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2017-10-25

The Edition, 25th October, 2017

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THE EDITION@edition_ie edition.ie www.edition.ie Supported by DIT News Society DIT counsellingHumans Of waiting DIT - Pg list 8 - Pg 3 VolleyballBack to facilitiesStars Hollow a must- - Pg Pg 9 24 GetDoctor to know Strange your Review Socities - -Pg Pg 15 15

Grangegorman Canteen’s - Page prices 4 under scrutiny - Page 5 DIT to introduce Student Levy

By John Patrick Kierans

DIT are planning to introduce a to get to that point,” he added. student levy of up to €150 to pay “We hope the levy will include so- for a number of student services in cial and recreational space, which Grangegorman. would be on the ground floor of The long awaited campus, which the student accommodation and is not expected to be fully com- a new build in the first phase of a plete until 2022, will see students new sports hall. pay the added fee in order to use The levy is being introduced be- facilities such as the planned new cause the Irish Government won’t sports hall. fund sports recreational spaces Other student areas the institute that colleges build. is planning to build include a bar, The Government only pay for along with a bigger clubs and socs educational spaces that will benefit space. students. Student Fee March // Nikki Murphy Paul Horan, Head of Campus Plan- Mr Horan continued: “Basically for ning for Grangegorman, told the the medium term, in order to de- Edition: “We’ve been discussing a velop sports recreation space, the STIs on the Rise By Kasper Delaney-Petersen & Robert Geoghegan levy with the student bodies and national policy is that the Govern- the student’s union for a while. ment doesn’t pay for that.” Sexually Transmitted Infections are on the serious infections. “I think…with STIs there “We haven’t been able to say for rise in DIT, according to figures from DIT GP, is a huge increase I suppose…but there is no certain what spaces we will be get- Doctor Brendan Clune. particular epidemic or anything like that”. The greater danger around the spread of The rise in STIs in both DIT and nationwide ting, because the student accom- STIs stem from many factors that have arisen has also been attributed not specifically to modation has been a long while in in recent years. Students are “forming dif- more people getting infections, but to the gestation so we don’t want to go ferent relationships” to previous years, with adaptation of modern technology allowing out to the student body for definite Continued 2 students refraining from “secure relation- for more efficient diagnoses. until we can say here’s the propos- ships”. This has lead to an increase in gon- orrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and other quite al. It’s going to take another year Continued 2

NEWS FEATURES CULTURE SPORT DIT counselling Leaving the Liberties behind Hurricane Ophelia Socities Spotlight waiting lists What effect will DIT leaving the How would it be to spend a Get to know your societies Fit2Go - Here come Long waiting periods to be Liberties have on local whole day in a pub during a this year the girls! combated in new moves businesses? storm? DIT’s Fit2Go launches 7 10 15 exclusive girl’s club 23 with new ‘access point’ That time in 3 Picture Essays Coppers... See the first picture essays of Be Sound Be Well When a memorable night Sports council DIT still without a this year’s Edition, following 8 11 in Coppers turns into a nominations 24 student drugs policy 6 the Student Fee march. nightmare 16 2 The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 NEWS THE EDITION DIT to introduce Student Levy Editorial Staff “They pay for educational spaces to do colleges such as UCD, they’re on their the levy monies. This condition calls for of Limerick; and Dublin City University with the delivery of teaching but sports third tranche of their 10 to 15 year levy, ‘all monies received by DIT be placed have passed referendums on student Editors and recreational facilities aren’t paid in which they build their first phase of under the management of an agreed levies in order to develop new student Nikki Murphy & Dan Grennan for”, he added. sports, they did another levy for their legal entity, the board of management facilities on their campuses. [email protected] “So in all the other institutions the big student centre, they’ve introduced of which will contain a majority of “The UCD Student Centre and the UCC sports and recreation spaces have all another levy where they built their students appointed in a manner to be Sports Facilities have been funded by News Editor been developed over the years by stu- swimming pool,” Horan went on to say. agreed between DIT and DITSU.’ student levies, while the UL Student Nikki Murphy dent levies. We’re hoping to introduce DITSU President Boni Odoemene “We believe that as this is student Centre is currently at planning stage [email protected] a similar process,” Horan went on to believes that if a levy is introduced, money being spent, students must have following a recent referendum.” say. students should have their own say on a majority say as to how it ought to be But in order to introduce a levy, stu- “One of the biggest projects we’re what the money is spent on. spent and where it’s being spent, and dents will have to vote in a referendum. Culture Editor working on is trying to deliver student He told the Edition: “In regards to a unfortunately the institute see things “A decision to introduce a levy in order Jesse Melia accommodation on campus. We have proposed student levy for student facil- differently. This is only one example of to provide excellent student facilities [email protected] the potential to deliver up to 2,000 ities on Grangegorman, this is some- where there is disagreement between for future generations of DIT students beds, so we’re looking at approximately thing that DITSU have been negotiating DITSU and DIT in relation to the pro- would require a democratic decision of Sports Editor half of that to go out in a similar way on behalf of the students of DIT for a posed introduction of a student levy. the student body, backed by students Jessica Ni Martin to the private sector, asking the private number of years now. “This year we have set up a Student voting in a referendum. [email protected] sector to come in and design, build, op- “The plans we are aware of is for a stu- Levy Working group that has been “DIT has developed a levy proposal erate and maintain them for a lengthy dent levy to be introduced that would tasked in ironing out the technicalities with the objective of generating a fund period,” Horan added. pay for the building and operations of a and disagreements around the negotia- of €20 million. This would secure the Features Desk “But in return we would get back the brand new student center. tions for a proposed student levy. development of a top class student cen- Dan Grennan ground floor for free if you like. Finan- “Your Student Council passed a policy “I am hopeful that this will allow us to tre and indoor sports facilities (such as [email protected] cially, given the values, we reckon we in 2016 laying out the terms and con- take some positive steps forward.” SU Offices, Student Media Centre, Black can get most of it back as an empty box ditions of levy negotiations. For only A spokeswoman for DIT reiterated that Box Theatre; Multi-Purpose Venue, Web Editor or shell. So to fit those out we’ll need a when completed may a proposal for a the Department of Education do not Campus Bar and Sports Facilities: Sports Nick Moloney considerable fund of money,” he added. levy be brought forward to Council for provide funding for sports and student Hall, Gym, Fitness studios, Strength [email protected] “We also want to develop an indoor approval. centres. and Conditioning suites, changing sports. So that will provide space for a “A number of these conditions have She said: “To fund these important facilities, and Climbing Wall). “There good permanent home for things like a been completed, however there are facilities, students in all Irish Univer- has been no formal agreement as yet Sub Editors student bar, clubs and socs space, DIT- still conditions that are a cause for sities have so far contributed through with student representatives around Samuel McHugh & Jack SU space and some sporting functions,” contention.” what is known as a student levy. For the introduction of a levy in DIT but McGuire Horan added. He continued: “Most notably is the example, over the last five years Dun- discussions are on-going.” [email protected] “The way it varies compared to other condition around the governance of dalk IT; Maynooth University; University

Production Editor Jenny Murphy Byrne [email protected] STIs on the Rise The total number of students screened for the among men compared with 934 for the same EDITORIAL Sub Editor Kasper Delaney-Petersen year 2015/2016 was 490, with 269 being “symp- period last year, an increase of 60%. tomatic”, which is where the patient suspects that Where data is available, 55% of these cases have they might have something going on. A further been in men who have sex with men (MSM). 221 were “asymptomatic”, which is where the There were 52 cases in women in November Nikki Murphy & Dan Grennan Contributors patient doesn’t have any problems but would just 2016, three times the number of cases in women like to have a routine test. in October 2016”. This year The Edition On the basis of the strength of Aoife Kearns Dr. Clune went on to say, “I think our figures are DITSU purchases almost 9,000 condoms every Patrick Koska similar to any other colleges. I don’t think DIT year, and they are freely available from any SU celebrates 10 years as an inde- the group we had worked with Marcus Blake students are doing anything radically different office. Practicing safe sex is imperative to stop the pendent newspaper, funded on The Liberty, we knew we Robert Geoghegan from Trinity students or UCD students or anything further spread of STIs around campuses. by News Society and The So- had a solid team with one main Kasper Delaney-Petersen like that. I think think they are largely the same. ciety’s office through student focus; to make The Edition as Laura Ashmore We want to encourage students to act responsi- If any of the points raised in this article affected contributions. Although we’ve diverse as we could. To work Maryam Madani bly, if they do take a risk they should get a check, you, please contact: Emilie Gille had a turbulent beginning to with all departments within the if they have symptoms they should come make an Gay Switchboard Ireland: 01-8721055, ask@ the start of this academic term, institution that is DIT. To be Laylah Beattie appointment without any embarrassment”. gayswitchboard.ie we are finally up and running. forever transparent and diverse. Laura Níc Thomas To raise awareness amongst students is also very Visit thinkcontraception.ie Every year up until now, the edi- Our aim is to make the paper John Patrick Kierans important, Dr. Clune said, and that while many Health Service Executive Ireland: 041 6850300, Hajar Akl events in college help to alleviate the spread of [email protected] torial role of the paper has been as inclusive as possible, our list Conor Shields STIs, the more people that go in to get checked DIT Clinic locations and contacts: filled by a journalism graduate of 28 contributors reflects this. Léa Pelard the easier it will become to curb further out- or a masters student. After struggling with an Ja Wei Lee breaks in early days. “We just need to keep raising After being approached about arduous handover and no Marc Morrison awareness. We recently just won an award the position we both had a lot template we are proud to say, Nick Moloney for our ‘no umbrella campaign’… We want to to think about. We are both The Edition in print and online Dan Grennan highlight that sexual diseases are common, that 3rd year students of journal- is back in action. Special thanks there is effective treatment for it and that we Nikki Murphy ism, and having worked on The go to Anita Conway from the Jessica Ní Mháirtín are accessible for students, there should be no Liberty (the local newspaper for Society’s office who worked Caragh O’Buachalla embarrassment around it”. Jesse Melia The clinic in DIT is a satellite clinic with Saint The Liberties) previous to this, her backside off to make this Alannah Carragher James’ hospital and that’s where DIT get their clin- we knew the challenges and the happen. To News Society for all Lauren Fetherston ical expertise. While it costs €20 for a screening hard work it would take to run their support. To John Kenny Paul Hyland in the DIT clinic, the advantage of the DIT clinic is The Edition. and Harry Browne for allow- Jessica Keller they have the medication on campus. Which is an With no-one applying for ing us the use of the Liberty Mark McEvoy advantage instead of someone going to a doctor the editorial role, it was de- template and all their advice. Luke Toomey and then getting a prescription. cided there and then that, To Ian Kilroy and Harry Browne

we would not let our student for all their advice, and to you Dr. Miriam Daly, the Director of the Women’s newspaper go. After many our readers who without your Health Programme in the Irish College of General Practitioners, said that “In 2016, 31% of all cases discussions with our class- student contribution this paper were diagnosed in general practice, including 50% mates, we formed a dedicated would not be possible. of all female cases”, in relation to an alarming editorial team between us. On behalf of us all here at The increase in gonorrhoea. “Up to week 46, 2016, Any money paid would be split Edition: there have been 1,494 cases of gonorrhoea evenly between us (€100 each). WE BACK BABY!!! The Edition 3 Wedensday 25 October 2017 NEWS New DIT counselling services to combat long waiting lists Hajar Akl DIT’s counseling service has introduced of 3.8 full time staff, plus one Head of Health society, is currently being seen to different “access points” this year to help Service. “That’s never going to meet [the by one of the counselors in DIT. He said Roisin O’Donovan, Vice President for more students access the service and avoid demand],” she said. he was “lucky” that he didn’t have to wait Welfare in DIT’s Student Union (DITSU) long waiting lists. “four or five weeks” to be seen by a coun- said, “[There’s been] long waiting lists for She said there has been an increase in selor and given an assessment. years, it’s really good that they’re trying to Ms Catherine Bolger, one of the psycholo- demand for the service but a shortage in do something new… It’s good that they’re gists of DIT’s counseling service, said stu- staff, but she said interviews are ongoing “I know that I needed counseling myself trying a new dents had to wait weeks to see a counselor and two more full time staff will join by the and I found the form online and that’s kind method.” last year. end of 2017. of where I started… I waited about two weeks before I got the assessment, which She said she will “constantly push” for new This year, a new Live Chat and Walk In Slot The new staff members, expected to start for a free service I suppose is decent but ways of accessing counseling in DIT. have been made available everyday be- in January, will increase the counseling it’s not ideal,” said Mr Freeman.

