The DIT Examiner: the Newspaper of the Dublin Institute of Technology Students' Union March, 1994

Technological University Dublin ARROW@TU Dublin

DIT Student Union Dublin Institute of Technology

1994

The DIT Examiner: the Newspaper of the Dublin Institute of Technology Students' Union March, 1994

DIT Students' Union

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License The DI Ex a • e The Newspaper of the Dublin Institute of Technology Students' Union March '94

With his latest film, last week, the High DIT Cathal Brugha Irish women are Schindler's List, Court decided that- Street Is tike no increasing their par Steven Spielberg part-time DIT lee- other DIT con- ticipation In politics. has shown us that turers were entitled stltuent In one The times may be a he has. for now, put to full voting rights. lm portant aspect. changing, but are away childish things. The decision has The Students' they changing The result is stun been welcomed 'by Union has an enoughl ning. PAGE .. PAGE]the TUI -----~~~~~~~PAGEem plorment 5 officer. PAGE 9 ------~====~------0 ve l 0

he Minister for Education, . Yet last week Ms Bhreathnach told unhappy with the present proposals rigid in its interpretation of the Ia~ he T Niamh Bhreathnach, has said the Dail that of the five VECs who have from the VECs, given her statutory ~ a lot of sympathy with the mini~ that she is still ~ery disappointed' submitted a full list of recommenda obligation to ensure gender balance and because she was a prisoner of legiSlation with the recommendations made tions, none have reached the required the dearly set out policy of government to an extent. by VEC's on appointments to gender balance. Of the fi~ VECs who on the matter. *Sh~'s trying to get .it right at the Governing Bodies, despite the fact have submitted a partial list of recom The dispute over women's represen beginning. Shes anxious that it be up that Dublin VEC believes that its mendation, she said that only one had tation on the boards of the Dublin and running as soon as possible." final list of nominations for the exceeded the 40% female representa Institute of Technology and the coun- The CDVEC had also been in dis governing body of the Dublin tions she is scdring fur governiug bod . try's 11 RTCs h:ts left them without pute with the Department over its Institute of Technology meets with Ies. governing bodies since the end of insistence that a rq>resentative organisa the requirements regarding Mr Costello expressed surprise at the january. Local vocational education tion with the power to nominate one women•s representation upon ~·s st'Uloe. committees have repeatedly said that member of the OIT's governing body. which the Minister is insisting. •1 would RpCat that we ha~ fulfilled they are unable to implement the The CDVEC has now· changed its orig the spirit and the letter of the 40 per Minister's gender balance guidelines. inal appointment, Forbairt, which had Mr Joe Costello, TD, Chairman of cent requirements and we arc happy They have pointed out that mat they been turned down by the department, City of Dublin VEC told the DIT that we have done so, • he said. He cannot furcc nominating bodies to alter to the Marketing mstitute of Irdand. &amincr that of the final list, two of its pointed out that th~ out of six nomi six nominees are women as are two of rheir choices and are not legally obliged "We understand that this is accept nees would be 50 percent. the five nominating bodies. "Two out to do so. able, " said Mr Costello. The Minister said that she was anx Mr Costdlo said that although there of six is 33.3 per cent and two out fi~ The Minister said that she would be ious to appoint governing bodies as had been some resentment that the is exactly 40 per cent,"' said Mr sbonly makinc an ao-.acan-t - soon as possible but that she was very Department of £ducation was being to the best way to proceed on the issue. Costello.

President of USI. "SPUC have being referendum. Little can now be achieved trying to silence us and dose us down by SPUC apart from vengeance." Stu e s for over five years now and they appear The Student Support Trust is cam to show no sign of relenting in their paigning for donations to raise suffi misguided legal crusade·" cient funds to enable them to satisfy Tony O'Brien, Chief Executive 40f the they unions' debts, or alternatively to Irish Family Planning Association, provide for the establishment of new t union structures, if they do not survive ToT e described the action taken by SPUC as OverC

"S-P, S-P-U, S-P-U-C, SPUC OFF!"' The cl} .ang around the city centre last Wednesday as students marched peacefully from Parnell Square to Dail Eireann, demonstrating against what thy called the attacks by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) on students' u~ions. More than 500 people took part in sought by SPUC. the hastily arranged march. "It was a Two weeks ago SPUC successfully decent enough attendance," said Helen applied to the High Court for the O'Sullivan, USI's Women Rights appointment of a receiver to recover Officer. She conceded that the unsea costs of .£29,000 awarded in 1989 in sonably pleasant weather on Wednesday the SPUC V Grogan and Others abor was a considerable asset in that respect. tion information case. In that case, Among the speakers at the rally were SPUC obtained an injunction prevent TD £amonn Gilmore, a former presi ing 15 officers of USI, TCD and UCD dent of USI and Ms O'Sullivan. Sh.e students' unions from providing infor told the DIT Examiner that USI would mation on abortion clinics. Garda/ help one lost $0U/ find the rest of his friends Since those costs were awarded to now be looking to pay the· money "legal but it isnot moral". the current action. Among the trustees SPUC, the case has been to the claimed by SPUC. USI and TCD stu "The action is the death rattle of a are TDs Jim McDaid, Liz McManus, dents union have met with their legal Supreme Court and the European failed campaign to deny the fundamen Derek McDowell and Alan Shatter, advisers to discuss the issue and there Court of justice and back to the High tal human rights of Irish citizens. A playwright Frank McGuinness and was a Jenera! feeling that they would Court. Final costs could be over campaign which has been comprehen_ Senaters David Norris and Mary not he able to avoid paying the costs £200,000 according to Tom Duke, sivdy rejected by the Irish people in a Henry. DIT Examiner DITSU, DIT Kevin Street, Kevin St., Dublin 8. Ph/Pax: 4783154

his week in one the most ferociously busy across the DIT. Posters adorn every T flat, vertical surface in the constituent colleges and frantically campaigning can didates will be impossible to avoid. Election week is noisy, intrusive, invigorating, exciting and, above all, relevant. To you, the student. It is is easy to be dismissive, to play no part in the run up and then simply cast an ill-considered vote on polling day. Any half-wit can do that. It is far better for all concerned that you watch what's going on, see who's running, listen to what they have to say and decide who makes the most sense. Then cast your vote. ol""" ~ ... 1 ... ,. ···~· · •... Students' Unions and students' unions' politics are important. They are there to deal with issues that affect students, individoally or as a whole, be they relatively localised or national. True, they have been denounced occasionally as cliquish and Crowd Control irrelevant vessels for ego trips bu~ the vast majority of people standing for election do so for the right reasons. In any event, It is your choice who represents you, so if you don't bother to turn out on polling day, can you justifiably complain in the future?

This is the third edition of the DIT Examintr. We are happy with the start we have made and have listened carefully to both the praise and the criticism that has come our way. Both are welcome. We would also welcome letters from students and staff because it is through such feedback that we can learn more about the issues that are most affecting people. If there any DIT events coming up in the next month or so, please feel free to let us know. Write to the above address, or fax or phone.

