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1993

The DIT Examiner: the Newspaper of the Dublin Institute of Technology Students' Union December, 1993

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License T eDIT Examiner The Newspaper ofthe Dublin Institute ofTechnology Students' Union December '93

Sidney lumet is one The outmme a die Or 8rendan Goldsllllidl Where were JOU die of America's most recent Austen is die lint President a day die eanh stood ~filmmak­ DonneIan 'date r.Ilp8' die D1T. He has a sOl? (die country, my­ ers. H"1S latest. Guilty As Sin shows sip case in England has tDU&h job ahead a him. way). Did J'OU care? that he is losing-his raised a whole new What does he have in Ifnot. you missed out. touch series a uncomfortable mind for die future a Page 10 PageS cpleStions. Where do die Institution? we go from here! Page 9 Page 6 Students' Union will defy Bi,__

~e DIT Students' Union ~ has said that the new Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill will not prevent students from organising and taking part in protest marches, even if it means breaking the law.

"It won't stop us marching, and we are prepared for fines or even jail,- said Deiric C Broin, President of DITSU. Under Section 8 ofthe new bill, introduced earlier this year by Justice Minister Maire Geoghegan Quinn, it will be an offence to distribute or display writing, pic­ tures or signs which threaten, are abusive insulting or obscene. Section 7 creates the offence of disorderly conduct at a public mc:eting, whereby acting in a dis­ An end to aB clthis? orderly manner at a public meet­ sweeping new powers of search bill to the attention of the UN Liberties has also scycrdy criti­ ing for the purpose of preventing and arrcst the bill givcs to the committee. Mr Jcrome Connolly cised the bill, describing it as an the rransacrion of the business of Gardai. cThe worrying thing is from the Commission told the unprecalcntal erosion ofconsti­ the meeting would be punishable that it gives so much power to the DIT Examiner that in terms of tutional rights. The Council said by three months in prison and/or Gardai. It leaves it all to their dis­ practical p@Iitics, he fdt it was that soccu supponcn wi 0 a fine of£500. Simply put, it will cretion. The vast majority are very difficult to see further drink 100 many could find them­ become unlawful to make any trustwonhy but no organisation is changes ¥ing made. The com­ scMs bbdlcd for life with a aim­ demonstration or protest which is perfect.- mission iSieSfgned to the bill inal conviction as a rcsuIt of the not of a silent variety, or which The Bill was sharply aiticiscd becoming law then, but Mr biD. It said that this scaion ofthe does not cnd rapidly. clt raDy is by the United Nations Connolly is worried that its provi­ bill was a chanel' pl'epared by an infiingcmcnt ofwhat wc sce as Committee on Human Rights sions could easily be abused. He cmiddle class spoil-sports who a democratic right to protest, C during its summer meeting. said that the wider picture was JlO( wished to gag youthful antics; said Mr () Broin. cWe're very FormeI' judg~ and UN ambas­ being considered. cOur prisons busking. rapping and singing md worried about the effect it will sador for Cyprus, Andl'ea ~ ovaaowdcd • it is; this could cbncing in the SUCdS.- have on demonstrations and Mavrommatis, said that the bill just put more people in prison.- The Council dcscribcd Scaion protest marches,- traditionally the would give gardai cmore power He said that ~ and . 9 ofthe BilL deals with 1oi­ most obvious and noisy way in than the average European coun- applicarlon oflaw and order- was tering in a public place, as -ill­ try. which stUdents make themselves - DO( the way to taekIc the problem, ddincd, YagUC and arbi~- heJRl and air their gricvanca.. It was the Irish Commission for though he ra:ognWcd that it was a DITSU is currcndy A4r () Broin also expressed the Justice and Peace which brought very difIiadt and scnsitM aJCL seeking legal advicc on the associated concern about the the contents of the controversial The Irish Council fol' Civil OOIltrUvcrsW biD. "'----~~------~~~--.... D IT ExaDliner

