues through nerable and living far from home. the diverse media outlets at our They tackle issues in conjunction disposal. The role of Campaigns with the Students’ Unions, and and Communications Officer is strengthen the voices of those we dedicated to this, and persons elect to represent us. Withdraw- who are nominated and elected al from the USI would severely to this position should have the weaken the voice of UCD’s Stu- skills and ability developed to addents’ Union officials. Without the vance our concerns. They do this backing of such a major force in through acting as class reps and student politics, UCD runs the risk working with clubs and societies, of being left out in the cold during and don’t require professional both discussions with the govern- media training paid for by us.

Recent proposals to amend the ment and campaigns for student rights. In times such as these this USI constitution announced could could only prove a disadvantage exacerbate this problem, with officers remaining in their roles for for the students attending UCD. Representing the amount of stu- more than two years. USI has a dents that the USI does makes the dual role to play: representing our organisation a strong presence and views as third level students in Irevoice in Ireland. It is through its vast land, and advocating and articulatarray of media links and contacts ing these views to the educational that our Students’ Union receives establishments and government. the publicity they require to make The USI fails to truly represent their campaigns known country- UCD students meaningfully as it wide. Losing such an important is seen as a preparatory school for media link would badly damage would-be politicians, all paid for by UCD’s ability to publicise important our Student Registration Fee.

Do you think UCD should leave the USI? Have your say on the University Observer Facebook poll

10

Opinion

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Declaration of Independence With renewed calls for Scottish independence dominating UK parliamentary debate, Evan O’Quigley discusses the issues facing both sides of the argument

T

here has been much discus- Edinburgh South West, recently would essentially keep Scotland sion recently of the possibility warned that independence could in the United Kingdom, while of Scotland becoming inde- carry a “huge economic risk”. He allowing the Scottish parliament to pendent from the United Kingdom stated in an interview with the the take a large amount of power away sometime in the next few years, a Observer that if the Scots voted to from London, including full fiscal trend which many attribute to the leave the Union, the country could autonomy, essentially handing over recent success of The Scottish plunge into economic uncertainty. all powers to Scotland with the National Party, a social democratDarling has been seen by exception of defence and foreign ic party that has campaigned for the Unionist camp as the most policy. Polls have indicated that a Scottish independence since their qualified to spell out the possible majority of Scots would prefer this formation in 1934. In last year’s negative consequences of Scottish ‘Devo Max’ option, although both Scottish Parliamentary election independence passing in the UK. coalition parties and Labour have the party won a landslide victory, Much of this is due to the general opposed it. gaining a majority with sixty-nine unpopularity of the Conservative For this these parties have been seats. Much of their recent success party, and of David Cameron’s accused by Unionists of ‘gambling’ has been attributed to their leader, government in much of Scotland as with Scottish independence, by Alex Salmond, who has led the well as his now famous, and correct, possibly re-enforcing nationalist party since 2004. warning of Gordon Brown regarding sentiment in the country. The Salmond recently met with the gravity of the economic current system of governance in Prime Minister David Cameron in downturn facing the UK and the Scotland has been criticised for order to discuss plans for a refer- world. While he does not support not allowing enough power to endum on independence. Camer- independence, Cameron has been the Scottish parliament, and for on and the Scottish First Minister careful to stress that he does not Scottish MPs in London voting on have clashed over the possibility mean to suggest that Scotland purely English issues that do not of Scottish independence, with all could not survive independently, affect their own constituencies. three of the UK main party lead- but has stated that it would be ‘best’ Cameron has pushed for the ers; Cameron, Deputy Prime Min- for Scotland to remain in the Union. referendum to be carried out ister and Liberal Democrat leader Many in Scotland, including in 2013, while Salmond would Nick Clegg, and Labour’s Ed Mil- the SNP, have been pushing for rather it wait until 2014, when the liband opposing the proposals. the a third option to be included possibility of achieving a yes vote Alistair Darling, the former Chan- on a referendum of Maximum would be more likely. Salmond cellor in Gordon Brown’s govern- Devolution, or ‘Devo Max’ as it has recently criticised Cameron ment, and currently an MP for been dubbed by the media. This for the ‘bullying’ nature he has

adopted. Stewart Hosie, a Scottish Nationalist MP, recently stated at Westminster that “every step the anti-independence parties have taken since Cameron’s chaotic intervention ... has done nothing but boost support for independence and ensuring that the people of Scotland are able to see decisions taken about what’s best for Scotland in Scotland.”

While a majority voted for the SNP, according to a recent ‘YouGov’ Survey, most Scots (sixtyone per cent) oppose independence, although a majority of fifty-eight per cent indicated they would like the Scottish Parliament to have control of its finances.

Many support the party, but not the cause, thanks to Salmond’s charisma and the party’s ability to attract non-nationalist voters due to their popular stances on other issues, as well as presenting themselves as a centre-left, electable and moderate nationalist party.

The Unionists’ biggest problem is that their opposition to an independent Scotland focuses entirely on the negative connotations associated with, and not the positive aspects of, remaining in the

union. DUP councillor Lee Reynolds criticised the Unionist opposition to Salmond as being weak and unable to effectively argue their case, despite the fact that remaining in the union has consistently polled as more popular than independence. While Reynolds may have a point, he like other Unionists fail to understand the view many share that the statusquo is no longer working, which has been shown by the support for maximum devolution of power from London to Holyrood.

The pro-union camp refuse to acknowledge how the current economic situation has diminished voters’ belief in large economic structures such as the United Kingdom, which has also led to recent rises in Euroscepticism across the UK. This is likely to be an advantage for Salmond and the SNP, as recently in Scottish politics anything negative is more often than not attributed to participation in the union. If Cameron eventually backs down from his staunch opposition, it is entirely possible that Scotland will acquire fiscal autonomy. As for full independence, that will remain to be seen.

University College Dublin

President’s Awards for Excellence in Student Activities You are invited to make a nomination for the President’s Awards for Excellence in Student Activities.

The award scheme aims to provide recognition for those students who excel in extracurricular activities of a kind which make UCD a more exciting, interesting and humane place to live and to work.

Nomination Forms: available from Forum Office (Ext. 3100), Students' Union and Services Desks. Any member of the College - either student or staff - can make a nomination. They should write, giving the nominee’s name and a short explanation of why they believe the nominee is worthy of an award. It is not necessary that the person nominated is aware of the nomination.

Nominations, preferably typed, should be sent to:

The Director The Student Consultative Forum Student Centre They should be in an envelope marked ‘STUDENTS AWARDS’ and should reach the Forum office before: Thursday 16th February, 2012

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Opinion

11

Imprisoning humanity As Minister for Justice Alan Shatter denounces the prison service for poor conditions, Yvanne Kennedy looks at whether a plan proposed by its Director General will do enough to safeguard prisoners’ rights and reduce re-offending

P

W/C

risoners’ rights are not something a lot of us think about on a daily basis. One recent article on thejournal.ie on temporary release saw a particular commenter say “if you want to commit a crime, do it in Ireland ... You’ll be educated, fed and given room and board.

Great little country!” Although it is true that many in our prison system have been found guilty of heinous acts, it is more often that they have committed minor crimes. Regardless, they are still deserving of their basic human rights. Their punishment is losing their freedom, not their dignity or an acceptable standard of living.

RTÉ has reported that Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Michael Donnellan is currently working on a threeyear plan that he hopes will drastically ease prison overcrowding and help improve conditions. This comes in the wake of a recent report from the Inspector of Prisons in which graphic details were given of in-cell sanitation, prisoner numbers and other major problems in Limerick Prison. There are aims to work with the Minister and the judiciary to allow those serving sentences of twelve months or less to serve them in the community. It is hoped that this will allow proper community integration, which in turn will cut down on recidivism, which currently stands at sixty per cent within five years in Ireland.

Donnellan is seemingly a breath of fresh air for the Service and his presence at a recent seminar by the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the main Irish prisoner advocacy organisation, is a testament to his commitment. Actions like these speak

much louder than words and so he must show true leadership in order to ensure this enthusiasm is matched by all those working with some of the most vulnerable in our society.

‘Slopping out’ is one of the single most degrading activities of prison life, and yet it is still practiced in the majority of Ireland’s fourteen institutions.

This was highlighted by Judge Michael O’Reilly in the Limerick report and accompanied low-level intimidation of prisoners by some prison officers, overcrowding, filthy cells and broken windows. Minister Alan Shatter has said he was “disappointed and indeed shocked” at the findings, which have been classed as some of the worst in the system. According to the report, the continued incarceration of prisoners in certain wings that lack in cell sanitation and basic levels of cleanliness is “inhuman and degrading.”

