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DIT Independent, 1st.-31st. of January, 2000

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By Margaret Donnelly popular choice for students, year of which only 3,427 The admissions officer about our courses we will mo t ought after college with 14,175 student li ting it were accepted - a hit rate of added that for a variety of send a representative to the among Leaving Certificate FOUR out of five leaving as their first preference, it 24%. rea. ons DIT is a very popular school. students." certificate students rejected was almost twice as popular According to the DIT first preference choice for "We also pride ourselve The report claimed that offer. of diploma and as IT Cork, who had the leaving cert tudents. certificate courses from DIT Admissions Office. it made on our open day. on January "confidential CAO figures second highest amount of more than 10.000 offers of show that last year it topped last year. "We have a huge variety of 22 we hold an open day of all first preferences. dip/cert courses to students courses on offer - 33 degree campuses in Bolton St where the fir. t preference league According to statistics However. as an institute of last year because working and 43 diplcert - and we have we are expecting to have our tables for both degree and relea ed by the CAO last technology, DIT suffers high from statistics over the last the largest student body of usual number of 4,000 diploma/certificate courses." week. DIT made 10,728 drop out rates, with one third number of years it has to any college in the country." prospective students." added Last ycar DIT had the offers of diploma/certificate make this number to fill its of students dropping out of "On top of that we have a Nicholl. highest number of first places. courses to students but only all IT courses last year. good rapport with secondary Meanwhile a report in the preferences for degree 1,918 accepted the offer. The institute has a take-up Margaret Nicholl works in schools all over the country. hi\1/ Independem on courses - a total of 7.875 for La t year DIT wa the most rate for it degrec courses of the admi sions oftice. "We If a chool ask us to come Monday. January 10th. said 1.500 places. popular choice for leaving 47~ against an a\ erage of very rarely till our quota on and lalk to their students Ih. t hDIT has emerged as the certificate tudents with 70% for other universities. the tirst round of offers so 7.875 " ting it a their first Combinlllg DIT's degre. we are forced 10 make a lot degre choice la t year. diploma. and certificate of offer in Ihe knowledge Diploma/certificate cour es cour e • the In titute made that people will nol always take the offer." in DIT r aI 0 th mo t I 78 ~ r to tudent la t Student hot in Mexico

By Samatha Rowntree A DIT tudent has been gunned down while on holiday in Mexico. Eoghan Cranley, a final year environmental design student in Mountjoy Square. who was murdered on a beach on January 11. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the DIT Independent that he was shot in an apparent mugging while out walking on a beach in Acapulco on Tuesday evening. January 11 th. Eoghan was invited to tay with family friends in Eoghan Cranley redisgned the restaurant in South Mexico and had travelled Great George's Street there for a millennium environment was right up his creative designer with a holiday. He had worked alley." distinctive and original during the summer to pay for approach to his work. the trip. He had been sending The 24-year-old had his mother emails and was previously redesigned the "He had a lively said to have been in top Marx Bros restaurant in personality and was well spirits. Dublin's South Great known and liked in the George's Street. "He was an school. It is a tragedy that He had gone bungee­ arty type of fell a" • said Mr such a promising life has jumping last week. His Cranley. been cut short in this Father, Eugene Cranley. the manner," he added. former president of the In a statement to the DIT Society of the Irish Motor Independent John O·Connor. Sarah McGovern. President of DITSU. said she Industry, aid he was Head of the School ofArt and was saddened with the news. "deva tated" with the news. design at Mountjoy Square. said staff and studcnts of the "Eoghan's death is a great "He loved water sports and loss to the Institute and at this skiing and went down to the School of Art & Design were deeply hocked by the time all our ympathy and beach regularly. He wa an murder. thought are with his family aCComplished artist ,i1ld big and fri nds" into ae thetic and the "Eoghan was a very 2 'DITIndependmtD January 2000 e Get a head start by taking advantage of Bank of Ireland's great banking benefits. They're all yours: Free banking - no account transaction charges, 365 Online Banking, discounted loans for students, Banking 365 - Freephone access for students, a dedicated student website at www.bankofireland.ie and a whole lot more. To really appreciate what all that can really mean, check it out yourself by calling into your nearest Bank of Ireland branch today. - a

