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Michaelmas term, Week 10 www.trinitynews.ie Issue 4, Volume 54

Halls Student Centre Plans abound but funding still absent future moves closer; doubtful High Court issues remain planning appeal reinstated Funding problems and disagreements over

managements structures yet to be resolved CAOIMHE HANLEY COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR

funds will be raised by two levies. One will pay DEIRDRE ROBERTSON A decision taken by Mr. Justice STAFF WRITER for the building and the second for upkeep. This is similar to the €70 levy that was Fennelly of the Supreme Court to introduced in October to pay for the new allow Mr. James Kelly to reinstate his Plans to turn Luce Hall into the new student Sports Hall. appeal to the High Court against The centre have taken a step closer to completion The Trinity Association have also been Provost, Fellows and Scholars of the with the decision to proceed to architect’s approached by the Luce Committee with University of Dublin, Trinity College drawings and a planning application. requests to make raising money for the new and Dublin City Council on 15 However, according to members of the centre a high priority. However, it is seen as October may affect the future of Luce Hall Planning Committee, it is as yet unlikely that any one major donor will be Trinity Halls in Dartry. undecided what exactly will be included in the found. In the case of the Sports Hall, a large Kelly has been engaged for a building. Meanwhile, funding for the project is donation was secured from business man Dr number of years in legal proceedings still in doubt, with the €250000 needed for the Martin Naughton. seeking, entirely without success, to have declared invalid a decision of An planning and design process being taken from The management of the proposed Centre Left: Original plans for the Bórd Pleanála granting planning the Nurse’s Education Capital Grant. is still seen as the “major stumbling block”. The conversion of Luce Hall permission to Trinity for the In summer 2006, the Luce Committee College’s Strategic Plan states building will be dating from 2001. development of the student requested funding from the Capitation student-managed however individual areas Above: Students’ Union residences at Trinity Hall. While the Committee - which funds the Trinity may vary from this. The Students’ Union President Andrew Byrne development has long since been Publications and Students’ Union, amongst President Andrew Byrne has pointed out the and Dean of Students Prof completed, Kelly has been embroiled others - but they were denied. proposed café as one exception. This will be Gerry Whyte both of in legal dispute for the past seven According to Students’ Union President run by College Catering. whom will be central to the years. On 7 November 2002, Kelly Andrew Byrne, 66% of the cost of this project Another area of contention is the progression of the Student instituted the present action by will fall on students while College will proposed bar and venue. The Students’ Union Centre project. contribute the remaining 33%. These figures has expressed as strong interest in running this, Photos: Mark Carroll, Martin plenary summons in the High Court. will also determine the allocation of space in McKenna, Michael Ronson In this action he seeks an order the building. It has been suggested that the • Continued page 2 directing the rehearing of his judicial review application. Effectively the relief he seeks in the action is an order setting aside the order of Justice McKechnie, who refused Kelly leave to appeal the awardance of planning permission for the Trinity Halls development. In the plenary summons, Kelly No extra security for College Park despite pleads that Justice McKechnie, in refusing the application for leave, had referred to the location of boilerhouse facilities proposed by the developers. “serious risk of injury” to students He alleges that college had misled the High Court during the hearing of the leave application. The misleading is alleged to have Crowd control issues last summer have highlighted shortcomings of current system consisted of the fact that the developers had submitted “certain architectural plans and drawings” JOHN CALLAGHAN control measures which include the additional security staff would allay relating to the development showing STAFF WRITER employment of additional the need for such ad-hoc measures in that boilers would be installed in safety/security stewards to work at the the future. certain places identified as plant Pavilion and the use of professional, During the SFC meeting of 5 rooms. However, Kelly claims that the College’s Executive Officers have external event managers on specific June 2007 a memorandum issued by college failed to acquaint the High decided not to appoint additional evenings when large crowds are the Facilities Officer Noel McCann Court with the full facts of an security staff to monitor the Pavilion anticipated”, a college source has said. was circulated to those present. In application, as it had also made for Bar and College Park, despite The peak times in question are the this memorandum McCann “the location of some of the aforesaid recommendations to do so by the Sites early summer months of May and June, expressed concerns about “the issue boilers in the basement of one of the and Facilities Committee last June and around exam times, when the lawns of crowd control in College Park”. aforesaid buildings to another section ,which express a “real risk of a serious of College Park are used as an overspill The minutes from this meeting state of the then Dublin Corporation incident in College Park with adverse area for the Pavilion Bar, as well as a that “the committee noted the real namely the Fire Prevention Section.” publicity and insurance implications.” general outdoor recreational area. The risk of a serious incident in College The entire substance of the case Instead of following the SFC recommended that preventative Park with adverse publicity and pleaded by Kelly is that the order of recommendations of the SFC to hire steps be taken for student security by insurance implications”. The Justice McKechnie, refusing him leave extra security, a “risk assessment” has appointing additional part-time security committee went on “to recommend to apply for judicial review of the instead been taken, compiled in staff. to Executive Officers the allocation decision of An Bórd Pleanála granting consultation with the Pavilion The SFC recommendations came of funds amounting to €45000 for the planning permission, should be set Management, the Department of Sport, amid a series of crowd control issues last proposed additional part-time aside because it was procured by the College Security Managers, Junior May and June which led to the security staff required at peak times single act of alleged misleading Dean and the College Safety Officer. construction of iron railings along the in College Park”. It was, however, mentioned in the preceding This summer, instead of extra security pathways to the Pav, movement noted by the SFC Bursar, Prof. D. C. paragraph. present at all times, there will be restrictions on campus and early and Williams, that “Executive Officers Justice Murray, sitting in the “resources made available to facilitate varied bar and grounds closing times. It Photo: David Molloy the introduction of a combination of was hoped that the introduction of • Continued page 5 Crowd control issues lead to request for extra security provisions. • Continued page 3

tn2 Kevin Brazil discovers Dublin’s food revolution • Paul Earlie reviews Martin Amis 2 The art of pornography examined • Catriona Gray meets the Stereophonics

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C of P2 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 CollegeNews

The Numbers Game Student Centre moves to 66% vs 33% Percentage of student funding versus College funding for the proposed new Student Centre planning and design stage €250,000 Money needed fro the planning and design of said Student Centre, • Continued from page 1 room, multi-faith areas and prayer member of the Luce Committee says included in the centre. It is a sub- rooms. A further suggestion was to build the plans for the centre’s ,development committee chaired by the Bursar and taken from the Nurse’s Education Grant as the centre will hopefully host Ents accommodation for TAP students, but are still “very vague” with this most attended by the Dean of Students, the activities. this has been scrapped due to shortage recent meeting adding little to the detail President of the Students’ Union, a CSC €2000 However, the Students’ Union don’t of space and noise considerations of the previous plans. representative, the Director of Sport actually own the necessary bar license. resulting from the inclusion of the The Students’ Union will move and the Director of Buildings. Money raised by the Slave Auction as part of Trinity Med Day The College currently holds two bar venue. into offices in Luce Hall and Central Byrne says of the recent meeting licenses indirectly. An Interim Report The Student Centre will hold both Societies Committee say they will that it was decided that “ all the original from 2001 suggests using one College and student-run events, but it is consider moving some of their space. spaces planned are to go ahead with the €620 previously designated for use in unclear how this will be managed. In his Trinity Publications say they will remain exception of the accommodation, as Bidding record at said Slave Auction, set by Biosoc Chairperson Goldsmith Hall, while the license of the campaign last year, Ents Officer Ed in House Six. The Botany Department - that would have prevented us from now-defunct Buttery is also an option. O’Riordan told Trinity News he would currently housed in Luce Hall - may using the gig venue late at night.” Rabia Haydar. A new Student Centre has been on “ensure the establishment and have to find an alternative location, but The Director of Buildings has the building agenda of Trinity for over successful running of an on campus the bio-resources unit will remain. Some described the target programme €270,000 seven years. Goldsmith Hall was student bar and gig venue in what is staff are also lobbying to save the outlined as “optimistic”. A planning originally built as a student centre, but now Luce Hall”. He intended to ensure squash courts. However, it has been application has yet to be submitted, but The Provost’s new salary after numerous difficulties, this purpose there would be an event on in the noted by some that there is less an outline drawing drawn up in 2001 had to be abandoned. The Bar license student centre every night of the week. available space in Luce Hall than has shows two floors of the building acquired for Goldsmith’s Student Previous meetings of the Luce Hall been “allocated in theory” to the above dedicated to the student centre and the Centre could possibly be used by Luce Planning Committee have seen protests parties. rest to “Science”. Planning permission is Hall, but it is owned by a body called that the area allocated to Ents events is The Luce Hall Planning being sought to extend the building and He said, she said the Goldsmith Club rather than directly too small. However, it is believed that Committee has based its plans on an add more windows. Once the plans have by the College or Students’ Union. the enlargement of this area would investigation of similar centres in been submitted and approved, the The original plans included an necessitate the removal of the Botany University College Dublin and Dublin project is timetabled to take 18 months “Well done to everyone” events venue, café, bar, administrative Department from the building. City University. The Luce Committee is to complete. Provost, on“ hearing of Trinity’s jump in the world university ” rankings. offices, meeting rooms, a shop, a games Speaking to Trinity News, another responsible for deciding what will be “that’s why we have a small stand, so we can move it”. Joe O’Gorman, in answer to the Sites and Facilities Committee’s rebuke of Trin- ity Tours for obstructing Front Arch.

“Very vague.” A member of the Luce Hall Planning Committee describes the plans for the new student centre.

“No longer academics and administrators, but rather strategic leaders and managers who are required to assess opportunities and risks against clear strategic priorities and to take decisions with far reaching implications”. Submission by the university heads and the secretaries, registrars and bursars on their new corporate roles

“If they don’t have proposals that they’re happy with, no proposals will be brought forth because I’m not going to redraft for the sake of redrafting.” Education Officer Bartley Rock speaks out against beaurocracy

“Trinity needs to get its house in order and, only if there is spare capacity, can Trinity then look to increasing student numbers. Restructuring and cost reductions need to take place first. To increase student numbers now would be a race to the bottom.” Education Officer Bartley Rock

Trinity needs an SU run bar. At the moment DUCAC is being funded by all students regardless of whether they are sporty or not. If we had a similar set up to UCD (a bar with a one thousand capacity) we could do so much more for students while keeping their money in the College working for them. And you know if I was running it, it would make a fuck load of cash! Ents Officer Ed O’Riordan The Cobblestone Reduction Programme will see wheel-chaire friendly paths disect Frpnt Square allowing better access for all students. Photo: Michael Ronson

Editorial Staff Cobbles to be wheel-chair friendly

ADAN LARRAGY suggests that discussions should be held crossed Front Square, was “strongly of the programme as being “to keep the Editor: Gearoid O’Rourke [email protected] with Dublin City Council prior to a opposed” by the Grounds and Gardens character of Front Square with the STAFF WRITER Deputy Editor: David Molloy [email protected] planning application being lodged” Advisory Committee, a subcommittee provision of smooth wheelchair Business Manager: Conor Sullivan [email protected] given Front Square’s historic of the SFC, “due to concerns over safety, accessible paths”. Copy Editor: Nick Beard [email protected] Trinity’s Front Square is to be made significance. The discussions are in particular with regard to bicycle The estimated cost for the Photographs: Martin McKenna [email protected] wheelchair-accessible under the investigating the impact of the proposal traffic”. The aesthetics of the plan were development ranges between €720000 College News: Caoimhe Hanley [email protected] “Cobblestone Reduction Programme” on Front Square. Consultation with the also strongly opposed. The first option, and €905000, depending on the quality National News: Lauren Norton [email protected] approved by the Site and Facilities City Council is ongoing and a planning A, is now being pursued. of granite used in the programme. This International News: Kasia Mychajlowycz [email protected] Committee meeting of 8 May 2007. application is due to be lodged later this The programme was first discussed is the only material felt to be feasible by News Features: Eimear Crowe [email protected] A smooth-paved pathway at least month. by the SFC in November 2005, the SFC, as ‘the architects… have Society News: Conor McQuillan [email protected] 1200mm in width (the minimum College received planning prompted by the Disability Act of the advised that planning permission for Features: Sam Hannaford [email protected] required according to Trinity’s Physical permission for “the provision of same year. Section 25 of the Act states this scheme is unlikely to be granted Opinion: John Lavelle & Kevin Lynch [email protected] Access Working Group) will provide removable wheelchair access ramps and that “a public body shall ensure that its unless granite paving is used’. World Review: Peter Doherty [email protected] ‘access to the entrances of buildings in balustrades and associated works to public buildings are, as far as However, funding for the project Travel: Andrea Mulligan [email protected] Front Square. The pathway will also run entrance steps at East and West Theatre practicable, accessible to persons with has yet to materialize. In February 2007, Business: Danielle Ryan [email protected] into the centre of the Square itsel,f entrances, East and West Chapel disabilities”. Though Trinity may not be the Bursar reported to the SFC “that he Science: Sebastian Wiesmair [email protected] where it will continue alongside the entrances and entrances to houses no.’s legally required to provide access, will revisit previous discussions he has College Sport: Jonathan Drennan [email protected] north side of the Old Library. 1, 4, and 6 (total 7 no. ramps)“ in speaking to Trinity News, Deputy had with… Trinity Foundation about National Sport: Felix McElhone [email protected] The College has not yet applied September 2007. The provision of Director of Buildings Pat McDonnell the possibility of the allocation of Sport Features: Connel McKenna [email protected] for planning permission from Dublin wheelchair accessible pathways will said that it is “in the spirit of the necessary funds for this project from Graphics: Mary Lohan [email protected] City Council, as the college’s architects, complement this development. Disability Act” to provide wheelchair Dormant Funds account”. Michael Collins Associates, upon the Two options were presented but accessible access. If planning permission is granted, TN2 Editor: Catriona Gray [email protected] advice of a conservation architect “who “Option B”, in which diagonal pathways Mr. McDonnell described the aim the next step will be raising funds. Film: Conor O’Kelly [email protected] Music: Carolyn Power [email protected] Fashion: Ciaran Durkin [email protected] Books: Paul Earlie [email protected] Theatre: Polly Graham [email protected] Art: Caroline O’Leary [email protected] Former Trinity law lecturer takes on Hanafin Edibles: Beth Armstrong [email protected] Endnotes: Ailbhe Ni Mhaoileoin [email protected]

Website: Brian Henry [email protected] CAOIMHE HANLEY undergraduate medicine places scarce places in institutions offering preference to overseas students, the COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR allocated to EU students overturned. If undergraduate courses in medicine Department of Education and the Thanks to: successful, this could have serious denied to Irish citizens”. Higher Education Authority are acting Joey Facer; Pat Morey and College Security; Caoimhe and Sally-Ann in the implications for the way the CAO The documents lodged to the court unconstitutionally. Essentially he is Communications Office; Peter Henry; Fionn McLaughlin; Ed O’Riordan; Former Trinity College constitutional system operates and will completely state that Prendergast obtained 550 arguing that as an Irish citizen, the Daithí Ó Malley; Nicholas Moustache; Daire Hickey; Daithi MacSithigh; law lecturer Gerard Hogan forms part change the entrance to medicine in CAO points when he repeated his Government has a duty to provide for Emer Graoke; David Adamson; Jenny Ryan; Rosscrea Express; and everyone of the senior counsel team of Frank Trinity. Leaving Certificate this year. However, his education first, ahead of any foreign in Midland Web Printing. Prendergast Jnr, who is taking a High His legal team, which also includes this was not good enough to gain entry national. Court action against the Higher former Tánaiste and Minister for Justice as an EU student to any undergraduate His legal team are due to argue This publication is funded by a grant from DU Publications Committee. Education Authority, the Minister for Michael McDowell SC, will argue the medicine courses in Ireland. that allowing foreign students an easier Serious complaints about the content of this publication should be Education and Science Mary Hanafin defendants acted unlawfully in forcing Prendergast then applied for a path to the course simply by paying addressed to: and the Attorney General. Irish universities to “drastically reduce place as a non-EU student, but was money is prejudicial and contrary to the The Editor, Trinity News, 6 Trinity College, Dublin 2. The case is been taken by 20 year- and limit” the number of medical places refused despite being willing to pay the Constitution and the 1971 Higher This publication claims no special rights or privileges. old student Prendergast, from for Irish citizens “in an arbitrary and significant tuition fees, numbering in the Education Act. Blackrock Co. Dublin, as he is seeking unlawful way”. The team feel that non- tens of thousands, associated with this. to have the quota on the number of EU students are “permitted to obtain Prendergast claims that by giving

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P3 CollegeNews

New faculty deans to be elected

AOIFE GRIFFIN This restructuring has come about as a result STAFF WRITER from a common consensus that the current system is failing to fully support the college alumni. The decision to restructure was reached through a The latest band of restructuring within the College’s Working Group, established by the Board, which is administrative and support services will come into compromised of representatives from the Board itself, effect on 1 January 2008, when the soon-to-be-elected as well as Council, the Heads of School Committee, Deans will take their place at the head of the new the Deans’ Committee and the student body. three faculty structure within the college. These new The tri-faculty model is deemed to be the most faculties will be; the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and suitable in terms of greater efficacy both economically Social Sciences, Science and Engineering and Health and in terms of administrative prowess. The presence Sciences. of three faculties instead of 24 individual schools Eligible nominees for the position of Dean are provides a far more coherent distribution of the those full-time staff members that have achieved College budget, ensuring accountability and professional status [either associate or chair] and who regulation of funds and resources. This model will also have demonstrated the necessary leadership in the reduce administration costs by removing unnecessary fields of administrative duties, research and teaching. layers of processing that have developed within the These nominations are then considered by the schools Faculty Executive Committee, chaired by the Provost, Worries that the restructuring would lead to loss who then decide if the nominee, elected by staff within of representation for the students have been met with MED Day slave auction their own faculty, are eligible to run for Deanship. the provision of three student faculty convenors. They Rejected nominees will be given stated reasons as to will be attending the University Council (chaired by their ineligibility. the provost) with the assistance of three deputy NIAMH NIMHAOILEOIN have their prizes at their disposal for a sold for €620, the highest bid of the day. Among the many lots were a group evening. For a candidate to be successful, at least 70% of convenors that shall also attend the council, but STAFF WRITER their final vote must come from academic staff with without the power to vote. of anatomy demonstrators, “The After the auction, Libby Ennis, a the other 30% being made up by the collective votes Ballot papers for the election of the new Deans Policeman and the Gimp” and “Biosoc Senior Sophister Medicine student, of undergraduate and postgraduate student reps, will be posted via the college’s internal mail system on Over €2000 was raised by a Slave Queen”, Rania Haydar. The services shaved off her hair in support of the research staff, support staff. the 19 November, with a deadline of the 5 December Auction held on Friday evening as part offered to bidders included “a scenic charities. She spent the previous week Successful Deans will then hold the Office for a for their return. Ballot counting will commence on 6 of Trinity Med Day. The event took walk around Dublin”, a surface anatomy collecting donations to “save or shave”. term of five years, with a possible re-election of three December and the new Deans will officially take up place on the crowded steps of the Pav lesson, Asian cooking, pole dancing, The consensus was to shave, but not be- years if deemed fit by the Faculty Executive their positions on the 1 January 2008. with stand-up comedian Dave Mc - working in the fields and the ever- fore Dave McSavage auctioned off the Committee. Savage presiding as MC and auctioneer. popular “anything you want”. chance to shave her head, raising an ad- All proceeds went to the students’ Despite a somewhat tentative start ditional €60. chosen charities; the High Risk Breast the crowd quickly got swept up in the Following this, there was a comedy Cancer Clinic in Tallaght Hospital, the auction atmosphere. Due perhaps to the gig in the Edmund Burke Theatre, Intensive Care Unit in St James’ MC’s insistence that “your parents are hosted by John Colleary and featuring hospital and the Trinity Access rich now and you’ll be rich too when Willa White, best known for his appear- Programme. Other Med Day events you’re doctors” and “It’s all for charity”, ance on Des Bishop’s Joy in Da Hood included a comedy gig, an afternoon last year’s record of €270 was broken and Damian Clark, an Australian comic Trinity Halls challenger sports day and a night out in The Purty early on with a €281 bid for second year whose show I Dare Ya is to be aired on Kitchen. Aoibheann Flynn. The bids continued RTÉ later in the year. The Slave Auction surpassed the to climb with the cheers getting Earlier in the day, the 2FM • Continued from page 1 However, in 2006 Kelly was informed that Justice huge success of last year’s Bachelor and progressively louder as the €300, €400 Roadcaster was on campus, with DJ Murray was the brother of a partner in the architectural firm Bachelorette Auction, with a and €500 marks were reached and Dave Redmond providing a musical High Court, judged that “None of the elements of any alleged Murray O’Laoire, which had designed the development at remarkable increase in the amount exceeded. backdrop to the afternoon’s inflatable fraud are stated other than that certain matters were not Trinity Halls. Kelly lodged a complaint to the Supreme Court, raised. Both groups and singles were The auction concluded with a fren- fun and games, including sumo disclosed without indicating on what basis the failure to on the basis of Justice Murray’s objective bias. On 15 October, invited to sell themselves and the zied bidding war over Biosoc wrestling, bungee running and pillow disclose constituted a breach of duty as to amount to a the court decided to allow Kelly to reinstate his appeal to the winning bidders earned the chance to Chairperson Rania Haydar, who was fighting. dishonest or fraudulent concealment.” High Court.

Win 2 pairs of tickets to Erol Alkan on Saturday December 8th with We Do Music and TRINITY NEWS

To win, answer the question, “Name 5 bands that Erol Alkan has remixed”?

Email your answers to [email protected] before Saturday December 15th, with the subject line “Erol Alkan”.

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[email protected] P4 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 CollegeNews

News Trinity ranked 53rd in world

Briefing CAOIMHE HANLEY The THES world university possible 100 for graduate employability. university and be among the top 50 with our improvement in the rankings, rankings lists the worlds top 200 Trinity’s peer review score was also universities in the world. We are indeed which includes international recognition COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR universities measured on research relatively high at 80, meaning the very pleased to have almost achieved from academics and employers. It is our quality, graduate employability, college has received significant that in a relatively short period of time.” hope and intention to maintain that Trinity has been ranked equal 53rd in international outlook and teaching validation from its competitors. The Provost went onto say “such a position.” Freshers Co-op the world in the latest Times Higher quality. Trinity scored a total of 76.9 However, in contrast, Trinity performed high ranking is an outstanding For the purpose of compiling the now showing Education Supplement world university overall, out of a possible 100, which was poorly in quality of research, receiving achievement for a university in a small rankings, over 3700 academics from rankings, sharing its place with Hong achieved by world number one, Harvard only 58 marks out of 100 for citations country, competing internationally with around the world were surveyed Kong University of Science and University. However, when the results per faculty. much larger and better-resourced concerning the research quality of the The annual DU Players Freshers’ Technology. This is the highest ranking are broken down, Trinity is revealed to The Provost Dr. John Hegarty has universities. A university’s reputation is university and their views accounted for Co-op started showing yesterday Trinity College has ever achieved, up 25 have performed remarkably well in welcomed these results, saying, “There built on the ability and performance of 40% of the score. In addition over 730 following a month of rehearsal. places on last year’s world ranking of 78. certain areas. should be a strong sense of pride that staff and students. The fact that we international employers in a recruiter Starring your friends and Trinity also ranked 13th in Europe. Trinity received higher marks for College has achieved this place. It is a ranked so high relative to the resources review were surveyed concerning their classmates it is the biggest night In achieving this position, Trinity number of international faculty tribute to the talent, scholarship and available is a reflection of the very high views on graduate employability, which in the DU Players calender. College has overtaken other prestigious members than any of the top four hard work of all our academic, calibre of students seeking entry to accounted for 10%. The other half of Trinity News caught up with institutions such as the London School ranked universities. With a score of 77 administrative and support staff and Trinity, the high-quality research the marks were made up of teaching one of the show’s producers of Economics, the University of for percentage of international students students. Well done to everyone”. This produced by Trinity College researchers quality, which was measured by staff: David Adamson who had this to Washington and St Andrew’s in added to this, Trinity is a highly achievement has moved Trinity closer to and the calibre and dedication of all our student ratio (20%), research quality say: “Let the heavens resound Scotland among others. Trinity is the cosmopolitan university in comparison the goal set by the Provost of reaching a academic, administrative and support (20%), which was gauged by the and all the earth sing out in only Irish university to make it into the to its international competitors. world top 50 ranking within the next staff. Our strategic priorities are aligned university’s citations of major papers rejoicefulness! That magical top 100 world universities, with The college also received an few years. According to the Provost, to the highest academic values, as well and international outlook, measured by moment is finally upon us! That’s University College Dublin our nearest important boost for its graduate “Our ambition was to build on our as to the national goals of social, cultural international faculty staff (5%) and right, chickens, it’s finally the competitor, within the top 200. community, receiving 92 out of a reputation as Ireland’s number one and economic vibrancy. We are pleased international students (5%). week of The Freshers’ Co-op” The show is on at 8pm every evening until Friday. Tickets are €4 on the door. Look out for an in-depth look behind the scenes of The Freshers’ Co- op in the next issue of Trinity News. New Pav to be Homophobia, homosexuality TES Internship Networking night wheelchair and homogenity at the Phil At 7:00pm on Tuesday 13 November in the Davis Theatre of the Arts Building, the Trinity Entrepreneurial Society will be inaccessible hosting an internship networking KASIA MYCHAJLOWYCZ homosexuality, and bravely spoke of intellectual and physical disabilities. evening. NEWS REPORTER her experiences being bullied in Speaking with humour and The evening entails brief school, showing that discrimination emphasis, she described through presentations from firms such as and “non-friendly” attitudes still do survey data collected in Ireland on Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, BRENDAN MORAN Council planners. In a meeting involving The University Philosophical prevail with some people in Ireland. a host of issues and experience the the Director of Sport, the Architectural Citigroup, STAFF WRITER Society questioned whether Ireland Senator Hannigan told the inequality that is “deeply embedded PricewaterhouseCoopers, Services Officer and the Chair of the is a gay-friendly society in a debate audience it is now “the norm” for in this country”. KPMG, Ernest & Young and Pavilion Bar it was made clear that last Thursday. Irish people to accept The government’s denial of Deloitte on internships Following a presentation to the Site and there was insufficient space inside the Prominent members of the homosexuality, but stated that there civil union, and indeed marriage in opportunities. The presentations Facilities Committee last Tuesday, it has Pavilion Bar to accommodate a lift and Irish gay community, including was always “room for name and deed, to homosexuals, for will be followed by a food and been advised that planning permission accessible toilets without extending the Labour Senator Dominic Hannigan, improvement”. Ms. Smith, only highlights this. “We drinks network reception at for a proposed redevelopment of the building. Trinity students Kiera Finlay, His party has twice attempted are clearly not considered as 8:00pm in the College Historical Pav without wheelchair accessibility will While it is has not been made clear Cearbhall Maguire, John McGuirk to have civil unions for homosexual citizenly [as heterosexuals].” Society Conversation Room of be sought “as soon as possible”. at this stage what the likely cost of the and Jonathan Wyse, and couples enshrined in Irish Even Mr. Waghorne’s fellow the GMB. While it had being planned to project is set to be, DUCAC, which had conservative political commentator legislation and have twice been shot proposing speaker Chris Robinson, The goal of this event is to extend the Pavilion at first floor level at originally agreed to contribute to the Richard Waghorne discussed both down. of the Gay and Lesbian Equality give Trinity students an the expense of the current balcony area funding of the project, had been sides of the issue. To convince the audience that Network, disagreed with him, opportunity to network and ask in order to provide “universal access” to approached to cover additional costs of Avoiding a polarized Ireland was indeed a gay-friendly claiming that Mr. Waghorne was questions of perspective wheelchair users and those with a universally accessible Pavilion in what showdown, the Phil placed gay place, Richard Waghorne lambasted “painting a paranoid future”. Though employers in areas such as restricted mobility. However a proposal would likely have been a “more activists on both sides of the table. the gay rights movement for moving admitting to agree with “almost all” investment banking, accountancy by architectural firm Arthur Gibney & expansive scheme”. This lead to some confusion as to from “securing gay rights to eroding of the opposition, Mr. Robinson was and consultancy. Partners which provided this access has Students have already expressed whether the proposing and natural differences”, creating a world perhaps more optimistic about what All the internship been turned down by the SFC owing to concern over the planned opposing teams did, in fact, disagree, that he predicted in twenty years he called the “basic decency in the programmes on offer for the “serious reservations” that the redevelopment. There was already but promoted a debate which would discriminate against Irish character”. As a civil servant evening will vary in terms of “established symmetrical architecture” heavy criticism on campus two years focused on the history of and the Catholics as a result of gay activism working with thousands of people in length and responsibility. of the current Pavilion building would ago when a refurbishment which was present status of gay and lesbian and lobbying. Ireland to combat homophobia and However, every single internship be compromised. undertaken attempted to modernize the Irish citizens. Ailbhe Smith asked, “Is it promote equality in schools, he said program will be designed to give As it stands, one of two previously building’s interior yet ignored cramped Kiera Finlay discussed both friendly to anyone seen as he “never received anything but penultimate year students an approved schemes is being submitted to toilets and a lack of wheelchair legal landmarks in the struggles for different?” Gays and lesbians are approval and welcome”. opportunity to experience the City Planners, neither of which includes accessibility. The recent removal of the gay rights to be recognized in just two of a long list of people The debate was decided in day-to-day work life in one of the the provision of a lift for wheelchair bar from the Buttery would also mean Ireland and her own personal discriminated against in Ireland, she favour of the resolution by a small above employer’s organizations users. that, should the Pav be closed during the experience. She highlighted the said, which also includes people of number of people, with the majority before considering a career with It has been suggested that the building work, then College could be invisibility of lesbians in the gay colour, aged people, the traveling abstaining from voting. them upon graduating. decision to expand the area of the Pav without any student bar for a period of rights debate and in laws concerning community, and those with learning, was taken in light of a previous up to two years. application rejection by Dublin City

Your View

What would you Sarah Joyce Sam McMullen John Donaghy Hannah Partis- Aerandir Baiza like to see in the JF Drama & Theatre JF History & Political JF Medicine Jennings JF English extended Pav being Studies Science JF english & History A suitable place to nap in be- I’d like somewhere that sells mooted by DUCAC? I’d like to see a cinema where we I’d lie to see a proper SU bar like tween lectures would be nice, Somewhere to stage gigs would chocolates and some couches for could watch loads of cool movies. there is in every other university. with somewhere to get sweets be good like there is in UCD. sleeping on during the day maybe Compiled by: Some squishy bean bags would Somewher that is cheaper and and cold drinks. There should be Somewhere comfortable to sit with video games. It should also be nice too, along with a heater. bigger than the Pav. They should somewhere with cheap, decent down an drelax too possibly with be open at the weekends. There David Adamson & All we need really is somewhere put on proper sport on the TV’s quality food and a better bar than some TVs. should be places to check your Conor Sullivan comfortable to sit and relax. too not Golf and SkyNews. the Pav. email too.