That is not to say that this is entirely commonplace, however it still should not be occurring at all. The core aim of the Irish Prison Service is prisoner care and rehabilitation, but if conditions in any of our places of detention leave these men, women, and teenagers feeling less than any other citizen, how can we really demand full re-integration and adherence to codes imposed by people who didn’t care about them as long as they were locked up? A serious issue whenever people in prison are allowed access to novel and ostensibly “fun” initiatives is the public perception that they are being rewarded instead of punished.

Erwin James, a former inmate and author of A Life Inside,

Charity Case

wrote in the Guardian recently that “for real change to happen, people in prison need to be challenged, helped, motivated and encouraged to believe that they can live a better way.” The article refers to studies completed in a young offenders’ prison in the UK that showed a reduction in recidivism in those who participated in some form of meaningful activity. Proposals have also been made for participants “to meet with victims of crime who would explain the impact that crime had on them and their families.” This is a novel idea, one that should absolutely be considered by our Prison Service. If rehabilitation and a ‘brighter future’ is what we are truly aiming for, we must let those in prison see this future and strive for it.

Expressions of shame, guilt, remorse and embarrassment are abundant amongst prisoners, as are good intentions for life after prison. Ninety-seven per cent of those who responded to a prisoner crime reduction survey carried out in 2010 expressed a desire to stop offending. But always in short supply has been the means to heal troubled and troublesome lives. Prison represents justice to many victims of crime, but it also has a duty to serve the potential victims of released prisoners. There must be a commitment on all sides to allow for reform and rehabilitation.

One wrong turn in life does not mean that a person deserves to be punished for eternity. If prisoners aren’t shown basic humanity, we cannot expect them to change into the sort of people that everyone, including themselves, wants them to be.

Illustrations: Conor O’Toole

After a series of controversies occurring within charities such as the Red Cross, Sean O’Grady looks at where our donations are really going

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he word charity is defined as nowadays, the modern face of ‘the voluntary giving of help, charity is not the organisations typically money, to those in themselves, but the omnipresneed’ but charitable organisa- ent street fund-raisers known as tions, however, can often end up ‘Chuggers’, or ‘Charity Muggers’. being something slightly differ- These overly friendly clipboard ent. By the very nature of chari- holders can regularly be found table and voluntary bodies, they ambushing people on Grafton are non-profit unions. For many Street to donate to their cause people this is a misleading title as of the week. Although such camit gives donors a view that chari- paigners are promoting a good ties do not keep a penny of their cause, to call them irritating income for themselves. The fact would be a gross understatement. is, they do. While this certainly We have all been made to feel doesn’t make a charity’s actions guilty because we ‘don’t have any any less altruistic, it can be some- spare change’ to hand when they what unexpected for people who suddenly appear in front of you were led to believe that all of the of out nowhere. What many don’t hard-earned cash they donated realise however, is that they are would be given to the cause itself. not just doing their job out of the If a charity wants to be suc- goodness of their heart, but becessful and well-run, a consider- cause they are being paid. In the able portion of the money they UK and Ireland, fundraisers often receive from the public will have earn well over the minimum wage to go into areas such as fundrais- and they also receive additional ing and administration. Although cash based on how many signathis is a necessary tactic if a char- tures they collect. Street fundraisity wants to be a success, it can ers usually do not work for the also be disheartening for donors. charity they claim to support, but A common issue with many vol- are working for a fundraising third untary organisations is that the party. money they generate doesn’t go Most surprisingly, the fundraisexactly where they had promised ing companies that chuggers work it would. It is not unheard of for for can often charge up to ninetycharities to make donations to five per cent commission in the other organisation that their rela- first year for the charities they are tives or friends may run. They also supporting. This means that just have the ability to spend their five per cent of the money that donors’ currency on salary perks a charity would earn would actuand other ventures separate to ally be donated to their cause, the the cause they promote. rest all going into the upkeep and It is completely fair to say that promotion of the organisation. It

is no wonder that voluntary companies do not make this fact clear to their donors. This massive percentage generally drops down the longer a charity is active, and it is advisable to be cautious of charities that give over fifteen per cent of their income to administrators.

Charities such as the Red Cross have come under fire recently with claims that they are misrepresenting their assets. The criticism revolves around the diversion of donations from the Haiti relief fund, and allegations that €160,000 raised for the tsunami relief in Asia was held in a bank account in Co. Tipperary for several years.

The story has forced the company to redraw its constitution and introduce new codes of conduct to prevent any similar happenings. The Red Cross has also come under fire in China, where a controversy came about in July 2011 after a senior member at the Chinese Red Cross blogged about her expensive clothes and luxurious lifestyle. Her actions ignited a firestorm in China and led to intense paranoia about corruption and political interference within Chinese charities. Philanthropy in China is still in its developing stages and has been seriously hindered by this woman’s seemingly

harmless blogging about her life.

While it is clear that charities can lose sight of what they originally wanted to achieve from time to time, it should not discourage anyone from donating to a cause they feel passionate about. It should make them more eager to seek out organisations that they

know will use their donations to assist worthy causes. Many people seem to give to charities that they, in fact, know little about.

If those in need are really to be helped then those donating need to do their research and ensure that they know exactly where their money is going.

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science

&

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

health

Neuro-Science Fiction From comas to mind control, neuroscience is standard fare in pop culture these days, but its use is not always textbook. Ethan TroyBarnes explains why

A

ll too often, popular culture takes undue liberties with matters of the mind – but how skewed is our idea of how the brain works? Do fact and fiction always sing from the same hymn sheet?

We should start with the basics – what are brainwaves? Your brain is essentially a great mass of wires and circuits. When you think, current flows through these ‘wires’ (cells known as neurons) from one part of the brain to another. When current flows in this way, electrical signals resulting from these processes can be detected on the surface of the brain, through the skull, using electrodes. This results in a picture (or ‘waveform’) on a monitor called an electroencephalogram (EEG), which is similar to an ECG. Obviously, the brain is doing multiple things at any given time, and so the resulting information is a bit jumbled. Once this jumbled signal is sorted out, the result is a short and fast waveform, called a beta wave. When we go to sleep, this picture changes entirely.

Instead of a busy metropolis, the brain becomes a tranquil sea – devoid of the activity that characterises the waking state. The brain shuts down and becomes desensitised to all but the most intense external stimuli. Accompanying this is a decrease in the amount of

detectible electrical activity. As you fall asleep, your brain descends through a continuum of brain waves which are much longer and slower than beta waves, ranging from alpha waves (most active) through to theta and then delta waves (least active).

In practice, a person’s state of alertness is usually measured simply by their ability to respond to pain and touch. However, the presence and type of brain waves detected by an EEG can be used by medics to determine the consciousness of a patient, and to investigate brain activity where the underlying neurological problem may not be so apparent. The relevant terminology can be employed with wild abandon in certain narratives, but may also be used quite accurately in some television programmes, such as House and ER. EEGs are also exploited in science fiction exploring the stranger side of neuroscience such as telepathy and mind control (Star Trek’s Vulcans and X-Men’s Jean Grey being prime examples) – where a subject may be (arbitrarily) said to be exhibiting “strange

brain waves.” In reality, the brain simply lacks a natural means to directly send electrical signals to, and interact with, another individual. However, the ability to communicate with others and with machines by thought alone might not be as fantastical as we may think. Many futurists believe technology holds the key to unlocking such potential, and researchers in Switzerland have already developed a prototype wheelchair capable of being controlled entirely by the mind for patients suffering from total body paralysis.

Returning to sleep; every few hours during the night, your brain will go into an extremely deep sleep, called REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This lasts about forty-five minutes, and is when you dream. At this point, your brain ramps back up to highly active beta-like waves. This is because a dream is quite like being awake, except you are experiencing an alternate dream-reality based on memories and past experiences.

However, everything seems real at the time, and you’re processing a vast amount of simulated sensory informa-

tion just as though you were awake.

You are even electing to make movements based on these stimuli – the only thing stopping you acting out these movements is an automatic, body-wide paralysis during the dream.

When this safety mechanism fails, a person will talk in their sleep or even sleep walk. This is exploited in narratives where people may reveal their darkest secrets in the middle of the night – an idea that is not unrealistic, as it is quite possible for people to coherently form words or even complete sentences while dreaming.

The concept of dreaming is the also the crux of narratives which explore ideas of virtual reality such as The Matrix and Inception, which exploit the ability of the brain to process sensory information, despite it not actually existing. Furthermore, the brain’s powerful capacity to imagine and interact with artificial worlds depicted in video games might be seen as an extension of the ability to dream.