Welcome to the DIT Examiner, issues we will report on the col­ the first cross campus student leges' sporting endeavours and will newspaper within the Dublin be keeping students up to date on Institute ofTechnology. Our hope the goings on in the various clubs is that it will be an informative, and societies. To this end, we will lively and balanced production, need to be in regular contact with dealing with issues that affect stu­ the conveners, deputy conveners dents inside college and out there and all the officers. To make this in the real world. If college staff paper work on that level we need also pick up the paper, then all the their input. Stay in touch. better. On a very basic level, the DIT We intend to deal with as wide a Examiner can only be a success if range of issues as possible, mixing it is read. If you've come this far, the serious with the light in the don't stop now. The DIT Lar Moran hope that DIT Examiner will both Examiner may be free but we hope inform, provoke discussion and that this fact will not be used as a Schoolin' in Doolin also entertain. gauge for relevance. This is our first issue and to a Our second issue should be in ast weekend the good "It enlightened an awfuJ lot of certain extent we are still finding time to welcome you back after Lfolk of Doolin in County delegates as to the simpIe struc­ our feet. Bear with us. In future the Christmas break. Clare witness the first ever ture that exists for the giving out of funds, such as the Social and inter-DIT training event for Editor John Carroll Cultural Council and Sports Advertising Manager Cathy Ledwidge Clubs and Societies Officers. Council. Many delegates were Production Richard Whyte It was important in itself in Photography Mary Cummins unaware that they have access to Thanks to Deiric O'Broin, Dave Carmody, that it was intended to central funds if they come togeth- Marie in the Wordshop and Clare Cavendish. improve the communications er." Printed by The Meath Chronicle. skills of the Clubs and On a more basic, though no less important level, the weekend was Societies Officers from all six a perfect way for the officers from DIT colleges. the various colleges to get to know But it was relevant on another each other. level, marking as it did the begin­ All was not work, however, for ning of a new more integrated while there were plenty of speak­ working relationship within DIT's ing sessions, the evenings were student union structure. "It kick reserved for sessions of a different started inter-DIT activities," said kind. It seems there was even a Lar Moran, Clubs and Societies DUBLIN I STITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS UNION cello involved. Officer at the College of After the course finished, the Commerce, Rathmines and one of delegates were asked to fill out a STIIDENTS UNION SHOPS the organisers ofthe weekend. questionnaire giving their opin­ The course was divided into ions on the weekend. The com­ four sections. The first dealt with ments were, by and large, finance and how to get it, budgets favourable: "The whole course and how to properly manage enabled me to gain a more collect­ them and financial structures. Lar ed broadened view of the organi­ and Deiric O'Broin gave the talks sations in the DIT. The more on this topic. communication between officers This was followed by a talk on the better. Things are restricted Public Speaking and Presentation, financially for the societies but given by Damian O'Broin from events like this will go a long way • USI. Matt Donohoe, Deputy to enhancing the work of all socj-f Convener in the College of eties' representatives." There weret Commerce, Rathmines" then some complaints about what wr spoke on the trickier aspects of seen as the rushed nature of fi.e f organising entertainment events weekend and its timing. Morap I t t . for expectant and demandmg stu- pointed out that the event will be dents. The fourth topic, dealing held earlier in the year in future. with time management, was left Meanwhile, there is to be what he aside for reasons oftime! called "a really big meeting of all 8 Moran said that the weekend clubs and societies at the begin­ OPEN WHEN YOU NEED US. was a success. ning ofDecember." Sign ofthe Times ?

t sounds farcical, as if but always those belonging to the language. Every other country work within the students' union I Flann O'Brien or Tom right people, as far as society was said 'this is our national language, organisation. "The single best Sharpe might have toyed concerned; the people with the we want recognition for it. Irish is way to bring forward the Irish in power to do something. seen as a minority language." college is Lv put up signs initially. with it as an idea for a scene The results have been impres­ Mr 6 Bd.daigh appreciates People will see it in use; there is but here it is, in all its truth­ sive. Almost half a million people that the task of furthering the use no point in going up to people ful glory: determined to now speak Welsh every day, and of the Irish languag is an uphill and talking in Irish. Signs are the make their point and life as bilingual sings are everywhere, one, given the apatt of the gen­ easiest way and then we can difficult as possible for what not least in the students unions, eral public and the antipathy that advance on that." He hopes that they saw as an indolent and where every item is presented in festers in the seconl level school if people see words like leabhar­ unsympathetic system, they Welsh and English. If a sign system and the feeling that "the lann (library) and bialann (can­ cycled their lightless bikes appears in only one of the two government doesn't l ve a shite". teen) they will start to throw languages, it is torn down. "That's why I can ustify every­ them into conversation, in the past policemen as often as it "Everything is in two languages, " thing done in Wale to be done same way that they might when took. Up and down, up and says Eanna 6 Bd.daigh, over here." studying French or German, that down, and when they were Convener at DIT Kevin Street Mr 6 Bradaigh and members they will "play around with the. arrested, they demanded that Students' Union. "Trying to of na Cumainn Ghaelacha all language". He recalls an Irish their court case be conducted introduce that here is like talking over the country met last year to phrase which for him aptly sums in Welsh. It was their right to a brick wall. There's no see if they co uld organise a up the situation: Dha thrian an and if it wasn't recognised, allowance for translation. People national body designed to push chath an misneach. Translated, it the bikes were close by... think you can just put something the idea of bilingualism. To this means, two thirds. of the battle is end, they visited Wales this year the courage, the courage to use This was the work of the dedi­ through a fax and it comes out the other side in a different lan- and met the Wdsh Language the language in this case. cated men and women of guage." Society, along with members of Ultimately Mr Bradaigh Cymdeithas yr laith Gymraeg, 6 The strenuous activities in NUS Wales. believes that if people use the lan­ The Welsh Language Society, Wales in the past thirty years have At the moment, as Convener, guage it will come back. And founded in the 60s and commit­ resulted in a Welsh Language Act Mr 6 Bd.daigh is in a position to there's always the bicycles... ted to furthering the use of the which will give official recogni­ Welsh language, which at that tion to the language. Irish is time was not recognised by the already officially recognised; in government in London. Their fact it is our first language, determination has known few IERCE KAVANAGH &CO. LTD. though you'd hardly know it. bounds; they have organised "Ireland is the only country in protests, sit-ins, occupation of Europe Government buildings and even t hat police stations, not that some of them have had to voluntarily occupy these particular buildings. They have engaged in the s lec­ tive destruction of proper- ty, but are keen to stress that the y have