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P5 CollegeNews Bertie’s pay rise boosts Provost’s earnings too

DAVID MOLLOY €7806, depending on their current salary clear strategic priorities and to take university heads in excess of their DEPUTY EDITOR on a pay scale (a 5.5% increase on all decisions with far reaching implications”. recommended salary. At the time, amounts). In the case of the School of While the review body accepted College spokesperson claimed there Nursing and Midwifery, this will that this was true for both university were no such “top-up” amounts being The Provost is due to receive a pay increase academic salaries within that heads and the secretaries, registrars and paid to Dr Hegarty in his position as increase of €43105, bringing his total school by over €60000. bursars, they granted the heads a much Provost. salary to €270000. The pay increase also applies to higher pay rise, saying that while these The review body stated its position A recent report by the Review secretaries, registrars and bursars, who individuals are entitled to a higher as follows: “the levels of remuneration Body on Higher Remuneration in the will see a smaller increase from €161,347 salary than university professors, they we recommend in this report are Public Sector has recommended a to €169,000 (4.7%). should be significantly less than the intended to represent total substantial increase in the salaries of However, the other positions will university head “to reflect the ultimate remuneration for the posts concerned university heads across the country. see a far smaller rise, with professors responsibility of the Head”. and no additional payments should be It is the same report which has receiving a 5.5% rise and the secretary, The review body also noted in its made.” drawn recent attention in the national registrar and bursar receiving only 4.7% report that “the salaries we recommend The review body also included a media as it will increase the Taoiseach’s more. for heads of universities are higher than recommendation that in cases where a Salary by €38000. Both the university heads and the those we would propose if there were a residence is provided for the head of a The Provost currently earns secretaries, registrars and bursars made different recruitment market” because university, 10% should be deducted €226895 as his normal salary. The new a submission to the review body, of the need to attract talented workers from the recommended salary, unless The Provost’s annual wage will increase by over €40,000 per annum. Photo: Matt Pitt rise represents a 19% increase. When claiming they had “increased demands to the position from overseas- the residence is used “to a significant these salary changes come in, Dr on them as well as a growth in the something they did not feel applied to extent for official purposes”. constitutes significant official purposes. representatives that such a link is no Hegarty will earn the same amount as complexity of their work” and that they the other college positions it reviewed. Last year, Trinity News had the The salaries of university longer relevant. Brian Cowen, TD, Tánaiste and Minister are “no longer academics and Recent reports in the Sunday Provost’s house valued at a rental cost professors are linked to the salaries of With over 400 posts of professor in for Finance. administrators, but rather strategic Tribune and other national papers of €25000- €30,00 a month. While the assistant secretaries in the civil service. the country, these changes represent at The salaries of professors in the leaders and managers who are required highlighted the existence of Provost holds a number of functions This link has been maintained, despite least €2486000 of extra payments. college will rise between €6215 and to assess opportunities and risks against “unauthorised” payments made to some there each year, it is unclear what objections from professors’ Student numbers to increase while HEA funding falls

CONOR SULLIVAN record as stating that increases would instead would bring in some efficiencies STAFF WRITER pose “a serious and unacceptable risk of of scale, with less bureaucracy and lines a reduction in quality of teaching, of communication. He stated that he research, and the student experience”. believes that Trinity has a wide range of As part of a plan to reduce the college’s In order to reduce the deficit, the student services that aren’t coordinated deficit, the Board of Trinity College College’s plans for reform include the properly plans to increase student numbers by creation of a Chief Operating Office, in Other parts of the Strategic Plan to 500 in the long term to 11500, as agreed order to provide better planning of reduce the college’s deficit are plans to with the government in the National administrative services in College than double the number of PhD students Development Plan. However this will at present. over the next five years. There was mean cuts in funding for Trinity over the Speaking to Trinity News, Bartley opposition to this at board since many Brian O’Beirne, Registrar of the Phil who scored the highets speaker points at the UCD IV. Photo: David Adamson coming years as the Higher Education Rock, Students’ Union Education PhD supervisors are already working at Authority allocates funding for Officer, said “Trinity needs to get its full capacity and that younger staff are universities according to the number of house in order and, only if there is spare working under “extreme pressure”. students in each university. capacity, can Trinity then look to It is also planned to increase It was stated at Board that there increasing student numbers. international students, win more Trinity triumph at UCD seems to be a disconnect between Restructuring and cost reductions need philanthropic funding and reduce costs government policy, which is seeking an to take place first”, Rock continued. He where possible. It is planned that all increase in the quality of education, and stated that to increase student numbers these issues will be examined in each the HEA which is implementing with a would form part of a “race to the individual school, and a report on this debating IV model that seeks to increase student bottom”, something that is opposed by presented to board next term. numbers without taking issues such as both the Union and the Board. In the most recent year for which quality into account. The effect of this Rock outlines a proposal of his comprehensive student numbers are MICHAEL RONSON has been to increase competition for a own to establish an office that would available, 2005/06, Trinity had 10000 Christopher Kissane and Josephine Curry of the Hist STAFF WRITER fixed amount of funding. amalgamate all the pastoral services for students (15% of all students) and was finished second and fourth respectively. This continues There has been strong opposition students (such as Counseling, Health third only to University College Cork a run of good form for Trinity teams at the UCD to large increases in student numbers Care, Tutors and so on), as an example and University College Dublin with Both the College Historical Society and the University Intervarsity following last years victory by the Hist. across college. The Students’ Union is of where savings could be found. This 11,400(17% of students) and philosophical Society had great success at the recent The competition took place over the course of opposing this and the Board is on wouldn’t involve any funding cuts, but 12,700(19% of students) respectively. UCD Debating Intervarsity. Shane Farragher and John two days in UCD. Hundreds of debaters took part with Moriarty speaking on behalf of the Hist won the teams flying in from Oxford and St Andrews. The UCD competition outright while Brian O’Beirne, Registrar Intervarsity is one of the biggest in Ireland and the of the Phil scored highest on speaker points. second biggest in Dublin after the Dean Swift Trinity Jonathan Wyse and O’Beirne scored the highest Intervarsity organised jointly on an annual basis by the points as a team, though lost out in the final, while Phil and Hist. Proposals to reduce size of Students’ Union Exec Safety issues in college park

DEIRDRE LENNON has said “I want to look at the committee, as well as three Faculty • Continued from page 1 earlier in the meeting, the stewarding requirements for STAFF WRITER Constitution in its totality and review convenors and a TSM convenor. A College Park for the busy summer period will be reviewed how we want things to function. I think member of the Electoral Commission have previously declined to allocate special funding for in light of this year’s experience.” there’s always room to make things will also be present, to act as an additional security”. Instead of following the recommendations of the SFC Students’ Union Education Officer more efficient.” impartial judge, prevent conflict of This is an on-going issue that has been developing over to hire extra security, a “risk assessment” has instead been Bartley Rock has proposed that a In fact, it will be the decision of the interest and to give an opinion on recent years. In a Grounds and Gardens Advisory taken, compiled in consultation with the Pavilion Constitutional Review Group be set up Constitutional Review Board to look at whether the interpretations will work or Committee (a sub-committee of the SFC) on 19 June 2006, Management, the Department of Sport, College Security to investigate further changes in the how the power structure of the union, not. almost a year prior to these most recent recommendations, Managers, Junior Dean and the College Safety Officer. This makeup of the Students’ Union. Rock and within it, the Executive, works. If it Their recommendations will then the Facilities Officer had already raised concerns. He stated summer, there will be “resources made available to facilitate hopes that by streamlining the size of is seen to be running effectively, no be made by the second week of Hilary that “there was a major issue with controlling the very large the introduction of a combination of control measures the Union Executive Committee, the changes will need to be made, but an Term and, if they do not feel that any crowds on College Park on certain nights during the early which include the employment of additional safety/security power of this body to affect change will overview of every aspect is required. changes should be made to either the summer months, particularly around examination time. He stewards to work at the Pavilion and the use of professional, be considerably increased. This decision to establish the group will Constitution, the Executive Committee would be conducting a review of the procedures with the external event managers on specific evenings when large Though unconfirmed by Rock be subject to the approval of the or within the Union generally, then no Director of Sport and the management of the Pavilion Bar crowds are anticipated,” a college source has said himself, two separate sources on the Students’ Council, which will be voted modifications to the structure will take with a view to identifying what additional measures were So, it seems that for the present the ad-hoc security Students’ Union Exec have told Trinity on at the next meeting. place. According to Rock,“If they don’t required to bring more control to bear on this problem”. measures of last year, with the proviso that extra staff can be News that the positions of Irish Officer The Review Committee will have proposals that they’re happy with, Later in the same meeting, the difficulty of the situation was called upon, “on specific evenings when large crowds are and Environmental Officer may be consist of nine people, eight of whom no proposals will be brought forth noted for “a small team of security officers on duty at any anticipated”, are awaiting us come summer. considered for removal. have voting rights. It is recommended because I’m not going to redraft for the one time with a variety of other tasks to fulfill. As stated Speaking to Trinity News, Rock by Rock that the President sit on the sake of redrafting.”

[email protected] P6 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 NationalNews

Pay freeze for Cross university Campus heads over NUIG illegal salary

NUIG to top ups host two

hundred aid LAUREN NORTON workers at NATIONAL NEWS EDITOR University presidents at University Irish Aid College Dublin and National University of Ireland in Galway came under Conference national media scrutiny this week for what Minister for Education Mary Hanafin described as “unauthorised allowances on top of their approved National University of Ireland salary levels.” Galway will host Irish Aid’s The allowances, which flout Third Level Conference national pay policy, came to light in a “Development’s Futures”, from review body report on top public sector 24-25 November 2007. Minister pay, which was highly critical of the of State for Overseas arrangements.It ordered a pay freeze Development, Michael Kitt TD, for the presidents involved until the will officially open the event, allowances are withdrawn. The top-up which will be attended by some allowances mean some university 200 practitioners and academics presidents “are being paid more than we increase recommended by the review UCD President receive a 19% increase, for the posts concerned and no to national pay policy. Government working in the field of believed to be justified”, the body said. body,“ a spokesperson said. bringing his official salary to €270000. additional payments should be made”. approval is necessary for exemptions in international development and The Higher Education Authority However, such a move would put The NUIG president is to enjoy the Several universities, and the exceptional cases, generally to recruit development education. has confirmed that it knew extra UCD on a collision course with the same €270000 . . . a 30% increase. Higher Education Authority, now face academics with an international profile The keynote address will be payments were made to the two government review body which warned Officials at Minister Mary scrutiny about who authorised the who earn a higher income abroad. delivered by Michael Edwards, presidents of NUI Galway and UCD. that unauthorised allowances must be Hanafin’s department are known to payments. In response to queries last week, Director of the Governance and However, extra allowances are not “withdrawn” before pay increases are have raised concerns about other perks Making headlines were details of the Trinity Provost and the Dublin City Civil Society Program at the permitted under this pay policy, unless approved. to senior university staff, including remuneration packages for academics University President confirmed they Ford Foundation, one of the approved by the Ministers for A NUIG spokesperson said its company cars, bonus schemes and including salaries above 240000 euros. had not received any top-up allowances. world’s leading philanthropic Education and Finance. president, Iognaid O Muircheartaigh, is contributions to personal assurance According to Trinity’s Monthly “I have not been in receipt of any foundations. Other speakers will UCD confirmed its president, not currently in receipt of any plans. None of these benefits are Salary Scales of 1 June 2007, full time payment or allowance over and above include award-winning journalist Hugh Brady, has received an allowance, but the spokesperson was permitted under national pay rules. The professors at this institution receive the review body’s decisions, either now Palagummi Sainath of The unauthorised annual allowance of unavailable to comment on review body report stated the almost half that sum at €133267. or at any time since I became president Hindu, who has been described €12000. “Our understanding is that this unauthorised allowances since 2001. recommended salaries for university Under the Education Act, of DCU”, Ferdinand von Prondzynski as “the conscience of the Indian allowance is to be subsumed within the The review body recommended the heads “represent the total remuneration universities are legally obliged to stick said. nation”. An exhibition of his photographs on the theme of “Women & Work in Rural India“ will go on public display in conjunction with the conference. Catwalk battle The conference aims to improve links between different sectors of the development community, with an emphasis on the importance of research to kicks off in UCC educators, practitioners and scholars alike. Over 80 papers reflecting the latest research and practice in development education and in EMMA GOUGH with the beginning of the ball season in UCC next month. international development issues UCC EXPRESS will be presented over the two Motley’s lifestyle editor Kathy Freeman days of the conference. Panel said the desire to do “something sessions will also take place on The search to find University College different” was the motivation behind topics including HIV/AIDS; Cork’s next top model begins in earnest the competition. Crisis and Conflict; Education this week as ten students compete to be “Cork really has everything to Policies in Africa; NGO crowned king or queen of the catwalk. make a ball very special and we were so Partnerships for Poverty As part of the competition, which is the glad to be able to bring together Reduction; Gender Perspectives; brainchild of the UCC Journalism everyone involved to show how great Environment; Volunteering and Society, five boys and five girls will you can look for your college ball this Food Security. battle it out over the next five months season”, she said. Welcoming the to claim a prize that includes €500 cash, The first shoot took place on the announcement of the beauty products and a three-month grounds of the Maryborough House conference, Minister of State Kitt contract with Cork-based modelling Hotel, where the girls modelled dresses said, “This conference is part of agency Lockdown. from new Irish website estyleme.ie, Irish Aid’s commitment to The JournoSoc’s magazine, while the boys wore suits from Morley’s promote development education Motley, will publish a photoshoot every Suit Hire and Black Tie. in universities and other third- month for the next five months, in which Meanwhile, in keeping with the level institutions in Ireland. I am the models will be pictured in a variety fasion theme, the Law Society recently confident that it will facilitate of themed shoots, under the direction of raised over €18000 for Action Breast contacts and networking two Lockdown models, Vivienne Kelly Cancer at their annual signature fashion between both third-level and Emer O’Sullivan. show. development education The deciding vote will rest with the Clothes from various outlets practitioners and academics students of UCC. Students can vote around the city were showcased by working in the field of online at the magazine’s new website, students and models from Assets international development.” www.motley.ie. Modelling Agency. The night ended According to Conference The theme of this month’s shoot with a display of garments from the new Convenor Dr. Su-ming Khoo, was “Babes in the Wood”, to coincide Ernest Perryman collection. Andrew Mills and Anna Timony compete to become Cork’s next top model. Photo: courtesy of Ida Holdhus Department of Sociology and Political Science, NUI Galway, “This event will give international researchers, educators, practitioners and Student money being used to service New Bar debt activists an opportunity to explore what the future holds for development. There is an onus LOUISE GLEESON between Áras na Mac Léinn (Student their capitation fee, so the bar can still know where the problem originates. “While there is a technical deficiency, it on third-level institutions to UCC EXPRESS Centre) and Cork City Council, which operate. The financial accounts for 2005 “The committee has not met in the last is being underwritten by engage with the development resulted in the payment of €200,000 in show a deficiency of €102,565, a deficit seven years and obviously that is going Aras Na Mac Leinn, the deficiency issues and support organisations arrears to the council, the New Bar has which lessened to €47,254 in 2006. to cause problems,” he said. is down to the legacy of the licensing and individuals to advance Student money is being used to service experienced a significant period of However according to Students’ Club Áras secretary and general issue,” he said. development cooperation a debt of thousands of euro accrued by insolvency. Union (SU) president Kris McElhinney manager Donnchadh Ó hAodha stated “This should be fully paid off by through research and knowledge UCC’s Club Áras (New Bar) after a This debt is being underwritten this is a clear indication that “something that the only reason for the deficiency is 2008 by which time the bar will again be sharing.” dispute over rate payments, it has this year and next by the policy board of is going wrong somewhere” and the the payment of unexpected licensing making a profit. In the last two years but Tegan Artho-Bentz emerged. Due to the legacy of a High Áras na Mac Léinn, to which students Students Union members who sit on the fees to the city council and without that for the payments to the council the bar Court Decision on a rates dispute contribute funds via a percentage of committee are not involved enough to the bar is in fact making a profit. would have been showing a profit.”

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P7 InternationalNews Student stood The by as British Global house mate Campus murdered UNIVERSIDAD CENTRAL DE VENEZUELA

Chavez sparks student protests MONIKA URBANSKI 80000 people lead by university students marched on Venezuela’s Supreme STAFF WRITER Facebook funeral Court last Wednesday to protest President Hugo Chavez’s proposed constitutional changes that, if passed by voters, would abolish presidential On Friday 2 November, British term limits and give the president control over the Central Bank. The Facebook group “Nobody exchange student Meredith Kercher, 21, Masked gunman were waiting for the peaceful student protesters, should die in his/her Erasmus was found dead with a deep cut to her however, and ambushed them on the Universidad Central de Venezuela’s (Meredith Kercher RIP) has raised throat in her house in the city of campus upon their return from the march. some eyebrows in the media and Perugia, Italy. According to The According to photographers for the Associated Press, “at least four on the website itself. One Guardian, Meredith Kercher arrived in gunmen” were seen opening fire on the protesters. Students then concerned Facebook user started Perugia, a town popular for foreign surrounded the building where the gunmen were hiding, setting fire to a Discussion Topic on the group’s students, for her third year of a four year benches around it and knocking in the windows. More gunmen on web page, asking “Is This Right?” European Studies degree at the motorcycles arrived later, terrifying students and standing in the doorway and writing: “I must appeal to those University of Leeds. while people fled the building. who find this site an outlet to their She shared a room with three In a televised address, Justice Minister Pedro Carreno blamed the grief. Is this really the right way to other female students, none of whom students themselves and the university for the violence, as stated in an do it? There is plenty of support said they were home the night Meredith Associated Press article. “We want to urge the media to reflect, to stop within the uni [University of Leeds, was murdered. Police went to her home broadcasting biased news through media manipulation, filling a part of the Meredith’s and the writer’s to return a mobile phone, which was one population with hate,” he said. university]. Does Merediths friends of two that had been found by an Demonstrations were held in a half dozen other Venezuelan cities, and family agree with a facebook elderly woman living nearby, and were some erupting in violence, with students throwing rocks and police group? [sic]” adding that “No one let in by two of her flatmates who had returning fire with plastic bullets. should be killed for saying no.” just returned. President Chavez came into office in 1998, on a platform of anti- After finding blood strains on the imperialism and democratic socialism. Chavez claims he is moving the One reply to this post was from a floor, they broke down the door of country towards a “21st century socialism”. woman from the University of Meredith’s locked bedroom to find her Kasia Mychajlowcyz Michigan in the United States, who lying dead in her bed, covered by a wrote: “I agree that this Facebook A photo of Meredith Kercher taken shortly before her death. duvet. group is a sentimental gathering for The Italian police are trying to people to share their thoughts and piece together her final hours. It is identified as Lumumba “Patrick” Diya. procession in Perugia, and also through pay respects from different parts of believed that she visited some friends to New information came to light Facebook, where someone created a the world.” JOKELA HIGH SCHOOL watch a film and left alone to return to again last Thursday as Amanda Knox group entitled “Nobody should die in her own house at 9 pm on Thursday. admitted to being in the house with her his/ her Erasmus (Meredith Kercher The group is open to anyone with Photographs posted on the popular boyfriend Sollecito, and that Meredith RIP). A posting on the group’s webpage a Facebook group whether they internet social networking site was in her bedroom with Mr. Diya. In a from a person identifying herself as knew Meredith or not. At the time Facebook show her at a Halloween shocking confession she made to police, Shiraz Engineer and a former classmate School shooting in Finland of writing, the group had 1,297 party in Perugia the day before. obtained by the Times, Knox says: of Meredith’s at her school Old Palace members from around the world. According to the Telegraph, the police “Patrick [Diya] and Meredith went off School of Whitgift, reads: “That’s kills six students and two staff considered that she may have known together into Meredith’s room while I amazing, look how many people are on her killer or even met him at that party think I stayed in the kitchen. I can’t this group! Meredith would be touched Six pupils, the school nurse and the headmistress were gunned down at and focused its inquiries on a “narrow” Last Tuesday, The Guardian remember how long they were in the - I knew her, and she was beautiful, Jokela High School in Finland last Wednesday by 18 year old Pekka-Eric field of suspects. announced that the British student died bedroom together, I can only say that at funny and charming. AMANDA Auvinen, shocking a nation where the crime rate is low and gun posession The post-mortem revealed that fighting off a sexual attack, and on the a certain point I heard Meredith KNOX SHOULD ROT IN HELL.” is the third highest in the world, after the United States and Yemen. 56% she was killed with a small penknife. same day, Italian police arrested three screaming and I was so frightened, I put One of the last things Meredith Kercher of Finns own a gun, according to the Graduate Institute of International Luca Lalli, Chief Forensic Science people that were in connection with her my fingers in my ears.” Sollecito claims did was write this message to a friend: Studies in Geneva. Officer in the case, added: “I can death. Arturo de Felice, the Perugia not to remember what happened, but “I’m having a good time, thanks, it’s Auvinen then turned the gun on himself, dying later in hospital, confirm that Miss Kercher may have Police Chief, stated at a press maintains that he was not in the house starting to get really cold now, but the reports Reuters. been sexually active before her death, conference that officers had arrested the at the time of the murder, while Diya chocolate festival is on at the moment, The tragedy has raised issues in the usually-quiet Finland not only but it was definitely not a rape”. victim’s 20 year-old American flatmate, yelled “I didn’t do it!” at the time of his so a good excuse to drink a lot of hot about lax gun regulations, which allows teenagers as young as 15 to own a Fingerprints found on Meredith Amanda Marie Knox, the American’s arrest. chocolate.” She was planning on going gun, but also about the disconnected young people of commuter suburbs Kercher’s mobile phone were 24 year-old boyfriend, Raffaele Friends paid tribute to Meredith home for her mother’s birthday last like Jokela. The Times characterised Jokela as “a commuter culture where examined. Sollecito, and a Congolese barman, 38, Kercher through a torch-light Friday. fathers rarely see their children and where communal dinners are a thing of the past” and the students of Jokela High School as “the lost children of the suburbs”. Many of the students of Jokela High School slept in the church after the shooting, and one student interviewed by the Times said “I want to be with the others, not with my parents.” “The high school is what glued the young people to the community”, a case worker at the church told the Times. “Now, they can’t trust it any more. That’s the true meaning of this tragedy”. Students “abandoned” by Kasia Mychajlowycz college in rural Ghana TRINITY STUDENT FROM ABROAD When Trinity News asked me to compare my French university in Strasbourg to Trinity College Dublin, I knew the task would be difficult. First of all, how can you compare a little provincial French university with ARLA SHEPHARD budget. The value of the United States day. Because of the severity of their countries. “We hope we can continue the jewel of the Irish culture? When you come for the first time to Dublin dollar had dropped since the time the illnesses, some of which included going to all the different parts of the THE DAILY and you see Trinity, you have to fall in love immediately. The architecture, budget was set in March. “The amount malaria and Dengue fever, eight world, including Africa,” said Anand UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON the atmosphere: if they could talk, every stone would tell you a story. of money they had to offer us wasn’t students were emergency evacuated out Yang, director of the Jackson School. Considering that, I am trying to do my best to explain to you the main enough to feed us”, said one student who of the country and nine chose to stay “We’re aware that some countries are differences between the two colleges. I think the most obvious aspect is the Investigations are still underway asked to remain anonymous. “An and travel on their own accord. risky. We also want to make sure that teaching staff. Teachers here are more available to students. When you ask regarding the alleged mismanagement average breakfast was small, maybe an “I realised I needed to get out of the health and safety of our students are a question to a lecturer,they actually might be able to answer it, and for the of the Jackson School of International 11-inch loaf of sugar bread split between there because I wasn’t recovering from guaranteed.” same price, might give you a smile. In France you don’t exist for a lecturer, Studies summer abroad program in seventeen people and a small bit of this sickness and it was primarily from McKenna said this experience will you don’t belong to his narrow world until you’re fourth years, at least. At Ghana this past August. Seventeen peanut butter.” the lack of food,” said another student not deter her from studying abroad in Trinity, it is all about interaction. When you are in a tutorial, you form a students traveled to a rural village in the Students felt equally discouraged (who also asked to remain anonymous) the future, but it will encourage her to circle with the tutor and the course becomes a discussion, a debate. In my northern part of the West African over the lack of academic engagement. who had been sick for nine days. He do more research on any programs that own country, the teacher is in front of you, and the lectern is there in order country to study sustainable Several claimed that Iltis was not recovered as soon as he received interest her. “I was never scared to go for you to understand the respect that you owe them. development and modes of involved in the education of the treatment in the United States. there”, she said. “It makes me sad that However, I am pleased to say that in France, we learn a very good empowerment. As it turned out, students and rarely supervised any Upon their return, the students this misled program could limit other methodology. Well, it is a clever but rigid way to organise your thoughts. conditions weren’t what they had lectures. “We were extremely filed a formal complaint to the UW’s opportunities.” Here, the most important thing is learning, no matter how you do it. It has expected. frustrated,” Rakestraw said. “The International Programs and Exchanges Rakestraw was impressed at how a really positive aspect but, in my opinion, a little of framework would not “We were essentially left out there lectures were irrelevant to what we were Office to receive their funds back — his fellow students handled the situation hurt . to fend for ourselves,” said Senior studying and [they were] poorly including tuition, airfare, immunization in a “non-emotional” and “diplomatic” Finally as we all know know , a year at university is not just about Sophister Andrew Rakestraw, a delivered”. Discontent culminated in the and visa costs. A formal investigation “We knew there was a possibility of studies. Life on campus, I have to say, is so much better at Trinity. I am not program participant. Problems arose sicknesses several students developed. conducted by a neutral third party getting sick”, he said. even sure we can talk about a campus in Strasbourg. Here you have so early on when students realized they Of the seventeen students, twelve within the College of Arts and Sciences “We knew there was no electricity many societies with so many events- it is amazing. I personally love the were living nearly five miles away from became ill. They claimed their illnesses is underway, UW spokesman Norm and no running water. What we hadn’t College Historical and the University Philosophical Societies where you Programme Director Linda Iltis, were improperly handled by the Arkans said. “Their goal is to have expected was the mismanagement, the can think about politics. My only regret is that students at Trinity are according to several students who program directors. “When people were results by the end of the quarter,” he lack of educational opportunities, and sometimes not so concerned about that kind of subject. My advice to the requested to remain anonymous for sick, they weren’t given proper said. the restriction of our food. … This group students of Trinity is that you have to be critical, you have to protest! But legal reasons. attention,” Senior Freshman Madeleine The Jackson School of of students was the most tenacious you know, I am French, what can I do for it… Another issue was the availability McKenna said. International Studies said it hopes this group of students I have ever Claire Ricard of food, the quantity and quality of Another participant said at least situation won’t affect future study encountered.” University of Strasbourg which were sacrificed due to a shrinking one student became sick every other abroad programs in developing