Editor John Carroll Students On The Streets Of Dublin Last Week Protesting A,alnst SPUCs High Advertising Manager Bryan Sheridan Court Action A,alnst USI And Trinity Students Union Production Rory Quinn Photography Clare Cavendish Printed by The Meath Chronicle DIT Student u e ,. To Increase DUBLIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS UNION he number of full-time stu cation, we must question che viability T.dents within the Dublin of such schemes. There can be no Institute of Technology is set to doubt that the present students' educa S1lJDENTS UNION SHOPS increase by almost 15% over the tion will suffer as a result of this next year and a half. increase." Projected figures from THAS (Teacher Hours Per Annum Per Student) show that by September of this year, the number of full-time stu dents in the institute will increase by 945 and that by the same time next year, there will be an increase on that number of 555, giving an overall full time student population of 10, 759. DITSU President Deiric O'Br6in has expressed the concern that unless there is a commensurate increase in central government funding, students will suf fer as a result of the increase in num bers. " It'll mean more students per class, Dr. Brendan Goldsmith less time per student, less time per stu The President of the DIT, Dr dent per lab, less access to computer Brendan Goldsmith, said that the facilities and an increase in the number Institute would have to consider taking of students in an already overburdened in less students if the funding was not 1; brary system." forthcoming. "Our institute, already the most "It has to be a possibility. We can underfunded in the state, is being only stretch things so far." But he forced to accept more students. While pointed out that he did not yet know 8 we welcome the prospect of more peo the D IT's future budget. OPEN WHEN YOU NEED US. ple being given access to third level edu- "It's not a problem, yet."

2 Autonomy Vote Voting Victory Defeated In F r TUI Poor Turnout 0 lans for women's autonotpy with the outcome. ddie Conlon, vice chairman of Body which precluded the possibility Pwithin the DIT students' "The groundwork just wasn't done Ethe Dublin Colleges Branch of of EPTs from voting in such elections. unions were dealt a blow last week and its very hard to get people out to the Teachers Union of Ireland The judge said last week that he vote. It's not the kind of thing that peo when a referendum on the issue (TUI) has said the union is delight could see no difference between an ple get excited about." There was, she was comprehensively defeated by a EPT and a temporary, full-time said, "no feeling that anything was hap ed with the decision taken in the margin of three to one. · teacher who is entitled to vote, thus The amendment proposed that "The pening. At least there are 100 right High Court last week which judges the named EPT teacher was a member Women's Rights Officers who are thinking people in DIT." part time lecturers in the Dublin women shall be elected by women Anne Marie Mulholland, convener in Institute of Technology to be acad of staff in the DIT and entitled to vote only''. On the day, 103 students voted DIT Catha! Brugha Street and a mem emic staff with full voting rights. in the election. for the amendment, 336 voted against. ber of USI's Women's Affairs The decision means that almost 200 The DIT was given 21 days to Three other proposed amendments to Committee told the DIT Examiner that part time lecturers working in the DIT appeal the decision, but Mr Conlon the constitution were carried. A total of people might not be ready for the idea are entitled to vote for academic staff does not believe that the institute will of autonomy. only 452 votes were cast. representatives on the institute's gov take such a course of action. Blame for the poor turnout has been "But I think in the future that people erning body. placed on the timing of the referenda - will see that it is a positive thing." "We are delighted, obvious)~ thor it coincided with one college's rag ~ek She felt that even if a more vigorous and followed immediately on the heels campaign had been organised for the oughly vindicated by the decision," of others. The referenda had to be held amendment, there would have been an said Mr Conlon. "It shows that we before nominaciorls opened for the DIT equally vigorous "no' campaign. were fully justified in taking the students' unions elections, which made Last year each college affiliated to action." last Thursday the latest possible day. USI agreed to bring up to issue of The high court action was taken last women's autonomy within the student Many students were not even aware of November by the TUI and one of the body. The discussion will now undou the proposed amendments to the DIT's part time teacher's (EPT's) to pre"\ent constitution. betedly quieten for a while but the issue the DIT from holding elections for its USI Women's Rights Officer Helen is far from dead. O'Sullivan expressed disappointment Gove ming Body. The action follo~d regulations set by the old Governing NOBODY OFFERS D.I.T. STUDENTS A BETTER COACH SERVICE FROM DUBLIN

SAMPLE STUDENT BUY YOUR TICKET MONTHLY RETURN FARES IN THE COlLEGE Tickets available in the WATERFORD ____£7.00 D.I.T. Student Union Shops at WEXFORD £7.00 Kevin Street, Bolton Street, en.! BALLINA £9.00 Cathal Brugha Street, l- DUNGARVAN £9.00 Mountjoy Square, SLIGO £9.00 Rathmines. GALWAY £9.50 For group bookings and DONEGAL £10.00 travel information call Busaras (01) 8366111 LE'ITERKENNY £10.00 Remember, you need an I.S.I.C. Card LIMERICK £10.00 with Travelsave Stamp to avail of BELFAST £10.50 Student Fares. ENNIS £11.00 Ask about reductions on other CORK £11.50 services with your I.S.I.C. Card. TRALEE £12.00 Fares correct at time of going to press.