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"'\VJith his long, heavy W coat, shapeless, heavy sweater, torn Levis and all purpose, dumpy boots, Deiric 6 Broin is the very model of a modern (male) Irish student. He looks like a student, he has a flat in Rathmines and he has a lot of REM tapes. Is there any doubt as to his occupation? Well, yes, there is. He is always on the go, always running somewhere, and he car­ ries a smartish, organised bag that upsets his otherwise very casual (he would say practical) image. Most students are rarely on the go and running is generally immedi­ ately preceded by crieslrumours of cheap/free beer. Smartish, organ­ ised bags are not common. The ~ the various sites, the six colleges about further political ambitions. and St Patrick's, Maynooth. The: biggest giveaway for Deiric 6 that comprise the DIT. So why I ask. He is vague and non-com­ reasons are more personal than Broin though is the pager he car­ was the position created? mittal, a lot like a politician. "Not political, says 6 Broin, which ries everywhere. He can always be "Basically, the colleges legally no particularly, " he begins and then leads to as wide a chasm as any. contacted and as President of longer exist, they became amalga­ he's off, and on a tangent, talking Reaffili:ition will be very difficult. Dublin Institute of Technology's mated into DIT on January first. about 'the student movement' Students' Union (DITSU), that's Without separate colleges it using terms like "very progres- "It would be quite hard." The probably a good, if burdensome, seemed illogical to have separate sive", and "an engine for change use of the conditional tense sug­ thing. unions, so we amalgamated. Since within society". gests that he understates. "You"re It's a full-time job and he is the functions at DIT Level, acade­ "I think it is, 1 think it can pro­ dealing with personalities. Some proud of his position and ofwhat mic council and governing body, duce great change. 1 think it's things you can't argue rationally he does, though he probably became centralised, it seemed a where ideas begin." When asked about. You can't argue rationally wouldn't agree with the first part good idea to centralise the union for an example to support such about God and you can't argue of that assertion. However, he activities." He admits that this has admirably high flown notions, he rationally about personalities." gives himself away at one point by considerably reduced the powers cites the recent abortion informa­ The analogy is clumsy but it pre­ describing wh~lt he does as "not a of the college's individual presi­ tion furore. "A lot of people took sents a clear picture. Ever tried to nine to five job, it's a vocation". dents, now known, less grandiose­ the stand for what they saw as an argue with someone who dis­ "I enjoy what I do, 1 really do ly, as Conveners, but does not feel individual right and they were agreed fundamentally with your enjoy my job. I find it takes up a that the loss of influence will dis­ prepared to pay the price by going fundamentals? lot of time. You do your job and courage potentially good officers to jail or whatever. They've been Looking at him in all his stu­ you do nothing else, you don't from running in future elections. vindicated by the referendum." dent finery and listening to him really have time for a personal life. "We're there to work for other When we return to the subject speak easily and confidently about You don't have time for hobbies." people," he says, meaning that if of his future political ambitions, . his work 1 wonder how many He clearly takes pride in his work people are involved solely for their or absence thereof, he says that he people see him as a woolly jumper and there is a sense that its own ends, they should stay away. just does not know. His shelves wearing, lefty doggerel spouting demands are something ofperson­ It's a nice thought. He's probably are lined with political works. student bore who harbours secret al challenge. "If you're not avail­ right about the future conveners, Make ofthat what you will. desires to be a corporate lawyer able 24 hours a day, seven days a though; the position will still act As a man who sees the student (he plans to study law next year). week, yo-u're not doing a good as a stepping stone for interested movement as an engine for I ask him what he thinks about job." He is unequivocal and dead­ students. 6 Broin is himselfa for­ change within society, and as a that. ly serious. mer President of the Rathmines member of USI, he would pre­ "I try not to take up tOO much .6 Broin is the first person to Student Union. He was previously sumably like to see the disaffiliat­ time worrying about what people hold the position of DITSU a Deputy President and began his ed unions return to the fold. As it think about me. 1 try to be as President (his actual title is the career in student politics as one of stands, though USI represents constructive as I can." It can't be a rather grand Constitutional Chief those much maligned creatures, a about 113,000 students, includ­ prepared answer, but it sounds Executive Officer). Put simply, his class rep. ing all in the DIT colleges, five of like one, polite, slightly deferen­ job is to co-ordinate the activities Anybody can spot the progres­ the seven universities are disaffili­ tial but self confident. sion and it is natural to wonder ated - UCC, UCG, Trinity, UCL A politician's reply. ake a look at this list neyed stuff that Lumet must are lovers and Haines cleverness would have been TTwelve Angry