College Tribune | October 14th 2008
News
Residential fines set to be legally evaluated ■ Up to 50 fines a week being dished out ■ Sub-committee to review document on breaches of residential rules Residential fines dished out to students on campus are to be legally evaluated, it has been revealed. The Students’ Union has challenged the number of fines that have in past weeks been doled out to students living in various different residences. Students’ Union Welfare officer Conor Fingleton has said, “there have been a high number of fines recorded this year in comparison with other years, without any additional activity.” SU President Aodhán Ó Deá has claimed that up to 50 fines have been handed out per week in the college so far this year, while a new system was implemented on campus from the 12th September this year without students being notified of these changes. Speaking to the College Tribune, one RA (Residential Assistant) working on the campus said, “Martin Butler is totally in favour of huge fines despite student advisor’s reservations about how much the fines are and how they’re affecting students.” Martin Butler, Vice President for Students, has however hit back at such criticisms. “The whole idea behind introducing these fines is to allow students to work together and play to-
■ Bernadette Scott gether” whilst having “respect for one another.” On the contrary to claims by the Students’ Union, Butler stated “the number of students brought before discipline is not a huge number.” He also highlighted that there is an appeal process if students are unhappy with the fines they have received. At present, the SU has reduced the charge of an unsuccessful appeal to €50. However, it is currently being debated amongst the union as to how much fines, when issued, should be with Fingleton claiming that “€20 is more adequate.” In this week’s meetings with the Residence committee, a proposal was out forward for a sub-committee to be put in place to review the “Breaches of Residential Rules” document currently given to students living on campus. The union are also encouraging any students unhappy with fines they have received “to come talk with an advisor and seek representation.”
College chiefs enjoy 120% increase in wages ■ Jennifer Bray A spectacular rise to the tune of 120% in an assortment of college chiefs’ wage packets has been revealed. This is a rise from €100,000 to approximately €220,000 for some of the university bosses over the course of nine years. Last year it was exposed how UCD President Hugh Brady was the recipient of unauthorised allowances and was subsequently ordered to pay back any such stipends, while a pay freeze was enforced until such an eventuality. None of the seven universities were willing to provide details in a recent Oireachtas meeting on their salary scales. Eight years ago a professor could earn a top amount of €65,000, whereas this has now rocketed to €143,000. Over the same period, a senior lecturer’s maximum salary increased twofold from €51,000. Junior lecturers can expect a higher starting rate in comparison to the millenniums €17,500, instead anticipating a €35,000 kick off. The elevated salaries were defended by spokesperson for the Higher Education Authority, Malcolm Byrne. “The
■ Still worth it: Brady salaries are comparable to chief executives of similarly sized private-sector companies. These institutions are key to the development of the country,” he said. Byrne further warned that the budget would have “serious implications” upon third level institutions across the country. UCD has already reported an expected debt of €15 million this year, and college head honchos across the country have warned Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe that more frontline student services would be cut back on unless additional funding is sourced soon. Wages of the college top brass have recently come under close scrutiny after it was revealed many of UCD’s overseers were in receipt of an amalgamated amount of €300,000.
■ Glenomena: Fines have increased over the past year
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