Finally, a narrative gambit so overused that it has become inextricably

Magic of the mushroom Two recent studies have revealed that ‘magic mushrooms’ may be useful in the treatment of anxiety and depression, writes Emily Longworth

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hile many psychedelic drugs have earned a bad reputation in the public eye, there has been a resurgence of their use in alternative therapies in the last decade.

The infamous hallucinogenic fungi Psilocybe, commonly known as ‘magic mushrooms’, has been the focus of two studies published in the past month that analysed brain activity in users of the drug, as well as its potential for therapeutic application.

A research team in Imperial College London investigated the brain’s response to the drug from both neurological and psychological perspectives.

By mapping brain activity in a group of healthy volunteers with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while they were experiencing the psychedelic state brought on by ingesting magic mushrooms, they illustrated the correlation between changes in consciousness and decreased activity in central hub regions of the brain.

The active compound psilocybin, which is present in these mushrooms, is responsible for its hallucinogenic effects, such as flashbacks and vivid relivings of past experiences. It is not entirely understood how psilocybin causes such a reaction in users, even though it has been shown to activate receptors of serotonin (a neurotransmitter that is associated with happiness) in the brain. It is this reaction that interests researchers in psychoanalytical therapies.

By demonstrating how a ‘powerdown’ of central hub activity in the brain was a confirmed response of the nervous system to psilocybin, the research team disproved the com-

mon misconception that taking magic mushrooms ‘expands the mind’ or increases brain connectivity. Areas that would usually have important synchronous activity showed a large decline in interactivity, which contradicts many drug-users’ philosophy that magic mushrooms will free the mind and activate heightened brain consciousness.

The opposite, in fact, is true.

It is now proposed that the dreamlike state of recollection induced by magic mushrooms is owed to this reduction in brain activity and connectivity. The intensity of the drug’s effects in patients corresponded to a large decrease in functional connectivity between the main areas of the brain.

The largest areas of decreased activity were the prefrontal cortex and the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices.

It is thought that by reducing synchronisation between these connector hubs, psilocybin impedes the flow of information through the brain, and this accounts for the hallucinations and the state of ‘unconstrained cognition’ experienced by users of magic mushrooms.

The second paper published by the research team analysed the implications of reduced brain activity for psychedelic drug-assisted therapies.

Evidence that psilocybin enhances autobiographical recollection attests to its potential use in psychotherapy as a tool to reverse negative cognitive behaviour.

Positive memory cues were used to cause visual recollections in volunteers, who had been asked prior to the study to compile a collection of personal memories of specific life events, (such as standing at the alter on their wedding day). Whilst being monitored by fMRI scanning, the memory cues were shown to volunteers who had taken psilocybin, and they subsequently prompted the activation of sensory and visual regions of the brain, which remained inactive in volunteers on the placebo dose.

This switch in sensory function from a pattern of deactivation under

associated with television and film: the soap opera coma. A comatose state is actually defined as a period consisting for more than six hours in which a person cannot be awakened, even by strong stimuli such as pain. This is, in essence, abnormally deep sleep and is the body’s response to some form of extensive damage – the idea being to restrict all non-essential bodily activities to allow resources to be used only to heal the individual and prevent further damage.

A study was carried out and published in 2006 to determine how accurately comas are depicted on the silver screen. It found that characters often recover instantly, with full consciousness. This is far from the reality, where patients can go through days or weeks of incomplete and transient consciousness. Perhaps a more obvious error is that characters often awaken with tanned skin or even fully toned muscles, which is unlikely due to the decay muscles undergo during extended periods of disuse. Evidently, work remains to be done where science meets fiction. placebo to activation under psilocybin is crucial, and may explain why memories can be felt as especially vivid or ‘real’ when under the influence of psychedelics.

The patient feedback from the study corresponded to the technical results from the fMRI scans. Memories were rated as more “vivid, visual, emotional and positive” under psilocybin than placebo. Patients on psilocybin reported that they felt like they were more attached to the images they saw than they otherwise would be, referring to heightened emotional engagement.

Although the patient report is a subjective measure of the body’s response to the drug, it correlates strongly to the evidence obtained from the fMRI scanning, and it gives scientists and medical professionals a greater understanding of how the sensory regions of the brain affect our cognition and perception.

Essentially, the practical implications of this study show the potential that psilocybin has to reverse negative thought patterns in patients suffering from depression or anxiety. Depression involves hyperactivity in the prefrontal cortex, leading to the pessimistic outlook characteristic of the condition, so deactivation of the prefrontal cortex region could alleviate those symptoms. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in America openly supports the use of psilocybin to treat anxiety in patients of life-threatening illnesses, in addition to applied therapeutic uses of cannabis, LSD and MDMA. Some past studies support this use of psilocybin, reporting mood improvements in cancer patients who suffer from anxiety.

However, not all studies in the area have produced the same successful set of results, so there remains a strong element of doubt in the minds of many psychotherapists over the possibility of such alternative treatments. One of the main limitations of this treatment lies in trying to ensure that any hallucinogenic experiences caused are positive ones; most ‘bad trips’ reported on magic mushrooms are often linked to painful or conflict-laden memories being re-experienced. For the drug to work in relieving anxiety and depression effectively, the entire hallucination experience must be positive.

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Science & Health

A deadly virus has reached our shores and is set to devastate our already ailing red squirrel population.

Alison Lee writes about the dangers posed and the efforts being made to save the creatures

A tail of

two

squirrels

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ast your mind back to your primary school days and you will probably remember learning about Ireland’s wildlife. You might even remember the term ‘Iora rua’, or ‘red squirrel’. This shy tree-dwelling mammal can still be found in forests across the country, but this may not be the situation for much longer.

Since the introduction of the grey squirrel to Longford in 1911, red squirrels have grown scarcer and their distribution has shrunk dramatically; so much so that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has had to take measures to protect it. Ireland isn’t the only country where this animal is in danger; the red squirrel has become extinct in England and Wales due to the introduc-

tion of the grey squirrel in 1876. However, another factor helped along the disappearance of red squirrels in the UK: the lethal Squirrel Pox Virus (SQPV). It was long believed that Ireland was free of this disease – that is, until now.

This January, the first Irish case of SQPV was confirmed by Prof. Sean Callanan of the UCD Veterinary Pathology Department. The squirrel was found by local resident Kevin Phelan while walking in woods in Hollywood, County Wicklow and since then two more cases of the disease have been confirmed.

This development could spell doom for our native squirrels.

It is widely believed that grey squirrels fight with and kill their red counterparts, but this is not the case. They are simply bigger, breed faster, have more

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young per litter, and can exist at higher population densities - therefore they have displaced the red squirrel population by competition. Reds are now mostly found in inhospitable pine forests where food is too scarce for greys to thrive.

Grey squirrels are simply more adaptive - they are happy to live near humans and although they’re cute and playful, they can be extremely destructive to homes and gardens. This has resulted in them being classed as a household pest alongside rats, wasps etc. They also strip bark off trees and significantly impact upon commercial broadleaf timber production.

Grey squirrels have another means of thinning out the red squirrel population; it is believed they are carriers of

the Squirrel Pox Virus, but have evolved an immunity and thus are resistant to its potentially deadly effects. It is yet unknown how they transmit the disease to red squirrels, but scientists believe it may be passed on via secretions from scent glands that they use to mark their territories. Its effects on non-immune squirrel species are devastating.

The virus causes lesions similar to those seen in rabbits with myxomatosis - swellings, ulcers and scabs develop around the animals’ eyes, mouth, nose and paws and it is believed the squirrels simply die of dehydration, respiratory problems and starvation as they cannot forage for food or eat. The virus does not seem to affect their internal organs.

Yet there may still be hope for the red squirrel - in 2008, a UK scientist discov-

ered a handful of animals that had developed antibodies to the disease, thus indicating that some red squirrels have the potential to become immune. When myxomatosis was introduced to the UK in the 1950s, the death rate amongst rabbits was almost one hundred per cent, but those with a natural immunity survived, bred and now the death rate has decreased to thirty-five per cent. A similar situation may occur if enough red squirrels develop an immunity to the disease and live long enough to produce immune young. The development of an SQPV vaccine could also theoretically save the red squirrel. In fact, a Scotlandbased charity called Wildlife Ark Trust are currently trying to do just that, but it will take at least another year to develop an effective vaccine, and subsequently three years of trials will be required before it can be used in the wild.