Men, The know is nothing like the films he's inexplicably taking few the easy option, no suspense (we Hill, Serpico, Dog Day given us in the past. practical steps to put a halt to know he's guilty in minutes) and Rebecca de Mornay plays Jennifer Afternoon, Network, Prince his shenanigans. This is never sat­ a climax that, while more low key Haines, a tough, single-minded isfactorily explained, though there than you may expect, is still a of the City, The Verdict. lawyer whose life is ruled by her is some silly pschobabble about joke. It'll do nothing for the repu­ Pulsating, powerful films job and her success defending obsession. Its a dopey, heavy tation of DeMornay or Johnson every one. And they all stand society's low but mighty. After yet handed, wildly improbable and is a source of worry for those up defiantly in your face to another spectacular victory she is thriller that has some gas lines, who admire the work of Lumet. repeated viewing. retained by smooth, flashy, characters who are stupid where And there are a lot of us. Now cast your eyes over the fol­ manipulative gigolo David lowing: Power, The Morning Greenhill (Don Johnson), whose After, Running On Empty, acting here seems to consist of Family Business, Q&A, Close to raising his eyebrows and leering in Eden. A couple are pretty good a manner that is eerily reminiscent but my God, there are a couple of of Ceaser Romero's Joker in the tired, mangy hounds in there. 1960's Batman series. It's ridicu­ What has happened to Sidney lous performance; mind you, the Lumet, the man who directed script doesn't give him much of a character and his occasional sinis­ ter/funny lines got laughs from the audience for all the wrong rea­ sons. He's just a gigolo who lives off rich women, but the question is; does he kill The Piano them when he's Cannes Winner, moody, Harvey Keitel, not American. Got to be had enough. worth a look. And it is. Holly Hunter is the mute by choice mail order Accused of the m urder of his bride shipped off to New Zealand with her daughter and her piano to wife, he turns to be with the husband she's never met (Sam Neill) She doesn't like him Jennifer Haines much but falls for the bizarrely accented Harvey Keitel as the neigh­ for help. bour who has been accepted by the Maoris. A love triangle then, but It seems at first definitely not equilateral. And the piano is important in this tale ofreal glance a classic passion, sexual awakening and impotent jealousy 'smoking gun' Powerful, odd, amazing to look at. Art house on the bigger screens. type case since the police have a The Wedding Banquet damning note. The Strictly Ballroom of 1993, they cry. Not at all, for while this does But Greenhill occasionally have the other wordly feel good flavour of the Australian everyone ofthe films cited above? maintains that his wife sent it her­ comedy, it's a much more thoughtful class of a thing. It's a film with Ifit's a bad patch, then its sticking self before committing suicide, an moments of comedy, rather than a comedy. It does veer quickly into remarkably well. For further attempt at revenge from beyond serious territory, so be prepared. proof, go no further than his latest the grave. Haines, of course, sees It's the story ofa successful young Taiwanese man who's living happi­ offering, Guilty As Sin. Actually, it as a challenge. ly in Manhattan with his boyfriend. His life becomes complicated A psychological battle ensues, better you should get as far as the when his parents, who believe that he has just settled down with a good with Greenhill trying to convince cinema doors and simply go no woman, come to America to celebrate in style. everyone that he and his lawyer fUrther, for this is lame, hack- Complications, to put it mildly, ensue. if developments proceed along the lines they have done in parts ofthe United States. For those not familiar with the Donnellan case, here is a run­ down: Austen Donnellan, a student in King's College, London, and a group of friends were at a Christmas party at which, not surprisingly, debilitating amounts of alcohol were consumed. Both he and the student who later made the accusation of rape were very drunk. They left the party to get some air and then went back to her room where they had sex. According to him, she made it perfectly clear what she wanted him to do. After sex, they slept and some time later when, pre­ sumably, the effects ofthe alcohol had at least partially worn off, Donnellan awoke to find her caressing him and he attempted to again .nstigate sex. The woman ran from the room, telling him that she couldn't bdieve what he had tried to do. Crucially, she did not seek hdp or go to the police. It was only when she went to her tutor, a man she described as being "very m uch a believer in women's Donnellan is undoubtedly a hero end? After this, how do we define ere it not for the rights" that matters seemed to to some but others will always date rape? When does a drunken W;recent so called Date­ spin out ofcontrol. This followed regard hin--.J with, at best, suspi­ fumble in that dark, where con­ an attempt by Donnellan to talk Rape trials in England, par­ cion. Somt will loath him in spite sent is ascertained in thick mum­ to her after a lecture. The college ticularly the high profile of the ju;y's decision and the bles, if at all, become a criminal authorities were informed and it media-saturated Austen glowing character references he act? Are we careering towards a was decided that Donnellan be Donnellan case, this anicle received from several women situation similar to that extant in