tween 10 am and 11 am, where students service’s workforce to 5.8 people, which “There are going to be two more full time can avail of the service without needing an would make a “massive difference” par- “There’s a stigma attached to these ser- counselors in place,” said Ms O’Donovan. appointment. ticularly as demand for the service increas- vices that I don’t think is removed yet... “[However] while pushing for counseling; es around exam time. With the counseling service, students it’s important as well to try have alterna- The Live Chat makes it possible for stu- Ms Bolger said the new access points have are not using that ideally but at the same tives.” dents to chat with a counselor via Google made it possible for students to get imme- time if they were to use it ideally, the Chats about any questions or queries they diate answers to their queries. service wouldn’t be able to cope. It’s She said there will be training and work- may have. overstretched as it is at the moment,” he shops for students so they can “self-man- “What we’ve noticed already is we have no added. age” their mental health. The Walk In Slots are only available in waiting lists, so people can access the ser- Aungier Street, because it has the “larg- vice on the day or the next day,” she said. He has been in counseling for a few weeks “We need to lobby for more counseling est traffic”, and allow students to meet now and said he has benefited greatly and better service,” she said, adding that counselors between 10 and 11 am without Ms Bolger said there has been an aver- from the service. they will try to also incorporate more booking. age of 10 students accessing the Walk In training workshops “to educate students to service on a weekly basis. “We anticipate “Personally speaking, the benefit’s been mind their own mental health”. “We were so busy last year trying to meet that this will rise as it is a new service,” she immense. The issue that I’m in counseling the needs of students... it was impossible added. for is quite complex and it would limit Ms Bolger said the Walk In slots are availa- to keep going with scheduled appoint- my daily life if I didn’t get it seen to. The ble every day for “any student who needs ments,” said Ms Bolger. “Also stats from last year show that 77.5 fact that I got such immediate attention is to be seen urgently”. new students accessed the service every fantastic and I’ve never been more grateful Ms Bolger said sometimes students would month, in addition to the ongoing students to a service in my life.” She added: “The staff in the counselling only have short queries and would only re- which averaged about 120 per month service are all Chartered Psychologists or quire quick information, so having to wait over all the campuses. That’s almost 200 Mr Freeman said that despite this, the Registered Psychotherapists and as so are weeks defeated the point of the service. students per month,” she said. range of functions provided by the service fully trained and experienced in recognis- is not very diverse. For example, they don’t ing and assessing for every serious issue She hoped the new services would provide Ms Bolger said that “in addition to our offer group counseling sessions. that may come through the door.” different access points for students to seek normal service of assessment and coun- counseling faster. seling” they will also be running a number “They literally offer [only] one to one coun- You can contact a counselor via Live Chat of workshops for students this year on a seling… weekly, bi-monthly, every month… between 10 am and 11 am everyday on By providing instant access, “we’re hoping range of topics, “such as anxiety, resilience, Personally I get weekly appointments but [email protected] To get more it could work for students that may not forming good life habits, etc”. people like me put a massive strain in the information, follow @counsellingDit on need to engage in long term counseling,” system because we take up a slot every Twitter. she said. She said they will be running workshops on single week from that one counselor. They different campuses in hopes to “minimise don’t offer anything like group counseling If you have been affected by anything in Ms Bolger, who is based in Mountjoy travel [for students] as much as possible.” sessions, again there’s not an awful lot of this article, help and support is available Square, said DIT’s counseling service is counselors so they can’t offer a wide range by calling the Samaritans 24-hour helpline currently operating with the equivalent Ciarán Freeman, chairperson of the Mental of one to one sessions either.” 116123 or emailing [email protected]. 4 | www.edition.ie The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 NEWS DIT’s New Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Garner Mixed Reactions

Maryam Madani New students of DIT Aungier St tioning or transgender students in the new toilets is with where they existence”. may have noticed that most of the DIT and 15% of the student body is have been placed, whether there Roisin O’Donovan, DITSU Wel- disabled bathrooms have been of the LGBT community. Ali Hilley, will be increased traffic, which fare Officer 2017/18, welcomes transformed into gender-neutral Vice-Chairperson of DIT LGBT So- might make it more difficult for any questions to be emailed or di- ones, and now bear a four-sym- ciety gave a statement on behalf wheelchair users and those with rected to her. “I think it’s fantastic, bol inclusive sign. The change of the group saying “We think the hidden or ambulant disabilities I think the more questions from was unveiled this September and gender neutral bathrooms are a to access the facilities they need. students asking about it helps to there are now 47 gender-neutral major step forward for DIT, and “If I had a concern that’s where it give it more clarity”. bathrooms across ITs five campus- are disappointed by the negative would be: would it be disadvan- es. This includes at least seven in feedback received. We would taging people in wheelchairs who Aungier St, with one on each floor, also like to point out that for an- need to access those toilets.” said according to Buildings Manager, yone who thinks negatively about Nita Whelan, Head of the Student Colm Gillen. these facilities that the bathrooms Counselling Service. in their own homes are unisex or One of the gender-neutral toilets While to some students the gender neutral.” in Aungier Street has already been change seems to have appeared reverted to a purely disabled toi- overnight, in reality it has been in The negative feedback in ques- let after causing difficulties for a the pipeline for around 3 years. tion comes mainly from a post wheelchair user. Toryn Glavin, who was Chairper- announcing the new toilets on son of DIT LGBT Society 2014/15 the DITSU Facebook Page, post- “We’re monitoring the situation, and now works for Transgender ed on September 14th. Of the we are working with the Disability Equality Network Ireland (TENI), 300+ comments, many were sup- Service, and if it creates a difficul- was one of the main campaigners portive, but an alarming amount ty for any student or any member for the gender-neutral bathrooms, showed opposition and a lack of of staff we’ll take action on that,” alongside an ongoing push from understanding as to the purpose said Brian Gormley, Head of Cam- DITSU, its consecutive Welfare Of- of the gender-neutral bathrooms. pus Life. “We have some students ficers and the LGBT Society. and staff who would be quite de- DITSU has announced plans for pendent on them being accessible Gender-neutral bathrooms with an Education Campaign on the toilets” similar signage are already in topic, which it aims to launch at place in UCD, DCU, Trinity College, the end of the First Semester or Speaking of students who were UCC, IT Tallaght, CIT and GMIT. the start of the Second Semester. transitioning, transgender, or nonbinary, he said “It’s a recog- There are at least a dozen transi- Perhaps the only concern with nition of their status and of their 1 in 5 Irish women experience sexual assault

By Léa Pelard

Sexual assault is a serious public health issue which can happen to and “the decision should be respected,” says Isabella, a DIT Business Only 25% of Irish female victims of sexual assault report it to the po- anyone of any age, gender, level of education or level of income. Un- student. lice. This shockingly low number reflects a very sad reality. Victims en- fortunately, this problem has always existed, and is more common dure terrible aggressions, and yet prefer not to press charges against than most imagine. There is absolutely no excuse for people committing sexual assaults. their aggressor. The main reasons are due to the lack of trust that As Tomas, an Argentinian exchange student said, “the fact that some- justice will be made, embarrassment, fear and their peer’s reactions. According to the Rape Crisis Center, one in five Irish adult women one takes drugs or alcohol is not an excuse for bad behavior or sexual and one in 10 Irish adult men experienced sexual assaults during their aggressions.” Each person is indeed responsible for their acts in any The world campaign “I Believe You,” launched two years ago, aims life. circumstances. to educate people about how to respond supportively to a disclosure of a sexual assault. It claims that “when we let survivors know we The World Health Organization defines sexual assault as “any sexual Unwanted sexual comments are also considered as a kind of sexual support them, the safer they feel to tell someone.” act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or assault. As Sarah, Business and Languages student, pointed out, an advances, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person aggressive sexual remark “is not a joke or something you should be It’s important that victims know that they can be supported by regardless of their relationship to the victim.” flattered by, it’s verbal sexual assault.” peers, but also by some organizations that can help them.

Consent must be voluntarily given and cannot be obtained through Some people tend to think that the way a woman is dressed can Sexual assaults are unfortunately frequent in today’s world. Recent- coercion or force, otherwise, it’s defined as sexual assault. cause and justify sexual assault, which is incredibly false. People may ly, 29 actresses and film-industry figures accused Harvey Weinstein, experience sexual assault no matter what they are wearing or how a famous American film producer, of sexual harassment and assault. No means no. It should be as simple as that. It’s in everyone’s hu- they were acting. man right to refuse another’s advances. The Irish Rape Crisis Center is the specialist in helping and support- Moreover, what the victim was wearing in no way makes her re- ing victims of sexual assaults. There are several centers across Ire- Indian film actor Amitabh Bachchan recently made a very relevant sponsible for the assault. Everyone is free to dress as they want, and land, and also a 24 hour Helpline to assist victims when they need statement about sexual assaults. He said: “No is an entire sentence in someone’s outfit is not an excuse for bad behaviors or sexual assaults. help (1800778888). Moreover the Irish Rape Crisis Center website itself. No means no, and when somebody says it, you need to stop.” No one deserves to be assaulted, asks to be assaulted or wants to be (http://www.rapecrisishelp.ie ) allows victims to talk to specialists, assaulted.” and gives advice to people who know someone who has been raped Each person owns their own body and decides what to do with it, or sexually assaulted. The Edition 5 Wedensday 25 October 2017 NEWS Grange - ‘Gourmande’ - student outrage over canteen prices Conor Shields Aramark, the food catering company, has been lam- er, broccoli and rice, claiming that he paid €6.70 for edged that there was a pricing issue regarding the basted by DIT students over the price of canteen it and that it was “ridiculous”. Speaking to The Edi- DIT Grangegorman canteen and that hopefully this food in DIT Grangegorman following a post which tion, Sean explained why this bothered him. issue would be properly addressed in the aforemen- was uploaded to a DITSU related Facebook page. tioned meeting. “As students, money is a huge concern. Being able to According to similar posts on the ‘DITSU Grange- have an affordable option for food everyday is ideal. “In my opinion, our canteens should be more stu- gorman’ Facebook page, the company has received When you look at the numbers you’d be spending dent friendly, especially when it comes to the price e-mail complaints from students over the cost of almost €35 a week on food there at the very least,” of food. I and the VP for welfare hope to see this food available in the DIT Grangegorman canteen. said Bond. change come true when we meet with the canteen manager,” said Ms Odoemene. Sean Moore, a photography student based in DIT When asked about Aramark’s response regarding Grangegorman, was the first student to lodge a for- “foot flow”, Sean agreed that this could be an issue At the time of writing this article, it is understood mal complaint, one which he later published online. but more could still be done. that a meeting has been held between the afore- mentioned DITSU officials and Aramark represent- The response that Moore had received from an Ara- “If they had cheaper options, they would more than atives and that the pricing issue may come under mark representative had listed a “lack of foot flow” likely have more business review. as a possible reason why prices may seem high- Supply and demand. Students want an affordable er on that particular campus and why there is less lunch. That’s demand. Supply them with that and When asked to comment on the situation, DIT’s Pub- selection for students. However, the response also they have the numbers,” explained Bond. lic Affairs office have said… claimed that the complaint could only be properly addressed if specific meals and items could be iden- DIT Grangegorman College Officer, Jacinta “We are pleased that student representatives met tified. Odoemene, later explained that she would be meet- directly with Aramark staff to discuss the current ing with the appropriate regional manager and offering in the Courtyard Cafeteria in Grangegor- When asked about the response he received, Moore general manager of Aramark Ireland this week to man and to make suggestions as to how that might was still unsatisfied. discuss the issue. In an online Facebook post, she be varied in terms of value for money and dietary also said that “hopefully positive changes will come preferences. In response, Aramark have suggested “The prices which are asked of students are ludi- about from this meeting” and that “they (Aramark) some additional options that could be offered, given crous in my opinion,” said Moore. are willing to sit and discuss the issues that we are the available kitchen space, and will monitor student having with canteen.” choice based on take-up of those options.” The original post came from Sean Bond, a current PHD student, who had uploaded an image of a burg- Speaking to The Edition, Ms Odoemene acknowl-

Suspected break-in at the Radio Station during Socs Fest Dan Grennan

Attempts to break into DIT’s radio station have been told that the radio station was open made on Thursday the 21st of September between four - one of the porters had been down and five pm during the week of Societies Festival. there a few minutes before me - so I told them it wasn’t and got the key. The radio society had a money box, sweets and mineral drinks in the station at the time, but luckily they had “The key wouldn’t go in the lock so lodged all of the membership fees from the festival in one of the porters came downstairs the society office before putting it in the radio station. with me to try and open it and he said that the lock was flush to the door The station which is right beside DITSU has are two and that it looked like someone had rooms in the radio station and a small hallway with come at it with a hammer because it doors to either room. The door to the left of the room was properly bashed in.” was hammered until the handle fell off and the lock was unusable. There wasn’t any radio equipment in the Chairperson of Radio society Aisling station at the time. Gill said: “We weren’t sure what was left in there and we started panicking Racheal Scully from the Radio Society was first on the about what was left in there.” scene and said: “the main door was open but the two inner doors were locked. This was unusual but un- “What was really weird was one of derstandable as the main door had issues locking so I the porters said he was there five figured that whoever was last there decided it best to minutes before and the handle was lock both doors. still on it,” Aisling added.