So what lies ahead for our red squirrels? If the virus spreads throughout the country it is likely that they will go the same way as their counterparts in England and Wales. Although the loss of a native species would indeed be tragic, Darwin’s principle of “survival of the fittest” doesn’t take pity or make exceptions for any animals, no matter how cute or charismatic they may be.

Since humans set this tragedy in motion by introducing grey squirrels to Ireland, it is only right that we at least make an attempt to preserve one of the few Irish mammals that still survive in the wild. This will require measures such as supplementary feeding, monitoring and recording squirrel numbers, careful forest management and the humane culling of grey squirrels. Yet these measures require money and resources that Ireland is currently lacking. Therefore the future may be bleak for Iora Rua - only time will tell.

Bodies on the brain Ahead of the unveiling of The Human Body Experience on the 2nd of February, Noel McHale talks to Conor O’Nolan about the exhibition

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n February 2nd, the Human Body Experience will make its world debut in the Ambassador T h e a t r e i n D ub lin. Those attending will, as event co-ordinator Noel McHale explains, be offered the unusual opportunity to view the body systems of numerous real human specimens. “There are different galleries, there’s a skeletal and muscular one, respiratory ones, digestive and nervous system, and the circulatory system.”

There is also an optional gallery, which shows the full chronological development of a baby (these specimens were

acquired from women who had miscarriages).

A German anatomist, Gunther von Hagens, pioneered the preservation technique used on the specimens. In 1977 he invented a technique called ‘plastination’. The bodies are processed in the Dailin Hoffen Biotechnique laboratory in China, which is also where they are also sourced. The process can be incredibly time consuming, with some larger specimens taking up to a year to be preserved. The first step is the dissection of the body or body parts, where the anatomical features that are to be accented are focused upon. The body is then preserved using formaldehyde (a simple organic chemical often used in embalming), making the specimen partly rigid, which is useful when

the team is trying to put the body into a particular pose. The specimen is then dehydrated by immersing it in acetone (a highly volatile solvent, sometimes used as nail polish remover) at a very low temperature.

Finally, the body is placed in a bath of liquid polym e r and a vacuum is created, which allows the acetone to boil off and be replaced by the polymer. Once the specimen is cured and dried, the preservation process is finished. Exhibits that show only certain body systems are prepared in a similar way. The exhibit ‘Red Man’ is a specimen with every blood vessel exposed. McHale explained how this was prepared, “You dissect out all the blood vessels, and inject them with polymer, and then you rebuild the body.”

The last time such an exhibition

came to Ireland, it was embroiled in controversy because the company running it was unable to account f o r the exact origin of each of the bodies on display. It was alleged that the bodies on display were either Chinese political prisoners or unclaimed bodies of those killed after a natural disaster. A different company is running this exhibition, and when asked about the origin of the bodies, McHale assured the University Observer that all of the bodies were obtained ethically. “The bodies are Chinese because that’s where the university is, if it was in Kerry, it’d be all Kerry people … Every body that we have has been legally donated and can be traced back, there is a certificate with them.” When the exhibition is over, all the bodies are returned to China, where they are re-

spectfully disposed of.

“They are returned to the university where there’s a ceremony and they’re cremated.”

Another controversy that was generated when similar exhibitions were run previously was that it was deemed unethical by some to exhibit human bodies, while others maintained that the bodies on show were not treated with sufficient respect. Again, McHale assured us that the bodies are treated with the utmost professionalism. “At all times, any dealings we have with them, there is total and profound respect for the bodies, because they were living breathing human beings at one stage.”

The exhibition will run until the end of April in The Ambassador Theatre.

Student tickets are priced at €16.

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The University Observer · 31 January 2012

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The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Observer Editorial editor @ universityobserver.ie

Quotes of the Fortnight

“There is a fiscal reality that is not being faced by the movement that stormed the Student Centre, and as such, a logic that is being completely ignored, replaced instead by a senseless anger that seems more rooted in sheer bloody-minded anti-establishmentism than hard fact”

T

his week has seen, for better or worse, some of the largestscale and most overtly aggressive student protesting seen in UCD for some time – or at the very least, the largest and most aggressive protesting not organised by the Students’ Union themselves. What is regrettable, in this editor’s opinion, is how these protests also represent some of the most misguided outbursts of latent reactionary rage for a good while longer.

In previous editorials, I have expressed (to occasional dissatisfaction) my enthusiasm for student activism, contrasted against my disdain for activism engaged incorrectly. Unfortunately, it is my sincere belief that these latest protests fall firmly into the latter category.

Three key issues facing UCD students have arisen lately, each eclipsing the former both in scale and importance. Firstly, the Students’ Union Copy Bureau was closed over Christmas, with the loss of two jobs. Secondly, the already tentative USI ratified a new constitution to both enable Gary Redmond’s third term in office and provide him with an unabashed pay increase. Thirdly, and by far the most threateningly, a makeshift Irish SOPA has been rushed through, threatening not only our very

Talleyrand Hello hoodlums!

It’s been drama to die for this week in New Hack City, and Talleyrand dearly wishes he could die for the second time since 1838 so as to

Letters to the editor

the

free speech, but the future of our largely tech-based economy. Yet, bizarrely, only the first case is worthy of an en masse pseudo-socialist movement.

I personally interviewed both parties affected by the job cuts, and I cannot be more sympathetic to both them and their families. Redundancy is never easy, but to be fired days before Christmas is salt in a very unexpected wound. It cannot be stressed enough that, by all accounts, the staff of the Bureau performed their duties expertly, and that their redundancy and the Bureau’s closure is no reflection on them. However, it is this editor’s opinion that there is a fiscal reality that is not being faced by the movement that stormed the Student Centre, and as such, a logic that is being completely ignored, replaced instead by a senseless anger that seems more rooted in sheer bloody-minded anti-establishmentism than hard fact.

As revealed in the last issue of this paper, the Students’ Union is in debt to the tune of approximately one million euro. Consider the size of the Union as a company – some small money-making ventures, hurt somewhat by the direct loss of the campus bars, and under fifty employees – and consider, could any comparable business survive that de-

gree of continued losses? Would any other business receive such vitriol for making cuts in the same scenario?

Furthermore, the movement and its principle figurehead have frequently described themselves as ‘democratic’, citing that the crowd was asked via megaphone if they would like to march from the UCD Lake to the Student Centre and back again. Whether this validates their status as democratic is up for debate, particularly when two separate votes, made both by their elected representatives in Students’ Union Council and in SIPTU itself, failed to come out in favour of the movement. That is real democracy, and the people whom the electorate have chosen to represent them have decided that maintaining a Union in the long run is more important than the relocation of the Copy Bureau to a private company that provides the same service.

That is not to say the SU does not need to make changes, and the cutbacks that have been promised must come into full effect, but that does not in itself validate a protest that was outwardly aggressive in nature. Representatives of the protest have described their actions as peaceful, and I may only give my account based on both my presence there during the events, and the effects the

protest had on the visibly shaken (and unaffiliated) Student Centre staff whom I interviewed after the event. Although there was a vast majority of concerned, good-natured and well intentioned protesters whom I applaud for their activism, there was a sinister minority, the kind who might try to force themselves into the SU corridor, burst open office doors and scream expletives at not only SU employees, but at some of the independent, unpaid student staff of this newspaper who were present at the time. This is not a legitimate form of protest, this is misinformation and causticity turned tonally violent.

Now, should this same acrimoniousness be directed towards the USI or the Government itself for what are, unquestionably, far more grave and damaging actions, then this editorial would have no doubt taken a different tone. However, as it stands, it is my opinion that this movement would be better served directing its energies towards a more fitting target, one for whom the logic of activism is not only clear, but intellectually motivated. To quote one of the many heckles directed at the SU President when he addressed the protesters with an explanation of the Union’s inability to maintain all services, “nothing is impossible, Pat”.

avoid it. First of all, Lawschmuck highlighted their hideousness in a video so vile that an Irish SOPA was enacted merely in order to have it removed from the Interweb. Having seen themselves on the small screen, the illusion was shattered before anyone could say ‘Share this’, and the suckciety soon began to crumble like the ‘castle’ its members lurk in.

Talleyrand suspects that Law Balls tickets may now sell as well as those for Res Bollocks.

Speaking of failure, a raggle-taggle band of nineties rejects were forced to finally ‘perform’ for Stephen ‘that hoover was lonely’ Dyson’s Ents Spew last week. Someone needs to tell the man who wants nothing more than to look like Nick Carter that he can’t just keep spending good Goonion money on meeting his heroes and luring them back for tequila at his gaff.