We spoke to a number of Angela Day, also a third year in Byron Williams a graduate students about the COMAD, said that if a situation seemingly unable to drag himself Donnellan case and what it arose when both parties were away from his old haunt College implied. Most had strong drunk and there was no verbal of Technology, Kevin Sreet, ini­ feelings but what emerged consent on either side prior to a tially felt that it could be consid­ quckly were the complexities blurred encounter, then neither ered a case of rape, but having of the issue. The words "very party could call rape afterwards. thought and talked for a moment difficult were frequently However, she expressed the wide­ revised his opinion, deciding that spoken. "it was a very difficult one to ly-felt worry that the case would Byron Williams make women less likely to take answer. It's very hard to blame feeling that the case was not one cases to court. of rape, agreed that any similar Colm Breheny would prefer situation would be "more compli­ that the names of both parties cated than normal". Another sec­ remained out of the paper. ond year, Sinead Collins, "Unless a person is found guilty, described the issue as "very diffi­ there should be no names. You cult" and said that as the law don't see the girl's name splashed stands in rape cases, "it very across the paper." unfair for women to have to go Cathy Maguire, a student in Clare Cavendish through all that." Dave Colman, a third year stu­ Bolton Street College of Neville Kenny, a fourth year dent in the College of Marketing anyone." Technology, was of the opinion student in Rathmines College of and Design, said that Donnellan Clare Cavendish, also of Kevin that the incident in Lonaon "just had been vindicated by the court's Street, said that "if:J woman cries Commerce, expressed similar sen­ happened", but felt for the decision but that the trial and rape, you have to listen. I don't timents. "I wouldn't like to be a attendant coverage had been "a bit woman. She saw no reason why see how anyone, woman or man, woman now, having to go unfair on the girl". In his opinion, "every little detail and incident in could possibly want it or lie about through that (a rape trial) with her life was brought up". She has a drunken fumble becomes date It.. " society not behind me". In rape rape when t h e woman says ""no no time for the militant activities Second Year Doreen Curran cases, he said there should be no in the USA, describing them as generalisations. "Ea.c ca e i and the 1 nan doesn't stop. from the College of Music, while "real burn your bra stuff" going to be completely separate"