“Except the handle for the door on the left which is where our stuff was on the floor. Not thinking much of it I went up to the porters to get the master key and was Handle knocked off the Radio Station door // Dan Grennan 6 | www.edition.ie The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 NEWS DIT is still without a student drugs policy Conor Shields

President of DIT, Professor Brian Norton, staff. This is contained within the Institute’s has said that he is aware that there is a need Sickness Absence Management Policy. for a viable student drug policy within DIT. This policy states that, ‘Any staff member The comments were made at the last found to be under the influence of a sub- meeting of the Student Experience Commit- stance whilst on Institute duty, and who tee where the issue was initially. represents a risk to either him/herself or others, will be relieved from duty imme- Although there is an official Institute Al- diately and may be subject to appropriate cohol Policy, there is currently no official disciplinary action up to and including dis- policy on drugs in DIT in place for student missal/removal from office.’ leaders which includes staff and student un- ion officials. Also, it states that any staff member who is suspected of having an issue with substance “I understand that members felt it would abuse may be referred for treatment under be helpful for student leaders who may be the Institute’s Programme to deal with Ad- responsible for organising activities or trips diction and Substance Abuse. away to have guidance on how to manage a drug-related situation, while being con- DITSU VP for Welfare. Roisin O’Donovan, scious of the health and safety of students has said that DITSU is aware of this issue and also of their legal responsibilities,” said and is taking it into consideration. Professor Norton. “I absolutely think that there should be a Although there is no official drugs policy drug policy for student leaders. I think it’s within DIT, the Institute have said that they kind of shocking that there isn’t one al- are very clear on the possession and con- ready because drugs are a very big problem sumption of illegal substances. amongst third level students,” said O’Dono- van. According to DIT’s public affairs office, reported to the Gardai, and internal discipli- of themselves or other students”, then that “The Institute position is clearly that pos- nary action will also follow.” student may face suspension or even expul- DIT is one of a number of third level col- session and consumption of illegal drugs is sion from the Institute. leges without a viable student drugs pol- against the law.Therefore, if any member They also stated that any student under icy. UCD, Trinity College Dublin and NUI of the DIT community were found to be in the influence of drugs or alcohol to a point “ At the moment, DIT have an Addiction Maynooth all have student alcohol policies possession of drugs the matter would be where they endanger the health and safety & Substance Abuse policy in place for DIT but no specific student drugs policy. New website aimed at helping DIT students Dan Grennan

Appventure.org was launched at the be- first years who might be nervous about things were really difficult. I use to think ginning of this academic term, created by Starting college can be a tough time for asking these questions and so they can go about how to make these things easier and Technology officer Trevor Boland with the students, Appventure plans to make it to the website,” Carissa also added. Trevor already had the ball rolling with help from a second year Information Sys- easier. “In your first week of college you Appventure”, said Carissa. tems and Information technology student, receive so much information and it is just Trevor mentors Carissa through various Carissa Smith. given to you. Even with the student card, in technologies, the two also do workshops The workshops “demonstrate free tech- my last college you didn’t really need it for to show students how to do things and to nologies that are available to students, Appventure is a website that aims to that much stuff, so oftentimes I wouldn’t show just how much free technology is some of those include in-built features in support students with disabilities by using even bring it. In DIT you need it to get into available to them. iphones and ipads, free websites that help infographics that show how to use various the library and to get in certain doors in make presentations, collaborative work, technologies and how the likes of student Grangegorman, so you need to realise how “With things like Office 365 which are free writing up documents as a group and some emails and student cards work. important certain small things are. Which to students but some students don’t realise of these are linked to their student gmail are sometimes the things people don’t tell this and buy it. We want to get the word accounts which makes it very natural for “Using infographics as a way of support- you”, added Carissa. out quicker to students like in induction students to use them”, Trevor added. ing students as part of a website is a new week or something”, Carissa said. concept”, said Trevor. Appventure came about after Trevor and “I had been doing workshops on my own Carissa wrote a proposal to Eir at the be- The two came together when one of and trying to get students to connect with Appventure has a section called ‘new at ginning of last summer in order to secure Carissa’s old lecturers on her PLC put them assistive technology but with Carissa as an DIT’, which aims at helping first years come a sponsorship for appventure. By the end in contact with each other. assistive technology embassador as a sort to grips with student life. of the summer they received confirmation helped students buy into using technology from Eir that they had gotten the funding “I can see it from a student’s point of more in the learning experiences in DIT”, “It is important to say that while me and and began making the website. view and a learning disability point of view said Trevor. Trevor are interested in the disability side which helped on both sides while Trevor of it, appventure is not just for students Both aiming to make things easier for could see it from a lecturer’s point of “The purpose of the project is to talk with disabilities there is a whole section students only starting out. view”, Carissa said of their Dynamic. openly about how technology can help of the website dedicated to ‘new at DIT’ everyone and that it offers advice about so the website is designed for people with “It is more trying to be inclusive than “I had these ideas about how you could free technologies which can possibly and disabilities like dyslexia because it is easier exclusive to people with disabilities. It is try and make college life a little bit easier hopefully make life a little bit easier while for them to navigate it”, said Carissa. trying to help your general college life for … I was a first year last year and a lot of they are staying in DIT”, Trevor added. The Edition 7 Wedensday 25 October 2017 NEWS Budget ‘18 and third level education Marc Morrison Budget 2018 will bring an guide strategic decisions The Cassels report pub- ise a protest in Dublin on President Michael Kerrigan additional €47.5m of fund- on its structure and future lished in July 2016 set out October 4 which resulted described the budget as ing for third level education direction, additional and 3 funding approaches for in thousands of students leaving students behind via a 0.1 per cent increase refocused expenditure on consideration: a publicly protesting outside Govern- he said “No income-con- in the National Training programmes relevant to funded system where the ment Buildings. tingent student loans were Fund levy. employers, greater align- student contribution charge announced today, but The increase will bring the ment of NTF-funded pro- would be abolished and While the Government are neither was any meaning- levy up to 0.8 per cent for grammes with employer third level education would yet to make a decision on ful new funding model on 2018. The levy will continue needs and a greater say for be free at the point of a new approach to funding how third-level education to rise by 0.1 per cent each employers, more transpar- entry: an increase in public third level education and should be funded.” year till it reaches 1 per ency and a greater focus on funding but a continuation continue to emphasise the Kerrigan also said, “With cent in 2020. evaluation.” of the student contribution work of the Oireachtas the cost of living soaring, charge or the implementa- Committee on Education SUSI grant thresholds need- A spokesperson for the In his Budget 18 speech the tion of an income contin- and Skills on the matter ed to be adjusted to allow Department of Education Minister for Finance Pas- gent student loan system. - Leo Varadkar is on the middle income earners and Skills told the Edition, chal Donohue said, “it will record as saying he would to be able to access the “A range of reforms will ensure that employers have Recent commentary has not like graduates to be SUSI grant scheme more be implemented in the an essential role for de- been focused on the op- “saddled with enormous allowing for students to be NTF from 2018 onwards, termining priorities in this tion of an income contin- debts”. financially able to attend including a comprehen- crucial sector”. gent student loan scheme, and apply themselves in sive review of the NTF to sparking the USI to organ- In a press release, USI third level.”

DIT is leaving The Liberties behind Nick Moloney

Two of DIT’s campuses on the edge of the Liberties from academic to office use, it will come with a are set to vacate and move to Grangegorman as changing demographic and more year-round use, While both buildings are expected to be bought up soon as 2019. as opposed to the up-down nature of the academic quickly, Horan said Kevin Street will probably be calendar,” he added. redeveloped and this could take up to two years. The campuses will be moving across the river to DIT is working towards a September 2019 deadline Grangegorman and bringing with them 6,000 stu- There is no certainty as to who will move into for the move, but that could slip. dents. the buildings after DIT leaves. However, they are expected to be bought up quickly given the current “Hopefully any impact on local businesses will be DIT Kevin Street and DIT’s largest campus in Aungi- economic climate and their location. short term,” Graeme McQueen from the Dublin er Street are set to leave the area by 2019 and 2022 Chamber of Commerce said. respectively. The move will leave a big hole in the area’s commercial streets. However, not all busi- nesses are worried. “DIT leaving the area will open up new opportuni- ties for new tenants or for potential new develop- “There are pros and cons from a business point of ment,” he added. view… there will be no negative impact if another business moves in,” Oliver Cruise from Network “The Liberties area is full of potential, that will Café said. hopefully be realised in the coming years. Key to this will be the much talked about redevelopment Oliver said they tend to get more business from of Iveagh Market, and also the future use of the DIT students in Aungier Street and would be happy to sites,” Mr McQueen said. see a business move into Kevin Street. According to Dublin City County Council, the loca- “If a business went into Kevin Street we could ag- tion of the two buildings make them attractive to gressively target that,” he said. buyers hoping to acquire them for commercial use.

Network Café is positioned across the street from A council spokesperson said some third-level insti- the Aungier Street campus and has become the “We have no certainty about who will buy/use but tutes could take interest in either of the buildings. café of choice for a lot of students. it is our general opinion that the Kevin Street site is likely to be demolished and fully redeveloped, pos- “That may even include other third-level use and Paul Horan, head of campus planning for Grange- sibly as a mixed-use office, residential, office site,” there are other third-level colleges in the area gorman commented on the situation: “Any building Horan said. including private colleges and institutions such as we leave will be sold and redeveloped … there will the Royal College of Surgeons,” the council spokes- be new users/occupiers. “Aungier street is a far more modern building and person added. suitable for continued academic use or office use,” “And while the uses may change, if there is a shift Horan added. 8 | www.edition.ie The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 NEWS

If students come out of college with a €20,000 in debt that’s going to have a really big impact on their mental health.” Roisin O’Donovan, said VP Welfare DITSU Roisin O’Donovan // Nikki Murphy & Aoife Kearns

... in any country they’ve been brought into…At the mo- ment in Ireland 46% of students receive the government grants, said President of Union of Students of Ireland Michael Kerrigan // Nikki Murphy & Aoife Kearns

The turn out for DIT today is absolutely excellent, I’ve never been so proud of this college in my life... The loans would be International evidence will show that there has been a reduc- detrimental to the students, 40% of DIT are on a student grant, said DITSU tion in mature students, part time students, students with President Boni Odoemene // Nikki Murphy & Aoife Kearns disabilities ... The Edition 9 Wedensday 25 October 2017 FEATURES Have we gone mad? Why we should all be wearing helmets. Laura Ashmore investigates the reasons why many of us do not wear our helmets, and why it has lead to meaningless casualties nationwide. formed in a nearby hospital. “The consequences of a hard crash and a head injury with- The number of cyclists on Irish roads rocketed by a The GPS Basil had been carrying at the time later showed out a helmet are potentially catastrophic and even fatal. whopping 43% between 2011 and 2016. a sudden halt in speed from a shocking 38.3kmph to zero. “Frankly, it’s too serious a risk to take.’ According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), various These figures combined with the post-accident headaches Taking this into consideration, why do we see so many cy- accidents on our roads tragically claimed the lives of 10 cy- he still suffers six years on, give some idea of the intense clists today around the city without a helmet on their head? clists last year. This brings the importance of helmets and impact he suffered during the accident. Cian O’Byrne, Head of DIT Cycle Club, reckons this could safety when cycling to our attention. Although he can’t say for certain whether the helmet be due to the partial inconvenience helmets impose. saved his life, he believes he would have “had signifi- He told the Edition: “I think when people are coming to the age of social media and or from college and work, it’s just an extra thing to carry around, which is definitely the wrong attitude considering vanity wins once again as a lot of you don’t realise how important they are until it’s too late - us make the baffling decision to a helmet is like a seatbelt, it’s just common sense.” There also seems to be a worryingly common conception care more about our image than (especially among younger generations) that helmets are the possibility of ending up a considered ‘uncool’. DIT student Katie Considine has asserted that it’s not un- human vegetable. common for someone to be made fun of for wearing a hel- met. There were a total of 186 fatalities on Irish roads in 2016, She said: “They’re viewed as embarrassing, when really which highlights the potential danger for road users and the they’re just saving lives.” Consequently, the age of social utmost importance of safety measures. media and vanity wins once again as a lot of us make the baffling decision to care more about our image than the Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, and possibility of ending up a human vegetable. one of the most effective steps they can take to prevent possible brain damage and even death, is the simple act of The question that now remains is how can we encourage wearing a helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic cyclists to strap a helmet on their heads? One potential ef- Safety Administration (NHTSA), bicycle helmets are almost fective solution could be to introduce a legislation that ac- 90% effective in preventing brain injuries. tually forces all cyclists to wear helmets. Maybe if we take away the option of not wearing helmet, Frequent rider Basil Ashmore is a strong advocate for hel- safety will finally be given the opportunity to conquer both mets, after he was the victim of a serious accident in New our desire for convenience and our all-consuming need to York in 2004. After a car cut directly in front of him, he cantly worse concussion and resultant brain damage”. constantly look fashionable. bounced off the vehicle and was thrown onto the ground Speaking as a seasoned and experienced cyclist, Basil said: landing directly on his head, back and coccyx. Emergency “I will always wear a helmet as crashes are not uncommon services were immediately called and a CT scan was per- and happen occasionally.

