Students left sitting on floor of overcrowded lecture halls

College has said that late start for first years has led to “challenges with assigning the correct room for the class size”

Students have reported being left standing or sitting on the steps of lecture halls due to overcrowding of rooms.

First year students have been left without seats, as class sizes in junior fresh modules, which commenced on Monday, are exceeding the capacity of classrooms and lecture halls allocated to them.

Responding to an inquiry from Trinity News, a spokesperson for College said that the delayed start for first years has led to administrative challenges in assigning appropriately sized rooms.

“Because of the delayed start of Junior Fresh students owing to the late release of CAO results, it must be noted that the number of students in modules is still changing, especially at Junior Fresh levels, and there have been some challenges with assigning the correct room for the class size.”

The statement added: “Led by the Central Timetabling Unit, Trinity is actively working with all Schools to help with room changes due to increased capacities, as and where required.”

“While all classes will be accommodated as soon as possible, in the meantime, students unable to find a seat in a given lecture should inform their lecturer, who will ensure that the student is not disadvantaged.”

The beginning of term has been beset by administrative issues for all year groups, which students have called “disappointing”, but “not surprising at all”.

Issues surrounding online module enrolment prompted school and faculty convenors of the students’ union to call for a review of the enrolment process.

David Wolfe

David Wolfe is the Editor-in-Chief of the 71st issue of Trinity News. He previously served as Managing Editor and News Editor and is a recent graduate of history and political science.