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eing appointed to a high considers himself as a profession­ sation" tend to set off alarm bells It needs it now if it is to go Bprofile and powerful al mathematician, and, a li ttle in people's heads. where Dr Goldsmith wants it to "Change is very very hard, " he go. position that has never surprisingly perhaps, still lectures at Kevin Street. concedes. "It's easy to sit back Too many part time teachers before existed brings a whole "I think it's important to stay in and say, 'change colleges x,y and z who should be full time, a lack of range of pros and cons that touch with the frontline, that's but don't change us, we're perfect. facilities, a lack of faith in itself, a can finally result in a memo­ where the real action is. It means People have to feel not threat­ lack of money - these are just rable period during which that when you're with colleagues ened. There really isn't a need to some of the issues facing the Dr much important work was and discussing issues, you're a bit fed threatened." When the DIT Goldsmith and his team. With accomplished. Or it can more in touch with what's going changes to a facuIty structure, responsibility comes accountabili- prove overwhelming and give on when people further down the the appointee long, agonis­ line are telling you. You can relate to them more closely." He seems ing nights of questioning: keen to remain as far away as pos­ what have I gotten myself sible from an ivory tower of any into? It is a test of character description, and with as physical­ that most will not be ly scattered and diverse an insti­ required to undergo and tution as the DIT, he will have many would be thankful for to. Losing touch would be easy. that. Keeping in touch will require If Dr Brendan Goldsmith ever diplomacy, determination and asks himself "what have I gotten bags ofenergy. myself into" it is doubtful if he is The DIT is changing, indeed, referring to his new position as the new position occupied by Dr President of Dublin Institute of Goldsmith marks one of those Technology; a wrong turn made changes, and it sets up more into a traffic jam on a Monday changes, both in the immediate morning, perhaps, but he does future and the long terms. It is an not come across as a man who exciting and challenging time and shies away from difficult tasks. So once what he calls the hectic, how does he see himself? finding your feet "crisis phase" is "I suppose you could take the over - and he thinks it is - the narrow interpretation from the work can begin in earnest. DIT Act but really the President "The first aim has to be to is Chief Executive, senior acade­ bring the DIT together as an mic, senior administrator, institution and that means we encourager, persuader, harrasser, need to finalise our position in browbeater; all of these things relation to the overall structure rolled into one. I like to visualise and then implement it. It's one that at the end of the day the thing to have a plan." This inte­ President is someone trying to gration will, he knows take some there will, he admits, be a certain ty; he will be watched very closely give a vision to people and more time and its not helped by the amount of reorganisation ands in the coming years. The longest imporrandy, trying to get people fact that the DIT is a multi-eam­ possible amalgamation ofcourses. ..pause between question and to bring their vision together to pus site, but it is, he says, the pri­ Change, integration. centralisa­ answer comes when I ask what he PUt the whole thing forward." mary reason for the setting Up of tionj these are the words he uses. would like to leave behind. This definition is not one he even DIT and so it has to happen. For They are not lofty concepts float­ Perhaps it was just the nature of pauses to think abow and he uses Or Goldsmith, integration is ing tantalisingly out of reach of the question. requiring as it did a the word "vision" without batting basic and vital for the future of those who dare, but implementa­ look into the unknown.