Bienvenue en Irlande By Emilie Gille

My name is Emilie. I am French and I have chosen the DIT for not know, and walk away, leaving you with your troubles. Pa- French people unlike in Ireland where the debate goes on. I my Erasmus experience. Apart from driving on the left-hand risians are always in a hurry especially on public transport. was surprised that it was not already done in Ireland, because side of the road in Ireland, I noticed a few more differences Here, it is not the same, Dubliners do not really rush and are it is so normal in France now, and Irish seem to be open-mind- between Paris and Dublin. Naturally, my first impression of Ire- usually willing to lend a helping hand. ed about a lot of subjects. I suppose the issue is related to the land came to me at the airport. Catholic Church, which is still very present in Ireland. The public transport system in Paris is different too. You have a transport card, you pay a price per month and that allows you to travel unlimited, while in Dublin, you top-up the Leap Card, depending on your needs. I noticed that Irish people like to talk and get to know you, regardless if they are your classmates or your professors. For example the first time I met my coordinator, we talked about courses but not only that. We had a long conversation about my tastes and about France. When I go to talk to somebody here, I never have the impression that I am going to disturb It happened when I was having trouble finding the bus I had them. The nightlife in Dublin is not the same either. There is a cliché to take. Weighed down with my luggage, a red-haired man in France that Irish people think the pub is the place to be, not helped me to carry them. While he was helping me, I asked There are also some differences in societal problems. For in- only by night but also in the afternoon. It surprised me that him if he knew where was my bus stop. He did not, but he tried stance, abortion was allowed in 1975 in France by the law Veil. it was not only a meeting place for students, but as well for everything to help me, even running after another bus, just to It was voted in when the access to contraception was difficult adults. In Paris, the places to go out are fuller in the weekend. ask the driver if he knew. in my country. At the time a lot of abortions were done se- Here, it’s every day, no matter if people are going to college or cretly and in bad conditions. There is still criticism from con- to work tomorrow. It is definitely not same way of life. In Paris, if you ask for help, everybody will say that they do servative parties and associations, but it is recognized by most 10 The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 FEATURES HurriCAN Ophelia: I spent eight hours in Dan Grennan Wetherspoons during Co-Editor @dan_grennan the fierce winds Upon hearing the news that DIT Standing sipping pints, a pair of young boys stabbed through his forearm by a over the next few days his face and and half of Dublin would be closed outside in the corner and a dismal mood all man he refused entry to and near- fingers began to fall off. for the day, myself and my two Centra on round. This was to be our shelter ly bled out. Shane said “when he The doctors used a piece his rib to roommates came to the conclusion the corner of for the storm. pulled the knife out he also pulled restructure his nose and flesh from that there was only one option the main street, Despite the mood in the room, we out my vain”. He was in such a bad his shoulder to construct a new for us...to go on the sesh! we were defeated went to the bar and got our pints. state that he had to be rushed to face. After a restful sleep, we rose men. Jack got a fosters, Nathan an ale the Children’s Hospital for fear of He said the doctors had a hard time at noon to find we had no cans or Ffilled with doom and and I a bitter. The sum of the him losing too much blood. finding out what it was but eventu- spirits to get us through the hurri- gloom, we thought our three pints was under 8 He said at the time he didn’t feel ally put it down to a reaction his cane. Unsure whether any shops journey had come to a euro, the silver lining it because of the shear amount skin had from weird bacteria tas a would be open or willing to sell us close, until Nathan suggested we in the cloud of dis- of adrenalin that was rushing very jolly man and still has the dog cans, we made our way into Black- drown our sorrows in the Wether- may. around his body. It was also to this day! rock village. spoons not 50 metres up the road. After a short conversa- his downfall because it While we chatted away to Liam and As we went on our way we noticed Filled with boisterous glee, we tion with the tired looking pumped more blood out Shane, day became night and worst barman we made our way of his arm. He showed and the storm had passed. We de- to the smoking area to survey us the scar from the cided it would be best to make our the storm. The wind had picked incident which way home and leave the Three Tun up and there was a drizzle of rain was quite grue- Tavern until the next time. in the air. some. Not long after we went out a short After a few of his man in his 50s approached and stories, Shane invited u s in to meet his friend Liam. Ophelia When he was starting to kick-off so we decid- ed it’d be best to get some shelter. pulled the Before we got to his table Shane If you have any pulled us aside and warned us stories from the knife out he that Liam had lost most of his face and all his fingers because he was sesh why not also pulled licked by his dog a few years back. This sounds like a joke but it’s not. Liam was a lovely man. Small in send them into out my vain stature with a friendly heart. After greeting him I couldn’t help myself editor@edition. asked us for a light for his rollie. but ask how he lost most of his Jack obliged. After lighting up face. He told us his dog had licked ie and you could his rollie, Gerry started telling us his face years and he began to about his life as an international feel unwell. He felt so bad that he be published in boat salesmen and how he used to checked himself into hospital and the EDITION Writer Dan Grennan struggles through the ex-hurricane travel the world. We were enjoying his conversation and stories until he started into his the Wicked Wolf was open. This walked through the doors of the life as author and his book on Ire- was a good omen. Three Tun Tavern (The name of land before Christianity and then We discussed that if needs be we the Wetherspoons). The atmos- we started to doubt Gerry’s trust- could always risk going in and ask- phere in the pub did not reflect our worthiness. After he concluded his ing if they do take away, because mood. There was constant weath- short monologue about his book none of us were willing to spend er updates on every screen which I asked for his second name so I our cash on expensive pints. was also the only source of sound could look up his book which re- Eddie Rockets was also open, an- in the place. There was a couple of fused to give me because “it would other good omen. As we struggled auld lads dotted around the place make it too easy for you”. Whatev- through the winds and Eddie Rock- er that means. ets we saw that Centra was also The sum of Soon after Gerry made it back in- open, and on seeing the news my side to the company of his pint roommate, Jack, let out a gleeful the three while we stayed out and reveled in shout. Alas, the cans were ours! the ex-hurricane. All three of us swaggered into the pints was We had the smoking area to our- shop in search of some glorious selves until we were met with an- beverages. However, it was not to under 8 euro, other smoker. A big man by the be. Centra’s alcohol shelf consist- name of Shane. Shane was not as ed of a measly selection of wines. glamourous as Gerry. Shane told None of us are fond of headaches the silver lin- us he had been a doorman around or gut-rot, and we couldn’t bring Dublin for the past twenty years. ourselves round to making the pur- ing in the It wasn’t long before Shane began chase. We inquired with the store telling us some of his tales from 20 clerk whether any other shops cloud of years experience manning doors of were open in the village but she Dublin’s top clubs and pubs. One of answered no. dismay the wilder ones was when he got ‘The calm before the storm’ The Edition 11 Wedensday 25 October 2017 FEATURES Carissa Smith - Eir disability Dan Grennan Co-Editor Champion of 2017 @dan_grennan Carissa became the Eir disability champi- to a youth club once a week who believed I derstand how I could do it once a week.” I would make it to college” on because of her work on the Appventure could do it (homework), so every Thursday “When I was 18 I was taught how to read “If you don’t need it you don’t know”. project she did with the help of her mentor “All you need is that group of people who Trevor Boland, DIT’s assistant technology believe in you and it makes everything a lot officer. easier”. Appventure is a website that is designed to “It was the first youth club I wasn’t kicked help students navigate DIT by giving them out of for poor behaviour. They really be- handy tips, like Microsoft Office being free lieved in me and pushed me and now I am to students, and informing them about a youth leader of a special needs group in technologies that make student life easier. that club”. The name of the youth club, Ur- Carissa found out she was dyslexic at the ban Junction in Blackrock, brought Carissa age of 20 while taking a two year PLC. on as a youth mentor. “I now have 12 kids I Smith says about learning disabilities that mentor in the youth club”. “people see it as a disability … you find She even devised a way to take notes some things hard but some things are a lot through a system of illustrations because easier because of it”. it made more sense to her mind than a se- Carissa Smith has always had an interest in quence of incomprehensible letters. As you technology. “My Mam said when I was real- can imagine her teachers dismissed it as ly young I used to do things like take a clock more of her ‘messing’, despite her best ef- off the wall and take it apart to see how forts to explain herself. it worked. My Dad always had tools lying From her experiences in school Carissa around so that got me into it”, said Carissa. “never thought she would make it to col- Considering her natural curiosity and flare lege”, let alone become the ‘technology for mechanics, one would assume her tal- mentor’ of the college in her second year. ents would transfer into her academics, but Despite her disabilities Carissa is thriving she struggled through secondary school. in college. When she meets people from her “You get this reputation as a messer but a school they find it hard to believe she is a lot of the time I would be messing because second year student of information systems I couldn’t do something … there was times and computer science. I couldn’t recognize my own name in some- As technology mentor in DIT Carissa shows one else’s handwriting”. students with disabilities alternative ways “I made it through school because I used to do their college work that they may find technology...I used to go take computers easier than the classic secondary school apart and put them back together...I would model of learning vast amounts of informa- get home and I would scan a document in tion and regurgitating it later in an exam sit- and play the audio of what it said on the uation. Carissa’s struggles during her school computer”. As you can imagine Carissa was years with her own disabilities makes her always exhausted after a day of doing this the perfect candidate for the job. but she was still called ‘lazy’ and a ‘messer’ I would have my homework done because again. I could read but I would get stuck “I wake up happy now compared to back because she couldn’t concentrate on some- someone would sit down with me and help on certain words...It was the hardest thing in school when I would just be in a bad hu- thing she couldn’t understand. me do it.” ever, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst ene- mour”. “If you think about a b, a d, a p and a q all “Then I got the reputation as badly be- my...I did a two year PLC and finished near lower case are all the same to me”. “I went haved and lazy because they didn’t un- the top of my class but people still doubted

Be Sound Be Well By Ja Wei Lee The issue of mental health is becoming a can affect someone’s mental health. son with the bully,” said O’Donovan. try my best to be a positive, optimistic- per much talked about topic in recent years. It “Basically when a student gets bullied, there Roisin was also last year’s chairperson for son. Obviously, you won’t be happy everyday seems the issue is getting much more preva- is so many different ways that it can affect the mental health society in DIT. She tells The because some things happen in life that don’t lent in this modern era. them. They just don’t want to go to college. Edition about how it all began. “ I set itup make you happy. This year, mental health week took place They might act differently with their friends, last year with Kieron, who is now the current Having a mental health issue is not a sub- from 9th October- 14th October. According their parents and family. chairperson of the mental health society. Ba- ject that you can quantify. People may find it to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), stu- It can also be a big distraction from their sically, we set it up together because we felt hard to express the worries they have in their dents are waiting up to six weeks for counsel- studies. It can affect their exam, their assign- that there was a real need for it in DIT. We saw mind. Roisin said:“ They is so many barriers ling services. This constant issue of prolonged ments and kind of makes you anti-social, if that all the other colleges across Ireland had that stop students from talking about mental waiting times is causing students suffering you are normally a sociable person,” said Roi- a mental health society. In setting it up, we health. One of the reasons is embarrassment. with mental health even more distress. sin O’Donovan. do lots of fun events and raising awareness They may think that it’s a silly thing to be up- Following up on the special week, The Edi- Standing up to a bully can also prove to be about mental health and raising awareness set about. You just kind of brush it off your tion spoke to DIT’s Vice President for Welfare, a hard task, as Roisin points out. “ Yeah, it about the services in DIT that are available,” shoulders. There’s also the idea that other Roisin O’Donovan regarding the topic of men- can be hard, especially if you are friends with As the interview got on, I was curious as people will not understand as well. tal health. them, because you don’t want to ruin the re- to what got her so passionate regarding the “There’s still a bit of stigma surrounding In September, DITSU released a video en- lationship; but they (bullies) may not neces- issue of mental health. That was when she mental health, but I think it has gone better titled ‘ Be Sound Campaign: Bullying Aware- sarily know what they’re doing is bullying. It said:” The main thing I noticed is that so many though. I think a lot more people are talking ness’ to spread awareness on how bullying really depends on the relationship of the per- people can be so negative, I would generally about mental health.” 12 The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 FEATURES Who Can Use the Gender-Free Bathrooms? Explaining the Signage Maryam Madani explores the issues surrounding the former disabled toilets and asks: Are the needs of the disabled being moved aside?

I am a wheelchair user and a student in may play, whereas sex refers to biology, and He said that even back as a fresher, “from DIT Aungier St. I use the disabled bathroom “The message needs to go out ... the prefix ‘cis-’ to those whose gender is the get-go all I wanted to know about was every day. The moment I saw the new sign that it’s not a free-for-all,” said Bri- aligned with their biological sex. the bathroom.” He also expressed some on the door and heard them being referred an Gormley head of Campus Life. O’Donovan feels the point needs to be discomfort about the chosen location: “I to as “gender-neutral” toilets, and not dis- expressed more that the gender-neutral would have preferably used the gender abled toilets, I was afraid that the needs of “Essentially what we’re saying is that toilets are “not just for transgender or dis- neutral bathroom, but I feel like I’m taking disabled people were being pushed aside. if students and staff are able to use the abled students, cos there’s a lot of students it away from someone that might need the male and female bathrooms they should who identify as nonbinary, which means extra help that’s in that bathroom.”

I was particularly worried when I saw four use them and if they don’t feel comfort- that they use ‘they/them’ pronouns. They symbols on the sign- did this mean that an- able using them then the gender-neutral wouldn’t use he/him or she/her, because Some transitioning students have - ex yone could now use it in the name of inclu- bathrooms are accessible to all so they they just don’t feel like they fit a certain pressed fears that using the gender-neutral sivity, even those who would normally use can use them” Gormley went on to say. gender”. toilets might be akin to outing themselves. the male and female bathrooms with ease? “Sometimes non-binary students wake Nita Whelan, Head of the Student Coun- “The reason there is a male, female, up and feel more feminine and use fem- selling Service, suggested it might be more I’ve seen no increase in traffic and haven’t transgender and disabled sign is not so inine pronouns, and then in a couple progressive and normalising “if it’s not la- had to wait for access. However, my con- cis-males and cis-females should use it months they may feel more masculine belled for anybody. If it’s just a toilet.” cern is whether people will begin to take as a free for all ... The main thing when I and use “him”. Which is kind of similar for advantage of the now seemingly opened-up look at those male and female [symbols] people who are transitioning to transgen- There were no new toilets built because space. is it’s kind of telling those non-binary stu- der. There are a lot of students who find DIT is preparing to move all five campuses that sometimes they just fluctuate be- to Grangegorman. Cathal Brugha St, Kevin Wheelchair users have a similar problem tween genders.” O’Donovan went on to say. St and Rathmines will close in 2019, bring- when getting the bus- our space is highly The message ing 10,000 students to Grangegorman, and coveted by parents with buggies, and there “It’s so interesting though, I find that no Aungier St will join the move by 2021/2022. have been countless times when I have not needs to go matter what way you have it people are go- The new campus design will have Univer- been allowed onto a bus because a parent ing to complain about it”, Roisin said. sal Access, removing the need for separate refused to fold up their buggy. The importance of these toilets to the disabled toilets altogether, according to out ... that it’s LGBT community cannot be understated, Brian Gormley. “in the planning for the new The number of parents with buggies in and it goes beyond being a symbol of sol- building on campus we provide a range of Dublin far outweigh wheelchairs so I am al- not a free-for- idarity. A student who had begun physical gender neutral bathrooms and male bath- ways anxious about whether I’ll be able to transitioning (who wanted to remain anon- rooms and female bathrooms just to give board a bus. This is now the same worry I ymous) told us “when we have all-gender people a choice.” “It’s all about giving peo- have when I go to the toilet. all bathrooms is when I’d feel comfortable to ple options” dents that they can choose their gender”. start my medical transition.” This is an ex- With this, I decided to investigate who the pression of the powerful effect gender neu- toilets are for. Gender here refers to the social roles one tral bathrooms have on students. The Edition 13 Wedensday 25 October 2017 OPINIONS ‘Restrooms’ and Americanisation