STUDENT TRAV~I. INFORMATION au~&au.R. ~ : }i : . ~ ~: .,... ~ .....: ::«= ~ .. ~».·i'fi'J.. ~: ...- .. -:"!":. :.;.. .« ..... ~ ... :: +: - ~ · ~: .· .....,...... ,...,..9....9...... ~.. ~ .. ith a brace of awards already, no Amon Goeth was a monstrous individ~ Solution", .Schindler, his life feel at times, most memorably in ual, who would sit on the balcony of his W fewer than 12 Oscar nomina~ already unutterably changed, the sequence in the Auschwitz showers. tions and more pre~release column villa overlooking the camp and with his acts again, drawing up with Stern But his often used bright white light is inches given over to it than Jurassic rifle arbitrarily shoot people below. A the list that would save lives. still there and his handling of big, busy Park, it would be easy to get caught up single crack, a gout of black blood and Steven Spielberg brings a r~straint scenes ts as sure as ever. in the hype surrounding Steven a body slumps. There is similar singled and maturity to this remarkable story Schindlers List is a story of survival Spielberg's latest film, Schindler's List-: out killings during the horrifying ghetto that he has only ever hinted at in the in the midst of the apocalyptic systemat Phrases like "one of the most impor~ liquidation scenes (Ralph Fiennes, slop~ likes of Empire of the Sun and The ically executed carnage of the Holocaust. tant films ever made", "Spielberg's py, overweight and blank eyed is chill~ Colour Purple. The sentimental pitfalls It is horrifying, shocking, desperately masterpiece" and "totally unforget~ ing). This reviewer does not flinch from and emotional heavy handedness are moving and triumphant. Spielberg table" could easily trip off the tongue violence on screen and Schindler's List skilfully avoided an~ the film is all the shows us the bravery of one man but has and fall onto the page, safe in the is not a particularly violent film, but the more affecting for it. He has also put also portrayed moments from the cen knowledge that they'd have plenty of sheer arbitrary nature and shocking away most of the cinematic toys that he tral event of the twentieth century in a like minded company. But, trite as suddenness of the acts of violence has used so wonderfully in the past ~ way that is hard to forget. He has also they are, such phrases are appropriate, depicted here are very difficult to watch the film has an up dose documentary created a great piece of cinema though in a truer sense, inadequate. and not a little upsetting. Schindler's List, a three~hour plus, It is the scenes in the ghetto, which black and white film directed by the Schindler observes from a hillside tat master of family entertainment, is a force his hand. He begins to take great film. Read the word carefully. greater risks, relying on his accountant, Consider it. Great. ltzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley in a beauti~ It tells the story of Oscar Schindler fully understated performance) to keep and the so-called "Schindler Jews" who an eye on the money while he indulged owe him their lives. During WWII, the Nazis, including Goeth. He had set Schindler, ensured that the Jews, more up his own sub camp for his workers, to than 1, 100 of them, who worked in his protect them from Goeth, in whom it is enamel works factory outside Krakow, hinted he sees himself as he could so were saved from the labour camps and easily haye been. later from Auschwitz death camp. No When the Nazis, staring defeat in the one will ever be really sure why he did face, order the closure of Plaszow and it, risked his life and lost his fortune, the transportation of all workers to Os/car Schindler has a word with one of his workers and thankfully, Spielberg doesP 't waste Auschwitz as part of the "Final his time trying to tell us. Instead, stay ing quite faithful to the book on which ast year Tom Cruise, Hollywood The film opens with the murder of two actors get on their best days. Together, they it is based, his film shows us what this L superstar and sex symbol, played Supreme Court judges. For reasons best try to figure out what is going on and why enigmatic man did. Mitch McDee;e, a brilliant but callow known to herself, Darby Shaw puts togeth- people persist in chasing them. The audi- The film opens with Schindler taking young lawyer who outfoxed the Mafia, the er a brief, outlining her theory as to why ence is luckier. Every now and then we are advantage of the German's conquering FBI and his own corrupt law firm in they were killed, and even better, who did sat down and a character actor patiently of Poland. He sees his chance to make a Sydney Pollack's over long, bloated, con- it. People in high places get a copy of it and straightens out the more intricate strands of fortune, for as he tells his long suffering voluted, hugely successful thriller, The before you can "she knows to much" the plot. wife, the one thing that had always Firm. This year, Julia Roberts, Hollywood they're after Darby. Suddenly her lover is There are powerful and supposedly dan- lacked in his business ventures, the one superstar and sex symbol, plays Darby dead and she is on the run, frightened, gerous people in suits all over the film and component that he needed to succeed, Shaw, a brilliant but cal- start to blend after a was war. Liam Neeson plays Schindler low young law studen ile so that you find and he is ideal for the role. He has the who gets involved with f caring little about sheer physical presence we would expect The FBI, the CIA, and, plot and just try to of such a man, combined with the good going one better than up with the runners looks, seductive charm and low, appeal~ Tom, the White House, ing that a plot expert ing voice that enabled him to bed in Alan J. Pakula's over- turn up shortly to sort women and bribe officials with equal long, slightly less bloated, the story. This is a seri- aplomb. convoluted and hu us problem with a sus- Initially he thinks little of the fate of successful thriller, The thriller because if you the Jews, moving into a Krakow apart Pelican Brief. paying attention to the ment at the same time as its former The similarity is not ot, you are less likely to inhabitants are being squeezed into the surprising, given that both the bad guy with the ghetto. He is a profiteer, and sees the films were adapted from un emerging from the war as his perfect chance to make books by John Grisham, a _ hadows. Roberts does a money, lots of it. Taking over a confis~ man who has found out LD.!!e!!!!!n~z~e-/-W..--s-h-in_gt_o...:n~a~n-d_J..!!u!.../i:=.a..:::::R=ob~e~rts~!!!!!!try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!t!!!!!!o!!!!!!/!!!!!!o!!!!!!olc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!w!!!!!orri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e!!!!!d~------_jhuge amount of running in cated enamelware plant, his Jewish that there is something this film (a darby) but the workers toil for nothing. Life is good even more lucrative in America than being alone, breathless, but always well dressed audience does little jumping. for Oskar Schindler. a lawyer. We are in familiar Pakula territory and coiffured. Eventually she turns to intre- Still, she is fine, if uninspired, in what is Matters take to turn for the worse here, the land of coemption. Be it personal pid Washington Herald reporter Gray seen as a come-back role, though she hasn't when the Nazis construct a labour camp or countrywide, legal or political, he has Grantham (Darby. Gray. Mitch. I wouldn't actually been away and Pakula holds it all at Plaszow, to be run by a man utterly been here before with the likes of The like to be one of John Grisham's kids) for together with his customary professional- and ferociously corrupted by the power Parallax View and All the President's Men, help. He is played by Denzel Washington ism. A little less conspiracy and a little more given him by the war and Nazi policies. far superior films, incidentally. on auto pilot, which is as good as a lot of thrill wouldn't have gone amiss though.

.1. Catering !for 'Emp[ogment

here is a facet to the students' dents coming in to ask about summer pounds an hour and we're not interest because they couldn't find the place or T union in DIT Cathal Brugha positions and the only way I can do ed, Most casual work goes by the hour." got the date or time wrong, or some Street, College of Catering, that · that is if someone rings in and says 'I The other stipulation for employers is thing. There are always going to be makes it unique among the DIT want someone part-time and there's the that once the students are working for some small mishaps like that, but gen Students' Unions. It is a position possibility of summer work. By and them, they are not the responsibility of erally we don't have much bother." that has been a vital lifeline for stu large, we don't get a lot of full-time the union, particularly if the work is Naturally, not everyone is suitable for dents over many years, affording employment. Mostly, its casual stuff regular. every job; sometimes experience is them practical experience in their which the students are interested in. For students doing the work, the. required and so the employment officer field, perhaps opening doors but You know; 'we need money for next rules are simple, there is little room for has to be careful about who goes where. always providing that much needed week, let's work tonight." misunderstanding. Not surprisingly, tact and diplomacy are cash at short notice. This seemingly at a premium and people are asked most munifjcent of posts is that of about their previous experience. Employments Officer. . "You have to be very careful about At present the part-time position is certain places which have a certain type held by Carmel Fagan, a 19-year-old of service, things like that. You can't hotel management student. A new offi send people who have no practical cer will take over in September. experience in the industry out to large' "Basically what I am is a link hotels; they'd just be lost and it would between the employers and the stu totally destroy their confidence apart dents. I'm there when people need • from anything else." workers. I'm there to take the call, find In a place like the College of out what they want, how much they're Catering, the idea of an employment going to pay, when and where, and then officer seems like common sense and I relay it back to the students and any judging from the repeat business, it has one interested comes to me." Cannel Fagan been a success. The work is generally organised on "Big hotels like the Grand in pay per hour casual basis - this suits the The situation has proved mutually "The main rule is that if you don't Malahide and the Conrad have always students, who are, presumably, con beneficial over the years as the students turn up, if something happens that was used the college. What we said was cerned not to fall behind in their col are well-placed to give a hotel a dig out your fault, then you are blacklisted, you 'we're going to put you in touch with so lege work. The set up also doesn't place when the need arises. Students go home won't have any more dealing with the many students, give you all their details; any long term demands on the employ with money. Everyone is happy. But union as far as employment is con they;re yours, you hold onto them. If er. The incidence of full-time work fol there are certain rules that have to be cerned, at least for the year." Ms Fagan you want more workers, get back to lowing on from such casual employ followed, by employers and employees. is quick to point out that there hasn't them, but if they can't work, get back in ment is low. "We have to set standards and one been any such incidences. "There'll touch with us. It's worked pretty well so "Around about now I get a lot of stu- thing is wages. Anything under three always be people who don't turn up far."

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5 College Round Up

Bolton Street * COMAD's basketball team take on DITSU Day, which takes place on is that the beer reaches the stomach in the Royal College of Surgeons on St Bolton Street will hold its Arts week March 15th, is intended to bring the approximately two seconds. Patrick's Day, Thursday, 17th March. from the 14th-16th March. colleges together in order to compete in Also taking place there will be a Among the highlights will undoubt sporting and cultural events. It is being Boat Race, Chess, Drama, pub quiz, * On the same day, the DIT edly be a staging of "Ritual for Dolls", organised by Anne Marie Mulholland, English/Irish debate and a photography Swimming team takes part in the the Bolton Street Drama Society play Declan Feely and Lar Moran. What fol display. Upstairs in the USI Club the Colours Championships. which won three awards at the recent lows is the proposed agenda for the day. pool sharks will battle it out. MAD Festival. The society will also be Highlights, according to Lar Moran For the more sporting of students, * The following Wednesday sees the staging a play tided "God". will be the Raft Race in the canal at there is the seven-a-side Rugby blitz and rugby team do battle with Cork RTC Portobello Bridge. The week kicks off with a blues gig the five-a-side soccer blitz. Basketball, on Monday. Tuesday is carnival day, fea A potentially even more amusing squash and badminton will take place * Meanwhile aerobics is on every turing face painting, juggling and fire sight will be the Beer Bomb, in The in the Belvedere Gym and the swim Thursday in Belvedere College, at 6.30 eating. Cli l t u re is the order of the day Furnace which entails a person drinking ming gala will be held in DIT !