an eye. DITs as is its power to award its tion will take time, there will be "I suppose I would like to see Or Goldsmith has worked with own degrees. The latter can't hap­ some resistance (at this stage it the DIT as a really cohesive single the DIT since 1974, after return­ pen without the former and so would be purely speculative to institute (not a single campus), ing from Oxford where he gained the-two will be ta4Jed together. say how much), and there is one with a really caring academic a Doctorate in Mathematics. The DIT Act - a "very very sure fire guaranteed necessity and community, providing top rate This followed his first class hon­ important change" - will allow that is money. The DIT, catering teaching opportunities for stu­ ours degree in Mathematics from the work to progress but it is not for 25,000 full and part time stu­ dents, a vibrant academic atmos­ Queen's University. His last posi­ the act that will be making the dents, making it the biggest edu­ phere and a high international tion before being appointed over­ decisions. The act won't have to cational institution in the coun­ reputation. If we can come close all President of DIT was vice­ act, and ultimately people will try, has never brimmed wi th the to that I think we'll have done principal of DIT, Kevin Street. look to the President. Blundy, the stuff. very very well." Not surprisingly then, he' still words "integration" and "centrali- Stoking The Furnace

.. . nyone who has paid a new premises incorporating a stu- sometime next summer. USI for a number of years. The AYisit to the offices of the dent club and venue, wouldn't it Upstairs, in the student club, carrot here is the tax incentives Union of Students of Ireland be great? So we approached the there is a suitably long bar, fixed available in the Temple Bar and Managing Director of USIT on a seating and moveable seating, and Mr Duke has said that without in North Great Georges Thursday. We viewed this place on a higher level an area for pool these, the project would never Street cannot have failed to on Friday and he put an option tables and video games; these can have gotten offthe ground. notice that they have seen down on Monday. " The develop­ be moved out of the way in the better days. Sure, the work ment proceeded the way it had evenings. This will be open to has been carried out regard­ begun. members dur.ing pub hours. less but the image given by "The whole thing has been a "We're hoping for a capacity up the actual building is, I am battle against time. This place has here of about 450 and downstairs sure, not the desired one. For to be spot on, we don't want to of 800," says Mt Duke. cut any corners. » Downstairs is the location of the starters, just what is the bath To an untrained eye, at least, multi-purpose hall, named, pri­ doing in the hallway? none have been. The centre is sit­ omisingly, The Furnace, where No longer will visitors have to uated in an old building, but gigs and discos will take place. ask themselves such challenging don't be fooled for a second. The USI offices themselves are on questions for USI has new offices, Inside all is as modern as can be, all three floors of the building. a new location, hell, a whole new bright, clean, uncluttered and On the third floor, a tube-like student centre. This week sees the practical. The new design work effect has been created by the opening of the new centre in the has been combined with the origi­ addition of a new circular roof. Tom Duke. USI President fiercely trendy Temple Bar area nal brickwork of the building, This will be the open plan office "We want students to treat the and it marks the end of a two and somewhat the Irish Film Cenere. for the six USI officers. place with respect. They're getting a half year slog for all concerned, In addition to the new offices The total cost of the new centre beer at a good price, they're being not least current USI President for USI, the centre will eventually has crept towards the £1.7 million treated well. Everything here is Tom Duke. have three other sections; a stu­ mark. At least one Merchant good quality on the grounds that "It came up in conversation in dent club, a venue for gigs and an Bank is involved and USIT have student shouldn't have to drink in 1990/91. We wanted to move information bureau. Only the also helped out. Duke says that shitholes.» Put simply, the idea is into the area of commercial ser­ information bureau remains to be the plan is to get a financial insti­ to abide by the rules and to have a vices, and if it's possible to get opened and it is expected to do so tution to buy it and lease it to good time. Sounds easy.

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elL it has to be said, it was a ding dong battle from the moment the whistle went, real end to W end stuffand truly a game oftwo halves Northern Ireland had the upper began to pepper the Northern hand early on but simply couldn't Ireland goal with shots. The fans copperfasten their superiority began to feel that it was only a with a goal, despite the fact that matter of time before their the game took place on a level attempts paid dividends. playing field, and a state ofthe art Northern Ireland defended stout­ football was employed, employ­ ly, though the tackling was so ment being the number one pri­ fierce that many an attacking ority. The ball, incidentally, spent player was rocked to his very - very little time at grass roots level, foundations. but this was not the unmitigated disaster it could have been for the The goal came out of the blue, rangy figure of Niall Quinn was Alan McLoughlin (an inspired ever present to head down the substitution) chested down the ball whenever it was hoofed ball and struck a sweet volley past hopefully up the park. the flailing arms of the Northern Meanwhile, Terry Phelan made Ireland keeper. McLoughlin was darting runs, Roy Keane was a embraced by his team mates, over midfield general, the elegant fig­ the moon to a man. The hero of ure of Paul McGrath stroked the the day was just pleased to have ball around the park with pin scored while Packie Bonner point accuracy and Ray denied any involvement in the Houghtan ran around like a blue goal. arsed fly. Sensing victory, the Republic It seemed for a while that the piled on the pressure, and refused Packie Bonner, no involvement in the goal Republic had their backs as to give an inch while Northern against the wall but the second Ireland fought a rearguard action. half was a different kettle of fish, But it was all over bar the shout­ The Povver House Enterprise Centre indeed, a horse of a different ing, despite the fact that the fat colour and the boys came out lady had not yet sung. fighting, geed up by a half-time pep talk from their enigmatic When the final whistle went, manager, Jack Charlton. They the Republic were relieved to have BoltonTrUst Initiative took the game to Northern come through it all in one piece.

Ireland and at the same time gave Northern Ireland had refused to IS ORGANISING A nothing away. The Republic were simply go through the motions; determined not to let Northern instead they had given the Ireland ride roughshod over their Republic the game of their lives, OfT Student EnterpriseCompetition dream. asking and receiving no quarter. But it had ended in tears and for And then, against the run of them it was rrme to reflect on play, Northern Ireland scored. what might ltave been. Prelini1ary applications, stating name and topic to be The Republic were, naturally, , J'~ submitted to your local college representative stunned and very possibly, sick as The Repu i<;,arelon their, way before December 101h parrots. Northern Ireland, mean­ to the USA, rth~n !Irflind. are I while, were temporarily jubilant not, but' at e end of die day, in ,-... A future proposal oontai1ing I~ for it was looking like they were the final an sis oand, wHenJ all is busiless venture idea about to have their cake and also ~lball' I said and don $as the for a product or aservk::e. eat it, that their bread had indeed real winne;.~n1. ," r been buttered o~ both sides. ,