[email protected] P8 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 NewsFeature What isthe problem with

EIMEAR CROWE living in Halls with Trinity News: “I NEWS FEATURES EDITOR found it great in first year. Beginning university could be a really isolating and lonely experience, but living in Halls Trinity Hall is the most expensive type makes it so easy to get to know people accommodation in of student accommodation provided by – you can literally knock on any door some parts of Trinity College. The basic residential fee and make friends.” However, he said Trinity Hall, such for single rooms in the modern that during his Senior Freshman year he as Cunningham residential blocks in Halls is felt that he had “out-grown Halls” and house (pictured approximately €4850 for the academic that he was being somewhat “babysat” below and left) is year. This makes it more expensive than by Wardens. In particular, he had a known as the College’s most costly on-campus problem with the “quality assurance Ghetto by accommodation, which includes rooms inspections” carried out on rooms once H students because in the Graduates’ Memorial Building, a term: “it’s a complete invasion of of its poor living Front Square, Botany Bay and privacy. They also insist that you take conditions. Goldsmith Hall. Rooms in Halls are any posters off your bedroom walls. For Photos: Emer also more expensive than rooms the money we pay to live there, we Groake provided by any of Ireland’s major should at least be entitled to decorate universities, including University our rooms as we wish…we pay a deposit College Dublin, Dublin City University at the beginning of the year so there is and the National Universities of absolutely no need for the room checks”. Ireland. Given that the average cost of In response to claims that such a student accommodation in Ireland is “boarding school atmosphere” resides higher than that of other European in Halls, Trinity College Students’ countries, this makes Trinity Hall one of Union Welfare Officer Úna Faulkner A the most expensive university-provided stated that “The Wardens are there for student accommodations in Europe. the safety and security of the student Trinity Hall is situated on the population who reside in Trinity Halls. prestigious Dartry Road in the Dublin The transition from school to college suburb of Rathmines and lies can be very difficult for a lot of students approximately 2.5 miles from College. It and the Wardens are there to ease that was originally acquired by College in transition. I have never had any 1907 to serve as residences for Trinity’s complaints about them or their female students, who were not presence in Halls, they are trained to a L permitted to take up residences on very high standard and any feedback I campus until the late 1960’s. Today, have ever received about the Halls Halls consists of three original Victorian Wardens has always been very positive”. Houses, a sports hall, Cunningham However, JCR President Sam House and three more recently built Chappatte admitted that he was “fully residential blocks. It primarily houses aware that residents don’t always see Junior Freshmen and, according to its eye to eye with the Wardens.” He added website, aims to provide a “soft landing” that the JCR exist to “act as their go for such students who are new to between and have been working hard University life. To aid this “soft landing”, this year to negotiate as much free rein all students are allocated one of 13 as possible…our biggest victory to date “Wardens” who are also resident in has been the extension of 8 to 12 ‘guests’ L Halls. These Wardens are either allowed in an apartment.” members of College staff or senior Other problems residences have postgraduate researchers who both with Halls reside with the inefficiency of patrol the grounds of Halls to ensure the Accommodation Office. It can take that regulations are not breached and weeks for appliances such as cookers serve as the first port of call for any and showers to be fixed, with students difficulties that residents may often having to report problems with encounter. As well as Wardens, residents such appliances twice before they are are also served by the Junior Common seen to. In response to this complaint, S Room, a committee which is the student Chappatte said that he was “aware that representative body for Halls and aims some maintenance is taking longer than to provide a “community spirit” by expected” and that he “will be organising a range of social events addressing this in my next meeting with throughout the year. the head of the office”. Compared to the other university- Some foreign students resident in Halls provided student accommodation in have found the Accommodation Office Ireland, Trinity Hall is unique in its particularly unhelpful. One Canadian efforts to provide this “soft landing” for student told Trinity News her How the cost of Trinity Hall compares new students. While these efforts are experiences of merely being given an undoubtedly beneficial to students unreliable map to Halls by the facing the daunting first months of accommodation office on her arrival in Residential fees for Trinity prox €4190 per academic year college life, many residents also feel that Dublin: “When I finally arrived at Halls Hall: Modern rooms – GMB, Front such efforts create a “boarding school after being lost for an hour in the Cunningham House – approx. Square, Botany Bay, Goldsmith Hall: atmosphere” and make life in Halls feel suburbs of Dublin thanks to the ‘handy’ €3,880 per academic year approx. €4526 per academic year. rather constricting. For example, in the map, someone at reception told me I Modern single bed rooms – approx. Trinity Hall Handbook, residents are couldn’t move in a couple of days early, €4850 per academic year told that “to avoid the transmission of although my room was empty…then I Other Universities: noise, you are strongly advised to keep offered to pay and all the doors were Residential fees for On-cam- speakers off the floor and away from opened to me….I learned that with UCD – ranges from €3,320 – pus: internal walls”. One resident told Trinity Trinity administration, and especially €4,650 per academic year News that he and his flatmates had with Halls, people listen to money, not ? Standard on-campus single bed DCU – ranges from €3,780 – been advised by Wardens to “go to bed” the students”. In response to this, rooms – Rubrics, New Square: ap- €4,070 per academic year at 11pm on numerous occasions and Faulkner stated that “if students want to prox. €3800 per academic year NUI Maynooth – ranges from said that while such a “curfew” was move in early, they naturally have to pay Modern rooms – Pearse Street: ap- €3,230 – €3,990 per academic year understandable around exam time, it for it…I cannot comment about the “makes no sense at this time of the year, map or directions that the student was when people are trying to settle in and given as I have not seen the map, get to know each other”. He feels that though I do understand the anguish that this issue was compounded by Halls’ she must have gone through finding her students have to share the one shower A final problem residents have presence in Halls” while another and added that regular poker nights and regulation which, up to very recently, way around the Dublin suburbs!” and toilet. Furthermore the common with Halls is some of the extra charges student told Trinity News that “I haven’t hip-hop classes will be organised in the prohibited any more than eight people It is also felt by some that the price rooms/kitchens in the Cunningham that are imposed upon them. On top of had any contact from them coming weeks. in a flat at any one time: “it’s range of accommodation in Halls does House are extremely small, have to be the basic rent paid, residents of Halls whatsoever…they could really have He also expressed that he “would pathetic…if they could bring back the not reflect the differing standards of shared by 14 students and, according to also have to pay a utility bill. This bill done loads more during and following like to use the opportunity to extend an Victorian regulation that insisted on accommodation. The price difference one student, are “badly in need of includes a mandatory €40 subscription Freshers’ Week to get people to know invitation to Trinity societies to work maintaining a distance of three inches between the older Cunningham house renovation”. When asked about this fee for the JCR which goes towards the each other a little more.” In response to with the JCR in running events in Halls between men and women, they would!” and more modern rooms in Halls is issue, Faulkner stated that “I have not organization of social events. However, these complaints regarding the scarcity this year. The Dance Soc, Hist, Phil, Adrian, a Junior Sophister two approximately €20 per week. However, had any complaints about the some students feel that, thus far, they of JCR events, President Chappatte told Cumann Gaelach and Netsoc have all subject moderatorship student who the more modern rooms have en-suite discrepancy between Cunningham have not seen this money put to good Trinity News that the JCR “has a clear taken a lead so far.” lived in Halls for both his Freshman toilets and showers, while in House and the modern rooms in Halls, use by the JCR. One resident said that objective this year: we want to fix our years also shared his experience of Cunningham House, up to seven and therefore I cannot comment.” the JCR was “not a hugely visible sights on quality rather than quantity”

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P9 SocietyNews

Five bridges, five Society boroughs, and Diary twenty-six miles

KEVIN DOCKRELL The generosity and support of our the following day. The butterflies really friends and family was incredible and is kicked in, so we retired for an early EOIN CONWAY something that we are very grateful for, night to prepare for what lay ahead! DAVE POWER and without getting too soppy, it really Sunday 4 October – RACE DAY. [email protected] CONTRIBUTING WRITERS was a great source of motivation - We got our wake up call for 5:15am and something that kept us going during decided to crash the French national training and the race itself. Back in team’s breakfast buffet. We somehow The Trinity College Cancer Society was March, Kev’s mum was diagnosed with got caught and were landed with a bill Tuesday 13th November. essentially set up with the intention of breast cancer. Call it a kneejerk for US$88 for a couple of bowls of Yoga: Classes every Tuesday and Wednesday, 1- providing fun, enjoyable events that can reaction, but we figured it was as good a cereal and a muffin – not the best start 2pm. Suitable for beginners and more advanced. raise funds (and awareness) for a very time as any to undertake a challenge to the day! We hopped on the coach and Room 50, Atrium. worthy cause. But nowhere did it like this; the race itself was near the four got down to the track for about 8am. We Trinity St. Vincent de Paul: Refugee Homework mention blisters, cramp, chaffing, year anniversary of the death of Una were really taken back by the carnival Club in Phibsboro, meet 5.15pm at Front Arch. bleeding nipples or walking like John Slevin, mother of CancerSoc founder atmosphere. People weren’t lying when Trinity Arts Workshop: Pottery and Ceramics Wayne for a fortnight, all of which were and last year’s Auditor, Rory McGowan, they said it’s one of the biggest sporting every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 6-9pm, €4 integral parts of this year’s New York which was the predominant reason why spectacles in the world! As the start for each 90minute session, Goldsmith Hall. City Marathon! the society was set up in the first place. approached, we grabbed a last-minute Gamers: Introduction into war games 6-10pm, Our training began in April, when So with all that in mind, we set off for bagel, sports drink and lubed ourselves The Atrium. a slight measurement error on Google the most memorable weekend of our up and were then called to the start line. Falun Dafa: Exercise classes on Tuesdays and maps resulted in us running eleven lives. The marathon itself was brilliant. Members of DU gentleman sitting on his porch in the Thursdays, 7-9pm, Room 50, Atrium. No experi- miles instead of the three we had Friday 2 October – Arrived at the The first eight miles really flew by, Cancer Soc join heart of the Bronx offered us this piece ence necessary. planned. Even at that early stage, we Helmsley Hotel on 42nd St and 3rd mainly due to a typically enthusiastic thousands of other of advice “Enjoy the view, but don’t Juggling: Practice, Tuesdays, 7-10pm for all types knew the marathon itself would be a Avenue in Manhattan where we would American crowd which was fantastic athletes in the come back at nighttime, ya’ hear?”. This of juggling, Goldsmith Hall. piece of cake...! The training resulted in be setting up camp for the week. If we the whole way around. The Irish flags New York was quite funny, until we realised he had An Cumman Gaelach: Ciorcal Comhra, 7-9pm, a huge lifestyle change for six months were any more central, we would have and gospel choirs kept us going when Marathon. a gun on his lap - needless to say we Seomra a hocht, The Atrium, Tuesdays. (naturally with a few slip-ups along the been staying in Central Park! the miles got tough, as did all the high Photo: Pabo76 picked the pace up a bit after that. Chess: Friendly games and some coaching, Tues- way) - five days training a week, as well Saturday 3 October – We went fives from kids. Some of the posters The marathon route took us over days, 7-9.45pm in the Maths Seminar Room 2.6, as a new high-carb diet. On top of this against all advice telling us to stay off were funny too, which helped keep our five bridges and through the five School of Maths. we were forced to regain the self-control our feet and decided to see a bit of the mind off the fatigue we were feeling. boroughs of New York. The views were Trinity Arts Workshop: Life Drawing Classes that we so happily lost after four years city. New York is amazing at the best of “Finishing is your only fucking option”, spectacular at times, when we had the Tuesdays and Thursdays, €4 for 2 hours, materials of living the student dream! Initially this times, but marathon weekend is “It’s Cental Park or bust, baby”, “In my energy to raise our heads! Once we hit and instruction supplied, 7-9pm, 191 Pearse Street. meant opting for ten pints instead of ridiculous! There really was such a buzz eyes, you are all Kenyans today”, “Thou Central Park, we knew the end was Progressive Democrats: Scrap the CAP evening, twelve, then just spirits and no beer about the place. Everywhere we looked, shalt meet thy God soon” and “Support near, and emotions were running high. 7pm till 12am, GMB. (which we could somehow justify), then we saw people in running gear and t- our troops” were the ones that stood At this stage the crowds were about ten Entrepreneurial Society: Internship Networking no booze at all, and ultimately not going shirts of hundreds of different charities. out! We also wrote our names on the t- people deep and noise was deafening. Night, 7-10pm, Davis Theatre, followed by a re- out in the weeks approaching the big The enormity of what we about to do shirts we were running in, which worked We crossed the line and somehow ception in the GMB. day... only really sank in at the pre-race party well for Kev and Dave, however, the managed a smile for the photographer Players: The Freshers’ Co-Op: “Bang!” every At the risk of sounding clichéd, that night. There was a huge pasta party, name Eoin caused a bit of confusion so at the end. It’s hard to describe the night this week at 8pm, Players’ Theatre. these sacrifices were definitely worth it - live music, fireworks displays and we got they just reverted to “Go Irish” for him! feeling as you finish, but it really whets Japanese: Kendo Classes every Tuesday, 8-9.30pm, we raised in excess of €21500 with to meet people from all around the Locals were very helpful too and the appetite to run again and Ancillary Hall, costs €20 for a whole term. money still pouring in as we wrote this. world who we would be running with provided invaluable advice. One experience that feeling again. Wednesday 14th November Trinity St. Vincent de Paul: VDP Day! Throughout Campus from 9am. Sfsoc: Film, The Big Lebowski, Arts Building, 6pm EngSoc: Kingspan speaker, Parsons Building, 6pm The Hist: Debate “This House Believes That Eu- IN THE SPOTLIGHT: DU Gamers thanasia Should Be Legalised”, GMB 7.30pm. Thursday 15th November Auditor: Eoin Dornan, Junior Sophister Philosophy and as this, role playing nights have proven successful already won for over ten years”. Yoga: Classes 5.30-7pm, Thursdays and Mondays, Political Science. this term and they will be repeated throughout the year. suitable for beginners and more advanced, Re- They also have some fairly spectacular war games events Website: One of the best websites yet! Clearly this society gent House. Membership: 237. planned. is run by a bunch of nerds, but a bunch of nerds who know Trinity FM: Live Broadcast, 6-10pm, tune in to There will be posters for these events, so be sure to keep an how to write a website and include jokes that you shouldn’t 97.3 FM. Established: 1978 (formerly Board Gamers Society) eye out for them, and if anyone would like to be added to find amusing, but your inner geek will always laugh at. Japanese Society: 6.30-7.30pm, language classes for the mailing list about weekly events, they can send an e- From the home page, you can follow links to view the beginners and intermediates in Arts Building, Aims of the society: Gamers is dedicated to playing all mail to [email protected]. Gamers’ society society’s room where there is another link giving you very rooms 5039 and 4084, respectively, every Thurs- sorts of games, whether they're role playing games, card members also attend a weekly games evening in Cassidy's detailed directions to this room – either the creators are day. Cost is €15 for the term. games, war games or your classic board games. One of the pub on Westmoreland Street, which is run by another genuinely worried about people finding their room, or they DUISS and Politics: Film, Michael Collins, Emmet main purposes of the society is to provide a link between games society called the Irish Gaming Association. have such a great sense of humour that they give you three Theatre, 7 to 10pm the members and the Irish gaming community. They detailed maps with directions! They manage to insert NetSoc and Gamers: Wii and Twister Tournament, organise trips to conventions around the country, where Plan for 2007/2008: They have a few plans for some extra- humour in a way that’s not full of in-jokes or trying to be 7-10pm, Goldsmith Hall. Trinity Gamers can meet others from far-flung places like special games throughout the year. They're teaming up cool, perhaps because they simply don’t know how to be The Phil: Debate “This House Believes Would Cork and Sligo. Their society room is one of the most active with Dublin University Internet Society to present a Wii cool, and it’s easy to navigate. They give details on the Legalise Drugs”, GMB 7.30pm. on campus, with members using it every day. Gaming is a sports and Twister tournament in the next few weeks, and games they love and there is a discussion forum in order to Friday 16th November very social hobby and Gamers' aim is to provide a centre thanks to a very active and dedicated committee, they can leave your comments. In addition, the Leprecon [their Trinity Arts Workshop: Life Drawing Classes, €4 for gaming in Trinity. promise that anyone looking to relax and have fun on annual convention] website is updated regularly and also a for 2 hours, materials and instruction supplied, campus will be able to head to the nearest Gamers event. Gamers delight! Verdict: Definitely a website to look at 10.30am-1.30pm, 191 Pearse Street. Facts and Figures: Only 45 out of 237 members are girls, The plan is to expand their profile on campus and make and a society to think about joining! Capoeira: Classes 4-5.30pm, Fridays, in Regent this works out at about nineteen percent of membership sure the society continues to do so in the future. House, €3. Galway trip leaves 6pm being female. As far as Gamers know, there has only ever What to look forward to: EngSoc: Film, Arts Block, 6pm been one female Auditor and few committee members are Greatest moment in society history: Gamers is similar to a This year, Trinity Gamers will once again be hosting their Sfsoc: Transformers, girls. This year, no girls sit on the committee, last year there tribe in that they have a rich oral history, much of which annual convention, which is called Leprecon. Leprecon this Afro-Caribbean: Drumming Classes in Regent were two, and before that the secretary was the only girl has never been recorded and is therefore prone to wild year is taking place at the end of RAG Week, on 29 House, Fridays, 6-7pm. (on committee). However, of the active Freshers in the exaggeration and is used primarily as a method of February, 1 March and 2 March. The whole weekend is Joly Geological: Joly Dart Challenge, meet Mu- society, a “good amount” are girls. educating new members. As for documented history, they dedicated towards running special events, hosting seum Building 7pm. claim to have won the Best Medium Society Award in 1995, tournaments of war games and card games and showcasing Dance Society: Classes Fridays, Regent House, Regular Events: Gamers committee is very active this year a feat which they hope to repeat at this year's Awards. some of the best writing and games-mastering talent that 7.30-9.30pm. and their aim is to host at least one event a week. However, it takes little investigation to see that it was Dublin has to offer. Leprecon 28 was a huge success and Saturday 17th November Depending on the success of these, they may run more of Dublin University Jazz Society who won the Award in they plan to do even better this year. The website for the Trinity Arts Workshop: Pottery and Ceramics them. They intend to run draft tournaments of “Magic: The 1995, so Gamers wish to change their greatest moment to convention is www.leprecon.ie. classes 10am-11.30am, 12.30-2pm, €4 for each Gathering”, a highly popular collectible card game. As well “stealing a plaque and convincing themselves that they’d class, Goldsmith Hall, every Saturday. Sunday 18th November Trinity St. Vincent de Paul: Kids Club every Sun- day, 1-5pm, corner of Pearse Street. Monday 19th November Trinity FM: Broadcast week, from 9am until mid- night, tune it at 97.30 FM. Tuesday 20th November Literary Society launches book club Tuesday events as usual. DUISS and FLAC: International students’ rights talk, 6pm, Emmet Theatre TOM MORRISON-BELL college pressures, you no longer read novels even though it’s What we really hope to get are good discussion groups Wednesday 21st November CONTRIBUTING WRITER something that you mean to do. going, with people not feeling intimidated but willing to offer Gamers: Role Playing Games night, 6.30-10pm, It’s easy to feel intimidated by the sheer number or titles any views they have on the book, no matter how silly they 5034 Arts Building. or genres you could read. Should you read the classics or think they are. On top of all this, we are even subsidising the Thursday 22nd November Ever found yourself going home to read for your course and bestsellers, American literature or gothic? Obviously the books so you won’t be expected to pay the full whack! For the The Phil: Debate “This House Believes the Media realised that the last thing you want to be reading is an 800 answer is whatever you enjoy, but we want to offer a space next group, we’re reading The Gingerman by J.P. Donleavy, is Failing the People”, 7.30pm, GMB. page tome of obscure philosophy, for example? (feel free to where people can get together to discuss a chosen title, which was published in the mid 1950’s. It tells of the Friday 23rd November insert any mundane course reading of your choice here). Yes, completely informally and with no pressure for high literary adventures of Sebastian Dangerfield a feckless, hard drinking Friday events as usual. I’m glad. It’s all very well for those English students who go discourse. The book club offers this. It is open to all students, Irish American student supposedly attending Trinity College, Saturday 24th November off to read largely enjoyable and accessible books and it even English Studies students if they want to get involved. but in fact, spending most of the time womanising and Orchestral: Concert, Elmwood Hall, Belfast, actually counts as work, but this isn’t the case for the vast The titles are democratically chosen, i.e. there’s a vote on what drinking in the many pubs and bars he frequents in and 7.45pm majority of Trinity students. This year’s Literary Society is book everyone wants to read as a group and then everyone’s around Dublin. Choral: Concert, Augustinian Church, Galway offering a way out. No, no suicide, which is often much given a month to (hopefully) finish the book. There are two City, 8pm. maligned, but a book club (not necessarily the easier option). meetings a term, which may not sound much, but given other If you’re interested in joining the book club contact Tom on Its main aim is to get those of you who find that, because of reading people have to do, it should be plenty. [email protected] or Clare on [email protected].

[email protected] P10 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 8 StudentExcellence

Pillars of society

Students are always encouraged to get involved in College, but what rewards can you reap for your extracurricular escapades in Trinity?

