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THIRD LEVEL IN IRELAND The University Times
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Ex-Leinster rugby star Trevor Hogan writes on his experiences volunteering in Gaza.
UT Magazine catches up with Julian Assange’s supporters outside the Ecudorian embassy in London.
UT sits down with Trinitones, page 7
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Irish Student Newspaper of the Year
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The University Times CICE to sever ties with TCD Vladimir Rakhmanin Deputy Online Editor THE CHURCH of Ireland College of Education (CICE) has unanimously passed a motion to terminate its longstanding relationship with Trinity College Dublin. In a statement made on behalf of the board of governors of CICE, the teaching institution was critical of Trinity’s ‘unwillingness to allow for the retention of CICE’s four core principles in any collaborative arrangement’. In a statement made on behalf of the Board of Governors of CICE on 13th November 2012, the college expressed several issues they had with maintaining the college’s strategic partnership with Trinity. Some of the dissatisfaction came from the fact that Trinity would not permit the college to retain its CICE name, due to the fact that the college is strictly secular. The 52-yearold college has been one of Trinity’s longstanding partners. The board of governors stated that unanimous decision was made in the interest of safeguarding CICE’s guiding principles: ‘Safeguarding and enhancing the holistic educational experience of all students in CICE; Retention of CICE’s identity in terms of its ethos and culture, including its relationship with and responsibility to the network of primary schools throughout the State under Reformed Christian patronage; Affirmation of and formal positive acknowledgement of, and respect for the values, origins and traditions of CICE; Protection and equality of recognition for the rights of CICE staff who are all public servants.’ The statement confirmed that CICE have entered formal discussions relating to structure and governance with DCU with a view to establishing a strategic partnership that would make CICE ‘a recognised equal partner at the
decision-making table’. Aside from the issues mentioned above, CICE were also displeased with Trinity only favouring those options which allowed for the assimilation of CICE within an expanded School of Education. Also, no discussion was possible at the negotiations with regard to the continuation of the restricted entry route to the B.Ed for Church of Ireland candidates and those of other Reformed Christian backgrounds. The college has been looking into various options over the summer – it has expressed interest in working with DCU, as the university’s partner institutions, St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra and Mater Dei Institute of Education, ‘pledged to support the distinctive ethos, culture and mission of CICE as an equal partner in the process.’ In a recent University Council, Trinity College stated that it was ‘sorry to lose its long-standing relationship with the CICE but respects the decision of the CICE’s Board of Governors’. Trinity College Dublin declined to comment further on the nature of the split. Professor Walsh, of the School of Education, expressed the School’s regret about the CICE’s decision to end the relationship. Dr Anne Lodge, principal of CICE, in speaking with The University Times, stated the following: ‘As the discussions are ongoing, it is not appropriate for me to comment publicly beyond the agreed public statements of the Board and those of the four institutions in the DCU-led configuration discussing the establishment of an Institute of Education. Both CICE and Trinity College are autonomous institutions which each respect the rights of the other to form alliances as suit their strategic planning.’
UTFEATURES Former Trinity and Leinster rugby player Trevor Hogan writes on his experiences working with children in Gaza. Leanna Byrne interviews Cormac Cashman, a major player on the Dublin gay clubnight circuit.
“For Cormac, the secret to success is simple”
Leanna Bryne, An Interview with Cormac Cashman, page 6
“Gambling
YouTube personality Jenna Marbles pictured after accepting the University Philosphical society’s Bram Stoker award last Thursday evening . Photo: Andrew Murphy
College shelves recommendation for IS Services helpdesk charge
has a calculated power to destroy” Conor Bates, Student Gambling a Growing Concern, page 9
»» Chief Information officer to be hired in strategic overhaul of College IT service. »» Report cites “cumbersome and unreliable” features of College wireless network. Fionn O’Dea Deputy News Editor THE UNIVERSITY Times has learned that recommendations stemming from a review of Information Systems Services (IS Services) undertaken by college late in the last academic year included the outsourcing of the drop-in centre with an introduction of a fee of around €36 for its use. The quality review was carried out between the 15th and 17th of May 2012 by representatives from the University of Warwick, Loughborough University among other Irishbased reviewers, facilitated by Trinity’s Anne Fitzgerald. The above recommendation is among 35 contained within a 38 page document circulated at a university board meeting on October 10th last year. Submissions made at this meeting included that students should not have to pay for a helpdesk
service and that “the IS Services Helpdesk is a valuable service to the College and should not be outsourced.” The recommendation had been included in the report as a cure to “inconsistent and confusing” opening hours of the “highly valued” service. Outsourcing of such services has been of benefit to other institutions such as the University of Warwick but would likely come with at a cost for students. Trinity College Chief Operating Officer Darina Kneafsey advised the board at the meeting that the report “is extensive and detailed and takes into account the level of skills available within the College and the legacy issues because of a failure to invest in systems in the past.” Also laid out are plans for the hiring of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) for college to be the “architect of and hold accountability for the delivery of College’s
UTOPINION With the International Women’s week celebrations underway, Sally Hayden debunks the myths surrounding gener quotas in politics. Samuel Riggs pours cold water over our romantic notions of the internship culture.
Information Strategy”. Board minutes indicate that students will likely be involved in the development of this strategy and that the hiring of a CIO should precede the implementation of the strategy “in order that he/she may contribute to the process.” The minutes also suggest that college “should consider whether IS Services has the correct skill set to deliver the IT strategy once developed.” The report acknowledges that college’s wireless service is an area of concern for both users and ISS, particularly as far as mobile devices are concerned. Since the review was carried out last May, iOS software, used in iPhones and iPads has been made compatible with the College wireless network though users of the Android platform are still unable to connect. The recommendation says that the “existing mechanisms for wired and wireless networking were
considered cumbersome and unreliable. IS Services should continue to consult with other higher education institutions to consider if alternative mechanisms and approaches might be usefully applied to TCD.” Board minutes indicate that it is not the intention of the board to pass on the cost of wireless connectivity in college to students. Expanded support for Mac users to reflect growing numbers of students using Apple products was recommended as well as the harmonisation of the two different email systems used in college for students and staff. There is also the recommendation to outsource printing services though the concern is expressed that this may lead to a “perception of IS Services ‘pushing away’ users to a third party provider and, to some extent, washing its hands of the relationship.” It is therefore concluded that though
UTSPORTS Sarah Ledden reports on the Boxing colours while Rory McCarthy writes on the happenings in Belfied during the rugby colours. Christopher Davey gives you the lowdown on the Dublin clubs competing in the League of Ireland
external vendors have many positive contributions to make, “it is critical that IS Servies remain the public face of the service and hold total responsibility for its performance.” A number of students consulted as part of the report, meanwhile, admitted that it is not always apparent who should be contacted for support in the first instance. IS Services employs 86 (77 full-time equivalents) staff members across four buildings, 200 Pearse St housing the most. It is responsible for the planning, delivery and support of Trinity’s main computing facilities, and supports 25,000 users on campus as well as in St James’s and Tallaght Hospitals. IS Services supplies IT training and provides support in lecture theatres and seminar rooms.
“It’s easy to see why they have been so successful”
Shauna Cleary & Hannah Ryan, Setting the Trinity Tone, page 7
Hubie Pilkington, Swagger, Struts, Stares and Suits, page 8
The University Times
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James Bennett interviews colourful left-wing TD Clare Daly. Tommy Gavin interviews Ebo Taylor, one of the greatest living legends you’ve never heard of.