Student Lounge !fresfify maae Sky ~ports !Jlome-maae Soups Upstairs Santfwicftes & !l(pffs 5tUPremier tieas & Coffees .Leag~ !Matcfie.s Top of tli£ !l(ange .Live Ju~ ~O:( Friday Nights Newly sq~afin' Pigs World <;up 94 Upstairs Refurbished Function Room !Jlowfin Country & ~(ues available 21st IJJirtfufays Office Parties Student !l(ing 'Eugene or IJJren ~tirements Concession tTef:4751931 'Engagements Sporting Life

Central oghan Marnell is wearing a pair of site of the College of Catering. Mr Ethe shiniest, whitest runners this Marnell agrees that close proximity of reporter has even clapped eyes on. sporting facilities is always an advan They are dazzling in their brightness tage. At present the college makes use and he has made no attempt to "chris of Belvedere Gym. "It would be great ten" them. The footwear is appropriate to fall out of your class and into a for he is one of two Sports and gym," he says, adding that the long Recreational Organisers recently hours are also a disincentive. "Some appointed to the DIT, one in DIT ts not often that disappointment shortage of funds in the college. It has M>untjoy Square, COMAD and the I is expressed over the presence of to be promoting DIT-wide activity." ' other, Mr Shiny Runners, in DIT unused mon-ey, cash sitting idle, This makes sense but what is a little Cathal Brugha Street, College of just waiting to be used by some strange is the lack of applications. Catering. enterprising group of students. But, "AT the beginning we were con His job, which he conducts at least amazingly, that is the situation with cerned that it was very well known, in part from a small but functional DITSU's Central Social and there would soon be no money left, that office, is to do what his tide suggests. Cultural Committee. everyone would stop applying locally, "I organise all the sporting activities for the students in the college." The what? you may ask, and if you saying "oh, this is really a DIT activity" Mr Marnell, who is 21, falls into do, then you will have inadvertantly and they'd be refused at stage one and the "very sporty category .of human stumbled over the reason for the exis- they'd then say 'where else can I get beings. He has completed a soccer coaching course, a basketball coaching course and has also coached rugby in Newpark, Blackrock and tennis occa Eoghan Marnell sionally. "I'm a bit of an all rounder." He began the job on 2nd January people are in here until eight at night and says sporting activities are 'going and after that they're wrecked, too great now". Not that there haven't tired to go to a gym." been problems; there have, the biggest "They have a great gym up there of which has been getting available but the amount of people who go is pitches for matches. The less than incredibly small, so we have to get helpful weather conditions have left QlOre up there." many pitches waterlogged but Mr Nevertheless, there has been some Munell is not without initiative. "It's marked success. "Aerobics has taken off just a matter of who you know and like a shot since Christmas. There Vlere ringing around and hassling people." six people in the first class, 12 at the Another unavoidable problem is the next, 20 then and now there are 40."

tence of this relatively untouched store money?' For that reason we didn't actu of dosh. Very few people seem ro know ally go out of our way to show what was that it exists; the people who dole it our on offer." The result of such trepidation know only too well about it and one or was that the money built up over two two societies have taken advantage of it years and began to gather dust. Very but the majority of students and soci few applications have come in, the only eties either don't know about the central two this year being for the recent MAD social and cultural committee or have festival in Sligo and the DIT's Pink not availed of it for reasons unk.t wn. Initiative. That leaves a substantial Dave Carmody is General Secretary amount of the fund, about .four thou of DITSU. He explained what the com sand pounds per year (1% of total capi mittee is and the strange situation it tation) untouched by student plans. finds itself in. But DITSU has a plan for at least "There's a local council in each of the some of it. The company is organising colleges which deals with funding soci an exhibition for the institute's stu eties on a local level and the idea of the dents. A gallery or exhibition space is to central is that they try to promote simi be hired for two or three weeks and in it lar activities on a DIT-wide basis and will be examples of work from DIT for that reason it's composed of mem courses. The exhibition will consist of bers from each of the colleges." "from what the bakery people can do to The committee is made up of the the applied physics people and every chair of each of the local councils and thing in between," says Mr Carmody. two student reps, one being the nomi " So money is being set aside from nee of the president of D ITS U what was available last year and what's (Colman Byrne is this year's nominee) available this year and we are waiting on and Dave Carmody is the other mem the go-ahead from the DIT authorities. ber. The money comes from the capita Theyre very much in favour of it and tion fee and it is there for the taking, it's just a question of the planning and provided certain criteria are met. These getting a team to do it." include that the event being planned The exhibition will eat up some of covers as many DIT colleges as possible the fund but by no means all. It's out and that it is not an event being dupli there. The committee meets every six cated at local level. weeks to consider applications and is "We also don't want people using it keen to see the money put to good use. as a last tesort, using the committee Dave Carmody may be sorry he ever after theY've be.~ n refused locally either gave this interview. for good rc·J~t ' n or because there's a