SIOBHAN MCCAULEY Committee, Dublin University Central Athletics the additional support and resources they required Ireland to reward extra-curricular activity in such a DEPUTY FEATURES EDITOR Committee, Students’ Union, Graduates’ Students’ to actively participate in third-level education. manner. The esteem which such extra-curricular Union and Trinity Publications. The two winning Emma was also the Chair of the Dublin University activity is likely to gauge in the eyes of potential candidates are selected in this manner. Sign Language Society and worked to increase the employers is most pointedly underlined by the Aside from the Foundation Scholarship Last year, there were a total of twenty four membership of deaf and hard of hearing students, interesting fact that it is the Irish employers’ union Examination awards or Schols, with which we are nominations for the award. Out of these twenty to raise general awareness amongst the student Irish Business and Emploters Confederation that all familiar to some degree, one of the perhaps four, five finalists were shortlisted and body about deaf issues and to promote and works with DCU in the facilitation of these awards. lesser talked about, yet equally valid awards subsequently interviewed by the panel. Simon increase the usage of sign language. Although there is, no doubt, a certain ceremonies in Trinity is the Trinity Annual Fund Masterson a student from the School of Histories The fact that the Trinity Annual Fund Student attraction in a money prize which both the award Student Awards which take place in Trinity term. and Humanities, and Emma Clarke from the Awards rewards students for their achievements schemes in Trinity and UCD offer, the DCU idea The Trinity Annual Fund is the title given to the School of Medicine were eventually declared the outside the academic sphere, renders the scheme of accrediting merits which will be recognized accumulation of financial donations received by winners, and their achievements recognized in a highly attractive, in large part because of its within the spectrum of the EU is undeniably the college from its graduates. Each year, a certain ceremony held in May of this year. The Provost, accessibility. The need for recognition of student appealing. In this respect, the awards scheme in portion of these funds is allocated in the form of who was speaking at the ceremony, stated: “in contribution to college life has come to the fore in DCU is highly pragmatic. As is the case with student awards. These awards are unique in that addition to keeping pace with their studies, these the past three years in Ireland with a variety of several aspects of university life in DCU, the they seek to reward those who contribute to students undertake a daunting level of extra- extra-curricular based reward initiatives (similar to emphasis with the Uaneen module is on the college life through extracurricular activity as curricular work which is of immense benefit to the the TAF awards) being undertaken in other Irish practical and the orientation towards the opposed to through academia alone. Trinity community. All five finalists have made an universities across the board. vocational. It is geared towards making the The official purpose of the Trinity Annual outstanding contribution to College life and this In the University College Dublin Quinn transition from third-level education into the Fund Student Awards is to recognize “student award commends them for their efforts in School of Business, for example, a recent initiative workplace as smooth and as easy for the student contribution to Trinity life”. Such contributions are enhancing the Trinity experience for their fellow (January 2006) called the “Community as possible. It is also innovative in its incorporation gauged in accordance with the student’s active students.” Engagement Awards” has been put in place. This of an EU based initiative into Irish university life participation in college life outside the academic Masterson was selected on the basis of his extracurricular award was proposed as an incentive – an initiative which would be advantageous to realm i.e via sports clubs, societies or other aspects steadfast dedication to helping the underprivileged for students to become more active in the wider university graduates especially those seeking of college life. Each year, two students are selected and promoting volunteering amongst Trinity campus community, and on the basis that “in employment on the Continent for example. The and presented with a prize to the value of €2000 students. Founder of the Trinity Volunteer today’s business environment, more and more Uaneen module is also more comprehensive than each. The awards are open to all full-time Opportunities Forum - a collaboration between the employers recognise the need for employing the award schemes offered by both Trinity and undergraduate and postgraduate students who four bodies within college involved with rounded and multi-skilled individuals who are UCD, in that not only is it open to all final year have made “an outstanding contribution to college volunteering (Dublin University St. Vincent dePaul actively engaged in the broader society in which students, but any student who successfully life during the past year”. In addition to receiving Society, Trinity Suas, Voluntary Tuition Programme they live and work”. The prizes for such community completes the module is awarded merits according the prize money, successful candidates are also and the Student 2 Student Network) - and engagement are similar to those bestowed upon to the amount of extracurricular activity viewed favorably if applying to stay in College Chairman of Trinity Voluntary Tuition Programme, Trinity Annual Fund Award winners – the main undertaken. Thus it is an award scheme with a residences (campus/Trinity Hall) for the following he was constant in his encouraging of students accolade is the Dean’s Community Engagement difference, which has the potential to reward a year. from all faculties to be generous with their spare Award and entails a cash prize of €1500. In larger number of students than either the Trinity The application process is relatively simple. time by volunteering and thereby promoting the addition to that, there are two awards for runners- Annual Fund award scheme or the UCD-run Each applicant must fill out an application form spirit of volunteerism across campus. Masterson up of €500 each. Also the community organisations Community Engagement awards. In this regard, it detailing his/her involvement in the extra- was also a member of the RAG Committee last in which award-winning students are/were is an idea which Trinity could definitely look at curricular, the specific challenges they have year, which happened to be the most successful involved each receive a cash award of €500. implementing in the future. encountered along the way and how such Trinity RAG week, raising just under €10000. On a similar note, Dublin City University has The offering of such award schemes for extra- involvement has ultimately impacted on their As for Emma Clarke, she too was paramount instrumented an innovative awards scheme called curricular activities in recent years signifies a move leadership, team building, organisation and in her involvement with the extracurricular aspects the “Uaneen module” which has an original slant. by universities to recognize that college life should communication skills. In addition to this, the of college life. A deaf student herself, Clarke did This scheme differs from the Trinity Annual Fund be a more all-encompassing experience than application form must be accompanied by two not let such an obstacle stop her from getting awards in that students are rewarded for their academics alone. A growing trend towards more nomination forms. Nominations can be made by involved. She played a major role in the setting up extracurricular activities in credits as opposed to hands-on and practical type initiatives as can be either staff or students in Trinity, but may not, of of the National Deaf Needs Assessment project. monetary benefits. Such credits are internationally seen in newer universities such as DCU, for course, be made by the applicant him/herself. The The DNA is a national project which aims to recognized under the European Credit Transfer example, is indicative of the modernisation of closing date for the submission of nomination and increase the numbers and retention of deaf System for a variety of non-academic activities that university life. The Trinity Annual Fund student application forms is 5pm on Friday 11 April 2008. students in third-level education. Believing that the can range from the sporting, political, and creative awards is a step in the right direction, by all In the weeks following this deadline, the transition from second level to third level for deaf to the community and social. The European Credit accounts, and a clear indication by the College that candidates who are to be invited for interview by a students was the most difficult, Emma took it upon Transfer System is a standard for comparing the student involvement outside the academic sphere judging panel are shortlisted. The said panel is herself to organise the first-ever summer school for study attainment and performance of students of will not go unnoticed. made up of the Vice Provost, the Junior Dean, the deaf students entering third-level education. In higher education across the European Union and Further information about the awards is available Dean of Students, the Director of Alumni, as well total, over fifty students benefited from this exploit. other collaborating European countries. DCU is on the Trinity Annual Fund Student Awards as various representatives from Central Societies This informal network led to many students finding the first third-level institution in the Republic of webpage tcd.ie/Alumni/support/taf_awards.php.

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P11 GamingExcellence

Successful innovation in the gaming world does not necessarily mean the complete overhaul of a commercially and critically acclaimed title. Justin Fedouloff argues that polishing a product can be a highly viable alternative to revamping in the pursuit of gaming satisfaction.

JUSTIN FEDOULOFF were it not for Halo, the Xbox 360 would Bungie learnt their lesson and Originally created by Sega to provide a portals; shoot two portals, step into one, CONTRIBUTING WRITER not be in existence today. It became the successfully completed their trilogy mascot that could compete with the come out of the other. From this one flavour of the season; every other without reinventing their game twice iconic Mario, it turned out to be, in wild idea flows a tidal wave of shooter became known as either a “Halo over. So does this success negate the reality, not that different to its rival. In possibilities: what happens if you place a A little over a month ago, the world Killer” or a “Halo Clone”, depending need for innovation within gaming fact, the only real difference between portal in the floor and a portal in the witnessed the single most successful upon its relative success. Then Bungie development departments? Not Mario and Sonic during the time of the ceiling above it, and jump in? What will entertainment launch in history. Within did what any sensible developer would necessarily. Square Enix’s (formerly much-reminisced-upon mascot war was your average physics engine make of a the first 24 hours of entering the market, do with a hit title: they made a sequel. Squaresoft) Final Fantasy series is one of Sonic’s tendency to be a great deal faster crate that rolls out of a portal on the wall Halo 3 amassed greater takings than any Normally this is the point at which the longest running series in gaming. than his Nintendo rival. Sony’s variation and into a portal in the floor and back Spiderman film, anyHarry Potter film or people who think they know better start Now on its thirteenth “main” release was simple but, in practice, became again? Portal is a good example of what even Lord Of The Rings; to be specific, raving about how sequels ruin (excluding the spin-offs, sub-series etc.) highly significant as to the players Mario we typically mean when we talk about the game took in US$170 million in its innovative ideas and make them and still going strong, Final Fantasy is a and Sonic represented the two extremes “innovative” games, and has first day and over US$300 million in its repetitive. This is where I believe there is series that has succeeded primarily of the platforming genre. understandably gained a large following first week. Now, we can go on about a point that is being missed. Some because no two games within it are This would prove that an in the gaming community following its comparing cinema tickets sold for ten consumers expect a sequel to be as related or in any way similar. There are innovative idea does not lead to a bad release. dollars a pop with games sold for “innovative” and “different” as the various iconic Final Fantasy game either. As developers continue to But it must always be remembered seventy, but let’s be fair; no game has original whilst others want only the same “trademarks” which raise their heads develop and players continue to play, all that any of these ideas can also work in previously ever even come close to again, but with advanced and developed repeatedly throughout the series, mainly sorts of interesting ideas come out of the reverse. While Blinx: The Time Sweeper challenging the might of the good old graphics. On the other side, the those irritating (though practical) woodwork. The most recent game to be for the Xbox gained favour for its (then summer blockbuster. developer is concerned that their sequel Chocobo creatures, characters called considered as “innovative” by the innovative) use of tools that manipulate Sure enough, the gaming media did will be received coldly by a public who “Cid” who construct airships and some gaming press would be Portal, one third time, its sequel attempted to further what they do best in such situations; they see it as too repetitive, too similar to the recurring magic spells. However, in of developer Valve’s “Orange Box”, a innovate with the mixing of time collaborated and analysed the game original. They thus panic and seek to terms of gameplay elements, character collection of games. Portal has the controls and the addition of “space until nothing was left which had not reinvent their series with each new advancement, artistic and musical appearance of a first person shooter, but controls”, an idea that could not be taken been assigned a number between 0 and edition. direction and even storyline, each game in fact, rather than shooting at enemies, in any meaningful direction and ended 10.0. They consequently threw this In the end, Halo 2 was released is individual and distinct from the others. Portal puts players with outright laughable ideas, such as a information to the fans so that they with all the obvious enhancements in Only once to date has there ever been a in control of a “space control” that consisted entirely of could wage war concerning whether or place: tweaked graphics, an updated sequel to a main Final Fantasy game device that throwing a banana peel on the ground. not IGN.com was correct in awarding an physics engine, new weapons and (the aptly named Final Fantasy X- can Understandably, the sequel failed for overall rating of 9.5 rather than 9.6. The vehicles and, of course, online 2) and even that saw several shoot these and other reasons. Mega-publisher process was nothing that gamers of this multiplayer through Xbox Live, which radical gameplay changes, EA has also taken heavy criticism over generation are not used to, it simply took was not in place at the time of Halo‘s though the storylines many of its “official” sports titles, most place on a scale previously unknown. release. A few curveballs were also were linked and the notably Madden, the American football However, I am not here to argue thrown, such as the fresh new ability to art direction identical. simulation, which has been criticized on numbers with any professional critics. wield two weapons at once, playable There also exist the basis that each annual edition is My worry is a little more troublesome: I antagonists and a rather abrupt numerous series that have identical to the last, differing only in believe that the industry as a whole, not cliffhanger ending on the scale of the survived on the basis that each graphical detail and minor roster to mention us as consumers, are average season finale of Lost. It marked edition has been identical in changes to reflect the beginning to miss the point of this whole a notable change from the epic race execution to its predecessor, developments in the NFL each gaming thing. There is much dispute over through an exploding ship that, at least, differing only in elements of its year. whether or not Halo 3 is or is not in any concluded its prequel. Some of these storyline and content. One This all goes to prove way, or is not sufficiently, innovative. It is changes were received more positively obvious example of this strategy that innovation is not the with this unnecessary and corruptive than others; the mere presence of online proving commercially successful is only option in creating a constant craving for innovation within multi-player excited the masses just Nintendo’s monster hit Pokémon. In great game and also does not the industry that I take my case against. enough to ensure that Halo 2 became each Pokémon game, players adopt the necessarily guarantee a The original Halo was lauded for its the most popular game on Xbox Live role of a “trainer” who must game’s quality. In some cases innovation of the shooter genre, both until the release of Gears of War for the adventure out into the world with innovation proves successful, generally and with respect to its physical Xbox 360 two years later. However, the the purpose of taming and raising while in others, it proves state, being an under-the-TV console same masses were less than impressed by an assortment of wild creatures, detrimental. What matters using a controller rather than the the short single-player campaign and its the titular Pokémon. Through most is, of course, the ability of traditional keyboard and mouse. In fact abrupt and sudden “ending.” exploration, adventure and the the developer to know what Microsoft had exactly this in mind when, With a desire to keep everyone battling of other trainers, players each unique situation calls for having seen the game demonstrated at sufficiently content to continue handing endeavour to become the best and to understand the vital the Macworld Conference & Expo in over their cash, Bungie seemingly went Pokémon trainer in the world. difference between creating a 1999, they purchased the developer, into the development of Halo 3 with a Their “innovation”, as such, is new title and creating a sequel. Bungie Studios, in 2000. PC enthusiasts slightly different attitude. They limited, but the game’s legacy lives There is no “formula” for creating may now proceed to revel in the irony concentrated on polishing up their on through a popular string of titles a good game that works in any that what is now considered the greatest existing product rather than applying with no major differences between context. There’s a time and a game of all time was originally going to major alterations. In addition to the them, bar the increasing number of place for innovation, and so be released for the Apple Mac. The usual tweaks, modifications and testing - Pokémon available for the trainer to too is there a time and place praise it received was well deserved. The which went as far as a public beta release seek out and capture. for releasing something very game managed to become the first - Bungie worked on other features All of these games show, if nothing similar to its predecessor. shooter to be perfectly executed using which, whilst not relating to game-play else, that there is more than one The next time I hear someone dual analogue controls (a necessary as such, would to some small but correct way to handle the trash-talking Halo 3 for not being restriction for gaming consoles) and significant extent, heighten player continuation of an “innovative” “innovative”, I may consider introduced some more subtle elements enjoyment. The result was an absence of idea. But is it even necessary telling them that it is not including “disposable” weapons, which “ooh look, he’s holding two guns at for new ideas to be supposed to be and that anyone had large ammo clips but could not be once!” and the introduction of nifty innovative? Consider who thinks it is are simply reloaded. features such as Forge mode, in which the original “Sonic deluding themselves. However, But then a curious thing happened. the player can go into an existing multi- the Hedgehog” with that said, making a game Halo became a massive hit, single- player map and fully customize the for the Sega more enjoyable without actually handedly guaranteeing the viability of placement of weapons and features Megadrive. changing it? That’s quite the Xbox, Microsoft’s risky venture into therein; they can then save and share innovative, actually. the console business. It is still said that their creations over Xbox Live.

[email protected] P12 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 InProfile The journalist who became the news

Charlie Bird has been insulted, sued and punched on his way to becoming Ireland’s most recognisable journalist, writes Nigel Alexander

hroughout the past 25 years, managed to get a job as a journalist for would let RTÉ to use their shots. few. Thankfully, as the years have gone wherever there’s a major the Leitrim Observer, but lasted only six Today, Irish politics seem on, RTÉ have become as up-to-date as A Bird’s life news story, there’s Charlie weeks. Showcasing a glimpse of his synonymous with Charlie Bird. He any other news service from around the T Bird. As RTÉ’s Chief News future journalistic ability to handle appears most content at the plinth world. The days of using a bottle of Correspondent, he has become one of rejection, he kept on trying. outside Leinster House, probing whiskey to try and trade for footage are Born in Sandymount in 1949, Bird the most recognisable figures in Irish He followed on from this by politicians about various aspects of their long gone. began his career working on pirate journalism and helped shape news becoming a researcher for RTÉ’s personal lives. Since rising to the top of Bird’s later career has been more radio stations. broadcasting in RTÉ, despite failing his current affairs programme Seven Days. his profession, he has covered most of and more geared towards investigative Leaving Certificate. It would be the beginning of a lifelong the major political stories in Ireland. journalism. He has exposed many After spending several years as a In his 2006 autobiography entitled career with the Irish broadcasting These include the election of the first individuals and organisations, but the researcher for RTE current affairs This is Charlie Bird, he details his life on network. female and non-Fianna Fáil president, story that he considers the most programmes, he joined the RTE the front-line of major news reporting. His first big story came with the Mary Robinson, the controversial rewarding of all was his investigation news team in the late 70s. Looking at his experiences, it becomes Stardust fire in north Dublin in which 48 Haughey years and Bertie Ahern's into National Irish Bank. This apparent that if he’s not in the right youths died while celebrating St initial campaign for Taoiseach, which eventually led to a report exposing the For years in the 1990s, he was place at the right time, then he’s there Valentine’s Day. Over the following was personally covered by Bird. bank for encouraging customers to involved with documenting and very shortly afterwards. years, his profile was gradually raised The opposition at the time evade tax and adding extra charges onto reporting on the movements of the Bird was born in Sandymount, Co with a series of milestones in his career. complained that he was reporting on customer’s accounts. Bird and George Provisional IRA, including Dublin in 1949. While at school, he These include his first major Bertie too favourably compared with Lee, RTÉ’s Economics Editor, won witnessing first hand the ceasefires became enthusiastically involved in international story: the imprisonment of how John Bruton was being reported. Journalists of the Year Awards in 1998 and the divers machinations of the debating and though he also showed Father Niall O’Brien and the Negros However, Bird denies that doing his job for the investigation. peace process. interest in English and history, he did Nine in the Philippines. Later came his too well could have had any significant Despite this, Fianna Fáil’s Beverly not excel in his studies, admitting in his first international news story that didn’t result on the outcome of the election. Cooper Flynn took libel action against Bird covered the National Irish book that he was “a bit lazy”. He failed involve an Irish angle. This took the For over a decade, Bird was RTÉ’s Bird and farmer James Howard for Bank story (tax evasion), reported maths in the Leaving Cert and, as a form of the hijacking of a Kuwaiti only contact with the Irish Republican alleging her involvement in the NIB on both Gulf Wars and the release result, never got the opportunity to go Boeing 747 by terrorists which Army. Many important IRA statements, scandal. It was taken all the way to the of Brian Keenan in Syria. He was to university. As is plain to see, this ultimately ended up in Algiers. including their initial cease-fire and Supreme Court, but what became awarded an honourary doctorate didn’t hinder Bird, who actually In Algiers there was a huge media their eventual decommissioning, were Ireland’s longest ever libel case from UCD in 2002. described it as a “great personal presence with the BBC alone boasting delivered to the world solely through eventually went the way of Bird and motivator.” twelve people on the site. RTÉ had one. him. He was also able to conducted an Howard. Attacked in the Dublin Riots (Feb As a youth, Bird became heavily To make matters worse, Bird had no exclusive interview with Jim Monaghan Thanks to his high profile, Bird is 25th 2006) he spoke of his involved in left-wing politics. At the equipment for any kind of recording. It of the “Columbian Three” shortly after occasionally the subject of the news personal experience, including height of this activism, he was arrested was only thanks to the BBC allowing Monaghan was smuggled back into himself. Last year, during the Love being called an “Orange Bastard”, by the British army in Derry for taking him use its satellite phone that any Ireland. Ulster riot in Dublin, a small number of on RTE News that evening. This led part in a protest march against Bloody reports were able to be sent back to Covering significant events from men attacked him before undercover to his criticism by the Sunday Sunday. Fortunately he was released Dublin. around the world is also part of being gardaí came to his rescue. The first Times, ever the standard of after about an hour in a cell. It wasn’t uncommon for RTÉ to Charlie Bird. He has covered both Gulf attacker was reported to have shouted journalistic integrity, for making He eventually decided, largely due rely on this kind of generosity back Wars, the Asian tsunami, the genocide “Charlie Bird, you’re an orange “himself the story”. to the circles that he was in, to pursue a then. The standard policy was to give in Rwanda, the earthquake in Pakistan bastard!” Obviously they knew nothing career in the media. This put an end to other news agencies a bottle of whiskey and Nelson Mandela’s campaign to end about him. his days of political involvement. He as a sign of goodwill and then hope they apartheid in South Africa, to name but a

Sex, Sex, Sex… darlings, it is all you seem to do these days. Tours boys have nowhere to go when it rains on their parade. Back to House Six for a moment. Andy “Carpet“ Poor old Beta Bar Boy Dave Byrne has been seen hopping Tragic. I just hope those designer sunglasses will keep the rain Byrne has apparently been addling for a second term in office, around College. Alas, ladies, the Duracell bunny is out of out of your darling eyes. as, well, there is a new batch of first years next year. Two other action these days on strict instructions from his doctor. But And as for his beloved CSC, well, there have been darling students have begun their campaigns already and the fear not, he can still receive oral sex: see Facebook for details: one or two problems concerning two gentlemen in particular. SU really isn’t happy with an Iranian in charge of USI. Poor Evelyn “The Dave Byrne Needs Head Appeal”. One made our delightful Chair cry. Sophie, darling, it’ll all be Andy just wants to be loved, but it seems our friend in USI Another young boy on the JCR just hasn’t been able ok… you just go put on some Bach and swig on a bottle of isn’t too fond of boys who shop in Topman. to keep it in his pants after reaching the ripe old age of 20. Bolli’ and Uncle Joe will try and get rid of this mess for you. Politics is terribly trivial, though, and resident Only recently he and his “Daddy’s a diplomat” ex-girlfriend As for messes, well, the toffs who created Piranha! abortionist Ivana Bacik has been having her wicked way in Tent rekindled their romance, only for her to find that she wasn’t this year did no justice to its masthead. Where once the the Seanad recently. Our new Senator is getting to grips with the only one spending time in his bedroom. Boys… please! humour was borderline racist, it is instead a steaming pile of, the task in hand and last week tackled her first major issue But when it comes to virility, one College well… a lady shouldn’t swear, but essentially, it’s not worth “the fishing of cockles”. Oh darling, please. Could you not find administrator has been putting us all to shame. The old dog the paper its printed on. These boys need a good lesson in something more exciting to entertain us. was spotted ambling the streets with his new flame, a sultry bitching. Perhaps they should come round to my place for tea. And finally, Evelyn can never end without Slav half his age, and their beautiful newborn sprog. The good Tim “No Puffs” Smyth(e) has been mentioning her dear friend Dean Stokes who’s continued her Congratulations, darling! I shall have the flowers sent round cantering around college more quickly as of late. Rumour has tirade against unhygienic students. Obviously you lot aren’t to you. I daren’t deliver them in person lest I fall victim to it that Tim has a very special guest, “one of his own”, as fit to boil a kettle, or that’s exactly how my darling friend your stern faced, middle-aged charm. someone said. It seems all his poppy-wearing as of late hasn’t Emma feels. The good Dean has banned kettles and all food Speaking of charm it seems good old Uncle Joe gone unnoticed and it is likely that a very senior British cooking implements for fear that a student may be poisoned. O’Gorman of the Trinity Tours Empire has run into a number politician may be visiting the GMB. Who could it be? Well, Oh, this fits in perfectly with her policy of cake sales not too of problems. Since his return from the Chinese missions, Tony’s off to play war in the Middle East and Gordon’s a bit often, or you may jut kill someone. Darling, it’s all just a game College has told him it is no longer acceptable to harbour so busy, what with all this election nonsense the Tories are to you isn’t it? many homos under Front Arch. It seems those poor Trinity talking about. John Major perhaps?

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P13 Opinion&Analysis Driving test reforms Varsity are sadly long overdue Talk