Throwing caution to the wind, (wi th apologte~l tJ Datid Rice and realising that there was no use and the Ra.(~m.ip~s School of crying over spilt milk, the Journalism stylebook) , Republic upped the pace and ., • .. or ... • Class Struggles

teaching duty, they take the pro­ "Clearly, I think that the Till fessional duty so classes are often would not discuss any system that left without. They don't prepare didn't have protection, panicular­ the work." Iy for those who mightfbe seen Mr Doolin believes that by and under the system as being unsuit­ large the "present system is work­ able." ing and is working relatively well" For the time being however, . But in the absence of any dear nothing is going to change. Mr evidence that the present system Ooolin himself has pointed out isn't working, and he is very care­ some of the problems that do ful about pointing this out, (he exist (given the cost and impor­ uses the phrase three times), he tance of third level education, is would like to see introduced some "relatively well" good enough?) t is a truism that in every profession and every type of job period of compulsory training at but as far as he knows, there are I there will be a number ofpeople who will be competent, a third level. "I would equally like no proposals floating about to smaller number who will be very good and a tiny minority to see some system where there introduce some sort of in house who will prove outstanding. would be continuous in house training or testing of teachers' training for members of staff. skills as teachers. Or Brendan The flip side, of course, is that unfair that they do not currently Whether this is compulsory or Goldsmith, President of the DIT, there will be those who are a little enjoy the benefit of a training not is a matter for discussion. I has said elsewhere in this paper less than competent and some support system." wouldn't think that the general that the over prevalance of part­ who are downright bad. Bad busi­ USI said that the cost of such body of staff would have any time teachers is a situation that nessman, bad journalists, bad trainin must be borne by the objection to some kind of in will be tackled and this may help lawyers and bad teachers. It's State. The lack of resources in house training." He expressed the but it does not go to the very core there but we don't have to like it. education is a problem that Mr worry that if the situation ever of the problem, this being that The question is how often can Doolin also brings up. Old, arose that a teacher be dismissed there are people teaching in third something be done about the expected and all too true. The for incompetence as a teacher that level institutions who simply have existing situation in a given pro­ money isn't available to introduce there be some sort not the first idea how to properly fession. new third level teachers to aspects ofcompensation. communicate their knowledge. Brian Ooolin is a law lecturer in of teaching, its psychology, phi­ oIT Rathmines and secretary to losophy and its very practicalities. the Dublin Colleges Branch of This means that while the good the Teachers' Union of Ireland. lawyers, accountants and archi­ He is blunt about the situation in tects are available, they are to a OIT colleges, just as a recent con­ large extent expected to turn ference in Maynooth was in rela­ themselves into good teachers. By tion to the state of affairs in Irish nature, human nature, this is very ARE YOU AT RISK FROM VIOLENCE? universities. "There has been no much a hit and miss situation. formal training for teaching staff This problem is exacerbated DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? coming into third level colleges. somewhat by the huge depen­ In particular, there has been no dence on part-time staff This is Ifyou are threatened by physical. training for staff who come into seen as a serious problem by the emotioDal or semal Yiolence in the home. oIT colleges." TUI. "It's often said that the rea­ Women's Aid caD giYe JOu advice and jgformatioD "The first reason could be that son you employ part-time people the colleges are endeavouring to is that they are more knowledge­ CONTACT: recruit people for their expertise able about their subject. There's in·their area of discipline so they an implication here that the full­ are looking for the best accoun­ time part of staff does not keep tant or the best architect." abreast of his or her subjea. The The Union of Students of other question is of course that Ireland has expressed concern the college wishes to be perceived, c~bout the situation. In a submis­ in the public domain, as being up sion to the recent National to date. Education Convention, it pointed "The problem with part-time out that "the area in most ~ of teachers often is that they don't. the introduction of a teacher They do this merely as a sinecure, training structure is the third a few extra pound a week. They lOa.m. - 6p.m. Icvd. Lecturers in third lcvd 001­ don't do a great deal of prepara­ Saturday leges are very often thrown in at tion, they don't have any oommit­ the deep end, without the benefit ment so if they have to choose WOMEN"SAJO ofa training support system. It is betwttn a professional duty and a PO Box 791. Dublin 6. Ollk.-e: W12 3122