By Robert O’Halloran

You have probably noticed the new take their deserved plaudits. How- ‘like’ meaninglessly into her vocabu- think? Poor old Gramps, and Grand- ‘Gender Neutral restrooms’ which ever, it is also the latest example lary. We all know THAT guy who has ma, as they’re lucky enough not to were recently installed into the DIT of Ireland slowly losing its unique the ‘too much TV’ American accent. be remembered as. A proud and campus on Aungier Street, and there culture as it succumbs to that of the Many great things have come from nationalistic generation, watching is no denying that this is a progres- dominant North America, in this the United States (Kanye West, their ‘terrible beauty’ decompose sive and popular move. Why should globalised western world. Domino’s Pizza) so keep in mind and conform. we not share the same bathroom? Having spent the summer listening that this is not a xenophobic rant. Embrace your Irish pride. It’s the It is a toilet for feck’s sake, yet it to Canadians ask for the ‘wash- It is just a concern that every day reason the nation comes to a stand- is not a ‘restroom’. What even is a room’, I am probably over-reacting. Ireland, and in particular Dublin is still when the football is on, we all restroom? Yet why do we have to incorporate becoming ‘America lite’. We already know it’s not the standard of play. I suppose it sounds nicer, and as their clean and vague terminology? have enough Starbucks cafés. Five There’s no fun in diluting it and college students in particular will When have you ever heard an Irish Guys was the talk of the town this there’s no joy in losing it. The last agree, rest is a wonderful thing. It person call it anything other than a time last year, and sure it is only thing we need is somebody coming is the latest example of a forward bathroom, or a toilet? Provided they the guts of twenty quid for a bacon along in twenty years from now thinking, western and liberal culture are not using other colloquial slang. cheeseburger meal. At least we have promising to ‘Make Ireland Great among our generation. This culture Our accents have been infiltrated. ‘Black Friday’, we’ll make the money Again’. has been acted on by the Student Try find a girl from south-east Dublin back then. Union and they’ve been happy to who doesn’t incorporate the word What would your grandparents What Budget ‘18 means for students

By Marc Morrison The old cliche to “kick the can down According to the Department for age pension and social welfare pay- student grant scheme, but instead the road” has never been more Education and Skills the student ments will come at a cost of €264m chose to try and grab votes. accurately depicted than in what grant scheme operated by SUSI in 2018. the Government has done regard- costs €450m annually. While I rec- Paschal Donohoe pledged €47.5 ing third level education in Budget ognise that pensioners and those on The Government had a chance to million of additional funding to the 2018. social welfare are some of the most invest this money in the future by sector. The 47.5m will come from vulnerable in our society, and should increasing student grant funding an increase in the National Training The Cassel’s report published in July be accommodated for accordingly, by around 66 percent and allowing Fund levy. Little of the NTF expend- 2016 emphasized the urgent need the €5 euro a week bonus to the old many more students to enter the iture is spent on higher education, for a solution to the funding issues with the majority being spent on within the sector. Yet, given the apprenticeship programs such as perfect opportunity of a budget in SOLAS. which the Government threw a pal- try €5 to social welfare recipients, Higher education is largely being they sidestepped the funding issue ignored in Ireland yet youth un- of third level education. employment currently sits at 14.8 percent. Germany has a youth un- Well, they didn’t entirely sidestep employment rate of 6.4pc and the the issue. Akin to a lazy defender in lowest in the EU. Why? A significant a football match they threw an arm reason for this is because third level out and hoped for the best. A token education is free at the point of gesture some might say. entry. The focus of the Government should be relieving financial pres- If education is a route out of poverty sure on current and future students, why not allow more families on so- the only way to do this is through cial welfare have the chance to take increasing funding for access routes themselves off welfare with the help and SUSI. of an adequately funded third level education sector. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar calls this Island the Republic of Opportunity. 14 The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 OPINIONS Orange is not the new black

By Lauren Fetherston In a world filled with chaos and feel it is necessary to say I have no fee cups are the stuff of nightmares. Grumpy Mule designed the most natural disasters it is crucial to have problem with the coffees that are To make the situation worse they eccentric cup using neutral colours a platform from which we can ad- served in the Grumpy Mule, nor match it with a black lid. Orange and I would be the first person in line to dress the important issues. It is here should you. Actually, I have enjoyed black? Is this in relation to Hallow- buy that shit. where we will discuss one of DIT’s quite a nice mocha on the one een? Because it certainly gives me bigger problems. occasion I bought a coffee from this nightmares. There is no reason for a Unfortunately, after the first time buying a coffee here and drinking I know what you are thinking, leav- out of that orange ‘contraption’, I ing class to go to the bathroom only made the decision to trek the jour- to realise the first one you come ney to the first-floor restaurant just across is for the opposite gender to use a Bewleys cup. and having to begin your search for a toilet relating to you. Well to this At this point I’d imagine you are I would agree that, yes, this is huge thinking ‘who gave this person the inconvenience but not what we will space to write about such be addressing in this week’s opinion nonsense’ and, well...fair. But that piece. is not the only point to this article. The point is to display how easily a No, this week, we will be talking phobia can be triggered. Now I am about something even more sicken- campus café. Instead, this problem paper cup to be that eye-catching, I not saying my disgust as the Grumpy ing and something that I can guar- is merely the appearance of the cof- mean what happened to tradition- Mule cups is a phobia, because antee each and every one of you fee cups that can be found discarded al coffee cups? You know the ones while the sight of the cups makes reading this have had to deal with at just that are grey, brown, khaki green, my skin crawl and stomach churn, some point or another. about anywhere throughout DIT, and all the colours associated with I have come to the conclusion that which is a problem itself but I’m go- warmth and cosiness. You may get I may just have an intolerance to That problem...is the Grumpy Mule’s ing to steer clear of climate change the impression at this stage of the them. exceptionally orange coffee cups. this time. article that I am against creative But hey, I still wouldn’t complain if cup designs and thinking outside the Grumpy Mule changed their cup In the spirit of being fair and just, I Orange and threatening, these cof- the box, but let me tell you if the design.

The Importance of Gender Neutral Bathrooms. By Laylah Beattie This year, DIT added 47 gender neu- male bathroom. For the most part, stories. myself and said boys feel uncom- tral bathrooms across its different this was fine, but I did experience a fortable. Why not save everyone the campuses. As a transgender female, I little bit of harassment. Groups of You could say that people who have discomfort? believe that this development hasn’t boys laughing when I emerged from a penis should use the male bath- come a moment too soon. It would a cubicle. People staring me up and room and that people with vaginas At the end of the day, this isn’t really be easy to disregard the need for down with a frown in clear attempts should use the female bathroom my battle to fight. For the last year or gender neutral bathrooms and of of intimidating me. Once a boy even but that’s polarising a considerable so, I’ve been quietly using the fe- course many people do. I have no kicked the door of my cubicle and amount of the population. These male bathroom very happily. Gender doubt that this development has ran from the bathroom while all of days, it’s a widely accepted fact that neutral bathrooms aren’t something prompted a number of conversations his friends laughed. Had a gender more than two genders exist. And I wish to use, but as a decent human between DIT students expressing neutral bathroom been around at there are many variables in between. being I will of course advocate for their doubts about them. But for a that time, it would have saved me a them. Arguing over which bathroom gender nonconforming person, this lot of hassle. In all sense of the word, I’m a wom- a person should use gets incredibly simple action could be making a Outside of DIT, the harassment was a an. I present as a woman. I social- complicated. The universally agreed world of difference. lot worse. I found myself shouted at, ise as a woman. And people (even solution is to have gender neutral berated and even chased out of pub- strangers) refer to me as a woman. bathrooms. Not using the toilet When I first arrived at DIT in 2015, I lic bathrooms. People are cruel, we But I’m a woman with a penis. And isn’t an option for any of us. Gender was still identifying as male, but my see evidence of that every day. And according to some people, this neutral bathrooms allow all of us, no appearance was completely femi- if you’re advocating against gender means I should be using the male matter who we are to do it in peace. nine. I had long hair, carried hand- neutral bathrooms, you’re advocat- bathroom. But I, as a woman stand- If you object to that, I personally bags and dressed in women’s cloth- ing for people to be unsafe. Trust me ing in the middle of a group of boys, think you should take a long, hard ing. Not sure what to do, I used the on that. I could tell you many more washing my hands will only make look at yourself. The Edition 15 Wedensday 25 October 2017 STUDENT LIFE

a student managed fund in which each member of the Investment Society will be able to come forward to the group and pitch any stock they want to invest in and from that depending on how strong we believe the stock to be we will put a propor- tion of our funding toward that stock and hopefully make a profit from that stock. Jesse Melia Dan Grennan Culture Editor Co-editor Apart from that we’ll be having different personalities coming in from marketing and @elmealic @dan_grennan Spotlight big accounting firms coming in and giving different types of workshops.’ For a lot of people, especially new students, the college environment can be a daunting Snooker and Pool one. Those first few weeks are a sensory ‘It’s great to waste a few hours during the overload. New classes, new friendships, new week it’s always open you can just come experiences; it’s all very intense. But a chief down and play and it’s a great bunch of DIT Harry Potter Society //Facebook lesson you learn from college, is that if you lads. It’s great now because we just got the engage actively and embrace the madness, snooker table in last year so it’s quite unusu- what was once daunting will likely become al to have a snooker table in college we have Design Soc rewarding. two private pool tables and the snooker ta- ‘We like to inspire creative thinking…what ble so it’s perfect now.’ we want to do is link all kinds of designers One of the best ways to really dive into col- together, so we have graphic design, lege life is by getting involved in the wide Radio Society product design, interior fashion, literally ranging selection societies available to all ‘We’ve just been set up…we’re doing whatever you can think of.’ DIT students, from fresh faced first years, to pre-recorded shows, we’re going to have grizzled and self-loathing fourth years. We at workshops on podcasts, we’re going to have the Edition are closely linked to DIT’s News presenters coming in to teach how to work a Soc, and one of our missions going forward desk, we’re going to do live events…we have is to keep a strong focus on issues and ser- so much planned. Hopefully after Christmas vices within our many campuses. and the New Year we’ll have the station go live…we’ll have live shows every day broad- With that in mind, we thought it would be DIT News Society //Facebook casting through all the [Student Unions]. The beneficial to give an insight into some of the school and the students have been fighting many exciting clubs and societies available Russian Society for this for five years, there’s so much mon- to you. If you are part of a society, and would ‘It is great for Slavic people who speak Rus- ey being put in by the college because they like to tell the student population what you sian. We make events with the Trinity and want this to work…we have have in store for the academic year, don’t UCD Russian societies to help people make power, we can advertise, we can make things hesitate to get in touch with us. So let’s take new friends, relationships et cetera. We happen.’ a look at some of the societies on offer this make a lot of Russian trips and events…this year. summer we’re planning a trip to Russia. [The Young Fine Gael ‘It’s a platform for like-minded people to get Russian Society] helps to integrate with oth- DIT Mature Society //Facebook er societies…to make people feel confident together, to socialise, to have debates, to or- and at home…to bring us Slavic people to- ganise different events and activities. There’s Mature Society something for everybody…if someone is gether.’ ‘We just have a range of events that are more inclined to be more involved with pol- both academic aimed and socially aimed so icy…or if they’re more into socialising they News Society we are just creating a platform for mature can also get involved with that, or a mix of all ‘News Society was set up as a society for students to meet and socialise as well as of the aspects of politics. There are events journalism students, but a lot of other cater for academic writing skills and math every week…going to Leinster House or the students have joined as well and have ex- skills. There wasn’t a mature society, so Dáil for drinks with politicians, or having de- pressed different opinions and interest in that’s what’s special about it, because now bates on current affairs, but mostly just hav- writing for the college newspaper. there is a mature society so we’re catering ing a chat with other students. There’s a real for a niche in the family feel…it’s centrist as well so you get “We run The Edition, which is complete- societies.’ ly independent of DIT, so it’s a great way people from all different walks of life.’ for students to voice their views and get Japanination by-lines into the newspaper. As well as that we We are the Anime and Manga society of DIT. organise workshops and guest We host our own conventions and do our DIT Radio Society //Facebook speakers who are experienced journalists own cosplay. It’s really just a place to prac- and help them improve their writing skills. tice a hobby but we plan to do much more. Live Music Society The society was basically gone last year and Last year we donated 1,400 euro to youth ‘My name is Stefan and I’m a general it’s the first time that the college paper has suicide prevention Ireland from the profits committee member in the [Live Music] been run purely by sitting students’ of our conventions. Society, and we run open-mic nights every few weeks, and we run big band workshops Harry Potter Society It is a great place to be yourself and have every couple of weeks as well. We’re also ‘We have lots of Harry Potter events…like fun! You also get to know people around running workshops in guitar, drums, and Sorting Hat, quizzes, movie nights, wand the different campuses who have the same other instruments…and we’re doing les- making, and we also went to London last interests. sons as well every few weeks. It’s the best… year so we’ll go again this year hopefully’ people here are very shy or not used to going on live so they can do this [if they] are Investment Society looking for a free easy way with no hassle and ‘The Investment Society is a recently formed no stress, you can bring you friends and make society, we’re only about two years old DIT Art and Design Society //Facebook it a lot more relaxing. It’s supportive group.’ now, and this year we’re aiming to have 16 The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 STUDENT LIFE That Time in Coppers... One of the most prominent nightclubs in Dublin is Copperface Jacks on Harcourt Street. It’s a spot loved by some, and loathed by others. For many, it has played host to some unforgettable nights. But that isn’t always a good thing, as Lauren Fetherston found out…

iving in Ireland you have more than like- lyL heard of Copperface Jacks at least once. It is notorious for a lot of reasons; the gold cards, the clientele and the fact that most of the people who go there are “on the pull”.

Rewind to a couple of months ago when I finally walked through those doors for the first, and preferably the last time. It was the week of my birthday and I wasn’t too pushed on going out, very unlike me I might add. De- bating all week long about what I should do my best friend and I decided we would head out that Thursday.

My best friend, Aoife, was working until 11 so the plan was that we would head out to- gether; cue me pre-drinking while I waited for her to finish. It is safe to say I was fairly drunk upon arriving at Coppers.

