uo The University Observer
PRESIDENT deEKS An interview with Prof. Andrew Deeks the new President of UCD
PSYCOLLEGEY the science of why opposites attract ahead of Valentines Day
JIMMY MAGEE The legendary broadcaster talks about his favourite sporting moments
above The 30 hour 3D printer challenge winners at the launch of the Shackleton Lounge in UCD
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Louise Dolphin P13
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photo James Brady
Figureheads on campus back change of SU model Figures of authority on campus have revealed their desire for the UCD Students’ Union (SU) to move from its current format to a structure that resembles the model most SUs in the United Kingdom observe. Problems with the infrastructure of UCDSU have been highlighted since the turn of the decade when the organisation was shown to be in excess of €1 million in debt due to financial mismanagement. These fiscal shortcomings underlined for many a need to change the current system in order to avoid such an issue arising in the future. Furthermore, students felt UCDSU’s efforts focus was too national and while committing to fighting fees with USI, it ignored prominent issues on campus such as the issues with students had with UCD Residences. A shift to this UK Students’ Union structure would see UCDSU fall in line with a more localised ideology that focuses primarily on campaigning for better student services on campus.
» President Deeks backs move to different SU model » SU’s student survey to gauge student opinion on how Union should be run
Students’ Unions in the UK that apply this localised ethos to their work served find such efforts boost student involvement and see further progress made in improving student activities and services on campus, such as more affordable accommodation, more recreational activities and cheaper alcohol on campus. Speaking about the possible shift to the UK Students’ Union model, UCDSU President, Mícheál Gallagher said, “I would definitely like to see UCDSU move in a direction that sees it constantly adopting international, cutting edge examples of best practice. “Two key ideologies must be adhered to at all times: fair democratic structures and a fully transparent organisation… With UCD’s absence from the USI this year, I have taken to more direct networking with leading United Kingdom Students’ Unions” New UCD President Andrew
Deeks echoed Gallagher’s sentiments, saying he hopes they can be more concerned with the experience of students on campus. “Coming from the Australian system, the Students’ Unions went from a situation where they were a breeding ground for future politicians to a situation where they were much more concerned with student facilities, the student experience on campus, with representing the student body to senior management. “What I would hope is that our SU will adopt that kind of approach that they will be concerned with student experience on campus, working with me and my management team in terms of improving that and that party politics will not be a part of student politics.” During the first week of semester two, UCDSU released their first audited accounts to students, something Gallagher noted as a move towards this complete fiscal transparency that is the backbone of
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JOHN DIMAGGIO Voice actor John DiMaggio talks braving rabid Mark Hamill fanboys
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Killian Woods deputy editor UK Students’ Unions operations. “UCDSU has implemented all examples of international recognised best practice of student representative organisations, such as restructuring into two separate companies; one to manage the shops, and another to look after the representative and entertainment functions” In order to maximize UCD students’ involvement in such an overhaul of structures in the SU, Gallagher hopes that a survey being conducted over the next few weeks will allow students to have their say in what shape they UCDSU. “We are conducting this survey to find out what direction the students of UCD want to take their SU in. It will help shape the strategic plan which will guide the SU over the next two years to 2016. Where necessary it will be used as a reference for possible changes to UCDSU’s constitution.”
CLOUD CONTROL Australian alternative rockers discuss their experiences with Dave Grohl
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ONLINE EDIT
Education officer answers for absence on exam results day UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) Undergraduate Education Officer, Adam Carroll, was challenged at the last sitting of UCDSU Council, on January 27th, by a class representative in attendance in regards to his absence from campus during the release of semester one examination results on Wednesday, January 22nd. Carroll was out of the country when the results were released and was not directly available for student queries until the Saturday of that week. When approached by the University Observer for comment, Carroll stated that he had been on a family holiday that had been organised before
he took up the position of Undergraduate Education Officer. When asked if he believed his duties as Undergraduate Education Officer had been fulfilled, he stated, “All of my duties were covered by my sabbatical officer colleagues and all queries [presented personally, by email, and telephone] were dealt with within 24 hours. I am satisfied that services provided to our student members were not affected at all. ” UCDSU President, Mícheál Gallagher, stated that Carroll’s absence was perfectly within his rights. “I know that the Undergraduate Education Officer is ultimately an employee of UCD Students’ Union and he is entitled to a number of annual holidays.
I respect his employment rights and to be able to take his annual leave.” He also stated that he didn’t feel it was irresponsible of Carroll to have taken his annual leave during such a time and to have been out of country on the day exam results were released. “He very effectively had delegated out his responsibilities to the Graduate Education Officer and the Welfare and Equality Officer and they were more than able to handle any of the queries that came in between them.” As it stands, there are no set days of the year for which all sabbatical officers must be present. When asked whether certain days of the calendar year should be set aside
On exam result day, Carroll’s email sends automated response, “I am receiving a large amount of emails… there may be a slight delay in my response”
The finest outfits that can be gleaned from online fashion outlets Michael O’Sullivan
for all Students’ Union officers to be present, Gallagher stated, “I think organisations should be flexible enough so that if any employee is absent for unforeseeable reasons such as sickness, that the rest of the organisation can adapt and not crumble.“ Although Carroll was elected to office during March of 2013, Mr Gallagher claimed his holiday had been booked in September of that year, by which date the academic calendar for the current year had already been released. Mr Gallagher claimed, “ He received four emails in the week that he was away, so it wasn’t an insurmountable number.”
ucd weather
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SPACE SIMS
An account of the space simulator’s downfall and rebirth Karl Quigley Otwo P7 by cathal nolan
Tuesday
Wednesday
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Partly Cloudy
Chance of Rain
More Clouds
Even More Clouds Than The More Clouds
It’ll Probably Rain
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