“Given the imminence of a referendum and the current oppression of freedom of speech in universities across the country,” Katie Ascough said, in a recent interview with the Irish Independent, “I am not holding my breath for a fair and …
The radicalisation of TCDSU
The dynamic between the College and TCDSU has permanently shifted
Trinity’s beginning to catch up with the rest of the student-political world. On Monday March 5, several hundred students protested a meeting of the College’s Finance Committee, and made enough noise that the Vice-Provost had to come out and speak …
Ireland has changed and it’s time we catch up
Descriptions of Ireland as a “parochial” and “Catholic” country have become useless
When I was away over Christmas, someone from a different country started asking me about Ireland. She had lived in Derry during the 80s, and spent a lot of time going back and forth along the border, so her questions …
Kevin Keane’s focus on Repeal is killing student activism
Kevin Keane’s cynical focus on Repeal has come at the expense of improving student life
In many ways, the “Fresh” debacle is typical of TCDSU’s actions this year. Every student received a self-congratulatory email implementing a change that no one seems to have wanted, and with Kevin Keane’s name conspicuously at the bottom of the …
Ascough’s impeachment has started a culture war
I don’t think Ascough will ever understand why decent, reasonable people campaigned and voted overwhelmingly to impeach her, but she herself was responsible for it. Whatever actually happened with the handbooks, she was never going to be able to convince …
What does Trinity stand for?
The provost’s rankings-focused strategy is proving successful, but with far-reaching implications for Trinity.
In a few weeks, thousands of freshers will be going to orientation lectures. They’re going to be told, as you were, and as I was, that they’re lucky to be here – that they’re privileged to be going to the …
Trinity’s rise in the rankings a good start, but funding and internal reform still needed
The recent rise of college in the QS rankings should be commended, as rankings matter. However, it does not alleviate the need for increased higher education funding.
During the year I overheard someone from the SU talking about a special rankings commission he was involved with. The problem, he said, was how many academics had absolutely no interest in rankings: they considered it an insult that someone …
Politicians are making war with the media
Politicians have embraced a new strategy to avoid dealing with difficult questions: discrediting those who ask them.
In 2009 the Obama administration excluded Fox News from a round of interviews with an executive payroll manager due to its unfavourable reporting. They declared that they were a wing of the Republican Party, rather than a news organisation. Jake …
Trinity academics call for targeted smoking prevention in new study
The outline aimed to help in the implementation of a smoke-free campus
A new study by Trinity academics has called for better targeting of smoking prevention measures. The study, led by Dr. Gabrielle McKee of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, explores smoking and quitting behaviours among students. The study aims to …
The great divide in our students’ union
The proposal and failure of a motion on BDS at the last Congress both show up the weaknesses of TCDSU
Only class reps can vote, but anyone can go to an SU monthly congress, and they are fascinating things. Speeches for or against motions can only be about 2 minutes long. For the motion to support BDS at the most …