After smooth talking our way past the bouncers we headed to the bar and bought ourselves two G&T’s. We were in the bar for Coppers is one of Dublin’s most notable late night venues //copperfacejacks.ie around a minute and a half before the lads came out of the woodwork. Lurking through late milkshake- as she waited half asleep on me the taxi driver wouldn’t take him to Ter- him which way he could get a taxi. He refused the crowd like a lion eyeing his prey we were a table nearby. I sat down beside her, and enure, lies. I ran to stop the taxi before he : “no it’s fine I’ll walk home.” Yep, that’s right approached by the man that would cause while she ate Mallow began to waffle away. drove off, asking him to take this persistent walk home to Terenure. I just accepted this us such hassle by the end of this night. We Trying not to be rude I was nodding to his pest back to his home. No use, he then told and for the second time that night left him will call him Mallow (he was from Mallow, I story, occasionally turning around to check me he would get one on the main road after standing on my porch as I locked the door think?) partially to hide his identity and par- on Aoife, only to see she was gone. But don’t he used my bathroom cause he really need- and went to bed. tially – mostly – because I can’t remember worry, she hadn’t gone far, only up to the ed to go. his name. counter to demand more chicken nuggets. I was trying to sleep again, exhausted from I let him use it and waited at the front door, the events of the night, when my father In Mallow’s defence he was actually a nice It was at this point that I decided it was time it was when he came downstairs that the made his way to my room “Lauren you wan- enough man. He chatted away to us both for a taxi home. I pulled one over and put usual drama started, asking to stay on the na sort out yer man he’s after knocking into and continued to buy us drinks all night, Aoife in it and went to hop in myself. I turned sofa. My answer was repeatedly no, howev- Brian’s house”. which we repeatedly told him not to do. To to say goodbye for the second time and saw er, like I said he was a persistent pest. Even- cut a long story short, myself and Mallow Mallow climb into the taxi after me. “We are tually I just told him bluntly, that he wasn’t Fecking Mallow. This character was after may have kissed once or twice, but we are heading in different directions it probably staying and that I was going to bed. I locked walking ten feet from my house and knock- not going to dwell on this. Instead we will makes more sense for you to get your own the door, put the alarm on. ing into my neighbour’s house at 4am, for talk about how Aoife drank herself into taxi.” Polite but to the point – nicely execut- reasons unbeknownst to me, was greeted by oblivion, and while I was also drunk I was ed Lauren, or so I thought. He determined my neighbour shouting obscenities at him – still the most sober, meaning I was left look- that it would make sense for us to share a We were in the bar rightly so. I refused to deal with him which ing after her. taxi regardless. left only one more option. for around a minute It had gotten to the point where Mallow was I was tired, and with Aoife literally asleep in My dad resolved the whole situation with buying us drink, and as soon as he turned the taxi I didn’t have the energy to argue. Off and a half before the one phrase shouted from his bedroom win- around I would put in on a table, knowing we went to my house first, of course, with dow “Pal, the main road is that way, you’ll I had reached my limit – one more drink him telling me how he is “part of the IRA” lads came out of the get a taxi there.” and I would have had alcohol poisoning. On the entire time, in an attempt to swoon me. the other hand Aoife took it upon herself to Great idea! woodwork And that was the last we have seen of Mal- drink twice her body weight in alcohol. low. All this drama I dealt with while Aoife Finally, the taxi pulled up outside my house. Just as I was drifting off I heard a knock on snored away – who, by the way, as it turned Seeing how drunk she was I decided it was I wasn’t sure how much more of that conver- the door. Startled and worried it would wake out had left her phone in McDonalds in her time to go. I bid farewell to Mallow and off sation I could take. I hopped out and helped my parents I ran downstairs. It was Mallow. hunt for more chicken nuggets. Meaning we we went to McDonald’s, at least I thought Aoife to the front door, unlocked it and off “I have no money for a taxi, can I just stay had to trek in the next day to collect it. I bid farewell. Walking up to the road I had she trotted up the stairs to bed, blissfully un- here?.” The answer was still no and in an realised Mallow had left with us, which was aware of what I was dealing with and would attempt to rid myself of this leech I ran up- After that night I swore to myself I would random enough as it is, but I was too busy have to deal with for the next half hour. stairs to check my purse for money. I found never go to Coppers again, and that I would taking care of Aoife to think about that fact. €1.60, shocking stuff. No other options left definitely never go to Mallow. I should note that I live with my parents, I checked Aoife’s purse. A fiver! €6.60 be- Fast forward to Mcdonald’s, I had ordered who were asleep upstairs the entire time. tween the two of us… shameful. If your intrigued by Lauren’s Aoife her usual – Chicken nuggets, a Mc- Mallow had jumped out of the taxi himself eventful student life, check out her blog, Cruncher, twisty fries, BBQ dip and a choco- and walked up to my front door. He told Anyway, I offered him the money and told uniqueestablisment.wordpress.com The Edition 17 Wedensday 25 October 2017 STUDENT LIFE Commuting: Not for the faint of heart Nick Moloney Web Editor @nick_n7

College life in DIT wouldn’t be the same if shoulders pushing past me. Of course, I am it didn’t include catching a packed bus at partly to blame as I was born two meters 7:52am to make it in for a 9am lecture. tall and am probably not the most ideal candidate for public transport. DIT proudly advertises Dublin’s City Centre as its campus (until we move to Grange- Regardless, I sighed deeply after reading in gorman) and rightly so. Dublin is one of the this year’s census that nearly 200,000 com- nicest cities in Europe; unfortunately, it is muters, (all of whom live in the commuter also the sixth most congested city. belt of Dublin) spend up to one hour a day The daily commute is a chore for many, students and workers alike //Carina Chen just making their way to work. what’s for dinner, I now need to know! So change, yet I’ve never sat next to the same A survey done by GPS company TomTom the headphones will numb one of your person twice on the bus. in 2013 placed Dublin as the sixth most But I would like to say that my commute three most vulnerable senses, hearing. congested city in Europe, and it ranked in began and ended on Dublin Bus. Unfortu- Not only this, but it takes away a lot of the top 10 most congested in the world at nately, it has spread to Irish Rail where I The second sensory nerve you will want to our leisure time. However, I have found it the time. spend five hours a week moving between occupy is your sight. There is nothing more easy to improve my commute by turning it Dublin and Wexford. awkward than sitting beside someone who into something more productive. Podcasts, What this means is drivers faced a delay seems to have mistaken the bus for social books, news apps, music, meditation. of 43 minutes for every hour they spent in This is on the same ‘Irish Rail’ that received hour at the pub (no I didn’t see last night’s the car at peak times. More crucially this roughly 1000 complaints last year. 498 of game). In saying that, most people cover I now use it as my down time. I also go meant drivers with a 30-minute commute which were made against disorderly pas- this part very well. A phone will cater to through periods of reading up on anything wasted 96 hours a year stuck in traffic jams sengers; a humble number considering if I most needs; however, I do enjoy pushing that interests me. At the moment there is (You don’t get those hours back at the end). made a complaint every time I came across myself to read books on public transport. no solution to Dublin’s congestion. Thanks a disorderly passenger (someone I person- Just to be different. to the geniuses of early medieval Ireland, Buses will also sit in this traffic. My usual ally don’t like the look or sound of) then the we have small, narrow inner city roads that commute on the 77A takes around 20 min- numbers could be trebled. The third and most difficult sense to take were originally built for horse and cart. But utes to travel 10 kilometres down to Kevin care of is the sense of smell. Luckily our don’t make the commute harder for other Street. If I have to be in for a 9AM, that There are three ways I have discovered to brain has us covered and will tell our smell people by being ‘that guy’. means falling out of the bed at 7am and combat these disorderly folks on both bus receptors to stop sending messages of an catching the 7:50am bus. and train. Firstly, a good pair of earphones. odour that is lingering. This is so we don’t More specifically, noise cancelling head- exhaust our nervous system. It will then take roughly 50 minutes of phones. I am one of those unfortunate breathing stale oxygen, and having my people who cannot tune out of people con- Commuting isn’t easy and really does cause personal space invaded by backpacks and versations, no matter how little I care about a lot of stress. We as a species do not like How not to get duffed buying records in Dublin Kasper Delaney-Petersen back cover. Blind buying is also one of the best ways to en- Production Sub-Editor sure that your collection is both diverse in look and musical @kaspetersen style. Always be wary of blind buying however, as you will Buying records can be an amazing experience at the best of end up with some absolute stinkers because of it. times. At the worst of times, you could end up spending your precious beer cash on some half-cracked, unplayable mess. Try to Save as Much Money as Possible Looks can be deceiving, especially when buying your music This tip can be given for anything really, but when it comes second-hand. And that is why…I, KD-Pie, shall teach you a to building a collection of something, be it video-games, few tricks of the trade to ensure you get those sweet deals, music, high-heels, or even multilingual bibles, the best thing and musical fidelity. you can do is save money to buy extra.

Shop Around Sure, splashing out once in a while for that super-rare third- The first step on your way to getting good music fordirt- and-a-half pressing of Pope John Paul II Live in Drogheda cheap is, of course, to stay away from going to just one store. (shout-out to co-ed “Dab” Grennan) can be great to ensure Sure, a bit of brand loyalty can go a long way, but charity you love everything about your record shelf, but setting shops, second-hand and vintage stores, as well as your av- yourself back can lead to missing out. I would recommend erage record specialist will allow you to get the most out of checking prices on discogs.com if you are unsure whether or your money. As is the case with all of life’s plans, there are not €15 is a good deal. The only downside to checking prices quite a few drawbacks to keeping away from professional Records have seen something of a resurgence in recent years online is the extra expenses like postage or import duty. retailers. Which brings me to my next point: //Kasper Delaney-Petersen should check out ‘thingsifoundinrecords’ on Instagram. So, there you have it folks. I hope these tips will guide CHECK EVERYTHING you to a better future of spotless vinyl and good tunes. This is by far the most important piece of advice anyone can Blind Buy Unfortunately, such is the deal when any shady individual give, and it took me quite a long while to figure it out my- ‘Blind buying’ is a term myself and many others use to de- gives you some advice, don’t always take what I’ve said as self (just because I’m an eejit). Once you find a good deal, scribe purchasing a record or any piece of music based solely fact. Collecting anything leads to problems exclusive to the make sure you check the quality of the vinyl and to see if upon the look of the cover - having never heard either the individual. However, I’ve come up with these tricks after what you’re buying is actually what you wanted. If you really music inside, or of the artist that made it. Some of my fa- almost two years of collecting records, and even though want to know why this is the most important tip, just see the vourite albums of all time have come about simply because new trials will arise, I’ve been blessed with this knowledge picture. Checking your sleeves can be an excellent opportu- I saw a picture of a bunch of long-haired metal dudes on the to pass onto the younglings. Keep it spinnin’. nity to find thirty year old bags of drugs too, that’s why you 18 The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 CULTURE

me bored and uninterested. It was as if the Roger Deakins’ cinematog- writers were adding pieces as they were Take Two raphy is the true artwork going along. Some of the twists also Here at The Edition we love of the piece – from the seemed unnecessary to the sto- movies. This month we have two visual bleak, snowy confines ry, including the introduction of Sapper Morton of Deckard (Harrison Ford) epics. One is a sequel to a beloved sci-fi (Dave Bautista) which – like much of the classic, and the other an innovative to the radioac- film’s storyline – is overly tive dystopian nostalgic. In one scene reinterpretation of a legendary artist’s American cit- Wallace (Jared Leto) work. Read on to find out if they are ies filled with delivers an elongated oversized and frivolous mon- worth your time statues and ologue which I can ghost like barely remember buildings. – in stark contrast Mark McEvoy The images to Rutger Hauer’s are vast and monologue in the I first watched Blade Runner: The Director’s Cut as a 9-year- luscious but original, which I recall old child, lying on the ground in front of the television as fail to cover in its entirety – fol- my father detailed the vast improvements between this up the holes in lowed by a wonderful version and the theatrical release. I watched a visual the plot and the bit of nostalgia tinged masterpiece, questioning how they achieved such a painfully clichéd computer imagery. That’s futuristic feel, and also realising that this future was acting. This is cou- Blade Runner 2049 in a mi- extremely dark and moody. My 9-year-old self could not pled with sections crocosm. fully appreciate a story of this depth – its post-apocalyptic blatantly taken from themes connecting to important questions of identity, and other films and the nause- While this is not a bad film by any what constitutes a life. Its sequel, Blade Runner 2049, is not ating ‘and then this happens’ stretch of the imagination, it is not a quite as subtle. While it has lavish scenery, and impressive plot twists. very good one either. We live in an age computer generated imagery, I just wasn’t filled with the where originality in filmmaking has been re- same wonder as my 9-year-old self. Gosling seems to be playing the same part spo- placed by a need for nostalgia. Blade Runner 2049 is a film radically since 2011: a moody morally ambiguous character which is heavy on style and beauty, but low on substance K (Ryan Gosling) is a Blade Runner; tasked seeking out bio- who is conflicted and says very little, and when he does -ex and storytelling. Perhaps because this story – like so many engineered humans, called replicants, and ‘retiring’ them. press himself it is in a monotone voice. This is a far cry from others we see in big budget productions – was told already, Whilst doing his job, K finds the remains of a replicant who his challenging independent roles in ‘Half Nelson’ and ‘Lars a long time ago. And while it also oozed with style, the orig- has given birth. He is tasked with finding the miracle child and the Real Girl’. K seems wooden and inconsequential. By inal Blade Runner maintained its ambiguity and sense of and destroying it before causing all-out war. At the same the end I felt less for the character than I did at the begin- wonder, something the sequel sadly fails to do. time Wallace (who has bought the Tyrell Corporation which ning, which is a stunning feat considering the screen time manufactures replicants) and his super replicant Luv want he takes up. Photo credit // bladerunnermovie.com to find the child themselves, so they can mass produce an- droids to meet growing demand. The plot devices, mixed with the multitude of twists, left Loving Vincent: Review Robert Geoghegan

Loving Vincent has been described especially for fans of van Gogh. Cornfields as an ambitious, and almost crazy shimmer and rustle with slight flickers undertaking. Made over seven years, direc- of the impasto. The night sky sparkles tors Dorota Kobiela and Oscar-winner Hugh and swirls. Unfortunately, not much else Welchman recreated the paintings of Vin- happens outside of Loving Vincent’s cent van Gogh with actors against green- visually aesthetic beauty. screen, then employed 125 artists to paint over 62,450 frames. A gaunt figure stumbles down a drowsy high street at twilight in the small French country town of Auvers. The man was car- rying nothing; his hands clasped to a fresh bullet wound leaking blood from his belly. Loving Vincent tells that story.