...... , ... __ _ '7 et's look at some fig~s. In the present coalition government, there are internal democracy. There is obviously when the subject of women's autonomy L 15 ministers and a further 15 Ministers of state. Of this 30 there are something drastically wrong because is brought up. Ms O'Sullivan believes five positions held by women: the Minister for Justice, Mciire Goghegan women aren't running or they're not that women alone should have the Quinn; the Minister for Education, N iamh Bhreathnach and the Minsters winning. Basically they're not there." power to elect their own representatives, of state at the Department of Enterprise and Employment (Mary Politics at any level requires self-con readily accepting that it is a suggestion O'Rourke), Department of Finance (Eithne Fitzgerald) and the fidence in large, sometimes irritating that raises hackles and that it is not a Department of Social Welfare Ooan Burton). Their work, especially that of amounts. If a women is planning to flawless idea. Maire Geoghegan Q uinn and Niamh Bhreathnach, is extremely high pro enter a male dominated environment, "There are negative aspects to file. T hey are women with substantial political clout, examples of the suc then presumably this self-confidence absolutely everything but I think we cess that can be achieved by women in the political world, still largely the level would have to be off the scale. Ms have to look at the pros and they really preserve of men. Other women might be encouraged by their determina O'Sullivan agrees that the absence of , do outweigh the cons. If we look at tion and will to succeed, but there are still only five of them. One sixth. such a quality has been a serious hin other organisations that have positive drance. "One of the things I have been action for women, or women's autono It seems reasonably safe to assume of women sabbaticals within the DIT. trying to do this year has been to organ my, it has increased women's participa that the relatively low participation rate Only two, Anne-Marie Mulholland and ise training events, simply to huild up · tion. NUS might not be the best exam by women i:!1 national politics is one of Lorraine Ho, out of 11, are women. women's confidence skillS. " Training ple of a national union but women's the contributing factors to the lack of "I think it's quite easy to stand for a events designed to ach!eve just that have participation there has rocketed since participation by women at student part-time post, and certainly the elec been held and the upcoming women's they introduced women's autonomy union level. Obviously it is not the only tions are not as contentious," says Ms congress will also address the problem. and that's what we want." factor but examples, if not role models, O 'Sullivan. "Its not as tough a fight. She hopes that in an all female environ She argues that the reason a women's are important. Again, the fi gures are Two out of 11 is not very good." ment, women will feel more comfort rights officer is present in the first place revealing. A recent USI Women's T here are a couple of conclusions to able about getting ~ p in front of a is to redress the balance and campaign Participation survey showed that of 189 be drawn from this: the most obvious is crowd to make a sp eech or m ake a on issues that just don't affect men. executive posts in affiliated colleges and that women are not being elected. But poin t. "I think that we're quite able to dect universities, 68, or 36%, are held by it :~lso suggests that women are not run "The they'll feel more power and cer a competent representative and I think women. O f the 51 sabbati~s, only 14 ning for election to the sabbatical posts. tainly more confident when it comes to it's up to us to decide who that is and annual congress, or when it comes to certainly it's up to us 'to decide the the n ext class rep meting or general direction of our campaigns or at least meeting. It's all about self-confidence. I choose the agenda. But God, we need think that when you have to deal with everyone on board." sexism and remarks and sexual harass It is a subject upon which she gives ment, you find that women have had a no ground. Men, she says, have no cri lot knocked out of them and it is quite teria which would give them the right difficult to get up. I mean it takes some to elect a women's rights qfficer. one with a really thick skin to be able to .. On what grounds does a man do that." choose a woman's rep resentative? It Helen O 'Sullivan is encouraged by doesn't make sense to me. I don't think the increase in the number of female its democratic." TDs b ut is "very disappointed,. th at And yet elections for DIT's women's gender quotas are still not being applied rights officers in the past have not been in state and governing bodies. Ms restricted to women voters so is there an O 'Sullivan is unequivocal. She is com implication that different officers would pletely in favour of gender quotas and have been chosen had the voting been US/ Women's Rights Officer, Helen O'Sullivan does not believe that, with a enforced restricted to women. gender quota system, an unsuitable per Helen O'Sullivan argues that is not a are women. This doesn't quite square This is not exactly the case; women do son could be chosen for a position. question of competence... It is not to away with the fact that over half of run for these positions, though general "I think that for a committee, board say that the women dected then are any third level students are women. ly in fewer numbers than do their·male or a job there are basic requirements, so less competent. What we are 1auung "When we look at our structures, our counterparts. But they are not being the playing field has already been lev about here is the empowerment of unions are completely dominated by elected, and this brings us to another elled to an extent and if they want to women.. • Men, she says. ha~ no vested men, women are totally under-repre conclusion; female students are not vot pick their percentage of women I have interest in electing a women's rights sented and it's a situation that's replicat ing for women. This is not to suggest absolutely no problem with that. And I officer. ed throughout society," says Helen that they should vote for a woman can thin.k its unfair that for centuries men "It's more about women being able O'Sullivan, Women's Rights Officer in didate merdy because there is one, but have been elected and chosen simply to dect them than stopping men from USI. the available figures re~ something because they are men.• deering them. • That's the reality and it would be about voting patterns. DIT Bolton So does this mean that we should inviting attack to state categorically why Street, with a fenu.le srudent population turn around now and do the· same fur this seemingly anomalous state of affairs of only 17%, has never had a women women? persists. Is it, then, anyone's fault? president or convener, while DIT "We're talking about trying to redress aD "I really don't know. You can say that Catha! Brugha Street, 72% of whose a balance here. It is a concession and I For Your 1)ping Requirements! women dect representatives, as men do, students are women, has had a women hope its a emergency measure until we but women don't go for election as president or convener in three of the are playing our full part. • C. V. 's, Theses~ Projects etc much as men do." Ms 0 Sullivan has last four years. In other D IT colleges, Even in the short term, the idea of no certain answers but feels "there is where there is more of a balance, the concessions tends to engender heated using the latest Computer something wrong if women don't feel president has usually been a man. debates. Feelings tend to run high when Applications and professionally comfortable running, even within their "I don't believe that women should it suggested that women should have printed on a Laser printer own student$ union... Within the on: simply elect women candidates. I don't concessions, often translated as sp~al the situation does not seem so bad, at think they have a lot of choice." treatment. f

· o nne-Marie Mulholland is one "You have to be prepared for people A of only two woman sabbaticals to think that you're not going to be as in the DIT Students' Union. The good as another man at rhe job. For 22-year-old is Convener in DIT example, I've often had people ringing Cathal Brugha Street, College of up about sponsorship or different Catering, the only one of the DIT things and they go, 'could I speak to the colleges with an overwhelmingly convener?', and I'd go 'what's it in con female student population (72% of nection with?' and they'd say Td rather full-time students, 72% of evening speak to him himself'. And the first few and part-time students, 43% of times it happens, you say, 'well, it's apprentices). Not surprisingly per actually me' but you say it nicely to haps, three ~f the last four conven them. ers have been women and two of "People automatically assume that the elections were uncontested. the Convener is a man. Or you get peo She does not feel that this made easi ple saying things like 'yo ure doing a er her decision to enter student politics. good job, for a woman, but it's really a job for a man.' "I think a lot of women are actually Ann Marie Mulholland, Convener DIT Catha/ Brugha Stree• more critical of other women than Ms Mulholland believes that "you men; it's the whole society we live in. never uttered in Cathal Brugha. In that that because .. .' and then they go, you just have to be able to fight your corner, Another woman student might look at respect, it is like every other place. know the usual unrepeatable, 'all you to be able to stand up. When all the you and go 'oh look, she's a woman, I'd ·"'If someone comes in to ask about need is a good -' I've had that said to lads are sitting around laughing at be able to do that job' and would criti sports and I'm standing there and something, you have to be able to say, cise you more but at the same time, it's Declan {Declan Power, Deputy .. you get people saying things 'listen that's not fair', in a good "People autoJnatically Convener) is standing there, they'll ask like you're doing a good job, humoured way, not every two minutes assume that the Declan because he's a man and if some for a woman, but it's go Tm not accepting that comment, Con-vener is a man .... " one comes in to ask about a welfare really a job for a man: that comment degrades. You have to be loan, th~y'll ask me because I'm a able to do it in a good humoured way a good thing because they can see that a woman ... me on numerous occasions.,. and still get your message across.,. woman can do it and it's not just men Such treatment, while regrettable, is It is not surprising, then, that when Ann-Marie Mulholland finishes her who can survive in these positions." nothing compared to the opinions women are asked about being in posi tenure as Convener this year but her The college is numerically dominat some other individuals have offered. tions of influence in what is often per political appetite has been whetted; she ed by women and four of the five offi "Sometimes, you get people coming ceived as preserves of the male of the is running fro overall President of cers in the union are women but this in saying 'I want this and I want that' species, they often talk about thick DITSU. has not meant that sexist comments are and you tell them, 'well you ca.rit ha"! skins, determination and patience. t Sa e I Story?

