College Tribune | January 20th 2009
News
Brierly: Students’ Union supportive of controversial security gates ■ “Showdown” between union and security ■ Union: Plans for checkpoint gates now on hold ■ UCD: The building of gates will continue Head of Residences Richard Brierly has claimed the Students’ Union were fully in support of a controversial plan for security I.D checkpoints on student residences. In a letter addressed to the authorities of UCD, Brierly said the union had given the thumbs-up to the initiative, which would shut down all entrances to residences replacing them with one security manned point. But President of the Students’ Union Aodhán Ó Deá has strongly refuted these claims, and now says there was no such exchanges whatsoever. After what he said was a “disastrous lack of consultation” between the student body and the college, the plans have been shelved until at least September 2009, and the union will now go into discussion with the relevant authorities. Last Semester, the wheels were put in motion to block all entrances to all student residences, leaving one security manned checkpoint in place. Students received a letter toward the end of term advising them that points would be put in place without further notice.
■ Jennifer Bray The union then counteracted with a letter of their own, saying they would oppose any such measures. In scenes of protest, students placed locks around the gates to keep them open, and refused to comply with guidelines set down by the security. One eyewitness claimed at one point there was a “show-down” between security and the union, with the union taking control of the situation. “There were massive queues of people unable to go in and get their cars, people unable to drive in to bring their stuff home for Christmas, and general chaos when they decided to begin this at the end of the semester,” says O Deá. “It is the issue which has got students the most riled up this year. I have received hundreds of e-mails and complaints from worried and angry students over this. We are actively seeking to remedy these problems”. It is believed the cost of the new security gates would be in the region of €200,000 a year. Checkpoints ensure
no visitors were in residences beyond 11 o’clock, and would ensure a general crackdown on all behaviour in the residences. A number of meetings were called at the end of last semester to address the issue, and the matter is now undergoing consultation for the following few weeks. According to a spokesperson for UCD, “For the safety and security of residents, the university is continuing the work required for the installation of the new gates. In line with this work, there will be increased direct consultation with the residents to ensure that the introduction of the new managed access system will enhance the on-campus living experience of the residents.”
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