Set in 1891, France, a year after Vincent van Gogh’s apparent suicide, a young man Armand Roulin (Douglas Booth) tries to deliver a letter written by van Gogh (Robert Gulaczyk) to his brother. Loving Vin- cent tells the story of Armand’s journey to deliver a letter written by the artist to his brother at the bequest of his father the post- master. Saoirse Ronan is unrecognisable in her painted role //Facebook Loving Vincent uses the art of van Gogh to surrounded him in that time. the dialogue. There are no dramatic twists, tell the story of his last days //Facebook While Armand was not particularly fond Armand is our unassuming detec- and only a few humorous moments through- of the strange artist, his father had been tive trying to put together the last out. This biopic could’ve fallen flat on its face The entire film is made from oil- paint a close friend who didn’t quite under- weeks of Van Gogh’s life to better if it wasn’t for the one thing that makes it ings in the style of Vincent van Gogh. This stand what caused van Gogh’s suicide. understand what lead to his death. truly spectacular; the art. makes the film a visually stunning treat, Armand pieces together the last six weeks and well worth a watch for all art lovers, of the artist’s life by talking to those who Loving Vincent’s story is simple, much like The Edition 19 Wedensday 25 October 2017 CULTURE What to watch on Netflix There’s a lot of content on Netflix. So much so, that it’s easy to just pick shows and movies you recognise, or ones that Last Chance U all of your mates recommend. But there is some great stuff out there that might glide over your head. Every month Paul Hyland we’ll pick out some choice cuts for you to enjoy when you’re relaxing in between your intense bouts of study UCO football’s favourite team, mended docu-series. On one hand, EMCC (East Mississippi Community you have Buddy, who humiliated College), are back for another sea- himself in the first season by repeat- son of class-cutting, fist-pumping, edly flying off the handle, but then learn-nothing entertainment as sea- you ask yourself is it really his fault? son 2 of Netflix’ Last Chance U re- As his players are flawed young men, turns. with undeniable talent, but the pro- pensity to be the greatest of wind-up The documentary series that is set merchants. in East Mississippi follows the dra- matic season of a junior college The format of each episode is football team. College football is the roughly the same as you see the lowest level of collegiate football in team train all week long and then the US but this is a team full of su- the last 20-minutes or so is devoted perstars who have been kicked out to highlights from that week’s game- of their former prestigious colleges including all the fighting on the side- for a wide range of violations - drugs, line. guns and brawls the holy trinity. If you don’t like American football or East Mississippi, however, offers even sport you can still enjoy this se- these former up-and-comers a sec- ries. They do lots of interviews with American Vandal is a sharp, funny and touching satire //Netflix ond chance to reach the holy grail local supporters and it’s touching to of the NFL. If they can impress at see how much this team means to this level, by beating the unfortu- people who are struggling to survive nate teams- of sometimes skinny in a poor area of the US’s bible belt. American Vandal part-time athletes (think the towel boy scene from The Waterboy)- who If that still doesn’t interest you, Jesse Melia come up against them, then they then consider the subplot to this Culture Editor might get offered a place at a Divi- whole series and even the series @elmeliac sion one college. name. It really is the last chance in On paper, it shouldn’t work. as the stakes and seriousness some of these young men’s minds. American Vandal essentially It manages to balance the hu- rise. This is what EMCC head coach, and On more than occasion, the players sends up the recent trend of se- mour with a genuinely engross- the series’ main character, Buddy express how they never paid atten- rious, investigative docu-dramas ing mystery. You wouldn’t expect If you’ve seen Making a Mur- Stephens has told them. He did not, tion in school because they never that are all the rage on Netflix. In to be so emotionally involved derer or The Jinx, or even lis- however, tell them about his lack of entertained the idea of not being a the vein of shows like Making a in a case as absurd as this, and tened to the Serial podcast, patients, his Jackel and Hyde- per professional athlete. The realisation Murderer and The Jinx, it’s a de- somehow the show manages to you’ll recognise how expertly sonality (maybe due to the amount that they are unprepared for any tailed and comprehensive inves- draw you in and make you in- the team behind American Van- of chewing tobacco he stuffs in his other life, on camera, is captivating tigation of a controversial crime. vested in the story. dal have satirised the ascendant mouth) and his arse-cheek clinching and reflects wider societal issues. Only the crime is that a high True Crime genre. It has the su- rage. school student drew penises on What really elevates the se- per slick, weighty presentation; the cars of the school’s faculty. ries is that it has surprising dramatic, cinematic music; and This is where the drama and come- dramatic heft. As the story pro- the straight-laced, serious narra- dy comes from in this highly recom- That’s a funny idea, an idea gresses, you really start to empa- tion. Again, the fact that it’s pre- that would work well as a You- thise with the lead character, the sented in such a po faced man- Tube sketch, but not for a fea- titular vandal Dylan Maxwell, as ner, serves to elevate the show’s ture length film, or an eight-part the stakes and consequences of almost absurdist humour. TV series you’d think. And yet, his alleged criminality come to Vandal manages to defy expec- the fore. Other standout char- In the classic Netflix mould, tations because it actually dou- acters are the slithering and de- the show is maddeningly bles down on the absurdity, and ceptive Alex Trimboli, and the addictive. Season one is com- fully immerses itself in the case intensely inappropriate ‘cool’ prised of eight punchy, compact with detached journalistic seri- teacher Mr Kraz. thirty minute episodes. And ousness, which to heightens the it’s loaded with little plot comedy. The actor portraying Max- twists and cliffhangers that well, Jimmy Tatro, got his start continually draw you in. It’s the The show isn’t laugh out loud making short, funny YouTube kind of show that a lot of view- hilarious, but it has a persistent videos, and he definitely makes ers will burn through in one or humour that runs throughout. use of that skill set as the child- two sittings. The jokes stem from the sheer like and dopey high schooler. absurdity of the situation and But he also gives a performance the high school’s range of awk- of surprising emotional depth, ward and amusing characters. especially later in the show’s run For fans of American football and sport in general, Last Chance U is essential //Netflix 20 The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 CULTURE Music Book Review: Turtles All Society Jessica Keller The Way Down Revitalised First things first, there is a tragic lack of tur- Jesse Melia tles in this novel. It is important to share Culture Editor this sad news outright. @elmeliac John Green’s novel, ‘Turtles All The Way DIT’s Musical Society, which was essentially Down’ follows 16-year-old Aza whose life defunct at the start of the academic year, has was never destined to follow the mystery been brought back to life by a group of enter- of missing billionaire, Russell Pickett. How- prising first years. ever, with a substantial reward attached to it, Aza’s best friend, Daisy is interested The society aims to do a performance show- and Aza falls head first into the investiga- case in Gleeson Hall, Kevin Street on the 23rd tion. While trying to be good in every as- of October. The long term plan is to host a full pect of her life, Aza is struggling with the musical show in the second semester, some- ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. time around March or April. John Green’s novel provides a touching insight into life with anxiety //Jessica Keller It has been five-and-a-half years since A full musical is more difficult to set up due to Green’s last book was published, and the gets increasingly difficult to live with the life is hard. She is already juggling the rights issues. So the plan is to do a showcase effort and thought put into this book is re- longer it thrives. struggles of young adulthood, but mixing in that focuses on individual performances. flected by that length of time. This is anoth- mental health with this, everything seems er one of Green’s novels that will be sitting Green’s past novels have covered difficult multiplied by a thousandfold. With that in your bookshop’s ‘Young Adult’ section “Rehearsals have been going on for the past topics and Turtles All The Way Down is no being said, Green shares the message with but I can promise you now, it in no way two weeks,” says current chairperson Sasha exception. There is death, separation, and his audience that although life may be bad reads like a teenager’s book. The charac- the questions of ‘life’ in its entirety. There right now, it will one day get better. Your Madden. “We couldn’t’ get the rights for a full ters are teens and their stories occur dur- is also the addition of usual Young Adult day will come and you just have to go on, it stage musical, so we decided to do a show- ing high school but much like his other nov- themes like friendship and love, but I prom- is important to constantly remember this. case. And Halloween is coming up so it’s kind els, Green does not dumb down his writing ise you (and please trust me) they are not of perfect. to suit that audience. portrayed as a cliché in any way, shape or In recent years, mental health is becoming form. They link in tragically, but beautifully, a more discussed topic, and this is a piece “It’s a compilation of songs and dances from As soon as we are introduced to Aza noth- with some unfortunate plot turns. of literature that the world needed. Talking things like The Addams Family, The Rocky Hor- ing in her life is hidden from us. We are about mental health is what was required ror Picture Show, Nightmare Before Christmas instantly brought into how her life is sur- John Green’s novels always have a very to teach unaware people what having a and all that kind of stuff,” she continues. rounded by anxiety-ridden thought spirals. striking underlying message, of which mental illness is like, and this is a book we Although these spirals get more and more shines through brightly in Turtles All needed to do just that. Please, run out and They were eager to get a performance to- difficult to read as the storyline progress- The Way Down. Similarly to the majori- pick up your copy if you haven’t already. gether quickly, in order to show people that es, it only highlights how this mental illness ty of teenagers around the world, Aza’s the society was still active within the college. “We wanted to get started straight away, and start the year off with a bang,” Ms Madden Kasper Delaney-Petersen says. Production Sub-editor Bram Stoker Festival Guide @kaspetersen While the committee is comprised solely of The next annual Bram Stoker Festival, Schweppe Curtis Nunn Ltd. Together the premieres. first years, the society’s membership ranges which celebrates both Stoker’s life and his organisers have promised an eclectic mix of from across all years and academic disciplines. infamously notorious novel, Dracula, will events, from the blood-curdling to the fun Some of the highlights of this year’s festi- be held this October Bank Holiday Week- and fantastic. The festival incorporates the val include: Stokerface, a free portrait ex- “The reason we set this up, is because we all end, Friday 27th - Monday 30th. entirety of the city, from a pop-up Victori- hibition in Jervis Street Shopping Centre; love performing, we’ve always done it, and an-esque theme park in Patrick’s Cathedral, BRAM Audio Ghost Experience, in which it’s the best thing ever for us to be on stage,” The eponymous festival was “inspired by to a parade beginning in Moore Street, fol- you will be led all over the city to experi- Ms Madden continues. the heritage of [the] Dublin-born Gothic lowing both the broad and narrow streets ence the horrors of the “classically creepy novelist”, and was specifically organised of the Northside. works of the legendary Bram Stoker”. The While the society is reasonably small – about to coincide with the beginning of Hallow- interesting thing about this event is that it 70 members – according to Ms Madden, that een for an extra-spooky weekend of thrills Over fifteen different locations and ven- is an audio tour, which can be downloaded suits the needs of the group perfectly. With a and delights, suitable for families, all-ages, ues will be hosting events both day and for free from the festival website; We Are smaller group, every member is able to have “mates, dates and everything in between”. night over the 4-day festival. There is the Monsters, a play which delves into the a tangible contribution. something for everyone this year, from recesses of our minds, giving a “name for The festival is held by Dublin City Coun- film screenings, to live music trails, the nameless and a dark dissection of how There are plans to integrate other societies cil and Fáilte Ireland and presented by workshops of the macabre and world horror can help us process the world we into the Musical Soc’s performances. They live in today”; the world premiere of Whit- hope to have the Makeup Society work on the by, in the Smock Alley Theatre, another showcase at the end of this month, and they play based heavily on the Dracula novel, re- want to bring in members of BIMM’s Live Mu- counting the Count’s journey by ship from sic Society to provide backing for the full show Romania to the port of Whitby; and finally in 2018. the world-famous Macnas parade, a per- formance of the group’s ‘Memory Song’, Aside from the live performances, the in which the city will be “transfixed as the society plans to stay active with regular other transcendental, the macabre, the profane activities. “When we’re not rehearsing we’re and the magical is unleashed”. going to be doing things like stage anxiety workshops, vocal warmup workshops, and There are many more events taking place, dancing. When we’re not rehearsing we’ll still for the young, the young at heart, and be constantly doing stuff and getting people those looking for a truly terrifying and ma- involved,” Ms Madden says. ture experience, with full details for each This year’s festival promises a range of fang-tastic fun //Facebook event available on the official festival web- site. The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 21 Hockey team to host Inter-Varsities