orraine Ho (21) is deputy con Convener, only one was a woman. Lvener of the students• union in Ms Ho believes that more men run DIT Mountjoy Square. Her experi fur office because women are intimidat-: ence of students• union politics has ed. And this feeling of intimidation been somewhat different to Ann reaches a lot further than the world of Marie·s. She has not been on the student politics. receiving end of the kind of verbal •Even in a simple lecture environ abuse that her colleague has had ment, it's always the guys who are occasion to endure but she believes standing up. professing their ideas." She that there is a reluctance within the says that with men dominating such students• unions to delegate res~ lecture proceedings. women ft.nally give up trying and resign themselves to not lorraine Ho. Deputy Convener DIT Hountjo, Square sibility to women. •t feel that my superiors have this being heard •• inbuilt fear of delegating to females. The situation is partly the fault of They're afraid to delegate authority. I lecturers, acmrd.ing to Ms Ho~ PUB can see that. I think they reckon we •They should really say to guy, 'give can't do thework. And I think that goes this girl a chance.' I know its really cre Wexford Street for overall, DITSU and COMAD SU. • ating a barrier, but t~tey•.e not going to She describes her year in student pol be heard otherwise.. itics as •an experience• that was good in • She does not believe that speak Lunchtime selection of some ways. ing louder, or roaring, would do Ms Ho was the only woman who ran any good, •If you want to say Ro~, for the position of deputy convener something and the only way you're Sandwiches, (another woman candidate dropped out going to be heard is if you roar, early on). She admits that when she saw you'll either be roared down by a Tea, Coffee, her opponents she didn't think she guy across the class or else everyone stood· a chance. She was new to union says 'will she ever take it easy."' and a great Pint. politics, though she knew the way This seems to tie in with the old things worked, having been involved chestnut - aggression being seen as with the &sbion society. · assertiveness in men but stridency "'When I saw that the people running or hysteria in women. for Convener and Clubs and Societies But isn•t a form of aggression. being Function Room available were new. I felt more comfortable. • able to make your point. part of poli Out of four people who ran for tics? She nods. •1 suppose. • e the headaches may only now be just beginning to dissipate; the memories will linger forever, usisted, it must be admitted, by inaiminating photograph c evidence. The DIT haJ barely emerged from a spate of rag weeks, days filled with abseling, tripping (to Galway you understand), bed-pushing, bouncy boxing, eer swilling and regretting. Here then, for your perusal, are some of the high and low lights from the various Rag Weeks 94, captured for posterity.

Sleeping rough on O'Connell Street

Bouncy Boxing with DIT Catha/ Brogha St. DIT Rathmines- a very casual pub crawl - as ridiculous as it looks

• •• •••'.•:a• .....

Freshly Made Sandwiches & Rolls $1TJ11 fPJ ;pD11 ~1f ~ - rt© rn J1J1 . If))Jl'f $) ~ @1 ~mlrt !llml11 ©ml $)Jh © JF)

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Iron Stomach competition, DIT Kevin Street - before the deluge

Sponsored shave in DIT Catha/ Brugha Street- he's only laughing because he can't see what he looks like Holding up well in the COMAD pub crawl- the eventual winners.

Bolton Street dare devils absail down Abrakebabra, breaking noth ing more than a light. Dedicated Followers • • •

Recently, DIT Kevin Street and DIT Rathmines held their annual fashion shows. Both events were outstanding successes, a credit both to those who performed the considerable amount of strutting that was involved and those faceless people in the sahdows who did the leg work. We salute you all and present a small but heartfelt photographic tribute to a fine upstand ing, oc:casionally upstaging, body of men and women.•.

Deiric O'Broin with Dr. Brendan Goldsmith and Suzy McCormack, DIT Rathmines Rathmines Director Jim Hickey. Ovetwhose head DIT Kevin St. Deputy Convener OaTan is that star shining! Crosbie spots somebody laughinR at

The winner of the competition will recieve a case of Moosehead Jager worth over £50.00.

Five runners up will each receive a Moosehead T-shirt and Mooseheart baseball cap.

· Q:The animal most <'lssociated with Canada is .... ?

1 The Moose

2 The Koala Bear

3 The Herring

Rules Only open to •nembers of O.I.T.S.U. Employees of D.I.T.S.U. and Gulnness are not eligible to enter.

Send Entries to Guinness/DITSU Competition The DIT Examiner .DIT Students' Union DIT Kevin Street Dublin 8

Name ______------College ______Year ______Course ______Student No. ______------

Answer ------

12 Don't forget to Hair by vote in the Alison Student Union Special Student Rate E le ctions on

CHARTERHOUSE all Week Thursday. BUSINESS CENTRE You can choose 2 KevinStreet "Confidential Secretarial Service" who represents (Beside Junction Pub) C. V's - Reports - Thesis YOU!

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• • • of FASHION

Kevin Street Attitude

.•. now fix hat finnly on head. Shashi Ramkissoon, DIT Kevin St. Ridiculous look is complete. Bob jordan, DIT Kevin St. _.._, r ...... ~ .. -- ~-----_p., ...... ------,; ...... ,...... -- - w------•.• B.ehlad.the sceaes,-- . DJT Rathmines

1') ver the next two pages are interviews with the three people running hey are three very different people but they have a similarity of viev. 0 for the position of overall President of the Dublin Institute of T point on certain issues pertaining to the DIT and its students' unions. Technology Students' Union (DITSU), currently held by Deiric 6 Broin, Yet each would bring a particular style of leadership to the position. They DITSU's first president. speak about what they stand for, what they hope to achieve and what they would like to change .. Colman Byrne because I know and I will have con out and see people. You ha\'e to ha_ve is some degree or other of Northside vinced them that I will do the best job things that you have to do, it's essential Southside division, and that it is partly Convener and that I am the best person for the to the working the union." to do with the location of DITSU. job. I don't want sympathy votes and I He would like work to continue on "But everything has to be based DIT Mountjoy Square don't want loyalty votes. I want people issues that have been raised in recent somewhere. It can't be in the sky. I sup to see what I'm like and to vote for me years, the battle for a creche, for DIT pose the perfect solution would be if we ot all students' union presidents on that basis." Housing and extra sports facilities. said, 'let's rent an office for DITSU at N and conveners dress in jeans and a Mr Byrne is a talker. He can go for "And the move over to Bishop Street. the exact centre point between all the sweater or casual shirt. We just think ages, seemingly without taking a breath Everyone was saying there was a prob colleges. Then no-one can say there's they do, because most of them are stu · and seems to have an acute awareness of lem but phase one will solve everything. bias. But that's not going to happen." dents, or mix with students, so we gen the importance of pressing flesh. He Now everyone knows it's not so and For the solution, My Byrne returns erally perceive them to be so attired. Of can talk the talk, dismissing, as do the everyone's promising that phase two again to his faith in communication. course there are exceptions. other candidates, the idea that the job will solve them. Maybe when phase two ''I'd like people to be DIT, not Colman Byrne, currently convener in of overall president would add to the comes along they'll say,we've more stu- Northside DIT and Southside 011: DIT Mountjoy square, is one such You can change it ~ getting people to exception. Dressed in dark trousers, work together as much as possible." A jacket, white shirt and noisy tie, he cynic might sneer at such sentiments. looks more like a young ambitious Colman Byrne would shrug advertising executive than a convener He does not know what he'll do if he (he is 21). He believes that it has helped loses and even if he wins, says he is not him in his work over the year. sure about a future in politics. ''I'm a big believer in image. A lot of "I don't know. I like politics. But I people would slag me off. I"m probably never had a particular political put me the only sabattical officer in the whole in the way. I don't know who my moth of the country who wears a shirt and tie er voted for, or my father. I think my to work. People ask me why. When I'm grandfather voted for Fianna Fail. A talking to a tutor, lecturer, or adminis- Fianna Fail councillor told me that he . trator, it changes their whole perception did." of me. I'm not different, I'm just wear DITSU needs a long term plan ing different clothes." - because he believes that its biggest He;accepts, however, that his image Colman Byrne weakness is is that the president will may ~~rk against him to an extent, that only be there for 12 months and by the he might be seen as a little too flashy, to bureaucratic workload, thereby keeping dents, its a bit tight, phase three's going time a successor is getting used to the far removed from the way most stu him out of circulation. to solve that. That's not going to hap job there's only a couple of months left. dents look .. "No. Prioritise and distinguish you pen, that's go to be worked on straight "So a long term plan is needed. ''I'm sure it does. It can do at the priorities." (He has this on the board in away. Continuity." start. I want people to vote for me his office) "You have to make time, get All three candidates agree that there THE IRISH TIMES

Competition

PRIZE: The first 5 correct entries drawn will each receive a £20 gift voucher for DITSU Students Union Shop.