with only the risk of a caution, there is no Forcing provisional licence holders to drive need to be concerned about the driving test backlog. There are approximately 280000 Sameena Velshi drivers who are on either a first provisional accompanied will take dangerous drivers licence or a third or subsequent provisional licence. Last year, 4500 people were charged with either driving unaccompanied or driving off the roads at last without “L” plates. Of those, 3000 cases were struck out because the summons wasn’t Farce and served by Gardaí or an order wasn’t made by the judge. Others had their cases thrown out in court as legislation is unclear as to what penalties should be imposed. nonsense at FELIX MCELHONE The Union of Students in Ireland STAFF WRITER recently called for better public transport options to enable students to be less reliant on their cars. The current situation where you Phil Islamic he fallout from Minister Noel The response of many students driving passed a driving test, they move on to their can drive unaccompanied, without passing a Dempsey’s attempt to reform the on provisional licences to Noel Dempsey’s third provisional licence and are supposed to test or fear of hefty penalties, encourages car provisional licensing system was original announcement was motivated largely be accompanied by a full licence holder. The dependency amongst students and the sooner T swift. The Minister’s decision to by concerns surrounding the driving test distinction is completely arbitrary and it is ended, the better. The issue of poor public debate give four days notice to drivers on a second backlog in Ireland. On 2 October, the day illogical. transport options for students is perhaps best provisional licence before banning them from when the initial proposals were announced, Waiting times for driving tests have illustrated with reference to third level driving unaccompanied sparked anger from the average waiting time for a test in the been unacceptably lengthy in Ireland for colleges outside Dublin. Students in or the second time in three weeks a guest many quarters, including students, many of Republic was 29.1 weeks. In Northern Ireland many years. Why then, has there been no Letterkenny Institute of Technology, for speaker at a University Philosophical Society whom were affected by the change in the average is four weeks. The Government concerted effort by students to seek to have example, often have no option but to drive to debate expressed his regret in attending and regulations. Noel Dempsey’s announcement aims to provide driving tests “on demand” or the waiting times reduced? Widespread college and it is the likes of them who will be declined to engage in future debates at Trinity College.F The debate to which I am referring (debate was ill-judged and he was forced into an after a maximum wait of ten weeks. How can concern about crime has resulted in a vast most affected by reforms of the provisional embarrassing u-turn wherein affected drivers the Government claim to provide a driving increase in Gardaí resources, so why has licensing system. being a term I use loosely) was “Islam and the West” on now have until 30 June to either pass their test “on demand” if applicants have to wait pressure not been brought to bear on the Minister Dempsey’s reforms are 25 October. test or risk a €1,000 fine in the courts for two and half months for one? government in relation to a situation that is welcome and should serve to finally The speakers found the facilitation lacking and the driving unaccompanied after that date. The rationale behind the current affecting many students? The only group to encourage learner drivers to undertake a set student speakers misrepresentative. One alluded to the Minister Dempsey’s shock situation, whereby a driver can drive have attracted widespread media attention of formal driving lessons in order to prepare debate as a media stunt. The motion on the table in the announcement has had a positive effect, unaccompanied on a second provisional on the issue before the last fortnight is Macra for a driving test and to sit one with a Islam and the West Debate was “That this House however, encouraging provisional drivers to licence, but not on a first provisional, or a na Feirme, the young rural people’s group, reasonable chance of success. Many students Believes that Islam is Incompatible with Western Liberal apply for and start preparing for their driving third or subsequent, must also be examined. hardly a major influence on the lives and who have invested time and money in Society”. This, perhaps the defining question of our test. Contrast his decision with that of If a learner driver passes a theory test, gains opinions of Trinity students. preparing for and successfully passing their generation, was left unasked and made a farce of. I felt Sylvester Barrett, the then Minister for a first provisional licence and waits for two The most obvious answer to the evident driving test, will be happy that their decision nothing more than paralysis as I listened and expected a Environment, who was faced with a driving years, they are able to apply for a second apathy of students towards long waiting lists is finally paying dividends. For others, 30 June debate of democratic competence. Instead, what I test backlog in 1979. Mr Barrett took a provisional licence. Farcically, they are now is that there is simply no need to pass a is an ominous date in the future, after which experienced was a democratic failure. somewhat different approach, granting an able to drive unaccompanied entirely legally driving test to be able to drive alone. If you the scandalous situation surrounding the The proposition consisted most notably of Omar amnesty to anyone who had failed the driving without having passed a practical test. After a are able to drive unaccompanied on a provisional licence in Ireland will finally be Bakri Mohammed, who participated via video message, test twice. further two years, if a learner driver hasn’t provisional licence either entirely legally or consigned to history. and Anjem Choudry. Mr Mohammed can only be classed as a radical Muslim cleric who attracts widespread media coverage in Britain. Among other insensitive statements, he has been known to glorify the 11 September bombers as the “Magnificent 19”. He did not attend the debate, having been denied a visa – instead he sent a video clip. Mohammed spoke articulately about why he felt Islam as a way of life could not “co-exist under other political belief”. He provided his own interpretation of how the Qur'an says one Prestige of Pinks damaged by should live his life and what being a Muslim entails. Mr Choudry’s comments, however, were more unsettling. He attempted to illustrate the point that liberal western democracies are failures by quoting statistics related to crime and poverty. His comments award to eight sailors were met with catcalls and several unanswered points of information until he and the entire proposition left the room. The opposition consisted of academics, imams (spiritual leaders), a statement from the Muslim Restoring Club Colours would promote excellence in sport, while maintaining the Students Society and an uninformed orator. Dr Ali Al Saleh spoke with regard to the motion, urging the global rarity of the Dublin Pink, argues Peter Henry community not to associate Muslim fundamentalists with the entire faith. The third speaker for the opposition engaged in childish rhetoric with the members of the proposition by first calling them “nutters of a faith”, then ublin University Sailing Club can were not familiar with awarding Colours, as sailing team which hurt the prestige of the asking them to “have some respect” followed by an boast of eight new Pinks this year Pinks their own clubs do not make the award award this year. One (also excellent, but articulate “shut up”. Sheikh Shaheed Satardien, who – members who have been anymore – were told that the sailors’ ineligible) sportsman was given the award condemned the standard of debate, spoke poignantly, D awarded University Colours for applications were “open and shut cases”. The based on what could have been if he wasn’t disagreeing wholeheartedly with the comments of the their outstanding sporting performances. That The University Colours, or Pink, is the individuals were not presented on a case-by- busy doing something else. Giving out Pinks proposition and expressed his desire to engage in a whole team from one club took half of all highest honour that Trinity confers on its case basis; rather, their membership of the based on “ifs and buts” does nothing but structured discussion on the motion. Pinks awarded in 2007 degrades the sportsmen and women. It is designed to College’s World Cup team was considered decrease the value of the award. However, The organisers of this debate must have expected ostensibly prestigious award. However, correspond, although not exactly, with sufficient. clearly someone in DUCAC felt this person the outcome that prevailed. Mr Choudry has been Trinity’s world-class sailors are not to blame. the Light Blue of Cambridge and the Many of the new sailing Pinks have should get the award – a reasoned and invited to participate in debates at Trinity College for Pink was introduced as the University’s Dark Blue of Oxford. Pinks were first other notable achievements, and some of informed decision by the captains might not four years running. The Chair of the House for last year colour in 1927 in an attempt to imitate the introduced in 1927 by Terence Millin, a them would have been eligible for the award have produced the desired result. even delivered a well-prepared statement which Blue system at Oxford and Cambridge. Not former Captain of the Football first XV. if they had never travelled to France for the Members of individual clubs could be entertainingly chastised Mr Choudry for his past habits everyone was convinced that such an award Student Yachting World Cup. It detracts from forgiven for taking advantage of the award of of alcohol consumption and school day naughtiness. was necessary – as a University with one Pinks are awarded to student club University Colours as an award and from Pinks, especially when they have no Colours Although this information may have been necessary in college, the distinction between Club Colours members who have excelled; usually each individual sailor’s award that their other award of their own. Most clubs have order to humanise Mr Choudry, the display further and University Colours would always be externally or through representing their achievements were not taken into account. abandoned or forgotten their own system of disgraced the concept of intelligent, learned debate. difficult to define. country. The Captains’ Committee, It is also difficult to blame the College awarding Club Colours. Captains should However astounding I found the comments of the The current rule require competition for meeting twice annually, adjudicates captains. They are given the difficult task of consider reintroducing the old Colours proposition, and at times the opposition, listening is one’s country in order to be eligible for nominations from clubs. judging who is eligible and who is not. In system into their clubs – most likely your club admittedly the only way toward understanding the root proposal. Crucially, they stipulate that Pinks order to make a reasoned decision, they need has its own Colours tie and scarf and Club of the anti-Islamic sentiments that litter today’s media. will be awarded “not principally on a team Pinks are entitled to wear University to be furnished with information on the Colours is worth promoting as an award. This It would have been preferable to hear the thoughts of a basis, but on merit”. It is necessary that Colours, a scarf of plain pink, a tie, dark candidates. At the first meeting last Hilary would provide a competitive incentive in diverse group of Muslims, rather than one man candidates be considered for the award on blue with a pattern of crowned pink term, nothing was given to the captains prior individual clubs while increasing the status of accompanied by his attempt at a terrorist cell. their own merits – not on their participation harps and a blazer,for which the design to the election meeting. It is hard to avoid the higher award of Pinks. Considering there are four main branches of Islam in a team, no matter how successful. has sadly been lost. concluding that some people in DUCAC Captain electors should be more careful and over 30 different sects, it is likely that both sides This year’s contravention of this want to control the outcome of the meetings who they vote for – and they should demand could have been better represented. Surely it would have fundamental aspect of the award has taken by not supplying enough information for the to be supplied with the details of each been possible to find liberal, conservative and radical away from the value of the award. Pinks from captains to make their own decisions. applicant, to be considered on his own merits, Muslims who are either for or against the motion. A previous years were individually vetted and permanent officers and staff of the Dublin Did the rugby team notice how a whole well in advance of each meeting. That way, if definite answer to the question at hand will likely never chosen for their outstanding achievements. University Central Athletic Club can be group of people was being pushed through you meet someone with a Pinks tie, you can be determined, however constructive thought and the Whole teams were not given Pinks for blamed for not providing enough information for the award without discussion? Half of be confident that he was chosen by the exchange of ideologies is the only way to decrease winning this or that event, no matter how and guidance to the captain electors, who their first team was proposed at the second Dublin University captains – not as part of a hatred between two societal groups, whoever they may prestigious the event. were not informed that University Colours in Hilary term meeting (yes, the rules say a group application, or because someone in be. Awarding Pinks to a whole team is this University is not a team award. winter and a summer meeting, not two DUCAC directed that he be chosen – but as Perhaps steps should be taken toward upholding a against both the spirit and the letter of the The Captains’ Committee, one of five in meetings a few weeks apart from each other a result of an informed and reasoned debate. standard of debate that is so often suggested to be at par award. The Sailing Club cannot be faulted – DUCAC, elect new Pinks twice a year. – a minor deviation compared to the real Peter Henry is a former Editor of Trinity with Oxford and Cambridge. At the moment, the only the club had an unprecedented win at the Unfortunately very little information is given problem). They weren’t successful, but maybe News (2006/2007). He is currently researching remnant of debating I recognise is the incessant ringing Student Yachting World Cup, which should to the captains on the candidates. they considered it worth a try. his first book: a compendium of the ties, of a handheld bell indicating the end of another be celebrated and highlighted. The In fact, the captains – most of whom It wasn’t only the award en masse to the scarves and blazers of Trinity College. spectacle.

[email protected] P14 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 Opinion&Analysis

Face It’s all fun and games until Off someone invades Russia

says “sorry” for some reason. You should all just drivel to their girlfriends on Facebook or Bebo- animated version. toughen up and stop being afraid of the older stalking hot girls. Ban it during peak hours. I was forced to take a 6am train last week. kids. I hate reading details of the resignation of Whatever about the prevalence of the Polish I really miss getting “a boost”. When the USI President or any other hack throwing in language during the daytime in Dublin, Polish is you’re 8 years old you regularly need to get help the towel because politicking has made his/her definitely the de facto language of Dublin at that climbing a wall. I’m going to get one just for position unenjoyable. Student politics tends time of the morning on public transport. nostalgia sake in a nightclub smoking area some towards fratricide for the simple reason that it is Lonely Planet last week named Ireland the Conal night when it’s so late I don’t care if I get kicked utterly trivial. Hackery is essentially a hobby (the friendliest destination in the world. I can out. What I don’t miss from 1991 is facecloths. A SU Education Officer and Welfare Officer are the certainly see why they would think so; our small rag used to lather your face. Boggles the only people who I can see as having important national personality characteristics are really a mind really. work to do) that one should look back at 10 years blessing. It’s a shame tourists get to see the stuff Campbell If I spend €3,000 on a television I want a later as having been great fun. we get up to on Westmoreland Street at 2am on with Joey Facer remote that I can ring like a mobile phone when Spooks has started back on BBC1. Some a Saturday night. it goes missing. episodes are better than others but still it’s by far Madam, - I think we should avoid general What is it about The Panel that I don’t get? the best drama on TV. elections. The economy seems to deteriorate Careers Week sounded like a good idea. I particularly “When I was little I would pray to God for a bike. They should set up border controls along the Pale The Simpsons is better than Family Guy seriously after each one. - Yours, etc, liked the sound of the talk entitled “What Can I Do With Then I realized He doesn’t work that way, so I with guards instructed to arrest any student and American Dad and all these new animated Irish economists are like a man standing on My Arts Degree?”, though the thought of an hour spent stole one and prayed for forgiveness”. Evan leaving Dublin under who hasn’t seen every series because it was a very integrative humour. Sandymount Strand declaring that the tide is listening to a resounding and elongated “sweet f-all” was Maguire. episode because boggers are fanatical about this Old / young, liberal / conservative, American / going out and one will be able to walk to England too off-putting to make me attend. In fact, I am quite I failed the driving test again. People talk crap. Every single one of the panellists has the European; you didn’t have to be a prissy 16 year by the end of the day, then, later claiming that the baffled by my inability to have attended even one about corruption like it’s a bad thing. He could bad comedian’s curse of thinking that a joke that old from New England to genuinely enjoy the tide is coming in and O’Connell Street will be Careers’ Week lecture. Future? What future? This steady be €200 richer and I could be rid of those was funny in an every-day situation when it was humour. There is nothing worse than watching submerged under water within hours. refusal to accept facts – graduation happens, soon – horrible L-plates. “How would you manually test off-the-cuff deserves a laugh when used prêt-a- people force themselves to laugh at references “Do you know we have to graduate astounds me. So I reasoned out in my own time the your brakes on an even surface”, get real. porter. they don’t get “Haha it’s funny because Karl wearing black?! I’m going to write College a future possibilities of employment. Most times I encounter a Junior Freshman Can’t stand waiting to use a PC to do Rove is Bush’s brain”. Shut up, you had never strongly worded email because black is NOT my As far as I can tell, there are five categories of job at a door or in a tight space in the library he/she academic work and seeing someone writing heard of Karl Rove until you saw him in best colour,” Una Travers SS BESS. that I will synopsize hereunder. The first to come to mind, as an Arts-Nearly-Graduated, is what I would call the “Cop-Out Job”. By which I mean entering the Civil Service, in any area, on any level. Yes, the kind of job our parents secured without trifling away four precious years of life and still managed to enjoy financial security and bring us up well. Teaching included, of course. (Can someone explain to me why I could possibly need a degree in French to teach to fifteen year oldsle chat, la fenetre? What a waste of four years.) On the plus side of the Cop-Out Job, despite a measly starting salary, is that said salary will increase as you stick it out. Pen push for How to fund fourth- forty years as a Civil Servant and it will be just like you made a positive career move to begin with. Plus the pensions, as older folk keep telling me, are ecstatically good. Moreover, it’s next to impossible for them to ever get rid of you, which means if you excel in mediocrity, this could be a life-line, lifelong job for you. Next, we have the “Highly Paid, Sell Your Soul level education Cop-Out Job”. A degree is essential, which is heartwarming, but the work is debilitatingly mind- numbingly unthinkably horrendous. In addition, the chances of the job being in any way related to what you Attracting private-sector investment in campus companies is crucial if we just spent four years (or, eight weeks leading up to May) in the library for are admittedly minimal. I’m thinking merchant banking, property development, Wall Street are to establish a knowledge-based economy, argues the former Minister for (Harcourt Street): faceless corporations willing to fork out reputedly indecently large salaries in exchange for - Finance who abolished college fees your soul. This job will render you impossibly dull in all conversation, and probably is highly inducive of mid-life crises. Still, if you want to have your meat and two veg and eat it, this is the option for you. Thirdly, we have the apostolic jobs, the “Calling Job”. Otherwise known as the “Degree-Specific, Highly Paid but Highly Stressful Totally Non-Cop-Out Job”. Little Jimmy High Achiever will be leaving College and launched neatly into the field of medicine or law. Both of which fulfil heretofore unchecked criteria: both highly speculative stocks and shares. Why not paid and satisfying, enough to put a smile on the new change it so that 5% of pension funds can be graduate’s face. Just thinking about spending an made available for an investment fund in afternoon saving lives or defending the faith should campus companies? Each pension make many an undifferentiated “Arts” student wish they contributor could tick an optional box had opted for these noble vocational degrees. Fast authorising 5% of their pension contribution forward five years, though, and you are likely to find a to go into that risky fund. In return, they career-obsessed overworked shell of a human being, could get an enhanced tax deduction which whose broken record is increasingly “if only I had the would eliminate the real cost of their 5% time, I’d love to…” Most likely to get a divorce, have a contribution. The positive side would be that heart attack and forget the names of friends and family they would share in the intellectual property before middle age, the risk factor of this option is rights of any research that struck gold. enormous. The value that could accrue from Of course, there’s always a golden pot at the end of successful companies or intellectual property the rainbow for some: the “Follow your Dream Job”. This rights to campus companies’ inventions UARÍ UINN is the one your parents would rather you didn’t pursue, R Q TD would flow back to the investors. They would LABOUR SPOKESPERSON ON EDUCATION AND SCIENCE but that you have dreamed about since your more also generate the continuous activity of innocent days. This category includes acting, writing and researchers and maintain the level of academics, and is generally one you’ll have to try really academic excellence in our third-level and hard to justify as a genuine contribution to society. In ost students in third-level to 50 percent above the average education funds for the third-level, we need, in my view, fourth-level sectors. invariably involves rubbish pay and absolutely no job colleges are at the beginning of spend of OECD countries. Of that increased to devise ways of attracting private capital There are many other ways in which we security, however, it does restore your faith in humanity their adult lives and so will spend, a substantial amount should go into into our college campuses. The activity could channel or encourage capital to flow somewhat to see those individuals saying: I know it’s a M experience a world the third level sector which has the bulk of generated by Science Foundation Ireland into this sector. Yes, it is more risky than some one in a billion chance it’ll be me, but it might be me! transformed by a process of globalisation our research capabilities. will, over the next ten years, create a new forms of property investment, but its return Sadly, a life of pennilessness and disillusion awaits these which is unknown to my generation. To I agree that our universities are generation of PhDs and skilled graduates. I is more valuable if we want to make Ireland brave young things. survive and prosper in that new environment, under-funded, but I do not share the view of welcome this government initiative, but I fear a successful knowledge economy. Finally, we have the area into which I predict many there is a view that Ireland must move up the some, who argue for the return of third-level that there is no coherent strategy to deal with There have been great developments in of my contemporaries will step: the “Confused Young value chain of economic activity and become fees. I was the Minister for Finance, who its implementation. our education system in recent times. The Graduate Job”. Fresh out of exams, having missed all a knowledge based economy. along with Niamh Bhreathnach as Minister As things stand, we run the real risk of primary function of education is to educate further education deadlines and not wanting to settle The competitive pressures from a for Education, abolished third-level fees in educating our successful postgraduates for and develop our young people. However, into a job for life of the second rate, confused graduates globalised world economy after the Doha 1995. It removed a real cost to many middle- emigration unless we fund their post-doctoral developing and expanding our fourth-level everywhere leap off to some exotic foreign places, round of world trade talks is ultimately class families who still had to finance their activity. The fourth-level sector, that includes areas of education is an essential component intermittently working in the local Superquinn or (even resolved, means that Ireland will have to children while they were at college. campus companies which have the capacity on our journey to a knowledge economy. better) McDonalds, convincing themselves they’re “too remain brighter, sharper and more adaptable But it also removed a glass ceiling on to commercialise primary research Twenty years ago, the fantastical idea of young to settle down.” than before if we want our current high cost the aspirations of lower-income families who exploration and discovery, is one of the routes making Dublin an International Financial So what can we do to combat these evil five? of living to remain competitive in the new never saw or imagined that their children to a knowledge-based economy. Services Centre was proclaimed. There were Trinity College Dublin, whilst not great on the pastoral world economy. would go to university. It has had the same But brains need cash and we now have many sceptics at the time, but you find none care front generally, does offer a department geared The strategic response to this challenge, affect on third-level as the removal by to create a new relationship between the among the 16000 people now working in the towards our future employment prospects. Sometimes a by Ireland and the rest of Europe, is Donough O’Malley on second-level fees back laboratory and the labourer. We have to revitalised Dublin Docklands area. It has all friendly one-on-one with a guidance counsellor can be a education. We need to seriously invest in our in 1966. Our secondary school system needs switch the Irish investment appetite from happened within the lifetime of young more inviting prospect than the idea of sitting through education system, but particularly third-level. more resources and nobody suggests that this Bulgarian residences to bio-medical research. students who will sit their first year exams lectures of limited relevance. My solution? Gentlemen, While primary and secondary education have should be achieved by the reintroduction of The risk factor is probably the same, but for next spring. opt for cushy, safe, boring but well-paid jobs. Ladies, go many issues about which I could comment, I secondary school fees. most Irish investors, an apartment in Bulgaria Nothing is impossible to those who forth, conjugate, propagate. Traditional, tried and tested, want in this article to concentrate on the So how do we invest more in our looks a safer bet and besides, they don’t have dream and everything is achievable to those perhaps it is time to focus less on work and more about third- and fourth-level areas of education. education system if we want to prepare the the knowledge how to invest in a campus with clear ideas and determination. family, people, and relationships. Which is my current Ireland spends less than the average of foundations of knowledge-based economy company. Ruairí Quinn, TD, is the Labour Party “get out of the library free” card. There’s always a fall- OECD countries on education as a which will keep us in the manner to which we One change that we could make is the Spokesperson on Education and Science. He back position. And six months until exams. Real world, percentage of our GNP. We need, over a short have become accustomed? following: at present our pension funds are is a former Minister for Finance (1994 – 1997) brace yourself. period of time, to increase that progressively In addition to increasing the taxpayers debarred from investing in risky or and Labour Party leader (1997 – 2002).

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P15 Editorial&Letters

Accurate facts key to a clear TRINITY NEWS understanding of GSU resignation D UBLIN U NIVERSITY’ S I NDEPENDENT S TUDENT N EWSPAPER

Sir - While I appreciate your effort to shed inappropriate political pressure, the decision to political pressure brought on Ms Palileo was Issue 4, Volume 54 some light on the tumultuous resign (and if so, when) remained Ms Palileo’s. inappropriate and that the Executive exceeded Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 Graduate Students Union AGM of 24 October Nor did she “renounce to take up the position”, its authority in coopting someone else to fill the 6 Trinity College, Dublin 2 (“GSU treasurer resigns at controversial as Mr Frenda puts it. As Electoral Commission post to which she was elected. It also contained www.trinitynews.ie AGM,” issue 3), a number of inaccuracies in Chair, I certified her election back in June, and a censure clause against those Executive your article may lead to even more confusion. to my knowledge, she has since made no effort members responsible for this decision, a clause GSU President Alessio Frenda’s letter to the to decline or renounce it. In any case, the I offered to remove at the AGM. You write that University Record (6 November) clears up GSU’s Constitution contains no provision for the motion did not pass, which is a bit some issues but also obscures others. While position-renouncement, while it does contain a misleading. No decision on it was taken: it was A student centre for Trinity? many of the issues are rather technical, the specific procedure for resignation, which Ms Pe ruled out of order by the chair and the AGM details matter because they speak to the larger Palileo followed on 12 July. In her resignation never had an opportunity to debate, discuss, or point that unions need to follow open letter of that date, she calls herself “willing and vote on it. Instead, the chair requested that it The issue of an impending student centre has been long-debated by democratic procedures and respect the will of able to fulfill this role [GSU Treasurer], and be reworded and brought to the GSU’s countless committees and glossed by even more agendas. Along with their members. believe[s she] would have done so capably and Extraordinary General Meeting on Tuesday 13 Ruth Pe Palileo was elected GSU thoroughly”. It’s worth noting that Ms Palileo November (6pm, same room). Hopefully the the removal of the Buttery Bar in 2006, many contend that student Treasurer last June. On 11 July, the GSU’s served as the GSU’s president last year and ran issue can be clarified and settled there. It was societies have been relegated to obscure corners of the campus, and Executive met, and because of the concerns Mr on a platform of organizational reform. disappointing to me that members were not the lack of a hub of student activity is seen by some as a grave fault Frenda explains in his letter, the Executive The GSU’s Constitution only allows the given an opportunity to learn about and discuss in Trinity’s otherwise shining countenance. voted its preference that she not serve in the Executive to fill an elected office on its own their Union’s actions—which, after all, are post to which she was elected. She resigned the authority only if the post “is not filled in Trinity being carried out in their names. In times of yore, students encloistered in the ivory Trinity turrets next day, 12 July, the first day of her term in Term”. It was the Executive’s claim that Ms may well have known the campus crannies of society rooms and office, not at the AGM. She was not ‘required’ Palileo’s election did not amount to the post Yours, etc. events held in strange nooks would have been well-attended; to resign on the 11, as your article puts it; while being filled that drew my concern. Joshua Edelman the Executive’s vote was, in my mind, My motion sought to clarify that the Chair, GSU Electoral Commission however now the modern vibrant Dublin city may hold a more enticing prospect for student down-time. This means that Trinity falls down where many other campus universitys excel: in providing a centre where students, and only students, can gather and grow more cohesive as a student body. Affiliated institutions treated only as Various College committees would have us believe that the key to these troubled student activity times is to create a space for student societies where they can dwell together, hence making the an opportunity to gather votes student identify such a place with extra-curricular high-jinks. However, all forthcoming propositions have found such a centre Sir - Looking back on my three years as a lectures in Trinity we were confined to the Arts was well equipped with a church as a venue for student belonging to both Trinity and Marino Building, only venturing into three rooms over our social enjoyment! located far from the “centre” of College. Indeed, Front Square, which College, the affiliation between the two seems the course of three years. Many Trinity students In order to improve the Trinity- so impresses the tourists, could be set to become an administrative to be stronger on paper than in practice. There remain unaware that teacher training is offered Marino affiliation, I would suggest that college centre should such plans to vacate House 6, which is beside Front was an annual visit to Marino by the Trinity through Trinity. This made it difficult to officials develop a better awareness of the Students’ Union to collect student votes. This integrate into Trinity student life and making needs of Marino students in regard to the Arch, come to fruition. appeared to act as a means of bumping up friends outside the teaching degree was next to schedules and the availability of Trinity Whilst resources and funding are clearly required to increase the their votes with a “minority group” rather than impossible. Social events were difficult to facilities and services. Further opportunity to vibrancy of student involvement, should the answer to this interest in representing Marino as an affiliated attend as compulsory lectures in Marino partake in Trinity’s social life is key in college. Apart from this yearly visit, no other clashed with club and society meetings. During improving this affiliation. necessarily be to clear an area far from the original College itself, far Trinity authority made the 15 minute journey Freshers’ Week, we were restricted to only one from many students daily routes? Surely this has the potential to to Marino and Trinity publications were not day we could attend, and other social facilities Yours, etc. decrease student activity. Indeed, many would contend that Trinity delivered regularly; some not at all. such as the bar, and sport grounds were off- Grainne O’Connor, College already has several hubs of student activity: the CSC in On the one day a week that we had limits for most of our degree. Luckily Marino B.Ed. House 6 along with the SU and several society rooms, the Atrium and the GMB all attract a good number of interested students from year to year. Perhaps the funding could be better spent, therefore, on improving these “centres” we already have, and highlighting their appearance to students. In addition, the separatedness of these hubs, it can be argued, adds greatly to the individuality of the societies. Would the Hist/Phil debacle be the same if they did not share a building? And would Players produce such excellent shows if they weren’t enclositered in their own building of pure Play? And would Sci-Fi Soc have that grungy appeal if they were not in a musty top corner of House 6? Trinity offers some of the country’s best and oldest societies, each with its own individual sites and indiviual outlook. A student centre will homogenise student acitvity, and make them about as interesting as a Cadbury’s Milk Tray. All in one place, but barely differentiated.

The rooms of Edward Ford, a murdered Junior Fellow, were in the third upper window from the left. His ghost can sometimes be still be seen emerging Photo: Martin McKenna Our mental health from the door of number 25.

Mental Health Week looms, and like any other week supported by Trinity's fellow murderers the Students’ Union we should look forward to being bombarded with all things related to it. This particular week must be handled in As far as the internal history of Trinity College house, had entered Ford’s rooms and months a proclamation of Council appeared a slightly different manner however: depression and suicide should is concerned, the eighteenth century may well endeavoured to persuade him not to go to the regularly in the Dublin Gazette, offering a not be thrust at us as sport and condoms are during Health and Shag be termed the “Times of the Troubles”. In the window again; but he, not daunted, was reward of £300 for information which would Weeks respectively. But with increasingly worrying statistics on constant riots and disturbances which took opening the sash to fire a second time at his lead to the conviction of any of the culprits and place in College during that period, at least two assailants, when he received two shots in the another £300 for the arrest of Mr James Dee, suicide, and with over 400,000 people in Ireland suffering from fatal incidents occurred – the shooting of a head and body, and fell, mortally wounded. who had apparently decamped from College depression according to Aware, perhaps it is an issue which Fellow in 1734 and the death of a Provost at an Four students were arrested on the next on the night of the outrage. In addition to this, necessitates making people uneasy over, particularly in relation to earlier period from a blow by a brickbat. day and the Board engaged counsel to the Board offered rewards of £150. But no In whatever light these occurrences were prosecute them for murder. The feeling in information was forthcoming, and Mr James our own College. regarded at the time, they seem peculiar Dublin, where the affair naturally caused a Dee remained safely “on his keeping” in his The College Counselling Service, with which two thousand enough to merit some attention at the present considerable amount of sensation, was all in native wilds of Limerick, so that eventually the students a year come into contact, is seriously understaffed. day. Edward Ford, a Junior Fellow, occupied favour of the accused students and against the accused were put on their trial, and the last we Although all the counsellors are professionally trained and qualified rooms in number 25 over one of the two authorities of College. hear of the whole affair is a brief notice on 12 passages through the red-brick building which We read in contemporary letters that the July in the scanty Dublin press of those days, to for the positions they hold, still with only eight in total to deal with then formed the only means of access to what prosecution was very unpopular, “especially the effect that “four young gentlemen, Scholars over fifteen thousand students in Trinity, they cannot be expected to is now the New Square. He appears to have amongst the ladies, who were astonished at the of our University, who were on trial for murder, be providing an adequate service. At the service, you are initially acquired a considerable amount of barbarity of undertaking so cruel a persecution were yesterday acquitted.” unpopularity in College, and accordingly, on 6 against the Sons of Gentlemen, suspected only offered a four session course in counselling, with each session an March, between 12 and 1 o’clock at night, a of a frolic!” “In many companies where I was HL Murphy in TCD: A College Miscellany, hour long, which can be extended to eight sessions if you and your body of students collected for the purpose of present”, writes a contemporary, “while the March 17th, 1906. counsellor consider it to be appropriate. breaking his windows. Ford, however, in warmth of this debate lasted I could not but anticipation of such a proceeding, had provided fancy the question was not whether the killing However, few would disagree that some problems cannot be himself with a pistol, loaded with large shot, of Mr Ford was a fault, but rather if it were not “It must be recorded that his ghost, dressed in solved in eight hours. Is it for those students to request to re-attend and the window-breakers were received with a advisable the young gentlemen should proceed wig, gown and knee-breeches, is said to walk by counselling, thus forcing another student on the waiting list to hang discharge from this, which wounded one of and put half-a-dozen more of the Fellows out the side of the Rubrics at dusk. Those who have their number, though the greater part of the of the way; at least, whether it would not be seen him declare that he emerges slowly from on even longer for a session? Or must they accept that their time is shot lodged in a tree. The students promptly proper that every twelvemonth the College the door of his old chambers at number 25, up, and find another way to cope? The options for anyone in Ireland retired to their rooms, and having provided should be refreshed with some new discipline walks more briskly in the direction of Botany suffering from a mental health disorder are limited. Whilst College themselves with firearms, which seem to have of this kind”. No doubt a great deal of this Bay, and then fades into the darkness.” attempts to provide a service, it is similar to the rest of the country formed a necessary part of one’s College feeling was due to some of the accused equipment in those days, returned to the scene belonging, as we learn they did, to important From Constantia Maxwell’s History of Trinity in falling worryingly short of its aims. of action. The affair had, by this time, attracted families in Ireland, a fact which told for a great College, Dublin (1946) attention, and some Scholars living in the deal in those days. Nevertheless, for some Compiled by Peter Henry

[email protected] P16 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 WorldReview

Star Wars and Super Spies: Is Cold War II heating up?