MARCUS BLAKE AND ALANNAH CARRAGHER On the 28th of October 36 DIT Hockey Club returned the scoring, quickly followed DIT students will be heading to the field for the first time by Irish University’s represent- up to Three Rock Rovers to since their All Ireland Mixed ative Sophie Barnwell’s open- take part in intervarsities until Intervarsity Success last Feb- ing goal of the season. The the 30th of October. It’s been ruary as the Mens and ladies ladies continued to press -for an exciting few weeks prepar- sides played out 2 friendlies ward and Jane Foxton finished ing, going through a number against Dublin rivals IT Tallaght well from close range to put of trials, getting to know each in Glenanne Park last Wednes- the ladies 3-0 up at half time. other and playing friendlies day. With time running out Shan- to prepare. With our amazing non Smullen put some gloss coach David Keogh, manag- Up first were the men who er Marcus Blake and captains raced into a 2-0 lead with Irish Both Squads Alannah Carragher and Matt Universities Representative Tracey we are ready to bring Matt Treacy and fresher Ivan now look back silverware once again. Cooke scoring early on. Tal- laght weren’t phased by the As hosts, the women will be early onslaught and returned forward to first to kick things off in the with a double quick fire to pull Chilean Cup against Trinity the scores level just before the All College. Upon winning the the break. Shortly after the plate last year the women will interval Tallaght took the lead, Ireland be put to the test by trinity scoring a 4th soon after as the at 9am and queens on Sun- home side continued to cause Hockey day, with the goal of reaching DIT plenty of problems in de- the final. The men set out to fence. Intervarsities better their previous result of runners up, facing trinity at With 10 minutes to play DIT on the the scoreline making it 11 am and CIT at 3pm, in the found a way back and Neil Mc- 4-0 before Tallaght grabbed a group stages. Dermott saw his shot deflect- consolation a couple of min- DIT will be hosting 24 teams (Above) DIT Hockey TeamPhoto Credit: Sophie Barnwell ed home to make the score utes from time. 4-1 the final over the course of the week- 4-3 entering the final phases. score to DIT. end, from all around Ireland. However with 2 minutes to With 12 teams playing in the Rugby team carries play Tallaght sealed their win Both Squads now look men and women’s plate and with another well taken finish, forward to the All Ireland 12 teams in the cup respec- and despite James Northover Hockey Intervarsities which DIT tively. grabbing a consolation goal, Hockey Club are proudly win over DCU it wasn’t enough to deny the hosting in Three Rock Rovers. With a number of players home side. ITT Men 5 - DIT DIT Men will hope its Fifth on scholarship it looks set to JESSICA NÍ MHÁIRTÍN Looking ahead, the men are out next Men 4. time lucky as they aim to put be an exciting weekend. Over week to play the Garda College. The The DIT rugby team played DCU last 4 Final defeats in a row behind the weekend we have a num- Garda College would be known best week in division one and won 64-17. DIT ladies faired out better them and claim the Prestig- ber of social events planned for their physicality across the board against their south west Dub- ious Mauritius Cup for the including a night out in Cop- in all the sports they participate in. lin rivals making a real state- first time, while DIT Ladies pers, with each team coming Herbie McClelland, DIT rugby man- ment of intent prior to the will compete in the Chilean in there best Halloween cos- ager explained that this year’s group Intervarsities later this month. Cup for the first time following tume. It looks set to be an “We’re playing the Garda College next is definitely one of the toughest The girls started brightly with their promotion victory in the amazing weekend for all in- wednesday. The problem with the Fresher Bella Murphy opening Plate competition last year. volved! and the reason for that is because guards is that our team ranges from some colleges specialise in the sport. the age of about 19 to 21 or 22 but their team they could be around 24 He said, “The lads in Carlow are do- ing this as part of their course. They or even 27. They could be any age. train with weights in the morning and they’re out again in the afternoon. “They made the final last year so they’re They’re together four days a week. very good. They’re big, they’re strong When you compare that to our rugby and they’re tough, as you would imagine. lads, we only train for an hour a week. It will be a close game but if I have every- body on board, I expect a good perfor- “All of our students are doing different mance by the team and that’s all I’m look- courses but Carlow would be very organ- ing for because we’re a very tough group. ised. Athlone would be the same so it’s a very tough division to be in. It’s definitely “We do have very tough players and a tough group that we’re in. We’ve a good on the day if we can get them out we’ll group of players and a lot of top play- give them all a good game,” said Herbie. ers too, some of which on scholarship.” The Edition 22 Wednesday 25 October 2017 Latest Results

Men’s Football Junior Footballers: DIT 3-17 to DCU 1-8 Senior Footballers in Coolock Div 1 DIT 0-12 DCU0-15 Fresher A Footballers In Maynooth: DIT 1-11 MU1-18

Div 3 Football in Santry (Above) DIT beat TCD in Div 3 Football out in Santry//DIT GAA DIT 2-12 TCD 1-09 (Below) DIT Ladies Gaelic Football team at their first challenge match against Trinity //Áine Cummins

Hurling Fresher Div 1: DIT 3-12 NUIG 1-17 Senior Div 1: UCD 0-16 v DITGAA 1-17

Camogie Senior Div 1: DIT 3-10 UCD 2-12 Fixtures Ladies lose in

Men’s Football 24th Oct, Div 1: one-point game DIT vs IT Carlow (carlow, 19:00) 26th Oct, Div 3: JESSICA NÍ MHÁIRTÍN and it helps up to improve. There DIT vs NUIG (Grangegorman, 19:00) DIT Ladies Gaelic Football Team lost were so many positives from the their first league game in Belfield to game as we were strong defensively Intermediate and some of our forward play and 6th Nov: UCD second team last week. UCD vs DIT (Belfield, 19:00) scores were incredible. A controversial decision by the refer- Freshers ee made some DIT players question “Realistically, it was our first com- 24th Oct, Div 2: the score at the end of the game petitive game and the first time we DCU vs DIT (St Pat’s GAA Pitch, 14:00) Orla Beagan after the game against UCD // had everyone available so next week 25th Oct, Div 1: DIT GAA as a shot taken by Cavan player DCU vs DIT (DCU, 17:30) Brónagh Sheridan was first marked we’ll go back at it again and prepare as a point, then was changed to a for the Garda game.” HURLING wide ball by the referee after con- Senior versing with the UCD umpire. “Our game against the Garda is a 23th Oct, Div 1: big game because it leads up to the DIT v DCU (O’Toole’s GAA, 19:30) 26th Oct, Div 3: The game was very quick and DIT league semi-final and it also means Marino v DIT (DCU 19:00) lead the way until the second half. that we could get a home draw for UCD did however had the oppor- the Lynch Cup. Intermediate tunity to score a lot more as there 26th Oct: “Last year the conditions against DIT v UCD (Grangegorman, 19:00) was a penalty awarded and they 2nd Nov: settled for a point instead of taking the guards were very tough and DCU v DIT (DCU, 19:00) the chance on goalkeeper Catherine the pitch was barely playable but 9th Nov: Murphy. both teams put on a great display of IT Carlow v DIT (Carlow, 19:00) football”.

Fresher The manager of the DIT side, Seán 9th Nov Div 1: O’Reilly said, “it’s very tough losing The game against the Garda College DIT v Maynooth (Grangegorman, 19:00) in those circumstances but it will be will take place in Parnells GAA club, Sarah Nulty clearing from DIT defence// worth it to learn from our mistakes Coolock on Monday. Abaigael Woods The Edition Wednesday 25 October 2017 23 Plotting for ladies JESSICA NÍ MHÁIRTÍN DIT’s thing that would benefit me as far as organisation and life skills go Snooker and Pool team has been and it’s something that will also a male dominated club until this benefit the college too as it will academic year as Stephanie Mc- open a pathway for any ladies who Dermott is changing things at the wish to play in the future.” pool hall. Downstairs in Aungier Street Stephanie has called for any la- there is a place where anyone can dies who are interested in pool go to relax and have a few friendly to get together and form a team games of pool with their friends. Here come the girls! as the game is very close to her This is where Stephanie said she heart, she explains, “I’m playing spends most of her time outside pool since I was a kid. It’s one of of classes, so if you have a few JESSICA NÍ MHÁIRTÍN AND NIKKI MURPHY all campuses. my fondest childhood memories minutes spare you could easily as it’s something that my father head down and practice your pool The new program ‘Get Girls Ac- showed a pattern that most girls “Our Clubs programmes cater taught me and we spent a lot of technique. tive’ set up by the DIT Sports Office that wanted to get involved in from beginners to elite, while the time playing pool together over and the Fit2Go club is to encour- sports were too intimidated by the girls get to know each other they the years.” “The biggest challenge would be age girls to participate in sports of ratio of males to females. can buddy up and try out some to find these women who are as all kind. of the Clubs - overcoming the in- There is no particular level that passionate as me. Some people “One of the main issues that was timidation of joining a club on you have to be at to join the new are quite shy and do not want to Male domination is across the cropping up time and time again their own. They have an amazing ladies pool team, all Stephanie is show off their talents so with the board in all sports here in DIT and was that they are intimidated in opportunity to try out activities looking for from her new mem- right help, and the right push, we the main aim of this program is to mixed classes and activities, they at an affordable price that they bers is dedication as she would can make something amazing hap- help girls engage in sporting ac- don’t want to commit to an ongo- wouldn’t normally get a chance love to find other ladies that share pen,” said Stephanie. tivities within the college atmos- ing Club activity and didn’t want to try ie Diving Courses, Climb- the same interest as herself. phere. Caragh O’Buachalla is a to travel, so we put together a 6 ing Wall, Karting, Wakeboarding, If you would like to join either Sports Officer in DIT and she has week programme of activities that Kitesurfing, Sailing lessons etc.,” “I’m not a professional. This is team you can contact the DIT been heavily involved in the coor- the girls said would be of interest Caragh added. my final year in college and before Snooker and Pool Facebook page, dination of the program. to them. I leave DIT I want to do something, or email them at [email protected]. When the six-week programme aside from academic study, that If you wish to contact Stephanie “Female participation levels are “All our Clubs are male dominat- has been completed, all coordina- I am so passionate about. I knew directly, you can contact her at low in general in DIT sports clubs, ed. Unfortunately we need more tors will review the engagement DIT hadn’t got a women’s pool stephaniemcdermott213@gmail. there was a chance to put a pro- resources to fund more recrea- and progression of the ‘Get Girls team so I think that this is some- com. posal together to get seed funding tional activities, but watch this Active’ programme and if there is from Campus Life for initiatives space for more intramural type ac- a positive result, the DIT Sports to increase participation,” said tivities throughout the year.” Office and Fit2Go club will defi- Caragh. nitely look into expanding the pro- In this particular program, all fit- gramme in partnership with Cam- After meeting with groups of fe- ness levels have been taken into pus Life. male students and following ex- account and it is heavily focused tensive research there was a pro- on participation as opposed to For more information on the posal sent forward to Campus Life competitiveness, however, an elite programme you can contact the to seek funding for the program. level is also catered for and can be Sports Office on 014023042, or The research found that there was approached from either a compet- you can email matthew.lysaght@ very little emphasis on female-on- itive perspective or a more relaxed dit.ie for more information. ly activities and the feedback angle and that makes the program from the girls that were contacted very appealing to the girls across

DIT’s Champions League

CARAGH O’BUACHALLA

The men’s 5-a-side soccer Cham- in touch to be put on a team, it’s pions League started on Wednes- all about fun and getting involved. day October 4th in DIT Grange- Check out DIT Sports Facebook gorman from 5.30 – 7pm. This Page/ DIT Sports website for more programme is running for 5 weeks. details. DIT and Maynooth showing racism the red card before kick off. Photo Credit: Matthew Lysaght Grab some classmates, or just get THE

www.edition.ie DITION SPORTWednesday 25 October 2017 FacilitiesE a must for competing

DIT’s Volleyball team ready for an exciting year ahead //Arnie Sivercovs

PATRICK KOSKA

DIT’s volleyball team have progressed well as that, the floor in one of the halls hopefully we can sort it out soon. Lack of hugely over the last 3 years, Patrick Another competition that the squads will that we use in Belvedere College is in an our own facilities is also a big one and Koska gives us an insight into their sport and enter is the east regional recreational tourna- extremely poor state and even though like I mentioned before, the halls that we what it’s like as an upcoming team in DIT: ment that takes place in Dundalk every year we have made managers aware of this train in are not exactly of highest stand- We currently have two teams that have and this will be our 3rd year in a row enter- for years, nothing has been done. It’s ards and nets are not of proper height. entered into the league, both wom- ing this competition . We started entering it lucky that nobody got injured so far as en’s team and men’s team. From what when this committee had taken over 3 years there is an actual metal plate sticking out. We have set ourselves few goals for this we know it’s the first time in about 15- ago. Another definite competition is a cup year. We will try to win east recreational 20 years that DIT has entered a volley- mixed competition in Gormanstown. Its an Another venue that we use is Larkin College tournament as we have came 2nd for the ball team into a proper league and this is event that takes place over two weekends. where nets are not secured to the ground past 2 years. We will try to go to next stage thanks to slow progress and emphasis that like they should be according to internation- of the league although it’s a big challenge. we have been putting on local DIT - play Upcoming events would include our first al rules. Another issue that we had up until Hopefully we can attract more first year ers that will be here for 3 or more years. league matches starting in November and last year was lack of basic equipment such players that never tried this sport before recreational league in February. As well as as balls. We depended on our couch to bring and that they will love it as much as we do. We slowly try to improve their skills that we try to have social events where we his personal equipment so we could train. by making sure that they are the future try to have as much team bonding and so- We will have to pass on the committee to and core of our teams. It looks like we cialising as we can. We will be waiting for Luckily last year DIT have bought us our new members this year as most of us are will also have 4 recreational teams that the vai referee courses and basic coaching own sets. We were promised that Grange- graduating, this is why we are currently will take part in cup competitions later courses . Last year 3 of our members have gorman hall will be finished as soon as pos- teaching new members on how to run the on in the year. These teams consist of 6 taken coaching course and they helped at sible and hopefully when this happens we club and try to get them involved as much players 3 girls and 3 boys on each team. trainings and this year they are very use- will have a strong competitive team that will as we can. In the league that we have entered, ful when it comes to helping beginners. be able to make the most of those facilities. we will play teams such as Trinity, Car- low IT, UCD, Dundalk IT, Maynooth and DIT currently does not have their own The biggest challenge that we face is Tallaght IT. It’s the same for men’s and sports hall where we could train and the finding a home venue that meets all the women’s. It’s a big step us for us as there halls that we currently use are not up to international rules for our home match- was no DIT team in the league for years. the standards and do not meet interna- es as we don’t have our own. So far there tional rules net wise or floor security. As hasn’t been much luck trying to find it but