RULES: Only open to members of the DIT colleges. Employees of DITSU and THE IRISH TIMES ACROSS DOWN are not eligible to enter. 1 Become septic (6) 2 Order forbidding trade (7) No Photocopies - 5 Greet in military style (6) 3 A weighty Book (4) 10 White of egg (7) 4 Washed out with fresh water (6) Entries close: Tuesday, March, 22nd. 11 Certificate awarded by college (7) 5 Abrupt and unexpected (6) 12 Micro-organism causing disease (4) 6 Of branches, cuts off (4) SEND TO: THE IRISH TIMES / DITSU, 13 Abnormally high body temperature 7 Member of theatrical company (7) Crossword Competition No. 2, (5) 8 larva of bluebottle (6) , 15 Goad or impel(4) 9 Imitate like colourful tropical bird (6) The DIT Examiner( 17 Wild animal's lair (3) 14 A particular account or translation (7) DIT Students Union, 19 Informally regrettable (3, 3) 16 Metal plate For Eucharist (5) DIT Kevin Street, THE IRISH TIMES 21 Capital of Lebanon (6) 18 Firm belief or principle (5) THE STUDENTS NEWSPAPER 22 Stress and strain (7) 20 Morning moisture (3) Dublin 8. 23 White coating on damp things (6) 21 Pen-name of Charles Dickens (3) 25 A genrle breeze (6) 23 It attrads metal(6) N~------WINNERS COMP. 1 28 Thick mass as of hair (3) 24 Rheumatic pain in loin muscles (7) The winners of The Irish Times DITSU 30 Form· of play with rules (4) 26 One who lives in or o~en visits a COl~GE ______Simplex Crossword Competition were: 31 Prongs of fork (5) place (7) John Costello (2nd Year, Kevin Street), 32 The first murder victim (4) 27 It adds Ravour to food (6) Y~R------ C~aran McCabe (3rd Year, Kevin Street), 35 Heady feeling of pride (7) 28 Very small ~sh of carp Family (6) Mark Hanlon (3rd Year, Kevin Street), 36 Narrates, say, poem (7) 29 Seo·bird o~en called stormy (6) COURSE ------ Mark Bany (3rd Year, Bolton Street), 37 Pursue or come a~er (6) 33 Last wishes as recorded (4) and Joseph Smyth (3rd Year, Bolton 38 Rul>bish le~ lying about (6) 34 Tail of deer or rabbit (4) STUDENT NO. Street). Q•l?JQjlil[•]~l~t·•J 14 he is removed. I don't agree with his being would like to see DITSU in a year's time, £anna 6 Bradaigh became involved wit Eanna 6 Bradaigh removed but the fact is that with all the and that is "at the forefront of students' the students' union through his connec Convener groundwork that had to be done, a new politics in the country. DITSU is has been tions with the Cumann Ghaelach. A flue1 position, a new office, getting it up and very lucky in the way that it's been restruc Irish speaker, he is keen to promote the u: DIT Kevin Street running and respected in the institute, he tured. It's so strong as part of the union of of our first language within and without d had to remove himself." students in Ireland. With the am~gamation DIT. But he recognises that the Irish scho• ll three candidates running for the But now he feels that the President has of all the colleges and all the unions into system has left many people with an indi A position of overall President have to be seen more by the students throughout one union, DITSU is a voice to listen to." ference to the language. Yet he is optimist stressed the "hands on" approach they the DIT because "I don't know if students DITSU certainly has this potential but about the language. believe is necessary for DITSU in the com know the person is there at the moment." there are difficulties that have to ironed out "As far as I can see at the momen ing years. How much of this is election M r 6 Bradaigh believes that this and it is hard to see them all being satisfac there's a very very large uprising in the u speak we will find out in the next year, but approach is vital for the long term success torily sorted in a short period of time. of the language in the country. It's obviol ==~------~ Often spoken about, and again, addressed from the ads on lV and the hoardings o by all three candidates the centralisation in the bus shelters. I'm not going to go roun Kevin Street of the President's office, the hammering it down people's faces. It's nc company office and the DIT Examiner. It my intention and I'd never dream of doin has made communication easier but has, something like that. It was done in schoc not surprisingly, been unfavourably com and that's what turned prople against i mented upon. It is then, both a strength But we have to be ready to live in a bilir and a weakness. gual sociery. As society changes, we have t "The best way to tackle that is to try change with it." decentralisation but then again the presi If nothing else, being the President c dent still needs a central office and unfortu DITSU is about diplomacy and tact, kno\1 nately the only place that has the space is ing how to deal with people, even bein - Kevin Street. If it was a questien that the able to step on their toes without thet only space available was Bolton Street or knowing it. Feelings are easily hurt an Catha! Brugha Street, the story would be grudges easier to bear. It is a tightrope act. different. There'd be the question of it "The easiest way to deal with that is b ~anna 6 B~daigh being centralised elsewhere. Maybe it's a bit talking, meeting the conveners and deput bad at the moment that the President's conveners and debating with them and v for now, it begs the question: is there a feel of DITSU. office is here along with the company office all come to the best decision for the inst ing that this approach has been absent over "You have to have this hands on but again it's all a question of space." tute in our view and the best decision fc the past year? approach for the simple reason that you It certainly threatens to become a thorny the union." Eanna 6 Bradaigh, currently convener in have to be in touch with what the students issue because there is no solution at the Eanna 6 Bradaigh clearly enjoys workir DIT Kevin Street, and, at 24, the oldest are saying and feeling. You cannot lock moment. Mr 6 Bradaigh suggests that per in the students' union but beyond the pos candidate· running for overall president feels yourself away from it, sit in your office in haps USI's new offices could be availed of. tion of overall president of DITSU, has I that some sacrifices had to be made. Kevin Street and just deal with sabbatical I'm not saying having an office there but any further political ambitions? "One of the things I've noticed about officers and DIT Council. You have to be maybe some type of desk in the National He smiles at the question, whatever th -- Deiric (6 Broin) as President of DITSU is seen around the colleges in what aspect you Students' Centre where it'd be central as means. that he is removed from the students, can.'' distinct from being located either this side "Not at the moment. O':le step at because of all the groundwork he had to do He has straightforward idea of where he or the Northside." ttme.. " Ann Marie Mulholland organise events, such events would help to paign." practicalities, but hopes that there is a lor integrate students more. She thinks that perhaps people are not terms solution to the feelings of marginal Convener The increase in centralisation within the ready for the idea of autonomy. "But I sation, suggesting that when DIT Cath DIT and the students' unions is ongoing think that in the future people will see that Brugha Street is extended, that one of tl DIT Cathal Bn1gba St. but change is never easy and if people think it is a positive thing." offices mentioned is transferred down thet that their influence is being taken away, Three of the DIT's sites are in the south The short term is another problem. nne Marie Mulholland is the only they tend to react accordingly. side and three are on the northside. Given "A lot of people think that the over: A woman running for the position of "Its time time people realised that we are that the northside-southside divide has led president is up there, on the southside, 'h overall President of DITSU in this week's one institution. DIT students have voted to rivalry and accusations of favouritism on he anything to do with us?' I think if the elections. Since there are three people run for a common constitution. We have to one side or the other among the citizens of was more communication ... even son ning overall, it's not a bad ratio. But if there work on the plus side of working together of city, it was destined to affect DIT's stu form of newsletter every so often, fro is such a thing as a woman's vote she is not rather than the negative, that 'it's such a big dents' unions. Ms Mulholland believes that above, to let people know that everythit interested in it, per se. Nor does she feel at institution, everything's going to be cen there is a strong perception of a division isn't based over there." a disadvantage as a woman (she has spoken tralised, people on the fringes aren't going and bias towards the southside. The DIT is undergoing great changes; elsewhere· in the paper on the pr blem of to get included'." She feels that each college "For example, a time of transition for all aspects of tl women being seen by some as somehow less has to retain its own identity while also the overall institution. able to perform a duty such as convener). recognising itself as part of a larger identity. "I'd like to think that people will vote Last week, a referendum was held within for me, or would want me to be overall the DIT colleges to decide on the thorny president, not because I'm a woman but issue of women's autonomy within the because I can do the job." unions. In a low turnout, it was compre Ms Mulholland has decided to run for hensively defeated by a margin of three to overall president because "I like what I've one. Anne Marie Mulholland is in favour of been doing this year and I'd like to contin women's autonomy. ue what I'm doing. I have a few ideas that I "What went wrong was that it was very think would be good for the DIT, ideas I'd quick, we were tied for time. There was no like to put in place." other way to do it·, it had to be done before Top of her agenda, or at least what nominations opened. As well as that the comes first to her mind, is greater integra people who were very anti the thing came tion within the DIT. This kind of develop out to vote before people who were one way ment has been spoken of in the past by or the other." DIT President Dr Brendan Goldsmith and The posibility of a referendum on the also DITSU President Deiric O'Br6in. It is issue was first discussed back in January. Ms Ann Marie Mulholland part of the reason that the position of an Mulholland concedes that those who pro overall president was created. posed and were in favour of the referendum and the paper. People perceive that they are Ms Mullholland would like to like to ! "I think it's time the DIT became more should have gotten out and campaigned on based over there and start thinking, 'oh, the power of the six colleges consolidat integrated, became recognised as one insti the issue. they're getting more than us'. Even the last over the next 12 months. tution. We have an overall president but I "Yes, I suppose. If things hadn't been so issue of the Examiner, a lot of students felt, "They should be co-ordinating a I --- think more DIT based events, such as hectic at that particular time, it could have 'God, are we even in the DIT?' It wasn't more on what issues are affecting them ot DITSU Day would be beneficial." She been tun ... " she pauses " .. .I still don't think your fault, but that's how people felt. It's whole level, and campaigning against th< believes that if the various cumainn it would have won. I'd like it to have been just an image people have." because the greater the number of peo1 ghaelacha got together to hold a c~ili (for won but the more of a 'yes' campaign there She accepts that the centralisation of the you have campaigning, the more effect: example) or the sports clubs combined to would have been, the more a 'no' cam- three aspects she mentioned is a question of you are going to be." .,· 15 r e e e