Rachel ‘iShag’ Breslin came to the realisation this week that she was paying too much attention to locking her bins, and not enough to her office. The IMFSU came to her rescue this time, but rumour has it that Pat ‘Purse Strings’ de Brún has already issued an invoice for monthly repayments. The frugal financier has also been chasing down Sam ‘Education?’ Geoghegan in order to make sure he starts to charge for his services, but the gangly schoolgirl hasn’t graced the corridor for a while – he was last seen desperately trying to fish some outdated books from a skip. Now Sammy, don’t tell me Talleyrand didn’t warn you that those bin-loving habits would get you into trouble.

Brendan ‘Bodyguard’ Lacey has been seen looking shifty around the photocopier, printing hundreds

of thousands of ‘Soz bbz, moneyz all gonz’ letters while hundreds of thousands of students queue to use the last remaining photocopier on campus.

The queue was soon broken up by a haggard looking group of Talleyrand’s least beloved type of scum, would-be leftie would-be humans. Instead of asking them for their student cards and sending the cretins back to Dame Street (or even more productively, to a job centre so they could finally join an actual trade union), Pat ‘Good King’ de Brún took to the stage and attempted to reason with the masses.

Aspiring hacks 2012/2013 have since been spending their time swooning around the corridor and vomiting praise onto his Facebook.

Talleyrand can almost smell election fever. Kill me now.

Talley-ho!

Talleyrand

Letters should be sent by email to letters@universityobserver.ie or by mail to The editor, The University Observer, UCD Student Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4 The editor reserves the right to edit any letters.

All letters are subject to editorial approval.

University Observer Volume XVIII Issue VIII

Telephone: (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.

Clarifications & Corrections It is the policy of the University Observer to rectify any errors as soon as they arise.

Queries and clarifications can be addressed to info@universityobserver.ie.

Editor Jon Hozier-Byrne

Sports Editor Daniel Keenan

Deputy Editor Kate Rothwell

Irish Editor Séamas Ó Meachair

Art and Design Director Conor O’Toole

Music Editor Cormac Duffy

Otwo Editors George Morahan Aoife Valentine

Film Editor Dermot O’Rourke

News Editor Katie Hughes Features Editor Matt Gregg Opinion Editor Emer Sugrue

Fashion Editor Sophie Lioe Food & Travel Editor Elaine Lavery Online Editor Ryan MacKenzie

Science & Health Editor Conor O’Nolan

Copy Editors George Morahan Aoife Valentine

Chief Science & Health Writer Alison Lee

Chief Photographer David Nowak

In the previous issue of the University Observer, in the article entitled ‘Medical Director of Health Centre fears privatisation’, we asserted that the Health Centre had been put up for tender. We have been informed that there were two tenders, one for the provision of medical services to staff, students and the local community, and another to conduct a review of the existing Health Service. We are happy to clarify this.

Contributors Alexander Andrew The Badger Steven Balbirnie Elizabeth Beecham Kevin Beirne Aoife Brophy Dixon Coltrane Rory Crean Chloe Duane David Farrell Sally Hayden Sara Holbrook Niamh Hynes Aaron Kennedy Yvanne Kennedy Colm Lakes Emily Longworth Niall Mac Taidhg Eimear McGovern Mystic Mittens Emily Mullen Rob Mac Carthy Catherine Murnane Carl Murray Sean O’Grady Evan O’Quigley

“The fact that we’re bringing in a new constitution doesn’t mean that the current constitution is all bad”

Pat de Brún on the new proposed constitution

“It was fantastic to see that people were angry and wanting answers” Auditor of Socialist Student Workers Society, Karl Gill

“Pasta and one euro pasta sauce became a staple of my diet” Brendan Lacey on living on Res

“I think some officers have more in their workload than other officers” Pat de Brún

“We cannot buy books for our library. This is in a research institution. It’s pathetic”

Michael O’Sullivan Jason Quigley Niall Spain Ben Storey Talleyrand Lauren Tracey Ethan Troy-Barnes Denis Vaughan Jack Walsh Illustrator Olwen Hogan Photographers Ciara Andrews Caoimhe McDonnell Brian O’Leary Jack Walsh Lindsey Cleland Special Thanks Peter, Ian, Tim, Malcolm, Ade, Jonathan, Dave, Emma, Ged, Bob, Steve at GPC Manchester Eilis O’Brien Dominic Martella

Professor Gerard Casey on university cutbacks

Colm, Sabrina, Rory and Guy at MCD Promotions Mary-Kate at PIAS Priscilla at Universal Giselle Jiang Dominic, Grace, Charlie, Jason, Gary, Stephen, Mark, Sandra, Paul and all the Student Centre Staff Very Special Thanks Amy Bracken, Donna Doyle, Bríd Doherty, Paul Fennessey, Bridget Fitzsimons, Nicholas Lawrie, Danielle Moran, Joe Murphy, Dave Neary, Quinton O’Reilly, Rob Lowney, Ruth McCourt, Gary Kealy, Gav Reilly, Natalie Voorheis and all other friends and family who have supported and encouraged us during our eighth issue

16

The University Observer 路 31 January 2012

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The University Observer · 31 January 2012

sport

17

interview

Into the West Daniel Keenan talks to Connacht centre David McSharry about his time with UCD RFC, his switch to the West, and the importance of Connacht in Irish rugby

“If they allow the proper funding and everything to go into it, Connacht could be a stronger fourth province”

D

avid McSharry’s career has reached new heights over the last few months. In October of last year, he scored a try for UCD against Bruff in Division 1B of the All Ireland League.

One week later, he was lining up for Connacht in the Heineken Cup against Aviva Premiership leaders, Harlequins.

Fast forward another week, and McSharry was lining up against four-time Heineken Cup winners Toulouse. His opposite number was one of the world’s most formidable centres, Yannick Jauzion.

“I got on against Leinster with Connacht, and things didn’t really go my way,” says McSharry, “but I got another shot with Ulster and it went a bit better that time. I was lucky that Eric [Elwood, Connacht’s Director of Coaching] kept faith in me and I got to play in the Harlequins game, at the Stoop. It was some change around from the Bruff game with UCD. “Toulouse was the next week, and I was opposite Jauzion; that was another big one and it just seemed to keep getting bigger every week.”

Neither game brought victory for Connacht, but a spirited performance from the Westerners looked like it might lift them from their funk, which had seen them lose their previous four games. Connacht would go on to lose their next eight games, before welcoming Harlequins to the Sportsground.

Connacht’s fourteen-game losing streak didn’t look like ending after a two-point loss to Leinster and an away loss to bottom side Aironi when ’Quins arrived in the West. McSharry wasn’t involved in the team due to injury, but was relieved to see the streak come to

David McSharry playing for UCD RFC

an end, and for Connacht to get their first ever Heineken Cup win. Their win against ’Quins essentially put Ulster into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. “All the hard work that had been going in for the last few weeks hadn’t been coming to anything, so it was great to see the lads get a big win, especially in the Heineken Cup with a lot of eyes on them. We did Ulster a nice favour too!”

McSharry originally started as an out-half, playing in the number 10 shirt for Templeogue College through the Senior Cup, before making the switch to centre during a trip to South Africa with the Leinster schools team. It was through Leinster that McSharry earned a scholarship for UCD. “I had gone away to South Africa for the Leinster schools team and when I got back from that, I got started for the U18s team. I played the Inter Pros U18s and U19s. During that time my brother had been playing all along in UCD, and I’d been up watching his games. I got chatting to John [McClean, Director of UCD Rugby] who said he’d seen me play a few times with Leinster, and he basically just offered me a scholarship.”

McSharry spent two years playing U20s in UCD and a year and a half playing senior, before switching to the West. His career took a setback during his second year playing U-20s, as he picked up several injuries, hindering his development at Leinster, where he was in the sub-academy. He jumped at the opportunity to join Connacht at the start of the year.

Connacht has always been the forgotten province of Irish rugby. They are the least funded of the four provincial sides, and with the European success of Munster, Leinster and even Ulster, they are often overlooked when talk of developing Irish talent is brought up. Howev-

“Toulouse was the next week, and I was opposite Jauzion; that was another big one and it just seemed to keep getting bigger every week”

er, Connacht have revived the careers of players such as Ian Keatley, Sean Cronin and Fionn Carr.

The departure of those players to Leinster and Munster has seen the emergence of new talent at Connacht, as Tiernan O’Halloran, Mick Flanagan and Eoin Griffin are just some of the other young Irish players beginning to establish themselves at the province.

“They had a big time influence [on McSharry’s decision to go to Connacht].

