College Tribune | January 20th 2009
News
What a cushy number ■ Butler and Brady empty pockets of €55,000 for Couches and Coffee Tables The Students’ Union has received over €55,000 in funding to invest in “chill-out areas” for Belfield €35,000 of the money was sourced from the Student Capital Fund. It is understood President Hugh Brady matched the sum with a further €20,000 in a gesture of goodwill. Plans include a renovation of existing seating areas and the creation of new ones with leather couches and coffee tables. At present, it is the Agriculture and Science buildings which are set for an interior design makeover. The idea was a joint initiative of Paul Lynam and Dan O’Neill, SU Education and Campaigns Officer respectively. Lynam and O’Neill were impressed when they visited other universities last September. “Of all the institutions we visited, DCU was one of the most exceptional.” The fieldtrip involved research into DIT’s “large, vibrant student areas which include couches, tables, pool tables, computer games and TVs”. After the trip a presentation was compiled and presented to Martin Butler, Vice President for Students. Lynam and O’Neill believe that the areas of campus most need of improvement are Science and Ag. Based on quotes from UCD Buildings and Services, €15,000 has been allocated to Ag and €10,000 for the Science Block. The situation is so staid in Ag that the SU believes it merits an LCD TV. It will play music videos and cost somewhere in the region of €5,000. Similarly a lick of paint and much-needed general redecoration will come in at approximately €2,000. “The area in Ag has the potential to provide space for students to relax, chat, have lunch or even work on group projects.” Speaking about the current facilities in Science, the SU stated: “It is felt that the current seating in the Science Block is uncomfortable and too en-
■ Karina Bracken closed. We would like to remove it in exchange for softer seats.” Located at the periphery of campus, the Newstead building is in dire need of a recreational area according to Lynam and O’Neill. “We believe that four sturdy couches at a maximum cost of €2000 would suffice.” Benches are planned for in front of the Engineering building “to improve campus outside areas for outdoor activities and to be more conducive to student on-campus living.” Some money will also go towards fitting more water fountains in various buildings across campus. O’Neill commented that the enhancement of recreational areas “would both improve the community spirit in UCD and also students’ general well-being”. It seems that the SU are delighted with their success: “this shows students a tangible benefit of having a Students' Union that’s able to negotiate on their behalf”. Speaking about the drive to secure funding for the project, Lynam said that “it is important for students to have well-resourced areas to relax in during those stressful exam periods. I'm particularly delighted as this was a key manifesto promise for both myself and Dan.” By revamping some of the recreational areas in Belfield, the SU says its aim “is to improve both student welfare and a sense of community on campus. We also want to help UCD lead as a shining example of a third level institution who values students both academically and socially”. O’Neill and Lynam look forward to seeing the fruits of their labour providing a sanctuary and place of comfort in the form of a couch upon which many a UCD student can rest their weary head.
Repeat students refunded half registration fee According to the Fees & Grants section of the UCD website, final year undergraduate students who successfully completed their degree at the end of the first semester 2008/09 will be entitled to a refund of half their Registration Fee. The ‘Student Services Charge’ was cut by half for those who had returned to UCD for one semester to repeat any modules. This is because they are officially only attending UCD for half the academic year but previously they had to pay for the full year. The website said that final year undergraduate students who successfully finished their degrees last semester have been informed of a 50% reduc-
■ Karina Bracken tion in the Student Services charge of €450 following a recent decision by the University. Officials say that the decision was reached after extensive discussions between college authorities. The Student Centre has also agreed to a 50% cut in the Student Levy of €75 for these students. The UCD Registry has emailed all students affected by the decision. Those who have paid their fees in full will receive a refund of €525 in the weeks following their degree result, provided all other outstanding fees have been fully paid.
■ Comfy: UCD president Hugh Brady helped to fund the introduction of new couches, and a DIT seating area (above)
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