he controversial Student sum es in social welfare payments T mer employment scheme is to announ~ in last month's budget. be extended from I 0 to 12 weeks The scheme was introduced last year this summer. as part of the Social Welfare Bill. It pre In a move that is unlikely to placate vented third I~ students from signing its critics, the Minister for Social on for the dole·during the summer and Welfare, Dr Michael Woods said recent from receiving rent supplements. ly that the scheme will •remain a Instead, they were offered £400 for 160 means-tested scheme to provide an hours work to be undertaken over a opportunity .for students to earn some period of 10 'Wttk.s. This part time thing over the summer period and, at scheme breaks down to £2.50 per hour the same time, to put something back of work. into community development'". Mr O'Broin said that the payments DITSU President Deiric O'Br6in involved :are oompletdy inadequate for hit out at the scheme, calling it a •disin• the type of work involved. "In the fi~t DITSU President. Deilfc 01Jtoln genuous attempt to hide the faa that year of operation we had substantiated the government is now dueltening stu reports of people picking rocks off at about 16 hours a week. But Mr tions, including the Irish National dents with financial impoverishment. • pitch and putt oourscs in Cavan. £2.50 O'Br6in pointed out that the problem Organisation for the Unemployed, the The revised scheme will run from is lwdly the rate for manual labour... was getting this part time work. "'Yoq National Youth Council, Labour Youth June l to September 31st and the pay The Minister has argued that stu have to remember that there are over and Ogra Fianna Fail. Not surprisingly, ment for participants is to increase by at dents are free to work part time and still 300,000 people unemployed in this one of its most vociferous opponents least three per cent in line with increas- avail of the scheme because it works out oountry."' has been the Union of Students of last year, the scheme, which was lrdand. taken up by almost 4,500 students, c:nst USI Vice President Damien O'Br6in the Department Of Social Welfare more has said that the scheme adversely Looking After No. 1 than £2 million but resulted in a saving affects the poorest 10% of the organisa of over £4 million on unemployment tion's member ship. those students from The Dublin Institute of Technology It is a wide ranging scheme oovering assistance to students. An estimated lower inoome backgrounds who might is going through a period of change and students all year round. 12,000 students -would normally have have been eligible for the highest rate of development. Some of the changes. by •So fur example if you are working to applied for the assistance and only stu unemployment assistance, £55 per their nature, will only ocrur slowly but hdp pay your fees, say as a kitchen dents previously eligible fur at least £15 week. others are happening quickly and quiet porter in a restaurant and you ger in assiswttt could apply for the DITSU President Deiric O'Br6in ly. Their speedy implementation is to burned or suffer a bad injury, you can scheme. said that the union is •futty in't'Olved in be wdoomed but it is this very efficien claim off this scheme. If you're grape The scheme has mme in for harsh the USI campaign to thwart this thinly cy which oould leave students in the picking in France and get knocked criticism from a number of organ.isa- veiled attack on students•. dark regarding schemes and structures down in a hit and run, this scheme will of which they can avail. pay out." How many, roi example, are awue of The amounT paid out naturally the personal accident insurance scheme varies. Death benefit is £5,000 and the which coveiS all DIT students? higheSt: amount that can be received is It has been in operation sinre early £100,000, in the event of total incapac september last year and rovers students itation. all year round, no matter where they There is a lower limit of £50 on ar-. There are very few exclusions, says claims, which is designed to ensure that IJ"-ve Carmody, General Secretary of people will not make claims for visits to DITSU. the doctor, facilities which, Mr "Piloting a plane is one, suicide is Carmody points out, are available local another. Or anything ridiculous." ly. 'Phe scheme developed from a con "The scheme is for serious claims cern over the number of injuries and we thought we had to have a £50 received by students representing the level so people would only claim fur DIT is sporting activities. From minor legitimate claims." problems to serious injuries, there was Because of its relative newness, many confusion with regard to liability so students are not aware of the existence DITSU began to investigate the possi of the scheme. This limits its usefulness. bility of introducing a scheme that stu 'We've informed all the colleges that dents could avail of in the event of acci if there is a death or a serious injury dents. that they should contact the family and "Upon investigation we noticed that tell them about the scheme. this scheme was in practice in some of "The procedure is that if that some the other universities in Ireland so we thing happens to you and you incur looked at the practicalities and found these costs you apply to Dermot out that it wasn't that difficult to put it Hegarty, students services officer. He into place. So at the moment all full will send you out a claim form to which time students are covered and what you will then attach all your documen we've done is added £5 onto the fees tation and send off to the insurance and that pays the insuranc: premium. brokers." on ..lt. Competition Winner!

The winner of last month's Guinness/DITSU Competition was Kevin Street student Leanne Carmody. She wins a case of Canadian l\bosehad lager worth £50. She will also suddenly have many new friends. Five runners-up will each receive a Moosehead baseball cap and t-shirt.

The answer to the question, The Animal Most Associated with Canada? is of course: The Moose