When you see how well those lads have done in the last year, with the likes of Griffin, who I’d played alongside the whole way up, and the same kind of lads with Leinster who were not getting a look in.”

McSharry believes the Connacht setup is vital for the future of Irish rugby.

He cites the lack of player depth in the Connacht side as the reason for their fourteen-game losing streak, since they didn’t have enough players to cover the number of injuries they accumulated, due to a lack of funding from the IRFU. Connacht U-20s also won the Inter-Pros this year, the underage inter-provincial tournament.

“I watched them [Connacht U20s] play two games this year. There are

McSharry alongside Connacht teammate Eoin Griffin

some brilliant prospects coming through there. Over the next two or three years we’ll see them come through into both the Connacht team and the Ireland team.

“I think [the Connacht set-up’s] influence is massive. There are three other provinces to choose from, but if they allow the proper funding and everything to go into it, Connacht could be a stronger fourth province. With the amount of young players coming through, they could look at that and realise that there’s an extra pool of players to choose from.”

One of the young Irish talents coming through is McSharry’s centre partner, Eoin Griffin. The two were in the same Irish U20 squad, but saw limited game time together. McSharry is happy to be seeing more game time with the Galway man, who was also signed up to a professional contract in December. “I really enjoy playing with Eoin. He’s got a really bright future ahead of him. At U20 level we always fitted well together and I get on well with him off the pitch, which is important.”

McSharry plays down Connacht backs’ coach Billy Millard’s suggestion that he will play for Ireland one day, alongside Griffin, preferring to take

McSharry playing for Connacht against Toulouse

each day as it comes. “With how quickly things have turned around for me over the last few weeks, it hasn’t really been something on my mind. I suppose holding onto the twelve jersey each week is what’s keeping me going.

“Over the next few years, maybe I will [think about playing internationally]. It’s great to see Gav [Gavin Duffy], Macca [Mike McCarthy] and Wilko [Brett Wilkinson] and the lads in the Wolfhounds at the moment.” The Wolfhounds could also be a way forward for McSharry in the future.

After a string of impressive performances for Connacht, which saw him play six games and score one try, McSharry was awarded the Connacht Player of the Month for November, and was then awarded with a professional contract with the club.

He still follows UCD and believes that there are several players from the current squad who can make the next provincial breakthrough. “I keep following UCD and keep in contact with the lads all the time. A few of my best friends are playing for UCD, and it’s great to see them overturn Trinity in Colours this year after what happened last year.

“There is a lot of young talent coming through there. I played a small bit this year with a few lads, and there’s a few strong players coming through: Andy Boyle, Sam Coughlan Murray, James Tracey. And a few lads from Leinster who have got a few games; Luke McGrath is supposed to be very good and Conor Gilsenan. There’s a huge crop of good players coming through in UCD.” After such a promising start at Connacht, it seems that David McSharry’s venture to the West has been a success.

Turning just twenty-two in February, his future looks very bright.

McSharry recieving the Connacht Player of the Month award

18

sport

Sports Digest

Opinion

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

by Daniel Keenan

Basketball UCD Marian were beaten by UL Eagles at the University Arena in Limerick on Saturday January 21th with a final score line of 7568 in the Men’s Superleague.

UCD started well and led at the end of the first quarter 10-18, but the home side fought back and were ahead 34-29 by the end of the first half. The third quarter belonged to UCD, who led by seven with a quarter to go. In the final ten minutes, the Eagles upped their tempo and two big three’s by Scott Kinevane set them on their way. With the UCD team down a man due to team fouls, the Eagles were able to keep the score board ticking and went on to win by seven.

UCD Marian had solid performances across their team with the scoring led by Donie Stith (15), Conor Meaney (15) and Kevin Foley (14). UL Eagles were ultimately the better team, with the scoring led by Robert Taylor (21), Scott Kinnevane (14) and Neil Campbell (12).

Soccer Paul Corry has signed on for another year with UCD AFC. The UCD Academy product had been linked to clubs outside the college since the 2011 season ended, but has committed himself to the Belfield club for another season.

The twenty-one-year old midfielder has represented Ireland at underage levels, including a home based Under 23 Ireland squad, and is continuing his degree in Commerce as he plays for the college. Over the last three seasons, Corry has played fifty-nine times for the Students, scoring six goals. The close of the season has seen speculation linking him with a move away from Belfield but Corry has chosen to stay with the Students as he continues his final year of studies.

GAA The recipients of the Grant Thornton GAA Scholarship were Kildare’s Peter Kelly, Masters student, UCD Sigerson Captain and GAA All-Star in 2010; Donie Kingston, third year Arts student playing U21 and Senior Football for Laois, and Galway’s Colin Forde, fourth year Physiotherapy student and All-Ireland U21 Captain. The Cadbury Football scholarships were also announced last week, with Wicklow’s Aaron Murphy and Westmeath’s Cormac Boyle the two UCD recipients.

Meanwhile, UCD GAA hosted a free symposium on Player Wellbeing in UCD’s Health Science Building on Wednesday night.

The symposium attracted a huge crowd from all sports as the guest speakers discussed areas relevant to all athletes competing in sport, including alcohol, nutrition, and injury.

Toppling a giant Carl Murray previews Super Bowl XLVI and looks at both teams’ path to Indianapolis

F

or those who were willing to brave the very early hours of Sunday morning to watch the NFC and AFC Championship games, it was most certainly worth it.

The New York Giants recorded a gritty 20-17 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers, while the New England Patriots, through the misfortune of Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff, secured a 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. In many ways it was the tale of two kickers as the Giants’ Lawrence Tynes’ successful kick sent the New York side to their first Super Bowl since 2008, while Cundiff, who signed a fiveyear contract worth about $15 million in January of last year with the Ravens to become their long-term kicker, hooked a simple thirty-two yard field goal to the left and wide.

Indeed, the way in which the Giants and the Patriots are coming into this year’s Super Bowl is almost identical as to the way in which both teams made it to Super Bowl XLII in 2008, a game which the Giants won. The Giants, who finished the regular season in 2007 with a 10-6 record, finished the regular season this year with a 9-7 record.

Although the Patriots didn’t finish this season with the perfect 16-0 they had in the 2007 regular season, their 13-3 record tied them with the rest of the NFL’s top seeds.

Similar to the build-up to Super Bowl XLII, the Giants are coming into Super Bowl XLVI in terrific form. Since they were 7-7 they have won five games in a row, most of them on the road, outscoring their opponents 141-67. The Giants’ defence, although only ranked twenty-seventh for the regular season, has succeeded in shutting out opponents’ offence by using the three or four man rush on the quarterback. This is something they will look to use against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Brady struggled to find his man as the Ravens’ defence increased pressure on the pocket. Brady finished the game with a respectable 22/36 pass rate for 239 yards, but the big difference was that he threw no touchdown passes.

The Badger Super Bowel Movement The Badger is sick of American Football hype

T

he Badger’s least favourite time of the year is coming, and since the Badger is an absolute playa, it isn’t Valentine’s Day; it’s Super Bowl Sunday.

This is in stark contrast to the joy Brady Brady’s numbers for throwing when game is that they won without Brady enjoyed in games at the end of the regu- running are poor in comparison to the throwing a TD pass, as they normally lar season such as against Buffalo, or in likes of Tim Tebow. This is where New rely so heavily on their quarterback. the playoff win against the Broncos.

York will try to use their strength, the While it shows that the Ravens’ defence Brady is now in his fourth Super three or four man rush with varied zon- shut him down somewhat, it also instils Bowl and is arguably the best quarter- al coverage, to unearth Brady’s weak- confidence in the rest of the team that back to date, but doesn’t hit the numbers ness and cut off the Patriots’ supply. they can win a Championship whether he usually throws if he’s forced to move The Patriots come into the game in Brady shows up or not. Another posiaround in or outside of the pocket. For solid form on the back of a sort of anti- tive is that when the passing game his laser-guided arm to function to its climatic AFC Championship victory. A wasn’t working BenJarvus Green-Ellis full potential his feet must be set, and positive for all Pats fans going into the and Danny Woodhead were able to carry the team’s offence quite literally, thus further indicating how flexible this supposedly one-dimensional New England team can be.

The Giants seem to be the early favourites for Super Bowl XLVI as the statistics are most definitely on their side. They have won seven consecutive overtime games, have had no fumbles in seven games, have had no turnovers in three of their last four games, only allowing the 49ers one third-down conversion out of thirteen in the NFC Championship game.

Whether the New York Giants can deal with being favourites this time around will be a huge talking point.