JAMIE BURKE Organisation membership being recently approach. STAFF WRITER extended to the Russian border due to The second reason is money. The countries such as Lithuania and Latvia Russian economy has come around to joining its ranks, it is not difficult to see why embracing its old foe capitalism with open It is difficult for this generation with our Russian politicians are complaining of a arms. Russia’s economy grew at a rate of array of eastern European travel western policy of encirclement. One of nearly seven percent last year and it is destinations to remember the days when an Russia’s arguments with the West centres expected that it will earn at least US$160 ideological conflict of global proportions on the actual existence of NATO. If the billion in oil revenues alone this year. In threatened to bring the reign of man on this Soviet Union is no more and the Cold War 2006, Britain, the country with which planet to a bleak end. is over, what is the need for such an Russia is currently having a diplomatic With events unfolding in recent institution to exist? standoff, invested $7 billion in the Russian months concerning the poisoning of an ex- In spite of the political standoffs, we are market. KGB spy on British soil, apparently by unlikely to see a return to the openly In an interview with the BBC in June Russian agents, and current proposals by hostile relationship between East and West. of this year, Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor of the Bush Administration to build an anti- Russia may be reasserting itself on the Russia in Global Affairs stated that, “It ballistic missile defence system in Russia’s international stage, but there is no need to (Russia) perceives the outside world as an neighbours Poland and the Czech be handing out iodine tablets just yet. First, enormous market where every country Republic, one could be forgiven for the Cold War was defined by a conflict competes for a share. It is a young and stocking up on food rations and heading to between two opposing ideological forces, terribly aggressive, ruthless, unceremonious the nearest underground bunker. So should capitalism and socialism. The world was kind of capitalism, but it is guided by profit”. we fear a return to the Cold War? split into two camps. Nowadays, however, it Sounds a lot like the economic policy Russia has always viewed itself as a impossible to take such a black and white pursued by its nemesis of old, the West. key player on the international stage and, with a landmass twice the size of the next largest country Canada, this claim seems Who’s playing? fully justified. Russia was the country to produce the first socialist revolution, to turn the tide against the Nazis in WWII and Putin of Russia: Ex-KGB posterboy Bush of America: Geriatric GI-Joe. the first country to send a human into space. whose dislikes include elections, Putin might be a bit pacier, but he In reflection of these events, the pesky former spy playmates and free hasn’t got Bush’s imagination. Big Star Russia perceives the Russian people have also regarded their speech. Wars nerd. role in international affairs as being one of outside world as an extreme importance. The perception that Brown of Britain: Professional Jaroslaw Kacynski of Poland: Homo- enormous market the USSR “lost” the Cold War, a view that grump turned major world leader. phobe punching above his weight. was largely reinforced by politicians of the Like Putin, not a fan of elections. where every country “victorious” West, deeply affected the Comes complete with artificial eye. Russian psyche. competes for a share. With North Atlantic Treaty “ Ghosts of” dirty A who’s who in America’s war laid to rest

ISOLDE MURPHY KEVIN BRESLIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Presidential race WORLD REVIEW EDITOR Last month’s sentencing of a former Roman Catholic police chaplain marks A week is a long time in politics and, November 2008? With the latest while Hilary Clinton is storming to another milestone in the ongoing judicial in the cutthroat world of the United Gallup poll finding George Bush to the Democratic nomination, she is process of reparations for Argentina’s so- The detention States Presidential race, a year is an be less popular than brussel sprouts, seen elsewhere as a highly divisive called Dirty War, in which over 30000 citizens disappeared without a trace in the centres were eternity. So who are the current crop the Democrats could be forgiven for figure with many doubting she has period 1976-1983. of hopefuls and what are their thinking that success in next year’s the cross- over appeal needed to The families of victims were finally notorious for chances of being here come election is a forgone conclusion. But carry her to the White House. able to celebrate the due process of justice, having waited over 20 years. The their brutality... sentencing of Fr Christian Van Wernich on 7 counts of murder, 42 counts of abduction torturing children Hilary Clinton (D) John Edwards (D) John McCain (R) and 31 counts of torture is illustrative of the in front of their Still leads most polls and last month pulled in US$10 Shocked the American public when he did not This former prisoner of war was the most popular success of the investigation into war crimes“ million more than her closest Democratic rival withdraw his bid despite his wife being diagnosed Republican during most of Bush’s presidency with a committed during the period and is Obama. With a talent for performing well in debates with cancer, Edwards is currently lying third in most record of bipartisanship agreement and moderate indicative of a process spanning continents parents... and the eternally popular Bill by her side, she is seen polls. Too far behind to be seriously considered a views. He has fallen back in most polls, however, and as offenders are tracked and extradited by many Democrats as the best chance for victory contender this time, he is still extremely popular in at 74 years of age, many doubt if he is physically from countries as diverse as Austria and the and her nomination has a dreary sense of inevitability the Southern states, and will most likely end up being capable of taking on the responsibility of the most United States. to it. However, she is reviled by many on the other the Vice Presidential candidate with whoever wins powerful job in the world. As with the previous race, The so-called “Dirty War” was side of the political fence and, in a country where the race out of the big two. McCain may have peaked too soon. initiated by the seizure of power by the swing voters win elections, Clinton may need to work militant right wing AAA, lead by Colonel J on her cross-over appeal if she is to claim the ultimate Rudolph Giuliani (R) Mitt Romney (R) Videla with the aim of eliminating all left during the transition back to democracy prize. wing opposition using whatever means Currently leading the polls on the Republican side, This Utah Mormon has become one of the surprise with the explicit intention of exonerating necessary in a process of National Giuliani made his reputation as the zero tolerance, no packages of the election race. Young and charismatic, all those connected to the purported crimes. Reorganization. In the cleansing that Barack Obama (D) nonsense Mayor of New York City in the 1990’s he has the personality to win over some of the swing In the face of severe opposition from the followed, 30000 people were arbitrarily After outperforming Clinton financially in the first before going down in folklore as one of the heroes of voters and with an endless supply of money (he is a military, Congress was finally successful in taken from their homes and were detained, half of the year and with the ringing endorsement of 11 September by taking an active role in the city on multimillionaire), he has what it takes to compete on overturning these laws in 2003, which tortured or killed by the military junta. The the hugely influential Oprah Winfrey, Obama’s bid the day of the attacks. Doesn’t match Clinton in the a national level, but his religious views are already paved the way for the current batch of detention centres were notorious for their would seem to have a strong momentum. Seen as a all-important fundraising stakes, but is extremely attracting controversy and the last thing the trials. These trials have seen the individuals brutality, using practices such as torturing more approachable, accommodating figure than popular and if he manages to play the 9-11 card at the Republicans need to be associated with is another responsible sentenced to terms of up to 640 children in front of their parents to illicit Clinton and with a record of voting against the war right times, he could be the Republicans’ best chance. candidate whose religious views become his years in prison. confessions and implications. Also in Iraq, a fact that could become increasingly overriding feature. The sentencing of Fr. Von Wernich is common was the adoption of orphaned important as the situation worsens, Obama’s chances indicative of the” gradual process of children by leading party members, which hinge on how he performs in the all-important bringing those responsible to justice. has resulted in a generation of Argentines primaries. However, with more than half the cases of searching for their true identities. “desaparecidos” still unsolved, it will be a The long process of bringing those long wait for those families whose loved responsible to justice was complicated by a ones fell foul of arguably the darkest period series of amnesty laws passed by the junta of Argentine history.

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P17 WorldTravel City Breaks

STRASBOURG The bridge between Latin and Germanic culture Two kilometres from the German border, but definitely French, and most importantly Alsatian, TOKYO lies Strasbourg, a hidden gem in the heart of Europe. After spending an Erasmus year there with various visitors, as well as many weekends with the Erasmus grant to spend, I know what it’s like to be a tourist in Strasbourg! LIVING The time of year is one of the first things you should consider before booking your trip. Christmas time, with the renowned Christmas markets in Alsace and Germany, is the most expensive but most exciting time to visit. The markets run from late November until late DOMINIQUE ENGLISH Ikebukuro at night. Quite literally, people stop and stare. An keen to keep your rare kind that they and you find them slumped over the December. With vin chaud (hot mulled wine), Ikebukuro is one chocolate covered waffles and other deep fried TOKYO English girl I knew even had people fall will usually be happy to sponsor your keyboards. of the busiest off bikes while trying to get a better stay. There are, of course, potholes along Of course you have to try Karaoke. delicacies as well as tarte flambee (a mixture places in Tokyo, look at her. Just take a deep breath, the way and the ones to be most careful The key word to know here is between a thin pizza and an omelette, with crème I would be the first to admit that with over one smile, look innocent and your many of are the large language teaching “Nomihodai” meaning “all you can fraiche, bacon and cheese layered on top), you’ll be jumping on a plane to Japan with no million people strange quirks will be forgiven. companies promising “free company drink”. When it’s late at night and you’re spoiled for choice. The markets themselves will not friends or even any experience of living passing through its As a general rule, it is extremely flats” “fantastic salary” and a “friendly all completely wasted, you have no idea cover all your shopping needs, as decorations, alone was probably a somewhat naïve main subway hard to get a foothold in Japan if you environment”. There is no such thing as how fun screaming into a microphone trinkets and candles are the most common goods choice to make. It was probably just a station daily. want to do anything more than travel. a free lunch. NOVA and GEOS are can be and how easy it is to convince on offer. The pedestrian square, Place Kleber, is whimsical gap year notion of obtaining Photo: diebmx Even student visas can be hard to usually best avoided (by most accounts) yourself that yes, you can sing. Probably home to a magnificent 30m Christmas tree which “life experience”, not that that’s obtain. This is the typical catch-22 that I that I’ve heard, as the hours are usually the best way to break the ice ever. sparkles with blue lights. necessarily a bad thing. And in fact the went through, as did everyone else in ludicrous and rather than keeping you During the day, there are so many It is necessary to book accommodation at majority of foreigners you are likely to my position: without a visa it is in a fixed place, you can be sent to five places you can go that it’s impossible to Christmastime well in advance, as hotels are meet there will tend to have some impossible to get a job, but without a job schools in one day, all in different areas name them all, but a brief summary of booked out months before. The town’s only hostel unifying desire for either escape or an you can’t get the necessary sponsorship of Tokyo. This may not seem too bad, the best would be: Harajuku (yes, is near Germany, three kilometres out of the town, utter change of life. (Or they like for your visa. The chicken and the egg. but when it can take up to two hours to Harajuku girls do exist), Shinjuku, so a cheap hotel is the best place to stay if you’re on manga- it’s more or less parted along So where to begin? travel from one side to another, this Ginza, Shibuya (very big, lots of a budget. From personal experience, Hotel Pax is a those lines.) A little tip from the inside: apply becomes quite a hassle. shopping, best karaoke and people family-run, traditional Alsacian hotel just beside A word of advice though: give up for a student visa or, depending on If you’re interested in seeing watching), Akihabara (electric city) and Homme-de-Fer (where the four tram lines trying to get your head around that whether your nationality is eligible, then modern Tokyo up close and personal, Disneyland. intersect) and is a lovely place to stay. place. Everything you find in Japan try to get a working holiday visa and fly there are a few things you can do and Or one of my personal favourites, Another time of year to consider visiting this seems riddled with contradiction: both over to Japan in person. Once you’re places you can go to give you a good Kamakura – the ancient capital of Japan multicultural town is during the one week per new and old, both liberal and highly there, scout for jobs and present them vantage point. One part of modern and now home to some of the best month that the European Parliament is in session conservative, both welcoming of with your visa: both student and culture that has sprung up recently is temples you’re likely to see. It’s also (check www.europa.eu for the plenary session foreigners and afraid of our influence, working holiday visas can make you a the internet café culture. For a minimal known as the most relaxed/child dates for the year). Again hotel prices hike up as people leading both entirely secretive legal employee. In some cases just price, you can rent out your own cubicle friendly area of Tokyo, by the sea and the demand increases and you may need to book in lives while flaunting everything so turning up arrogantly with a travel visa with a fancy new computer and all. advance. Taxis are a rarity during those weeks as extrovertly. in all your native-tongued glory will accessories such as a flat screen TV, At some point in their lives, MEPs, translators, assistants and journalists Then there’s the culture shock work, as teaching English is about the DVD player, chair/beanbag/sofa anyone with any interest in other descend on the city. By contacting your local MEP which, trust me, works both ways. only gap in the market we can fill. depending on how much you want to cultures should spend time in Tokyo. in advance, access is usually given to view the inside Westerners and foreigners in general Interestingly it sometimes doesn’t even pay. But you don’t just go there to check The most common excuse for people to of the Parliament and to hear the debates from the are still a relatively new occurrence in matter if you speak English as a first your e-mails. Many “salarymen”, as the go and spend a month there is as part of viewing gallery. Japan. The various areas of Tokyo I language. Often you find people of white collar workers are called, have a language course and hundreds do Outside of these peak times, Strasbourg is still spent my time in were all outside of the Asian origin who have grown up in taken to sleeping in these places, as it’s exist where you learn the basics, make a joy to visit. Anytime from April to September is centre, in what I suppose you could call English speaking countries and speak it cheaper than renting out an apartment. friends, go on trips and generally have a great time to visit with the good weather usually the suburbs, (but any image of quaint fluently will be rejected in favour of a So to cater for this, you can also fun. guaranteed. The advantages are cheaper residential areas sprawling for miles white skinned other-language speaker buy food, drink, pillows, toothbrushes, Being there for five months meant accommodation, fewer crowds and a chance to with gardens and parks should be far because they simply don’t look like DVDs and lots of porn. Go there late at enough time for teaching (Japanese kids discover the real Strasbourg. from your thoughts). A simple walk to English teachers. night and the place is teaming with are adorable), hanging out and taking a The tourist office is on Place Kleber and a the station in the morning would be Once you have a job and are drunk men laughing and shouting over language course. Go there, have fun, go three-day tourist pass costing eleven euros is well followed by dozens of watchful eyes. actually in the country, employers are so their cans of beer, or the next morning, back and have more. worth it (www.ot-strasbourg.com). Included in the price is access to the museums, the chance to rent a bike for a day and a free boat trip. Strasbourg’s museums range from the chocolate factory (a bit of a trek but quite cute) to the Museum of Modern Art, the Alsacian Museum and the Fine Arts Museum. Strasbourg is a UNESCO world heritage Colourful history in our smallest city site, as its city centre is an island. Thus, there are no tourist buses, but the hour-long boat trip around the town is a great way to see everything from the Parliament to the Ponts-Couverts. JIM DOHERTY architecture in the country, it stands on the site of a monastery pressed to find a more refreshing beverage than their Possibly the best way to see the city is to rent reputedly founded by St. Canice in the sixth century. A well- sparkling elderflower juice. On the Parade, adjacent to the a bike. Despite being someone who cannot take KILKENNY preserved round tower dating to the ninth century stands castle, is the very well respected Italian restaurant Rinuccini. her hands off the handlebars to indicate where she beside the cathedral, a remarkable juxtaposition of very Though less hip than Café Sol, this restaurant has its own is turning, a year on a bike in Strasbourg did not It may be Ireland’s smallest city, but Kilkenny’s charm and diverse expressions of Christian worship, but both possessing elegant romance to offer. actually prove difficult. There are cycle lanes vibrancy rivals that of anywhere in the country. The city centre something fundamentally Irish. For those with a tighter budget, the Pantry on Kieran everywhere and pedestrians are second-class oozes history: narrow medieval lanes meander between high High Street’s seventeenth-century “Tholsel” is notable Street provides a relaxed atmosphere and adequate cuisine. citizens in comparison to cyclists! streets and the majestic Kilkenny Castle dominates the not only as a guildhall, or its modern function as city hall, but There is also the Pennefeather Restaurant upstairs at the If you are staying longer than two or three skyline, maintaining a tangible, perennial link to the city’s rich is on the spot where Petronella de Meath was burned for Book Centre on High Street: the quaint bookishness of the days, a day trip to Germany is a good option. Trains past. The streets bustle with an offbeat artiness spurred on by heresy and witchcraft in 1324. Petronella was maidservant to shop below lends its own charm to the café. Paris Texas, on at the weekend in Germany are cheap, and if you’re the magical pastiche of Norman, Tudor and Elizabethan Dame Alice de Kyteler, a local noblewoman who, following the other side of the street, is very popular with locals. travelling in a group of four or five, a weekend train architecture, and by the buoyant peal of shoppers delighting the death of four husbands and other apparent strange Informal and lively, the venue offers live music on Sunday ticket will cost €25 for everyone. The baths in in the wares on sale in the city’s antique and curio shops. occurrences, was accused of leading a coven of witches and nights. John Street, on the other side of the river, is home to Baden Baden (Caracalla or the more expensive Kilkenny Castle is a must-see on any visit to the Marble City warlocks. Most of the group managed to evade being Langtons, a chic art deco restaurant and bar which doubles as Friedrichsbad) are a real treat. Some of the baths (nearby marble reserves were exploited to the max in the executed, including the ringleader herself who escaped to a nightclub on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The are outside, and even if it’s snowing, you can splash past). Originally a Norman keep, the castle has been England the night before her planned chastisement. One of interior architecture is imaginative, imbuing the venue with around in the heavy, hot and relaxing thermal renovated several times since its construction in the 1220’s. the more curious chapters in Kilkenny’s history, Petronella’s jazz age elegance and sophistication. If you find yourself in waters. A day trip to the Black Forest is also a good Home to the Butlers, the Dukes of Ormonde, in the 1640’s, demise reflects the city’s ostensible medieval penchant for Kilkenny and in the mood for “puttin’ on the Ritz”, then idea, especially during the carnival in February. For the castle acted as headquarters for the Confederation of witch-burning: several other burnings are reported to have Langtons is for you! the kids and adults alike, the Europapark, the Kilkenny, a royalist psuedo-parliament pushing for Catholic taken place up into the seventeenth century. Most B&Bs in Kilkenny range from around €30 to €45 per second most popular theme park in Europe after supremacy in Ireland. Today, the castle houses an art gallery There is a decent choice of eateries in Kilkenny. If one can night per person sharing. A comprehensive website for this is EuroDisney is a terrific day out (europapark.de). and the interior is open to visitors. The extensive grounds spend that little extra, I personally recommend Café Sol on www.kilkenny-bnb.com. The most popular hostel in the city Whether a stop on your interrailing trip, a weekend offer respite from the stirring shopping streets, and its scenic William Street. At peak times, both day and night, there may is the Kilkenny tourist hostel on Parliament Street. This away or a night away from Paris, Strasbourg is the pathways straddle the Nore. be a queue for tables- surely a healthy sign! The interior is Georgian townhouse offers self-catering rooms with laundry place to go. St. Canice’s Cathedral is another impressive Norman chic but cosy, the menu contemporary and well thought out. facilities and there is no curfew. Prices start at €16 per person Aisling McNiffe treasure in the city. One of the finest examples of early Gothic The desserts are especially delectable and you’ll be hard sharing.

[email protected] P18 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 Business&Careers

The credit runch

ARNAUD CHOUCROUN anymore. Since those homeowners had backed assets products were all related became they were in May. If this crisis resolves CONTRIBUTING WRITER contracted a mortgage, banks started to to subprime mortgages and thus, they nervous about itself as fast as the one in 1987, we have foreclose their homes. The large amount stopped buying all of them. Moreover, lending to the right to be optimistic. The Fed has of houses banks have to sell has concerns raised towards ratings mortgage listened to the market and has cut its Subprime crisis? Securitisation crisis? contributed more to the drop in real agencies (such as Standard & Poors or banks interest rates by 0.50% in order to Liquidity crisis? These are names you estate prices and banks lost money Moody’s) that gave good ratings to following the stimulate the economy. have heard in the news when you got when they sold those homes because these mortgage-backed securities, but United States The bad news is that we read back from your summer vacation. they did not meet the amount they lent were, in fact, unable to measure mortgage crisis. every day in the paper that banks have However, you did not quite understand to the borrowers. That is how the credit potential for large-scale default. NR was in a made huge losses in their third quarter the whole story and you’re starting to crunch started. Hedge funds lost money too. Some difficult earnings and they’re currently firing worry now that this financial crisis will Second, a securitisation and hedge hedge funds were greatly in demand of situation because large amounts of employees. Unlike in hurt your purchasing power of income. fund crisis. Nowadays, stocks are not the assets backed funds by subprime loans they still had to 1987, this crisis is centered on debt, not Well, it might be too soon to say so but, only products traded on the stock because they offer higher yield due to lend money for equity, and is more complicated to first of all, here is an outline of what market. Currencies are, as well as the high interest that the borrower pays. long-term mortgages isolate because of securitisation. If rates happened and why it happened. interest rates, options to buy stocks, When assets started to depreciate, they agreed on and they at which banks lend money to each First, a subprime crisis. Between options to buy a product in x amount of subprime hedge funds nearly lost their could not rely on small other remain high, the loans they will 2004 and 2007, the United States years and also products such as whole value in a few weeks. amounts deposits made by make to companies are likely to be Central Bank has done nothing but mortgage back securities. After a Third, a liquidity crisis. Fearing a individuals. That is when NR asked more expensive, therefore companies increase interest rates (from 1% in June homeowner gets a mortgage, the general slowdown in banks’ activities for help from the Bank of England, will have to charge the consumer. 2003 to 5.25% in August 2007). lending institution sells the loan to a such as financing and investing, a which is their lender in last resort. NR This crisis should not make us Furthermore, in the United States after Wall Street firm where it is repackaged serious crisis of trust has gained those has so far borrowed £21 billion from think that stock markets should go back a steady growth in real estate price, it with other loans and sold to other banks that decided no to lend anymore BoE. trading simple products as they used to. started to decrease in 2006. investors as a mortgage-backed security. to each other. The Northern Rock case To curtail the impact on economy, I believe that the new stock market Last year, due to the increase in The problem was that fear about illustrates very well the consequences of central banks have taken the decision with all its new techniques to convert those interest rates, borrowers who had defaults in the subprime mortgage- this turmoil. to inject large amounts of liquidities. loans, interest payments, etc. has contracted subprime loans (high backed market has spread to any NR borrows on a short-term basis However, will it be enough to contain allowed more people and businesses to interests loans made to people having a subprime loan (including auto loans, and lends on long term. They usually the ripple on the entire economy? gain access to credit on better terms. Yet bad credit history or a low income) common credit and corporate debt). borrowed their short-term money from The good news is that America’s we do have lessons to learn from this could not make their monthly payments People thought that all those mortgage- United States institutional lenders who equity markets are still higher than current crunch.

The Recruitment Agency The trials and tribulations of finding a job through a Dublin recruitment agency.

JAMIE BURKE agency is the subversive evil in our complimentary custard creams and was a CV, we keenly listen to them”. society, almost in the same league as then told to leave. Rubbish. CONTRIBUTING WRITER Roisin Ingle. Not quite, but almost. Associated with this problem is If you scan around their office you The problem with recruitment that any Tom, Richard or Harry, who say will invariably see a chart with the I’ve been unemployed for a while now. agencies is that their market in Ireland they are an agent, can potentially take names of all the other ‘team players’ The last few months have been sweet; is unregulated. Which means that for the CV you sent them or download it that work there and recruitment sales nothing beats getting up at 12 and their agents it’s like Baghdad out there. from a recruiters database, mess around figures beside those names for the watching re-runs of KnightRider. The The majority of recruitment agents will and make it look similar to one thrown month. Commissions, bonuses – that’s only downside to this lifestyle is the actually step over their two dead together by someone like Donald what they are after and you are just occasional bout of boredom and Harvey grandmothers to get you employed Trump. another random individual who needs a Norman ads. before another agent does. It doesn’t Lying on your CV is a wicked idea; job. I need a job and not one that matter if you can’t do the job because in fact I highly recommend it, but being They will also talk about how great involves standing outside Tower they won’t enlighten you beforehand to made look employable as a person who your ideal job prospects are, especially Records trying to swindle 12 Euro a what it involves. lives in a gold apartment in Manhattan under their ‘professional guidance’. You month out of some OAP who doesn’t Last year one agency thought that is dodgy and can make you appear like are not God’s gift to the Irish economy have a bank account. So I’ve turned to my politics degree and experience as a an idiot to potential employers. As so chill out my friend. Transport 21 the recruitment agencies. postman during the festive season shown with the example above. My advice is to not let them rattle Most of you when you graduate would equip me with the skills and Be wary of two other things. When you, take your time, look at your and are in your search for employment knowledge to build NTL’s new website. you finally meet with your recruitment options and hope that you make the will come across them at some point. I sat at a desk in NTL’s office for three agent he or she will usually start off by right job choice. And if you haven’t, just moving at a Make no mistake; the recruitment hours, played minesweeper, ate saying “we don’t treat our ‘clients’ as just quit. snail’s pace

DANIELLE RYAN it didn’t cost more than originally planned, the most expensive piece PetroChina hits $1 trillion BUSINESS&CAREERS EDITOR of infrastructure in the whole coun- try, the Dublin Port Tunnel, is still Two years ago, the government operating way under capacity. DANIELLE RYAN launched a €34 billion infrastructure The Department of Transport tells BUSINESS&CAREERS EDITOR plan called Transport 21. Since then, us that the original timetable was nearly every major project involved drawn up to set challenging targets has missed its completion deadline and was actually only written when PetroChina has become the world’s first or is currently delayed. Not that many of the projects it mentioned company to be worth over US$1 trillion, anyone is particularly surprised. We were only in the first stages of de- underling the recent boom on Chinese already have a record of building sign.“Designed to set challenging markets. PetroChina passed Exxon things too late, too big or not big targets?” they say. Well, we know Mobil out on Monday 5 November (its enough. Port Tunnel, anyone? I that designing the city’s infrastruc- first day of trading in Shanghai) when doubt the delays are having a detri- ture is challenging, no one said it the value of its shares nearly tripled and mental effect on anyone’s life, but was a piece of cake, so why not set its value as a whole jumped to US$1 for once, it would be nice to be realistic deadlines, then? trillion from US$456.6 billion. given realistic completion dates in- The absence of sufficiently in- PetroChina is the country’s largest oil stead of these improbable and tegrated transport might be annoy- and gas producer. The company is a unit overly optimistic dates we’re used ing some of us on a daily basis, but of the state-owned China National to hearing. it’s also having a huge effect on Irish Petroleum Corp. Investors have been Projects currently delayed in- businesses. These inadequacies are warned of an eventual bursting of the clude the Luas extension from Con- affecting the competitiveness of the Chinese market bubble, but so far, nolly to the Dublin docklands, the country and it’s about time things they’re not listening. Luas extension from Tallaght to started moving a little faster. A huge It’s the value of PetroChina’s Citiwest, the commuter rail service number of businesses outside shares in Shanghai added to those in to Middleton, the M3 motorway Dublin face rising delivery costs be- Hong Kong and New York, plus the and the Navan rail link. The Port- cause of traffic delays. Our popula- shares owned by the government that laoise train depot and the M50 up- tion is growing faster than any other amounts to over US$1.1 trillion Photo: www.petrochina.com grade were both due to be in Europe. We need to make sure compared to Exxon Mobil Corp.’s Workers erect signage for a new PetroChina station in rural China. completed this year and both have we’re working at optimal pace and US$488 billion. missed their completion date. using the resources we have effec- This performance by PetroChina also provide an important investment Revenues have soared but the PetroChina might now be the It seems that when we actually tively as the population continues to was predicted. “PetroChina’s return to indicator”, the firm said in a statement. company has been struggling to boost highest valued company in the world, do finish something on time, that we rise. Nobody is expecting miracles, the A-share market is a result of the Although PetroChina now holds production in some of its aging oil fields. but it doesn’t even make it into the top have to overspend by 100% of the just maybe some realistic deadlines Chinese economy’s fast growth and status as the world’s most highly valued It has also struggled with the ever- 50 companies in the world in terms of original cost estimate or we don’t and slightly higher levels of effi- surging energy demand. PetroChina’s company, this does not necessarily mean widening gap between state controlled earnings, which no doubt is raising use it to its full potential. Although ciency. public offering will bring renewed stronger profitability or productivity prices for oil products and climbing questions about the sustainability of the energy to domestic capital markets and than all its competitors. world crude oil prices. Chinese stock boom.