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Bank of Ireland 34 College Green, Tel: 61937n Fax: 6793833 OIT Bolton Street students can contact us at e-mail: [email protected] 14 and ooncIlltIOI. NEWS January 2000 'DITIndependenttl 3 The Overall View Isa• po •cy launched Sarah McGovern By Dermot Keyes which are in regular use by The role of the Disability Welcome back to college A NEW POLICY for DIT disabled students." For Liaison Officer to the success and a happy New Year to disabled students seeking of the new policy is vital. As everyone. I hope you all students with disabilities was had a pleasant Christmas launched in Aungier Street on accommodation, the Institute the main contact for students and are fully refreshed to December 2, and according will provide a list of student and they are advised, the start a new year and a new to the Institute was the result flats and digs with various policy states "to contact the term. of a three-year study adaptations for the special disability office early in the I'm sure many of you conducted by their Disability needs of the student. first term (of commencing have heard about the Committee. At a"more practical level, a studies) to discuss in Governments decision to confidence the facilities or support OITs purchase of The policy was formally number of new provisions Grangegorman. THIS is a 65 launched in Aungier Street have been stated in the policy support services they may acre site less than ten site by the Lord Mayor of regarding the installation of need during their course of minutes walk northwest of facilities to help make study study". Bolton street currently Dublin, Cllr Mary Freehill. owned by the Eastern DIT's Disability Officer and research easier for The Liaison Officer's role Health Board.lt consists of a Linda Maguire, addressing visually impaired students. includes the co-ordination of number of buildings and a the gathering of Institute Cllr Mary Freehill at the launch of the new policy Scanning devices, close specific educational supports large amount of green officials, as well as past and such as notes in braille, and space which will be used for the sites built long before five other areas, the most circuit television and present students, sees the new to ensure the sending of pitches. OIT hopes to teach Government regulations notable being a development magnifying software as well policy as a fresh approach in applications to the the first classes at its new required facilities such as of examination policy as well as a software package for campus by Easter. These will the Institute's responsibilities Department of Education's wheelchair accessibility, as an attempt to heighten students with dyslexia is be Apprentice classes towards students with promised, providing special fund for students with currently taught in Bolton Committee chairperson disability awareness amongst disabilities. disabilities. Not to be St. The faculties of Applied Susan Lindsay knew that both staff and students. The assistance to students with outdone, the Students Union Arts and Built environment The new document, she improvements were required. policy itself stating that "the learning difficulties. will. be the next to move. said, "aims to give coherent Institute is committed to is drafting a policy on The Committee's terms of Enlarged photocopying, As far as student facilities form to the development of ensuring that students with taped lectures, brailled text as disability which it hopes will reference from 1996 to 1999 are concerned. It looks like policies for students with disabilities are not well as the transcription of ensure that students may the pitches may be involved: "identifying disabilities and to provide a disadvantaged in lecture notes are other participate fully to all aspects available from March. models of good practice in Accommodation for 650 OIT basis for further examinations." learning based features of the of life as a DIT student. other third level students will also be improvement to the changing new policy. A chief source of With both documents institutions", as well as the The Committee admits provided, but not this year, needs of the student." that "the age and design of learning and research is of published, the way forward and the Students Union will review of support structures The Disability Committee some of its buildings present course the library and each for students with disabilities be negotiating with the OIT and facilities that were management over the next was founded in May 1996 a number of constraints to such DIT library is to display at DIT would be appear to be currently available within few months in relation to a and examined areas such as disabled students." A recent a notice "requesting that staff greatly enhanced. Three stUdent bar,shops, laundry accessibility of the Institute's DIT and the development of a survey of the DIT sites was be made aware of special years of work by the facilities etc. sites to disabled students. policy on disability. undertaken and according to needs or requirements". Disability Committee should When you came ~k to With more than 90 students After further examination, the policy "a programme of Specially adapted electronic hopefully result in improved college after Christmas I hope you noticed our new with disabilities currently the Committee reviewed and work has commenced to equipment is to be installed facilities and services for the posters. These posters studying in DIT and most of extended its terms to include adopt the main buildings, in a number of libraries. disabled students in DIT. . explain what the Students' Union can and does do for you. I hope you read them Funding for and learned something new DIT, DITSU web sites