Volume XX – Broadsheet – Issue 4

Page 1

uo The University Observer

Bad Blood Investigation into the ban on homosexuals giving blood

Astronaut

The Great Divide

An interview with the last man on the moon

A look at inequality in Irish society

Michael O’Sullivan p8

Shane Hannon P12

Robert Nielsen P6

above UCD set up for a scrum during their 61-0 victory in the Belfield Bowl on Sunday photo james healy

C&E Society under investigation over sexist poster content » Cullen refused to liaise with Gender Equality Co-ordinator before event » KPMG brands the event as sexist

UCD Societies Officer Richard Butler has revealed to the University Observer that he will be investigating the Commerce and Economics (C&E) Society in relation to their Rappers and Slappers event held on Thursday, October 24th. Concerns were raised by many students about the sexist connotations attached to the name of the event. In addition to the investigation into the society’s conduct, KPMG, a sponsor of the C&E Society, have moved to distance themselves from the group in their branding of women as slappers. Speaking to the University Observer, a spokesperson for KPMG condemned the theme of event and revealed their intention to be immediately disassociated from the society’s actions.

“We were recently made aware of a specific event taking place in UCD organised by the C&E Society. This event was organised without our knowledge and we strongly disassociate ourselves from the event theme. “We immediately asked the organisers to remove any reference to KPMG from the event materials. KPMG would like to reiterate that we disapprove of sexism in any way and that we are proud to actively promote equality in the workplace.” Before the event last Thursday, C&E Society Auditor, Karl Cullen, said that they intend to work with gender equality groups in UCD in the near future. “We realise that the title of this event has caused controversy in

UCD,” said Cullen. “To prevent this occurring into [sic] the future recommendations have been passed onto the societies council and members of the committee so that we may work with members of UCD’s gender equality group so that this does not happen again.” Speaking to the University Observer, Gender Equality Co-ordinator, Rebek’ah McKinney-Perry, disclosed that the C&E Society has made no approach to her or any established UCD gender equality groups to rectify the issue or discuss the sexist content of their posters advertised across campus since Thursday, October 17th, despite attempts on her part to contact Cullen personally. In 2009, a precedent was established for disciplinary action being handed down for offensive

We were recently made aware of a specific event taking place in UCD organised by the C&E Society. This event was organised without our knowledge and we strongly disassociate ourselves from the event theme

posters being advertised on campus. ArtsSoc and the Business and Law (B&L) Society were fined €2,500 for the content of their posters publicising The Virgin Ball being deemed “objectionable and crude.” The Recognition Committee of the Societies Council further considered “the message conveyed by [The Virgin Ball] poster was insidious and dangerous” and felt “holding an event with such a title was also in breach of the basic standards of propriety and consideration that should be upheld by any student society.”

» Labour Court had previously ruled there was no gender discrimination

the role of professor within the UCD School of Law and Business. Both of the women promoted were appointed professors in the Arts faculty. The claim of gender bias is based on the comparative treatment of the six male applicants, who were all promoted within that year. Dr O’Higgins’ claim had previously been dismissed by the Equality Tribunal, as they said there was not enough evidence to ground her complaint. The Labour Court heard her case in November 2012, but it was determined that there was no gender discrimination in the decision process of UCAATP. Dr O’Higgins has appealed this decision to the High Court. The case Dr O’Higgins has brought before the High Court is concerned with the manner in which the Labour

Court properly assessed the material before it in relation to her promotion. Mr. Justice John Cooke heard evidence that the Labour Court raised concerns over aspects of the UCD appointments process and her lawyer Mark Connaughton SC, purported that the Labour Court’s account of the evidence presented was “formulaic.” Dr O’Higgins also asserts that it is significant that the two women promoted that year were to professorships in the Arts faculty and that the committee that considered the applications included a female professor from this same faculty. During the High Court proceedings last week, Cliona Kimber, BL for UCD, said that Dr O’Higgins was “somewhat subjective in her view of her own superiority and the inferiority of others.” Kimber also

Laura Bell otwo p12

Hozier Hozier reveals to Rebekah Rennick his humble beginnings

Rebekah Rennick Otwo P15

Read Page 4 for Analysis

KPMG Representative

Yvanne Kennedy

» Dr O’Higgins claims to have been denied promotion because of her gender

Sam Lloyd Laura Bell catches up with all 37 versions of Sam Lloyd

Killian Woods deputy editor

Senior UCD lecturer brings gender discrimination dispute to High Court Dr Eleanor O’Higgins, a senior lecturer in the UCD School of Law and Business, has alleged that it was her gender, and not the quality of her application, that is the reason behind the university promotions committee not promoting her to professor. Recommendations were passed to UCAATP, the promotions committee that is chaired by the President of UCD, in 2007 by a committee from the UCD School of Law and Business and also an external assessor that suggested offering Dr O’Higgins a promotion. She was among 19 candidates, of which 15 were men and four women. Two of the female candidates, and six male, were promoted to professor; three of the men who achieved promotion were given

29/10/2013 Volume XX issue iv

stated that a professor at UCD is recognised as a “gold standard” and that awarding promotions factors in a lot of subjective analysis. Dr O’Higgins initially applied for professorship in 2006 and was unsuccessful due to not having held an Associate Professorship for five years and also not receiving an exemption to this requirement. This necessity was removed in 2007, and she told the Court that she regarded her achievements under all of the criteria used to assess candidates for promotion to be at least equal, and in some cases superior, to those of the male candidates who were subsequently promoted. As of yet, there has been no resolution to the proceedings, which are ongoing.

ucd weather

Smart Casual

The balance between less effort and effortless Otwo P20

Papers, Please

In fictional communist Arstotzka, games review you Niall Gosker Otwo P6 by cathal nolan

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Clear

Mostly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Chance of Rain

Chance of Storm

Chance of Rain october 29th 2013


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