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 8 TRINITY NEWS P19 Science&Technology Attack from Space! Tech Blackouts, interference, and static: Specs what causes it all? John O’Reilly

LUKE MAISHMAN STAFF WRITER 3 SKYPEPHONE

The frustration of no mobile phone signal. The unexpected darkness of a Phone carrier takes power blackout. The snowstorm of static as the television broadcast is Skype mobile interrupted. All irritations that just heighten stress in what is for many an already hectic lifestyle. Can nothing be Mobile operator 3 done to prevent these pains of modern has struck a deal life? with popular One cause of such technical internet telephone breakdowns comes from further away Regions (layers) of the sun service Skype, than most of us would have thought. bringing its free and Coronal Mass Ejections originate in the The Core almost-free calls to Sun more than 147 million kilometres – 200,000 km radius, approx. ¼ the total radius mobile phones. The resulting Skypephone will away. These huge, travelling clouds of – Roughly 15 million Kelvin (the hottest region) function the same as a regular 3G phone (with sms, plasma and magnetic energy calls, video-calling, internet etc.) but has a dedicated occasionally strike Earth as they speed Radiative Zone Skype button for inexpensive calls / chat on the go. away from the sun. – Overlays the core Embracing Skype is an unusual move for a mobile If an ejection breaches the Earth’s – extends from 20% to about 70% of the total radius service provider, whom traditionally earn their magnetic defences, it can zap satellites revenue from expensive mobile calls. Comparing the with enough radiation to short-circuit Convective zone cost of regular service with Skype’s sheds light on this; their systems and send charged, – Overlays the Radiative zone to call the US with 3’s cheapest rate is 30c a minute energetic particles into the Earth’s – Comprises the outer 29% of the solar interior versus Skype’s 2c; an over 90% saving. atmosphere. These breaches, combined The introduction of this phone marks the shift with the magnetic storms in the Photosphere away from per minute call charges to data-based magnetosphere even when the ejection – Overlays the Convective zone billing by service providers, with data already offering is deflected, make collisions with Earth – The visible edge to the sun, emits the light we see mobile operators a greater margin over voice calls. damaging affairs. A CME strike can With this, people will pay for the amount of data result in disrupted radio transmissions Chromosphere consumed (including Skype traffic etc.) in a period as and phone signal, cause damage to – Overlays the Photosphere opposed to minutes of talktime. satellites and electrical transmission – 3000 km thick cloud surrounds the visible sun Skype currently has 246 million registered users lines and cause power outages – Only visible (to the naked eye) during a solar eclipse of its service, and if even a fraction of these decide to (blackouts). port their calls to a mobile phone from a pcs, the take- The damage can be far worse than Corona up will be extremely strong. 3 are using the new the inconveniences that many of us – Overlays the chromosphere system to increase marketshare in its eight operating experience: As far back as 1859, the – Temperature can reach 2 million Kelvin countries (UK, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong effects are recorded; on 1 September – Only visible during a solar eclipse Kong, Italy, Sweden, and Ireland). Quality of service the telegraph wires in both Europe and over Skype isn’t perfect and dropped connections etc, New England shorted out after a CME as many of you may have experienced, do happen. strike. The resulting fires and confusion Overall quality will increases with development, caused havoc and far-reaching damage. much like the current mobile network when it first In 1989, the HydroQuebec Power started. Grid blackout in Quebec, Canada cost With this announcement we can expect Skype two power companies more than C$30 features to be implemented in more handsets and be million between them and left six available with other carriers in the future, and as million customers in the cold and dark Google enters the mobile-phone arena with its own for nine hours. C$500 million in satellite platform, Android, we should expect to see its own insurance claims between 1994 and 1999 Google talk application performing similar moves. were a result of space weather such as The Skypephone has yet to released in Ireland, but is CMEs. in the advanced stages of introduction; expect it here But what is a CME? It is all to do with before Christmas with a sub €150 price tag; those who the sun’s magnetic field. Unlike the can’t wait should look to Nokia’s N73 and E65, both Earth, which has a solid, rigid surface, already Skype-compatible but not as complete a the equatorial regions of the sun spin solution as the official Skypephone. faster than the poles. Hence the solar magnetic field is gradually wound up like a huge elastic band. As we all learned in primary school, what Wavebob happens if you twist an elastic band too far? It snaps! These eruptions are like comets tail. Even when the ICME is Coronal Mass understanding of the solar eruptions different intensities. the whiplash of the sun’s magnetic field completely deflected by the Ejections (CME) as themselves. He explains that the images This biased image intensity is as it snaps. magnetosphere, there is still a backlash they can be he receives contain a lot of interference caused by the inherent noise effects of Irish firm making The life of the average CME of energy as the night-side magnetic constrained by 3D or “noise”, reducing the quality of the taking photos in space (cosmic particles, begins in the solar corona, the “tail” reconnects. This energy is satellite imagery. picture. The photos must be taken from etc) bias of the detector itself and flaws waves in blue outermost layer of the Sun and the site dissipated in the upper atmosphere, Note how the space for there to be any hope of a good in the instruments. Jason aims to of a lot of magnetic activity. The leading to the unusually strong aurora cone that marks picture, but this carries its own price: normalise sets of images so that they energy market magnetic field carries plasma with it, out also known as the Northern and the rough outline cosmic particles and solar energetic have similar underlying levels of and away from the sun. The expulsion Southern Lights (aurora borealis and of the plume particles sleeting through space strike intensity. This allows better comparison can extend to be as large as 30 times the aurora australis respectively). increases in size the delicate recording instrument and examination; piece by piece, the Wavebob, an Irish size of the sun even once they pass Jason Byrne is a postgraduate from left to right (chronograph), causing much of the jigsaw is fitted together. As more and company based in Jupiter. Interplanetary Coronal Mass student in the School of Physics as the solar disturbance in the images. more of the true nature of these space Maynooth but Ejections have been detected even by Astrophysics Research group. He is eruption expands The images that Jason works with monsters is revealed, so we are better operating worldwide, the Voyager spacecraft at the edge of working on CMEs in our very own from the sun. come from the Solar and Heliospheric protected from CME-induced has been harnessing the solar system. These things are huge! University of Dublin. Holding a BA Image courtesy: Observatory and Solar Terrestrial technological crisis. energy off the Galway After its birth, an eruption may (Mod) in Theoretical Physics (from Jason Byrne. Relations Observatory spacecraft. In the end, it’s all part of space coast with their unique drift slowly, almost dreamily, away from Trinity College Dublin), he is working SOHO is the older; a joint project weather forecasting: allowing us to wave energy convertor the Sun. This is the pre-acceleration with NASA Goddard Space Flight between the European Space Agency better protect the network of satellites, since March of last stage and is characterised by a slow Centre on Solar Astrophysics. and NASA, it was launched in 1995. It communications and power supply year. The “Wavebob” rising motion. The second part of the An ex-member of Players and the orbits the Sun 1.5 million kilometres cocooning our little planet on which we device (the company and product share the same CME life-cycle is a period of rapid Badminton Club, Jason once wanted to sunward of the Earth, an excellent are all so dependent. name) is essentially a buoy (more specifically, a self acceleration away from the Sun. It be a film star before his true calling vantage point for the inspection of the reacting point absorber) that automatically adjusts to reaches a maximum velocity at the end lured him in. The work he is doing now solar corona as well as the solar wind the size of the waves it is experiencing; this maximises of this stage, which may be as fast as aims to provide better understanding of and solar oscillations. However SOHO the amount of power it can produce through its 2,700 km/s! An average speed for solar ejections and so reduce the takes only 2D photos, making it difficult Volunteers needed internal hydraulic pistons, which is then transferred CMEs, based on SOHO/LASCO resulting (infuriating!) interruptions. to tell in which direction the ejection is to the onshore national electric grid. measurements between 1996 and 2003, Jason himself studies ejections travelling. for MoCap The current prototype being used is built to 1/4 is 489km s-1. close to the Sun – That is within thirty The STEREO spacecraft (a more scale and, while producing electricity is not connected recent NASA undertaking) are to the national grid, at full-scale, each Wavebob buoy For some of the slower “balloon” solar radiuses. To put that in Do you remember Sophie Joerg specifically designed to create 3D will be capable of producing one megawatt of discharges, the second stage forms their perspective, one SR is about 110 times from our first issueresearch on images of solar activity. There are two electricity, enough for roughly 1000 homes. whole existence; they accelerate slowly the radius of Earth and Earth is well motion capturing and animation STEREO satellites orbiting at Andrew Parish, the Chief Executive Officer of but continuously throughout their flight. over 2000 SRs from the Sun. He techniques? As part of her approximately the same distance from the company, explains that this is a huge leap forward After its energetic youth, the average specifically aims to better determine the research, she is looking for the Sun as Earth, one ahead of the for renewable energy production in Ireland. ejection is happy to settle down and characteristics of CMEs, such as their volunteers to watch and judge Earth and one behind. Like our two “As an island in the middle of the energetic head for the stars, continuing at a near speed, how big they grow and how different animations and for eyes, these two satellites can cooperate Atlantic Ocean, Ireland can be to wave-energy what constant velocity away from the Sun. much their intensity drops off within people to wear those fancy from their separated viewpoints to Saudi Arabia is to oil. The more we exploit this This is the end of the story for most this close range of the sun. Other motion-capturing suits to record create a clearly 3D image (think of unlimited natural resource, the better it will be, not ICMEs, as the vast majority have no researchers at Trinity study the new motions. Rewards are ten or those red and green lens 3D glasses). just for the global environment, but also for the Irish affect us on Earth at all, merely sailing discharges at greater distances from the twenty euros book vouchers, Jason uses several techniques on consumer's pocket", he recently said. off into interstellar space. Sun and investigate other solar activity. depending on the length of the the photos that he works with. The Irish Minister for Communications, Energy When an ejection hits the “Image processing to highlight task. If you would like to Multiscale image processing can be & Natural Resources, Mr. Eamon Ryan, has pencilled magnetosphere of the Earth, it buffets data” is the core of Jason’s research. participate, feel free to write an e- thought of as a lot like a 2D version of 500 megawatts of ocean energy by 2020 into his it into a comet-like shape, squashes the Since most of our knowledge of CMEs mail with your name, gender, year signal processing, which is used a lot in strategy and, as the first Irish company to obtain sunward side of the magnetosphere and comes from visual observations and of birth and course to the music industry. “I write codes to energy from the sea, the Wavebob device is positioned causes the magnetic field on the other photos, better methods of interpreting [email protected]. side of the planet to extend like a this data will lead to more filter images”, he tells me, explaining that to contribute significantly to this. the different pictures often have very

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Colossal Calzaghe ready to gamble in search of legacy

CONNEL MCKENNA was not supported by events in the ring victory, and one punctuated by some At 35, Calzaghe has stated his SPORT FEATURES EDITOR until around mid-fight when he had memorably great victories. His intention to fight on for a further twelve managed to arrest his opponent’s early coronation as WBO Champion came months or so before going out, he ascendancy, by which time the Kessler against Chris Eubank in 1997 after the intends, at the top. He could manage The opportunity to retire undefeated at uppercut was proving particularly retirement of Steve Collins. Although that now, sure, but in his words, he still the end of a long career in top level incisive. With his trusty jab keeping Eubank was, by then, past his best, the has “a couple of goals to achieve”. This, mainstream sport is perhaps the Kessler’s big right hand at bay, bout is remembered as an entralling of course, means stepping up to the light preserve of the boxer. That said, only Calzaghe was able to work himself back one, with Calzaghe, taken the distance heavyweight division and retiring as a those of the very highest calibre can into the fight. for the first time by a high-calibre two-weight world champion. This justifiably consider this even a remote It is testament to Calzaghe’s mental opponent, winning comfortably on ambition demonstrates where on the list possibility. In defeating Mikkel Kessler toughness that he recovered parity in points. of achivements Calzaghe places his last Sunday, Welshman Joe Calzaghe has the battle and reflective of his incredible Of the 21 defences, two outside of last cherished unblemished record of 44 moved closer than ever towards this stamina that he should turn it in his week’s are best equipped to portray the professional bouts undefeated. A source preposterously magnificent feat. favour in its final third, when to the talents of a special fighter. The first of surely of deep personal pride, it still Calzaghe, the now-undisputed world casual observer, the younger fighter these was in 2003 against Byron ranks behind belts and reputation. champion of the super-middleweight may have been expected to come to the Mitchell, a former WBA champion. In In making the step up, Calzaghe may division, has long been considered an fore. Time and again, we are reminded the second round, Mitchell became the be risking the chance to become only outstanding boxer, but with recent “big- that it takes more than just ability to be first man ever to put Calzaghe on the the fourth-ever champion boxer to fight” showings, he has moved towards a great champion and Calzaghe is a canvass, but the Welshman responded retire undefeated, and place himself, in the level of greatness. His conclusive wonderful example of that. sensationally by replying in kind within that respect, at least, on the same win over Kessler has arguably By the final round another of his ace the parameters of the same three pedestal as Marciano. A perceptive confirmed him to be the greatest super- cards – his experience – proved its minutes. The fight was halted, and was realist, though, Calzaghe is aware that middleweight of all time (although worth within the WBO Champion’s the one which really exposed Calzaghe he needs to take a big American scalp Marvin Hagler would contest that), and arsenal as he held off the desperate last to the American public who watched before his retirement if he is to get the surely now there are no more foes for efforts of Kessler, who had no option with greater interest when he went toe- credit he believes he is due across the him to vanquish at this weight, no more but to look for the knockout he, by then, to-toe with Jeff Lacy, the man Atlantic. For Calzaghe this seems to ways in which he can reinforce his needed in order to triumph. memorably dubbed the “mini Mike mean fighting one man above all – the supremacy. As he reflected, the triumph The work he had reserved for rounds Tyson”, three years later. Calzghe’s great Bernard Hopkins. Long a over Kessler confirmed his legacy also. 7 – 11, though, ensured that the triumph victory, achieved with clinical utilisation middleweight, Hopkins now operates in Calzaghe’s showdown with Kessler was Calzaghe’s, as was the glory of of his greater speed, was doubly the light-heavyweight division, and is pitted him against arguably the toughest confirming himself as the finest modern important, uniting as it did his WBO the current holder of the International opponent of his career. For the Newport exponent of his trade at this weight and Lacy’s International Boxing Boxing Organisation and National man’s 43 – 0 (31 KO’s) professional division, perhaps the finest ever. At ten Federation titles. Boxing Association belts. A real veteran record, Kessler could respond with one years, he is the longest-reigning current The classy, comprehensive defeat of at 42, Hopkins says he wants the fight, almost as statistically impressive in 39 – world champion in boxing, while his Lacy was a quite brilliant riposte to the but the suspicion remains that privately 0 (29 KO’s). For Calzaghe’s long-held latest successful defence – the 21st - has those who expected the highly-regarded he is worried about Calzaghe’s potency World Boxing Organisation title, equalled the divisional record. His 44 American to rob Calzaghe of his crown, and his hand will have to be forced. Kessler could show his own World professional bouts unbeaten render his the basis for this view being that the Frank Warren, Calzaghe’s promoter, will Boxing Association and World Boxing record within five of that of Rocky champion hadn’t tested himself against need to offer an attractive package to Council belts. Crucially, many thought, Marciano, which suggests what elevated a prime fighter since overcoming the Hopkins camp, who reputedly the Dane, at 28, was seven years company this remarkable champion is Mitchell. If there is one criticism to pulled out of a 2003 bout at the eleventh Calzaghe’s junior. This is not to say that now close to keeping. Five-weight make of Calzaghe’s tenure as super- hour, with financial disparities the root Calzaghe was the underdog, but nobody champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is, by middleweight champion, it is perhaps of the problem. within boxing was in any doubt before common concensus, king, but Calzaghe that he hasn’t take the Hatton–like For Calzaghe’s part, he knows that this matchup that these were, by some must now more than ever have a case career path of accelerating ascension Hopkins is a fighter whose pound-for- distance, the two best super- for being considered the best pound-for- and has wasted too many bouts on pound reputation has been secured in middleweights in the field. pound fighter in the world today. uninspiring opponents when he could defeating weighty names such as Oscar The fight in which Calzaghe triumphed If Calzaghe is to be mentioned in the have been building on notable victories de la Hoya and Felix Trinidad. The scalp took on a somewhat surprising form, as same breath as Mayweather, and more like that achived against Mitchell. The of Hopkins would do similarly for Kessler began with great purpose, but pointedly, a legend like Marciano, then appointing of opponents, though, is not Newport’s finest, and give him, tired, allowing his older opponent to his greatness had best be quantified. The his depeartment – disposing of them is – potentially, a spectacular swan-song in finish the stronger. While Calzaghe had statistics speak for themselves, but as and in defeating both Lacy and Kessler Madison Square Garden or Yankee spoken pre-fight of his belief that the always, the real story can only be in the space of 18 months, Calzaghe has Stadium. Calzaghe has never been one Dane’s style would suit him – Kessler is garnered when looking beyond them. answered this small query in impressive to rest on his laurels and ambition, as not renowned as a brawler – his view Calzaghe’s career is a tale of relentless and timely fashion. well as magic, still resides within him.

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 810 TRINITY NEWS P21 SportFeatures ON ONSTRIKEON STRIKE STRIKE GIVE US GIVE GIVEUS US OUR DUES OUR DUESOUR DUES NONO PAYNO PAY PAY NONO PLAYNO PLAY PLAY

It is time GAA players were given their dues as strike threat becomes reality

Farrell and Kieran McGeeney, who April its joint proposal on how the investment will be enlarged as a Any right-thinking person would CONNEL MCKENNA flanked their chairman in The Westin money should be distributed. Despite consequence. Not only is the GAA surely concede that the GAA will be SPORT FEATURES EDITOR Hotel on Friday, are no longer only men their proposals appearing to be of sound being expected to forego, perhaps, its acting merely as the middle man amid of the GAA, but men of the GPA also. reason – 25% would be donated to a most fundamental princple, but it is such a process, and its hands should not The Gaelic Players Association on With the formation of their “national player welfare scheme” with being expected to do so without any be seen to be dirtied by looking out for Friday performed the inevitable and “union”, the country’s gaelic footballers the remainder set aside to cover those legislative insurance that its increased the best interests of its athletes. voted in favour of strike action on all and hurlers signalled their intentions to “out-of-pocket expenses” of the inter- grant will be fully reflective of its Really we would do well to inter-county competitive competition no longer remain loyal and obedient county player (transport costs, medical proposed increased financial remember that the welfare of these for the 2008 season, but the timing was lap-dogs to the autonomous GAA. In costs, equipment and facility costs, even undertaking. Governments are rarely athletes is the real issue here. These their move was well–calculated. The case no one has noticed, the dietary costs can be cited here), then- clear on anything, but this way of dedicated players deserve some players have thrown the gauntlet down, organisation that was formed by Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism John dealing blatantly reflects all the financial assistance in serving their but there is a large enough window of Michael Cusack in 1884 to help preserve O’Donoghue rejected them out of hand, characteristics of what Bertie Ahern counties, their fellow countymen and opportunity available to the parties the national and cultural identity of with the Government’s cause for might call “smoke and dagger” politics. women and the GAA. These players do involved in what is fast becoming a crisis Irishmen has, in modern times, been concern being that the GAA was not Anyway it’s a mess all of the much to bankroll the GAA, they are to rectify the current mess. helping also to preserve the financial taking onto itself the responsibilty for Government’s own making. central to the spectacle and absolutely The involved parties other than strength of certain Irishmen, but not this distribution of funds. It is difficult to find a satisfactory central to the Association’s marketing the GPA are, of course, the Gaelic those who contribute on the field of The GAA’s view is that a reason for the Government’s campaigns (indeed, only in the last Athletic Association and the Irish play. One may shudder to think what Government agency such as the Sports evasiveness on this matter. Why can’t it, number of years were elite players such Government. It is the failure of these Cusack would make of his namesake’s Council should administrate on this through the Sports Council, deal as Colm Cooper and Dan Shanahan, two larger bodies to find common announcement on Friday, but then what matter, dealing directly with the GPA. It directly with the GPA? Perhaps it would whose images adorn billboards ground on the issue of player grants that would he make of a GAA and its is here that the current impasse finds its find it difficult to justify such a public nationwide, permitted to benefit has lead to the GPA taking this drastic denominational county councils that source. The GAA is, at pitch level at outlay to what remains a fledgling personally from image rights). This is course of action. The players are as can regularly justify charging £10 into least, an institutionally amateur organisation, one which was only this not intended to do a disservice to the undesirous of a strike as the GAA and games such as an Antrim senior hurling organisation, and those at Croke Park year officially recognised by Croke Park, great work Croke Park and RTÉ have the fans nationwide, but they, quite club final? The GAA is now a big are steadfastly against grant-aiding their but I feel the endorsement of such a contributed over many years to help correctly, feel as though they are the money institution, which is of great own members, seeing it as they do, as a suggestion would be to concede too develop Gaelic games into something current victims in the game of cat and value to the economy, so how long can serious infringement on the much credit. Perhaps it simply intends beyond the parochial, but no players, no mouse that is ongoing above their we expect the players, the very people Association’s ethos and tradition. to keep the GAA grant scheme in line interest. The players have rejected any heads, and their response was who are responsible for its continued Important words in Ireland, those. The with those offered to other sports. In notion that they are chasing pay-for- unanimous. and growing prosperity, to proceed in grants bodies such as the Irish Rugby any case, there seems no reason why the play style benefits and they should not If a count of the ballots was ever making sometimes obscene personal Football Union and the Football Government cannot make legislative its at this stage be subject to such needed, it was perhaps only to force sacrifice without the help of the very Association of Ireland receive from the proposed restructuring of its grant malevolent mutterings. They simply home to us the solidarity of the players coffers they are boosting year on year? Sports Council are in beauracratic line scheme for the GAA. Mobilisation of a want their great personal expenditure on this issue. 95% of those who voted, Many of these players are working with the grant for infrastructural strike would be more hurtful to the and sacrifice to be subsidised. voted in favour of the motion, with only forty-hour weeks to support their investment which the GAA already GAA than to anyone, so the Consider this reflection from John 58 of the 1281 who returned ballots families and then training three times a receives. Crucially this money is Government is in a position to now Troy, an Offaly all-star hurler in 1999, a returning them in the negative. There week at two-hour sessions. Then, there intended to aid the Association, and not push the Association further towards week before a Leinster final against was really no need for the vote to be is the now-extended nature of the its individual members, which is where accountable responsibility for the Kilkenny, “We’re taking this match verified. Cork’s all-star hurling Championship and National League it would differ from any player welfare distribution of a player welfare grant. If awful seriously. We’re training three goalkeeper and GPA Chairman Donal season to consider, as well as club grant. it is to succeed in this, though, the times a week now and some of the boys Og Cusack underlined the strength of commitments. Some could accuse the GAA of financial aid must be made transparent are off the drink since Tuesday.” the “yes” vote he delivered to the As the GAA has correctly pointed being, again, the dinosaur here, were it and should be divided into two That was less than ten years ago and it’s assembled media by stating the players out, the proposed grant scheme was not for a further complication in the distinctive grants – one specifically for time our country’s more modern “remain resolute that we will carry out conceived by the GPA in conjunction distribution scheme favoured by the the Association and one to be players, amateur in status but often our strike action should the impasse with the Government. The now Government. Under Government distributed by the Association to the professional in deed, were given the continue indefinitely.” infamous sum of an annual five million proposals, the GAA would grant the GPA or its inter-county level members. respect, the thanks and the assistance GAA men on strike? Unthinkable. euros Government grant was aid, in full, from its own financial clout, It shouldn’t be any more difficult than they deserve. The time is still available, But then these are new times in Gaelic provisionally agreed upon with the with the collateral being that the grant it this to place the ball firmly in the court the authorities must use it. Games. Men like Donal Og and Dessie GPA and the GAA putting forward in will receive for infrastructural of Croke Park.