fail about the 5U.The students' Union is about rtlore than projects entertainments and clubs THE Higher Education and societies. so it is Authority has announced a Important that you now the accessibility tests £10 million programme for other services that we research in third level prOVide particularly the By Thomas Felle as yet no work had been done institutions for the coming education and welfare BOTH the DIT web site and by the Institute in co­ three years. services. the Students Union web site ordinating a web The second cycle of this Over the·next couple of have failed a simple html development policy for blind programme as announced weeks we will be running a '11 at the end of last term and accessibility test, meaning access to the internet. "It is Quality assessment of if Oit are to have any lecturers campaign. We will visually impaired or blind not something we have done any great work on to date, but chance of securing funding be asking all class reps to students cannot access the • a proposal is due before hand out surveys for ites. it is something we will the end of February. stUdents to fill in after their consider in the future," added In a test carried out the the Proposals from individual lectures and give them back the webmaster. to the Students' Union. We DIT Independent, both sites departments are currently will then compile all the have failed the 'Bobby' test, However Bulman added being drafted and are to be information relating to the designed by Internet that high profile DIT Web discussed at a special lecturers and see what advisory committee had not meeting of the OIT areas, if any ,you feel they development leaders to test Academic Affairs committee need to improve. This sites' accessibility to people made any recommendations on January 28. ~mpaign. we feel, is very with visual impairment. on the inclusion of Important, as students have According to its The DIT Independent has accessibility guidelines for organisers. the HEA the right to give feedback web site design. Blind in relation to their also learned that the recently programme is designed to people use special software encourage inter lecturers.We after all are announced DIT Disability The Bobby test shows the DIT site fails Customers and not, as some called screen readers to institutional development policy fails to make any and co-operation. The HEA Would have us believe. 'read' computer screens. "There exists however an of which is blind. DIT's products of the system mention of an Internet also say the programme development policy for The device reads aloud the alternative text which can be disability officer, Linda proposal from OIT must For the next month or people with disabilities. screen by using the built into the html at the Maguire, said that the show clear evidence of the more we will be working design stage. This is a text Institute was fully committed project contributing on this and other DIT webmaster, Enid computer's sound card to based command, which tells to making the Institute substantially to the Campaigns and of course Bulman acknowledged that alloW blind people to access the screen reader that the completely accessible to all advancement of teaching at or.ganising RAG WEEK. 2000 information. The undergraduate as well as Will see the biggest RAG IndependeJlt learned there is screen contains an image or students with disabilities, and post graduate level. "In WEEK ever held in Ireland however a problem with Java and describes the image added the disability policy relation to these later two take place in the OIT, so be to the person accessing the ready. The charities as Internet access for blind cemented this commitment. criteria vital assessment chosen by OIT council for people in general. Internet site. Tt is also used for A spokesperson for the marks will be allocated to them," add the HEA. this year are the National pages are often written within hyperlinks, which allow Information Society Council for the blind and frames, or use complicated people to go to a different Commission said that while According the current Sightsavers International. issue of the OfT director's Java scripts. page with the click of a the Government had These are very worthwhile button. Web sites which do newsletter, Academic causes so be sure and be as According to Desmond introduced a policy document not use such alt texts are Affairs head Matthew generous as yOU can afford. Kenny. from the National for public service Internet Hussey says OIT can and inaccessible to the blind," We need hundreds of Council for the Blind. the development that includes must Win funding in this people to do bucket added the spokesperson. problem with screen readers the inclusion of such second cycle. "It is vital for Collections and take part in OIT to submit the proposal other charity events. so is that they cannot access this There are a about 90 alternative texts, no time disabled students currently that is the strongest under please contact your information and are unable to limit on their inclusion had all the criteria set down," nts' union. read it to a blind user. studying in the Institute, one been set. added the Director