In 2008, nobody thought that the Giants would be able to stand in the way of the then 16-0 Patriots. It seemed as if their underdog status, as it always does to teams, gave them a degree of freedom when playing in the Super Bowl that year, as if the occasion didn’t faze them. Although the Giants have displayed some of the grinding, hard-fought form they displayed in that 2007-2008 season, one wonders whether they will be able to replicate it on February 5th.

The Patriots can see what stands between them and the Vince Lombardi trophy and won’t underestimate the Giants like they seemed to have done in 2008. Although the form guide points the way of New York, it is hard to see how such a proud, hard-working and grounded franchise as the New England Patriots will allow the Giants to beat them for the second time this season (24-20 to Giants in Foxborough, MA in Week 9), and for the second time in a row in the Super Bowl.

Whether the New York Giants can deal with being favourites this time around will be a huge talking point

It’s the day when half the population of Ireland pretends to be American, not by eating too much fast food or bombing the Middle East, but by sitting down to watch American football. The Badger’s main problem with American football used to be its ridiculous name.

Calling a sport ‘football’ when the ball is so rarely kicked in a match used to irritate the Badger, but since watching the endless series of handpasses in Gaelic, it’s become apparent to the Badger that the use of feet is not a vital aspect in naming a sport ‘football’.

But there are so many reasons to dislike American football, not least the time it airs at on this side of the Atlantic. The Badger is nocturnal, yet still doesn’t bother to watch the NFL; is the Badger alone in thinking that that

time of the night should be dedicated to hunting mice?

Not to badger on about time, but when more of a game is spent in studio analysing the plays, than on the field, you’re probably not watching the best sport.

The Badger will concede that the NFL has some of the best athletes in the world, but it remains less a sport, and more an anorak’s wet dream, since the sport’s platform is completely based on statistics. A player can’t be judged by anything but a number on a page, to the point where watching a match is more like watching an outdoor maths class.

American football is the basis for movies including Remember the Titans and Any Given Sunday, so it is also responsible for drunks and coaches of

underage GAA teams poorly retelling the speeches, and attempting to recreate the dance, in a feeble attempt to replicate Al Pacino and Ryan Gosling. Surely this is a crime grave enough to ban the sport?

And then there’s Michael Vick. Is it unfair to judge an entire sport by the actions of one player? No, because the Badger says so. So, one of the NFL’s best players of the last decade gets bored and organises some dog fighting rings? Again, the Badger may be alone here, but he doesn’t agree with this.

So the Badger will not watch the Super Bowl XZII$Q. In all honesty, the Badger would rather see what’s going on in Michael Vick’s back garden than watch the Super Bowl. It’d probably be easier on the eye too.

The University Observer · 31 January 2012

sport

Anybody’s Game

19

Opinion

With what is expected to be a tight Six Nations kicking off this weekend, Kevin Beirne looks at each country’s aspirations

S

pring is here, which can only mean one thing: the business end of the rugby season. For the next month and a half the Heineken Cup will step aside to allow something even bigger to take centre stage. The Six Nations is back, and it promises to be more intriguing than ever.

This year’s tournament carries some extra, World Cup-shaped, baggage with it. Half of the teams in this year’s Six Nations lost in the knock-out round to another European team, and another two failed to qualify from groups which were won by their European counterparts, with only France being knocked out by a Southern Hemisphere team.

This means that there are five World Cup rematches on the cards, with three teams looking to avenge their World Cup defeats at home. These rematches will go a long way towards deciding who will win the tournament. 2012 is one of those exciting years where there is no out-and-out favourite.

With a new head coach at the helm, and the classic French temperament a constant factor, the French remain, as always, unpredictable. They played poorly in autumn, even losing to Tonga, but somehow only lost the final by a single point. This would seem to put them forward as automatic favourites. In order to win however, Thierry Dusautoir, IRB World Player of the Year, will need his men to reproduce the energetic play present in the final, rather than the dull, cynical style that got them there.

Wales pose arguably the biggest threat to France’s hopes.

Although the form of the likes of Sam Warburton and Rhys Priestland has cooled since their semi-

Sean O’Brien looks on as Wales celebrate their quarter-final victory in last year’s World Cup. Ireland will hope to gain revenge on their neighbours when they host them this Sunday

Sam Warburton’s infamous tackle on Vincent Clerc during the World Cup. Wales travel to France on the last day of the tournament hoping to avenge this loss

“There are five World Cup rematches on the cards, with three teams looking to avenge their World Cup defeats at home” final defeat to France, their passion will not have. After their controversial loss in October, they will be looking for revenge in Paris on the last day of the tournament.

The loss of Shane Williams will be countered by the emergence of four young wingers with Alex Cuthbert, the oldest, only twentyone years old. Warren Gatland clearly liked what he saw at the World Cup, and is continuing to put his faith in a youthful side that has the potential to dominate Europe for years. With two big away games for Wales, it won’t be easy

to come out on top as this team isn’t built for instant success, so Wales may drop a few points in the tournament.

Ireland go into the tournament on the back of the most successful Heineken Cup group stage in their history, with three quarterfinalists, the most of any country this year. Ulster’s emergence as a contender has given Declan Kidney further ammunition, even if he seems unwilling to use it.

The exclusion of Dan Tuohy in favour of Donnacha Ryan is questionable, as is the continued in-

clusion of Paddy Wallace over a number of more gifted, younger players such as Eoin O’Malley or Nevin Spence. Kidney’s selections indicate he has one eye on the end-of-year world rankings, which decide the 2015 World Cup pools.

Fergus McFadden has the unenviable task of filling Brian O’Driscoll’s shoes. Kidney and Co. will hope that he can emulate O’Driscoll’s Parisian debut back in 2000, when he scored a hat-trick in Ireland’s only win in the French capital in the past forty years.

The reigning champions, England, look unlikely to retain their crown. With an interim head coach in place and an overhaul of players, English rugby finds itself in a state of flux. A disastrous World Cup, both on and off the pitch, has seen Stuart Lancaster select only seventeen players from the thirtyman squad that failed so spectacularly in New Zealand.

Scotland’s ambition will be to overpower Italy and possibly sneak a home win against anoth-

The more things change the more they stay the same Ireland have broken their rut by qualifying for the European Championships, but Trapattoni is unlikely to change his team ahead of the tournament, writes Aaron Kennedy

G

iovanni Trapattoni’s conservative selection policy will be put to the test when he sits down to select his Irish squad for Euro 2012, which commences on the 8th June. Since he took over the Republic of Ireland job four years ago, he hasn’t made many changes, partially due to a lack of choice, but now his horizons have expanded with some Irish talent stepping up in the Premier League and SPL. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark has shown how he can mix with some of the best in the Premier League, and will be full of confidence after making his debut against Wales in the Aviva Stadium. It is unclear as of yet if he shall join the 2012 squad, but it is also doubtful that if he does make it that he will feature in any starting line-up Trapattoni puts out.

The on-and-off form of Newcastle striker Leon Best have left opinions split about his ability. He has failed to find the net in seven games for Ireland, with many, including Trapattoni, questioning his work rate and fitness, since he normally fails to finish any games he starts with Newcastle.

Two Norwich City players who have made an impression in the Premier League this season are Wesley Hoolahan and Anthony Pilkington. Both players have not had much of a look into Trapattoni’s side. Hoolihan has a solitary cap for his nation, while Pilkington is still awaiting his debut.

Pilkington has netted five times this season for the newly promoted Canaries, but it is his teammate Hoolahan who is the most likely candidate for a spot in the squad

since Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli have been watching him all season long, and he won his cap under Trapattoni in 2008.

Ireland haven’t had to worry about their goalkeeping situation since Shay Given established himself in 2000, but the Villa goalkeeper has suffered several injuries recently, including a torn hamstring.

If Given were to miss out on Euro 2012, Trapattoni would be left with a serious dilemma. Queens Park Rangers’ (QPR) Paddy Kenny gained seven caps for the Republic of Ireland during 2004-2006 but has not featured in a single game since. He has been solid for QPR, but he is out of favour with the Italian manager, and Sunderland’s Keirin Westwood is the man most likely to be called upon should Given get injured.

Cillian Sheridan and Anthony Stokes have been impressing in the SPL. Sheridan is on loan from CSKA Sofia to St. Johnstone and has netted four times in thirteen appearances. It is highly doubtful that he will make the squad if all the regulars such as Robbie Keane and Jon Walters are fit.

Anthony Stokes is netting week in, week out in the SPL and it shows how efficient the striker really is.