[email protected] P22 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 SportingLegends

Former Boat Club Captain becomes World Champion

James Lyndsay-Fynn is one of the most promising prospects in world rowing. Since winning the World Championships in Munich, he has now set his sights on Olympic Gold. The former DUBC Captain talks to Gabriel Magee

n 2 September, at the argues that it has many benefits that World Rowing are often overlooked. He explains Championships in that he had “secured a job with Bank Munich, former Dublin of America in a time when very few OUniversity Boat Club Captain James employers were hiring. It was my Lyndsay-Fynn gave Trinity and rowing career that opened the door DUBC reason to celebrate. At that The College for me as many others had better regatta he put his name in the history work experience and qualification.” books among the great Trinity authorities But it wasn’t long until the oarsmen of the past by becoming competitive streak that had been world champion in the GB need to invest honed at DUBC once again came to Lightweight 4. I had the opportunity the fore. Initially James says that “I recently to sit down with James and in sport as completely devoted myself to the talk about his rowing career so far, as new job and found it a challenge to well as his time with the Dublin much as they do start with and had little time to train. University Boat Club. But in 2004, I watched the final of the James was born in Ireland but in academics. lightweight fours where Ireland educated at Eton College where he “ finished sixth in a crew with people was first introduced to rowing. He Employers that I was pretty similar speed to in came to Trinity in 1995 after a gap the single scull or ergo - this is when year and decided to join the Boat recognise I thought perhaps I could give it Club, though he admits that he was another go. The job was becoming slightly overweight and out of shape sporting more manageable and I could get out at that stage. I asked him what excellence as on the river in the dark in Putney and brought him back to rowing after a clock up about 20 miles a day on the year out and he recalls that it was the well bike commuting.” atmosphere at the club that got him The next year, 2005, he rowed in back into the sport. He says, “When the UK trials once again and came I arrived down at the boat house in second in the single scull. That Freshers’ Week, there was a great performance earned him a place on atmosphere, an open the UK squad in the lightweight bar, attractive female rowers and double. His partner in that boat was coxes - what more could you want?” medal at the World Championships Mark Hunter and together they In his first year, James made his in 1999. He also won the Home finished fourth at the World Cup in way up the ranks and into the senior International in the quad for Ireland Eton, sixth in the World Cup at squad. By the end of the year, there in 2001. However, it was at this time Munich, and went on to win the B were nine men left for eight seats. It that James decided to make a final at the World Championships in was close, with a little over a second those he met at DUBC. I asked was through hard work that he won dramatic change. Japan. They also won the Double separating the top four. With 500m James what he thought the key to the final seat in the senior eight that For any international level athlete, Sculls Challenge Cup at Henley to go, gold was still up for grabs. I Trinity producing more athletes of year and they went on to win the there is a large amount of sacrifice in Royal Regatta that year. The duo asked James what went through his his calibre is. His reply, without Intermediate Championship of both personal and professional built upon this success in 2006, mind with the finish line approaching hesitation, was that “The College Ireland. In 1996, James was an relationships. To achieve anything at winning a bronze medal at the World and he says that “Having been lying authorities at Trinity need to invest in integral part of the senior eight that that level, you” must be intensely Cup regatta in Poland and placing in fifth at one point, we passed the sport as much as they do in the went all the way to the semi-final in focused and driven. This means that eighth in the World Championships last 500m mark with three crews that academic side, as employers Henley, losing to the eventual these athletes must sacrifice a career, in Eton. I could see were just behind us, but recognise sporting excellence as well. winners, Yale. personal relationships or sometimes The lightweight double was not coming back - I thought bronze Sports clubs need to attract talent - It was around this time that both. James realized the implications consistently improving and was minimum, let’s work on silver. With perhaps with scholarships. They also James began to consider a rowing of this and he says that he didn’t want quickly becoming one of the flagship 250m to go, we had the French under need to have the facilities and career beyond Trinity. The results in to be over thirty without prospects of boats for the UK team as the control too. From then on, I knew the infrastructure when people arrive - the Trinity senior eight showed that a career or long term security, so he Olympics approached. James Italians were ahead, but I could not such as fulltime coaches and enough they were rowing at a very high club essentially quit international rowing performed well once again at the UK see their boat, did not dare take a equipment. I think DUBC has done standard. He also dabbled, with and moved to London to start his senior selection trials, finishing third look as I knew it was going to come well to compete with its peers, but some success, in the international career with Bank of America. This among lightweights. However, down to the wire. I put the head has managed to do so mostly through scene in various combinations. must have been an unbelievably despite this, he was taken out of the down, started counting sets of ten the good will of old boys coaching for However, elected Captain of DUBC difficult decision, for at that time, it double that he’d put so much into strokes, the crowd of 10000 was free and giving money to the club in 1998, he found his plate more than surely must have seemed that he was and placed into the lightweight four. roaring from the grandstand, the rate every year to buy equipment. full just trying to meet the demands giving up on rowing. He says, “I The four steadily improved was rising to 40 strokes a minute and Perhaps the Irish Sports Council of the captaincy and his college work wanted to take control of my own throughout the year with the legs and lungs were on fire. We should also be investing in university in addition to full time training. He destiny and become financially addition of James. In the World Cup crossed the line and I did not know sport to develop athletes for 2012?” admits that his rowing suffered independent to the series this year, they took bronze at who had won till it came on the score It is clear that he sees the because of it, but has no regrets. In rowing authorities and catch up my Linz, silver at Amsterdam, and gold board a moment later.” The score opportunity he received at DUBC as fact, he lists being Captain of DUBC peers who were already well into in Lucerne, which gave them the board read Great Britain and vital to his current success, but is as one of his highest achievements. their careers.” overall World Cup title for the Lindsay-Fynn and company had worried that the college has lost its When asked how he felt that DUBC With that in mind, he took 2002 lightweight four category as well. become World Champions. dedication to sport, meaning that helped prepare him for what was to and 2003 off from rowing and After these performances, they were Like many other oarsmen those students now coming to Trinity come, he told me that “DUBC had focused on establishing his career. confident coming into the World before him, he lists his time at DUBC won’t have the same opportunity he and still has great club spirit, the However, rowing is a funny sport. Championships, but not cocky. At as one of the keys to developing not had. Nine years after he captained coaches and older members instilled Despite the pain and sacrifice, for the World Championship, they just his rowing skills, but also those the club, he is still passionate about discipline, team work and rugged those of a competitive nature who continued the steady progression things that have made him so DUBC. It is this same passion that determination and appetite for like to push their own limits, there is they had displayed all year, making it successful: a dedication to hard work, has driven James Lyndsay-Fynn to training. I used to shiver with nerves rarely anything that can equal it. It is to the final as expected. a passion for success, the ability to World Champion status, and, in my 4pm lecture before the six lap not surprising then that James Lindsay-Fynn recalls that in the balance the demands of sport and hopefully, Olympic Champion in run of College Park on a Monday eventually turned up at London final race the Italians were off the work. But more than that, James was Beijing. Considering the importance evening, it taught you to push against Rowing Club. However, he line like dogs off the leash while the emphatic that the traditions of the that James himself places on his your other crewmates and your own continued working as well: once Canadians were going full tilt as Boat Club also instilled in him a sporting experience at Trinity, one time - the clock never lies”. again balancing the demands of both well. This put the UK boat in third pride and love for the club and the question remains: how will Trinity be After college, James initially had sport and work. But his experience in place at the 500m mark, which was college. It’s why he wore his DUBC able to produce more exceptional success on the international scene. the working world had shown him unfamiliar territory for a crew that senior blazer when he collected his graduates like Lindsay-Fynn if it fails He was a member of the Irish that sport is not necessarily a had not been lead all year. By 1000m Henley medal. It’s also the reason to recognize the role in eduation that lightweight quad that won a bronze hindrance to a career, in fact, James they were in fourth, though the field that some of his best friends are clubs like DUBC play?

[email protected] Michaelmas term, Week 10 TRINITY NEWS P23 CollegeSport Students defend world sailing crown Get in France Squashed

LOUISE DOBBYN under our peer pressure to drink it! WITH ROBBIE WOODS CONTRIBUTING WRITER Sunday, 28 October The first day of racing, however due to very light weather, the third race was The Dublin University Sailing Club was abandoned. Scotland took the lead with one of the two teams representing Trinity finishing eighth. Ireland and defenders of their World Champion Title in the Student Yachting Hit a ball Monday, 29 October World Cup at La Rochelle, France last Much to the delight of fourteen teams week. ,but to the dismay of the miniature The team consisted of John Japanese team, strong winds prevailed. Downey, Osmond Morris, Katie The competition began to heat up as the off a wall Hamilton, Davie Carr, Kieran Little, teams battled against one another, Geoff Tait, Chris Clayton, Lisa Tait, resulting with Portugal in first place, Simon Rattigan and Claudine Murphy. followed closely by Switzerland in Playing any form of sport on a cold, grey and sodden Amy Wickham and Louise Dobbyn second and Cork Institute of afternoon is something that most people will shudder took up the mantle of team managers. Technology in third. at the thought of. Most Trinity students know the These Trinity students were selected for feeling of trudging off a wet pitch covered in mud and their outstanding performances in Tuesday, 30 October freezing on another wet Irish day. However, not all sailing at regional and national levels, The teams faced the biggest physical sports require you to sacrifice yourself to the and for their stanch dedication and challenge yet; three races in the day and elements. So the next time it rains, why not come and commitment to the Dublin University a six hour night race. It became evident pay a visit to a different corner of campus, the old Sailing Club. that CIT, Switzerland and Portugal were Luce Sports Hall, the home of the four courts of the Last year, Trinity College Dublin going to dominate the racing. Trinity Dublin University Squash Rackets Club, where you was selected to represent Ireland at had two strong starts and excellent can enjoy competitive sport without having to battle SYWoC 2006. Due to their inspired speed on the first upwind leg however the weather! Situated in the heart of Trinity, training performance, they were crowned World minor spinnaker complications lost or games are easily accessed after lectures. Champions. This momentous them pivotal boat places. CIT achieved Squash is not a particularly hard game to achievement was a historic moment in a consistent two seconds and a third. understand. Essentially somewhere along the line in Irish sailing. The team received The Swiss, with their unrivalled the early days, someone must have decided that worldwide recognition and praise for downwind speed, achieved two fists, but hitting a ball against a wall sounded like fun. From their accomplishment, including the were pushed over the start in the second there it developed into a fully-fledged game where prestigious Pinks award from Trinity race. The Portuguese had a two players rally on a box shaped court and continue College. This diary is a day by day disappointing performance but still hitting a small soft ball against the wall until a player record of the event. remained in third place overall. Trinity is unable to return a shot or makes a mistake (e.g. hits stood in sixth place. the ball out or hits it after its second bounce or onto Saturday, 27 October The night race took the teams under the the floor or the tin at the front). The day began with boat allocations as Pont de Re and to the north side of the entertaining for the first five minutes. Dublin University more day of racing. One of the best things about squash is the great each team charted a Grand Surprise. Re island. Competition was strong, Twenty minutes later our attentions and Sailing Club in A toga party ameliorated things it can do for your fitness levels. It can be very Typically Trinity drew the shorter end of especially between CIT, Portugal and enthusiasm began to stray. Fortunately, action on the dampened spirits. Beds were stripped of physically demanding and, in one hour of squash, a the straw and our boat left much to be Switzerland. CIT rounded the windward as it was Halloween, there was a stand water. their sheets and trees were raided for player may expend approximately 700 to 1000 desired. The opening ceremony of the mark second with the Swiss 15 boat with pumpkin carving. Photo courtesy of branches as all team members paraded calories, which is significantly more than most other 27th Student Yachting World Cup was lengths behind. Trinity remained in the DU Sailing Club. about in Roman glamour. sports. Another of the benefits of squash is the held in the beautiful City Hall, where upper half of the fleet. Thursday, 1 November proximity to your opponent on court, meaning that it each country was presented with their This was an incredibly significant day of Friday, 2 November tends to be a more social sport than tennis or flag. Wednesday, 31 October highly competitive racing. Trinity The final day of racing resulted in the alternatively more of a battle if your opponent Later that evening, the A late start was enjoyed by all. The day commenced with a flawed start to the Swiss being crowned World Champions becomes angry! Don’t worry though, squash players competition really began to spice up at consisted of two races; a “banana day as it was discovered moments 2007. CIT came in second place, really are a friendly bunch and there’s a great the crew’s dinner where each country (windward, leeward) race” and a long before the race that the spinnaker followed by Portugal in third place. welcoming atmosphere during training sessions. prepared a national dish to be sampled. trip to Fort Boyard, then back to the sheets were badly frayed and required Ireland came away with a satisfactory The Squash Club in Trinity has a rich history Originally we had intended to serve harbour. CIT again materialized as a immediate attention. However, Trinity sixth place. However our greatest having been set up in the mid 1930’s and boasts many brown bread and smoked salmon. force not to be reckoned with as they had a strong start and upwind leg, but achievement was the crowing John fantastic players, including Joyce Lavan, the first However, due to forces beyond our achieved two commendable firsts. This the speedy Swiss and the consistent CIT Downing and Katie Hamilton as Mr woman to have been awarded a Pink, as well as culinary control, we lacked the all cornerstone day of racing shaped the were unbeatable. The racing was an and Mrs SYWoC. These prestigious various international players of each sex. Aisling important brown bread for this event for a highly exhilarating intense battle for first place among titles bring great pride to the team and Blake, a former Captain of the club, is currently delectable dish. Accordingly we drained conclusion as both the Swiss and CIT these two teams. CIT proved invincible confirm that all the training and playing professionally and is ranked 39th in the world. all our resources to create a “traditional were in grasp of the coveted cup. Trinity in the first two races. However, fighting dedication to the event was not in vain! The record of the club at the Irish Intervarsity Irish drink”, Tip and Down. For those of performed well, earning a strong sixth. the strong winds and huge stakes at risk Trinity would also like to extend a Tournament is unrivalled, with both men and women you unfamiliar with this beverage, it Not to be defeated by our result on the proved too much for CIT’s boat, special mention to CIT for their winning it many times. In fact the men have held the consists of a shot of butter scotch water or the numbing sensation of our resulting in a broken mainsheet block, endeavours. Thank you to all our trophy for a quite remarkable ten years in succession Mickey Finns, shreaded smoke salmon, legs, Trinity hit the social activities of robbing them of first place in the event. sponsors, without their support our and remain the top university side in the country. The a brussel sprout, lemon and topped off that night with full force. The organizers CIT’s dreams of the world title were participation in the event would not be Squash Club have even won the Irish Club with whipped crème. Not exactly arranged crepes and kebabs in the city dashed by this devastating blow. possible. Ronnie Murphy was a huge Championship on a number of occasions. Previously delicious, but it was amusing to watch at the race village. This was followed by Switzerland thus would be crowned asset to the team and responsible for the club has enjoyed a coaching session with Jonah the different nationalities crumble a drumming dance which was very victorious, though there was still one the incredible sponsorship proposals. Barrington, one of the greatest squash players of all time and the father of the modern professional game - and a student at Trinity himself in the late 1950’s, where he, in fact, started to play squash! There is a plan for a similar event to take place in March 2008. Our Club coach, Elvy D’Costa, has been with us since the mid 1980’s and is one of the most highly qualified coaches in the country. As well as training DUSRC on a weekly basis, he is the coach of the Trinity Ultimate humbled in Cork national women’s team and trains several of Ireland’s brightest young squash talents. Having coached in Trinity for many years, he is used to dealing with upwards of a hundred beginners a year. It would be CONOR JAMES MCKINNEY University. Trinity 1 had the quality -see new additions Arvil match, they established an early lead of 5-3, before effective difficult to find a coach with more experience Nagpal and Willis Bruckermann – to win, 9-7. David Misstear, use of swing offence gave Trinity a 6-5 advantage. When time & KEVIN TIMONEY coaching players of every standard. He runs dedicated an Irish international, was the heart and soul of the Trinity expired two points later, the one-point cap came into play, times for players of all standards and members can CONTRIBUTING WRITER effort until a late ankle injury forced a substitution. Captain Trinity were 7-6 down. deLux scored late to finish top of the turn up to these sessions at any time during the year. Fagan scored the winning point. group. The club runs four men’s and one ladies’ team in the The Ultimate Frisbee Club sent two mixed ability teams to Trinity 2 evenly split the first day scoring two wins and Trinity 1 began their Sunday campaign with a tough Leinster leagues playing every week. There is also the the 2007 Cork Open, who finished eighth and thirteenth two losses. Their first opposition, pick-up side Ego, went ahead quarter-final against “Last Minute Dropout”, a UCC alumni annual Colours Tournament, this year taking place in overall. after uncharacteristic mistakes from Dublin University. Down team. Their experience was too much; Trinity were beaten 10- University College Dublin on the 24 of November, Trinity 1, captained by Andrea Fagan, had the worst of 6-2, Trinity battled hard. Intelligent cutting and resetting from 5 and sent straight into a match against Ultimate deLux. and the Intervarsity Tournament, occurring in Galway the draw, with an opening game against Bologna La Fotta. Ian Sam Miller-Little and Alexandra O’Connell brought Nagpal and Bruckermann utilised dump and swing offence to on a weekend in February. We are also in the early French’s hard-running set the tone for the morning. The proceedings to within a point at 7-6 before Ego claimed their great effect, and the likes of French, Finola Shannon and Clive stages of organising a tour to Cambridge for January breakthrough came after half an hour; the game deadlocked eighth score and the game. Curley ran long until they dropped, Trinity seemed to have 2008. At these events and after league matches, we hit at 4-4, Trinity held their nerve to score on the break and After this disappointment came an inexperienced Unversity this game won at 9-7. DeLux, however, held their nerve and the pubs with as much passion as we hit the squash Italian resistance crumbled like the Roman legions on the College Cork 2. Trinity eradicated some of their earlier errors came back, 9-10.The final match, against an experienced UCD balls and they tend to be great nights out. Trebbia. The 8-4, setting them up well for an encounter with and won comfortably 13-2 before lunch. 1, was lost 9-7. For more information on how to get out of the the much fetted “Johnny Chimpo”, twice Cork Open The opening minutes of the second’s third game against Due to the seeding anomalies of an 18-team tournament, rain and become a member of the Squash Club and champions. Chimpo were quick to establish an early lead. A Dublin Institute of Technology, Rickard equalised after Trinity 2 played no crossover, meaning a highest possible how to get on one of our teams, see our website at tactical switch to front-up marking allowed Trinity to blunt plucking Tommy O’Connell’s pass from the air. Darragh finish of 13th. On Sunday morning they lost to “Belfast www.squash.tcdlife.ie, email us at [email protected] or their attacking edge. Chimpo won 13-5. Gleeson and Ben Sweeney, inspired, upped their game and Ultimate Giants” by a single score, but beat UCD 2 13-1. A 13- head around the side of the Luce Hall and find out After one win and one loss, an automatic top eight finish Trinity pulled away to record an 8-4 win. 5 victory over UL gave Trinity 2 a disappointing 15th place more from our noticeboard. was at stake in the final group game against Dublin City Ultimate deLux provided the toughest game yet. In a spirited finish overall.

[email protected] P24 TRINITY NEWS Michaelmas term, Week 10 CollegeSport

The Team

DUFC V GREENISLAND

15 Paul Gillespie

14 Shane Hanratty

13 Volney Rouse

12 Eoin Fleck (Richard Brady 35)

11 Killian Stafford

10 Johnny Watt

9 Joey Burns (Eddie Hamilton)

1 Graham Murphy (Tristan Goodbody 50)

2 Ben Cunningham (Alan Mathews 68)

Photo: Martin McKenna 3 Eoin O'Cuilleanean

4 Scott LaValla

5 Max Cantrell Brave Trinity fall to classy (Luke Mantle 65) 6 Eddie Molloy

7 Marc Lynch Belfast Harlequins 8 Richie Morrow

DU FOOTBALL CLUB:10scrum that appeared to rock their off scraps of possession at times. sniping runs constantly frustrating and entertaining game had turned into a BELFAST HARLEQUINS RFC: 22 Northern opponents lead in the front However, their tenacity was rewarded confusing his beleaguered opposite frustrating spectacle in a matter of row by former Trinity stalwart Niall with a try, which came against the grain number. minutes. JONATHAN DRENNAN Conlon. Relying on a fierce work ethic of play. Starting from his own half, However, after an exemplary In the closing minutes, Ulster COLLEGE SPORT EDITOR and bravery, the DUFC pack managed winger Killian Stafford kicked performance in the first half, DUFC centre Darren Cave scored a try for to keep a bigger Harlequins outfit at bay dangerously into the Harlequins 22 and, were faced with the daunting task of Harlequins despite protestations that for most of the opening quarter. combining brilliantly with prop Eoin facing a supremely conditioned outfit Volney Rouse had held him up over the Having barely started their AIL While the forwards were O'Cuilleanean, went over to score in the that were evidently angered at their line. With the score at 22-10, the game account, Dublin University Football distinguishing themselves at the corner. Watt converted a difficult kick to previous ineptitude. After the free had ceased to be a real contest, with Club were faced with the daunting task coalface, the backs also showed sparks create an unlikely 7-3 lead to send the running rugby of the first half, a sudden Harlequins in the complete ascendancy of hosting Belfast Harlequins. In blunt of brilliance. After fielding a high ball crowd into raptures. rainfall led to a war of attrition amongst as the final whistle blew. terms, this match was David v Goliath. near his own line, full-back Paul Unfortunately after enjoying a the forwards. Winning against Belfast Youthful exuberance matched against Gillespie showed great presence of purple patch of play with the DUFC After a sustained effort from Harlequins was always going to be a MAN OF THE MATCH hard-nosed professionalism. Enjoying a mind to send centre Eoin Fleck backs constantly threatening their DUFC, Belfast Harlequins scored an gargantuan task, regardless of home roster of nine Ulster players and a sprinting through the Harlequins’ Northern counterparts, a try was opportunist try that highlighted their advantage. Director of Rugby Tony former South African Currie Cup defence, only to be tackled into touch. conceded to create a one point deficit at class, which had previously been absent. Smeeth will be disappointed at the Max Cantrell player, Harlequins appear to look It would be difficult to fault the 7-8. However, despite failing to find Defensive confusion amongst the backs failure to get a valuable bonus point, but Second row Max Cantrell's slightly out of place in Division Two. industry of DUFC at the start of the touch on occasion, Watt’s place kicking and missed tackles led to an easy try he will be able to take many positives contribution to the proceedings was However, with home advantage and a game, though they sustained a rather remained exemplary, kicking a difficult that came totally against the run of play. out of this contest. Despite conceding exceptional. Often at the heart of his resurgent pack led by revitalized flanker high penalty count from the referee and penalty to create a 10-8 lead that lasted Unfortunately after bravely size and experience in many team's defensive and attacking Eddie Molloy, a win for DUFC was conceded an early penalty, which was until half time. In the closing moments holding out against Harlequins bravely departments to Harlequins, DUFC efforts, he combined a mammoth certainly not beyond the bounds of kicked over by Harlequin’s fly half Niall of the half, DUFC were undoubtedly in for the majority of the match, DUFC managed to match their Northern appetite for work with exemplary possibility. O’Connor. Indeed the contest between the ascendancy, bullying a bigger pack looked haggard in the last quarter of the opponents for much of the game. If you play at set-pieces. Often the unsung Before kick-off, a major concern O’Connor and Johnny Watt at fly half around College Park with Max Cantrell match. While it would be difficult to are a gambling man it would be a safe hero for DUFC, Cantrell's bravery for DUFC was a discernible size was to provide some of the most and Eddie Molloy deserving credit for fault the industry of DUFC, it was bet for Belfast Harlequins to win and skill typified a student side that difference between the forwards of both enduring moments of the game. an enormous appetite for work. Behind evident that the tide had turned with Division 2 outright, but certainly don’t have the ability to beat anybody. teams. However, after an early penalty, Buoyed by the kicking game of the pack, Captain Joe Burns was in Harlequins running wild at a count DUFC out of the promotion DUFC managed to create a surging O’Connor, DUFC were forced to live inspirational form, instinctive kicks and beleaguered defence. A highly stakes either. London calling for Dublin University Boat Club

ROBERT SWIFT a major event on the world rowing were forced to enter the Elite categories out into the fast-slowing stream and in a tight tussle with a Cambridge crew CONTRIBUTING WRITER calendar. This goes some way to of their respective boat classes. Not an collided with a boat from an eminent that kept the blood boiling for the THE CREWS explaining why Oxford and Cambridge obstacle – you might think - for a club London club. While no injuries or duration of the course. University Boat Clubs use this as a that needs to set its sights high if it is to penalties were suffered, this could have A quadruple scull is considered a Every year in early November, some of major trial event for the oarsmen that form one of the fastest VIIIs in the signalled the end of the race before it faster boat than a IV, and so it was no the greatest oarsmen and women in the they will select for the Boat Race in country, come the sprint season. had even begun. Undeterred the crew surprise when the quad finished in a Elite Coxless IV: world come together in London to April. It seemed only fitting for Dublin However, consider that the quadruple pulled in and were helped to fix their time of 20:23.73, ahead of the IV in compete in what is the largest four-man University Boat Club to join them. scull was invited to start number six in a boat by a keen boatman preparing to 20:43.17. These times did, however, put Joseph Calnan (bow, steers) rowing event on earth. The Fours Head Senior coach Mark Pattison sent two field of more than five hundred crews, watch the race himself. Trinity up amongst the best rowing of the River, as it is proudly known, boats, a coxless four and its sculling and that it was being chased down by a On a stretch where steering a good universities in the UK and there will be Henry Tindal attracts athletes with World and counterpart, a coxless quad. The boat containing, among others, James course has as much to do with the result some battles fought when the squad Eoin MacDomhnaill Olympic medals under their belts, and a importance of skill in the discipline of Lindsay-Fynn: Trinity alumnus and as anything else (if you have ever travel over for the VIIIs Head in March. Sean Osborne (stroke) total of 540 crews took part in this year’s sculling has been impressed by all top reigning World Champion. watched the Oxford-Cambridge duel In a season where the senior squad assault on London’s punishing tidal level coaches in recent years. DUBC’s Needless to say that as the squad you will know what I mean), it was up can afford to take no prisoners, this was Elite Coxless Quad: reach. sculling pedigree, however, is not strong, arrived in London, there was a slight to bowmen Joseph Calnan (Captain) a promising start on a challenging and When four men take to a boat, the and the decision to send a quadruple sense of intimidation which was soon and Robert Swift to keep the Trinity unfamiliar course. When the time Robert Swift (bow, steers) skill level required to maintain a steady sculling boat was testament to the hard quashed by the determination to rise to boats in the stream and call the progress comes for the winter training camp in Eoghan Kerlin craft is far greater than in the signature work put down over the last two years the challenge and show that not one markers for the sake of the other crew Spain, you can be sure that every squad Peter Heverin boat of university rowing, the VIII. by the senior squad to develop these Trinity oarsman was out of his depth members. While the quad (having to man will have to fight tooth and nail for Combine this with the wide stream, skills. amongst such opposition. A slight glitch start late due to repair work) were their place in the rankings and the boats Gavin Doherty (stroke) narrow flow and meandering course, Due to the nature of overseas entries in the quad’s preparation came shortly counting off schoolboy boats as they that race in the New Year will have a and you get some idea as to why this is to the Fours Head, the two Trinity boats before the start, when they were pushed overtook them, the four were engaged point to prove.

IT AIN’T EVER OVER THINGS ROWING WELL WHAT NEXT FOR JOE CALZAGHE? FROM BOAT CLUB TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: SPORTS FEATURE, P21 JAMES LYNDSAY-FYNN TALKS ABOUT HIS CAREER P22

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