He has netted thirty-four goals in sixty-five appearances for Celtic as well as gaining four caps for Ireland.

Along with Shane Long, Stokes is one of the players that Trapattoni does not utilise correctly.

Former UCD striker Conor Sammon will be hoping to acquire a place in the squad for the Euros but his hopes may be dashed due to a slow start at Wigan Ath-

letic. He has netted just one goal in twenty-one appearances for the Latics, and with the numerous striking options open to Trapattoni, he will most likely join the likes of Best, Stokes and Sheridan in being left behind for Euro 2012.

Sunderland’s James McClean has impressed since getting a look in by new manager Martin O’Neill.

He confirmed this month that he would not be reconsidering his decision to play for the Republic of Ireland, after contact from Michael O’Neill to play for Northern Ireland.

McClean has been in fine form of late, but like many emerging players, his hopes may have been dashed after Trapattoni announced that the squad who qualified deserves their place on the plane to Poland/Ukraine, leaving new players a difficult task to try to squeeze into the squad.

Damien Duff’s incessant injuries could see him miss out on a place, which could leave McClean with a chance to claim his role on the right wing.

Trapattoni has strongly emphasised that he will stick to the players he used in qualifications.

The two players with the strongest chances of creeping into the squad are James McLean and Wes Hoolahan, but even they may not make it depending on the fitness of regulars.

Despite the criticism he receives for his conservative selection policy, changes are unlikely, since Trap’s conservatism has seen Ireland qualify for the Euros.

However, no one will complain if his intransigence is vindicated and Ireland have a successful tournament.

er team. Edinburgh’s progress in the Heineken Cup bodes well for the future of Scottish rugby, but it is unlikely that they will finish any higher than fifth. Their home opener against England is their best chance to win against one of the big four.

Italy, meanwhile, will have their eyes cast to the north, with Scotland at home their best chance to win, and avoid their tenth wooden spoon since they joined the competition, this being their thirteenth season. It remains to be seen what effect the departure of Nick Mallet will have on the Azzuri, but one can’t but feel that it won’t be good. Sergio Parisse can only carry this team so far, and their victory over France feels more like a flash in the pan than a turning point.

In just under two months, we will know for sure what the answers to all of these questions are.

One thing is certain, however; even in its 118th edition, rugby’s oldest tournament is as exciting as ever.

Opinion Leon Best (bottom right), James McClean (bottom left), Ciaran Clark (top right), Anthony Pilkington and Anthony Stokes (top left) are just some of the players Trapattoni is likely to overlook for Euro 2012

20

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The University Observer · 31 January 2012

Thunder too powerful for UCD Marian UCD Marian couldn’t deal with a strong Dublin Thunder team on Friday night, writes Colm Lakes

U

CD Marian fell to an emphatic defeat to a very impressive Dublin Thunder team in the Division 1 National Cup final on Friday. Coming in as heavy underdogs, but with the knowledge of the unpredictability of the cup, there was no way that UCD would be happy to settle for the silver medal.

Dublin Thunder are, however, an immensely talented team, no doubt possessing the most quality in the competition. With players such as Lawrence “Puff” Summers, Michael Goj, Glen Wong, Isaac Westbrooks and Derek Courtney, it is no wonder that they are the envy of the country, despite not having a league to play in.

UCD started the game very well, taking an early lead with three threepointers from Gary Edge, to take an 11-3 lead. However, Thunder were not going to allow UCD to pull away from them for very long, as they began to slowly claw their way back. Scores from Summers, Michael Goj and Derrick Courtney allowed Thunder to level and then take the lead towards the end of the first period.

UCD had to fight for every score, with Gary Edge, the only UCD player who seemed to be having any luck, leading the way. Thunder finished the quarter with a final second buzzer-beater from Michael Goj to deflate the Marian players and fans, and stretch the gap to six, 23-17 to the Northside club.

In the second quarter Thunder began to pull away from UCD. They played excellent defence to keep UCD’s scores to a minimum and scored freely themselves, with just too much of an offen-

sive punch for Marian. Glen Wong and Michael Goj showed a killer instinct from the three-point line, Wong scoring two three-pointers in the quarter alone.

At the other end, UCD could only manage five points in the quarter and the crowd began to suspect that a blowout was on its way. As the half drew to a close, the scoreline was not pretty for the Students, and the mood in the changing rooms was no doubt tense as they trailed 48-22. The game was Thunder’s to lose, and without the weight of expectation on their back, UCD continued to fight until the game ended.

Try as they might, there was no denying the superiority of Thunder. They were simply too good for their opponents, and would have torn apart every other team in the competition with their performance, excluding only the equally impressive Ballon. However, Marian came out in the third quarter defiant, and made sure that they created more scores for themselves than the abysmal second quarter. However, on the defensive end, they could not stop Thunder, who scored as much as they pleased. They had too many options, inside and out, for Marian to contain and continued to stretch their lead. By the end of the period, Thunder had one hand on the trophy, as the result was a foregone conclusion. At 71-37, it would take a number of miracles for any hope of a comeback.

The game’s tempo slowed in the fourth quarter, as Thunder eased off the pressure. Gary Edge continued to be UCD’s main scoring threat, and he finished the game as top scorer with eighteen points. However, even this valiant effort was not enough to save face, as Thunder ran out a forty-two point win and were crowned Division 1 National Champions.

UCD’s performance was far from shameful; they were simply beaten well by a special team in Irish basketball.

Thunder are too good for Division 1, but are ineligible for the Superleague.

Should they maintain their current squad, they could prove to be a dominant force in the Senior National Cup

Inside...

We talk to Dave McSharry about his time with UCD RFC

page 17 The Badger’s second favourite part is Half Time. His favourite is Full

Action at the Division 1 National Cup Final at the National Basketball Arena Photographer: David Nowak

UCD Marian

45 Dublin Thunder 87

page 18

We preview Super Bowl XLVI and look at both teams’ path to the final

for many years to come.

With a final score of 87-45, Thunder player Derrick Courtney was awarded MVP for his efforts as he put in a stellar performance, but really any one of the Dublin Thunder players could have received the award. UCD will be upset by this loss, but currently positioned as they are at the top of the Dublin Senior Division 1, they will not lose heart or confidence.

UCD slip-up to title rivals Railway UCD Ladies’ Hockey team couldn’t overcome a resilient Railway Union side in Park Avenue, writes Daniel Keenan

page 18

UCD

1 Railway Union 2

A

fter taking an early lead, UCD eventually slumped to a 2-1 defeat against title rivals Railway, who handed the Students their first defeat of the season.

UCD began the day unbeaten and top of the table, with a game in hand over their fellow Southsiders, who were two points behind them and also undefeated. Due to international commitments, both teams had to do without key players; UCD were left missing Chloe Watkins, while Railway had to do without Alex Speers, Emma Smyth and Nikki Evans. Both Smyth and Watkins were involved in the Ireland team that lost to Belgium in the second build-up game to the Investec Triangular series in South Africa.

The game started off perfectly for UCD, who grabbed the lead in the first

four minutes of the match, with Jeamie Deacon scoring for the visitors after good build-up play. UCD looked comfortable for the rest of the half, passing well and keeping Railway to minimal

scoring opportunities.

Late in the first half, Railway won a corner, which was fired across ‘The D’ and eventually slotted home by Zara Delany. The two teams went in level at

half time after a conservative first half.

It was Railway who controlled the second half, with Jean McDonnell and Julia O’Halloran proving particularly impressive. They made their dominance

count, grabbing a second goal through Isobel Joyce.

Railway were happy to see the game out from there, by playing the possession game and letting the clock tick down. UCD couldn’t create much with what little possession they saw near the end of the game, and the match eventually petered out for a 2-1 win to the home side. Railway’s win sees them leapfrog UCD at the top of the table, although UCD still have a game in hand.

UCD 1st XI team captain, Laura Wilson, was happy with the performance, even if the result didn’t go their way: “We just didn’t take our chances in the game,” says Wilson, “We played well, but just couldn’t finish it.

“Performance wise, it wasn’t far off how we have been playing. But obviously we didn’t get the result, which is what matters. We’re still performing well as a team. It’s only our first match back since before exams in December, so we were out of match practice.”

Meanwhile, UCD’s Men’s team bounced back from their Mills Cup quarter final loss to Three Rock by drawing with YMCA. The draw sees the Students move above Fingal, into eighth place.

Having lost the Neville Cup final in December, and a respectable final position the only realistic goal for the league, the Mills Cup was UCD’s only chance for silverware this season, but after a 1-1 draw in Belfield, they lost 3-1 on penalties to Three Rock.