NEWS January 2000 .DIThdependentrJ 5 "DIT Independent Survey of lecturers No room for compliancy in DIT HQ By Margaret Donnelly, number of issues, such as asking them to fill them out punctuality and method of on the performance of each AFTER much debate on whether or not DIT should be Education allowed to purchase the Grangegorman site from the Correspondent teaching, under the lecturer. Eastern Health Board, an announcement was finally made in DITSU are to conduct a guidelines of unacceptable, Lecturers will be assessed the closing stages of the last millennium, and it is to be survey on the quality of acceptable, good, and, very by tudent on a number of welcomed. The hard work, however, starts now. lecturing standards despite good. Also under scrutiny issues such as presentation of Now that the announcement by Government has been TU! objections to the will be content of syllabi, the the lecture, standard of made, no doubt an air of confidence runs around the proposal. balance between theory and delivery, punctuality, Corridors of Power that their commitment to third level practical work, time education for the Institute has been filled. Any suggestion of DIT set up a Quality tutorials, particle work, allocation to different course further funding in terms of on campus accommodation, or Assurance Committee in project work, effectiveness of elements, administration of development of facilities once the initial infrastructure has 1995, under the DIT Act of communication, methods of been completed would be treated with surprise from course, integration of course 1992, for "developing, teaching, handling of Government Buildings, and disdain from civil servants at the components, integration of maintaining, and enhancing questions/ discussions, and Department of Finance. subject into overall course academic standards and use visual aids. Both the Institute management and the Student Union and the resources available to quality in all courses." This The students will also be executives need now to focus on what has been a good end students such as of term for the students. They need to understand that of committee was started to given the chance to add their lecture/tutorial rooms, library course their hard work is appreciated, but more has yet to be assure lecturing standards in Eddie Conlon, Dublin own comments to the form. done if the plan is to be completed. colleges representative facilities, laboratories and the Institute. Courses will also come The purchase of the 65 acre site at Grangegorman is an on the executive equipment (range and excellent move, not only for the students of DIT, most of The Institute had proposed quality). under scrutiny with students surveys of this type in the committee of the TUI being asked to list the good whom will not benefit directly from the move as they will Students all over DIT can have graduated by the time any serious development will past but the issue was has said his union knew and weak features of their have been completed, but also for the transition year, fifth nothing about the expect to see posters in their rejected by union leaders. In colleges explaining what is cour e. DITSU has still to year and leaving cert students who are coming to open days response to this DITSU are to survey. decide to whom the reports at this time of year, who are making decision now that will happening. The following will be given but it is effect the course of their lives. Recent CAD leaks have run a survey themselves. management on the issue of week class reps will be issued believed that the heads of confirmed that DfT is the most popular destination for DITSU President, Sarah quality assurance," said the with forms to hand out to students now completing applications for college places, and courses will receive copies of McGovem, explained to the union representative. each student after each class that is largely thanks to the good work and training that the the reports. Institute provide, ensuring graduates are actually qualified to DIT Independent that "the He added TU! are in slot into the booming economy with little transition or aim of the survey, and its favour of a quality assurance further training required after college. finding is not to get people procedure and agreement on lIew student website D~velopment of bigger and better facilities will no doubt fired but to let lecturers know the issue very close. He was A NEW web site aimed solely at the student market has gone add greatly to the potential to continue this good work at what the students think of unable to comment on any ground level and allow future generations of DIT students to online. The website. Flunknet (www.flunk.net). in a special them and to get areas knock on effects a student agreement between the DIT Independent and its receive a standard of training that is just a good as what improved." tOday'S generation of students have received. union survey would have on webmasters, will also include the DIT Independent online. However, Eddie Conlon, Demands on education are growing, and demands on these negotiations. According to Flunknet's Olivia Morohan, the site aims to facilities are growing. No longer does the facilities DIT offer Dublin colleges Meanwhile, the DIT provide students with up to date relevant news and sports as serve the needs of students. To be fair, this fact has been representative on the Independent understands that well as a host of other features including chatrooms, bulletin boards, classified ads and free email. recognised by the DIT directorate and steps to ensure the executive committee of the a similar survey to that of the quality of training will continue have been taken, and the TU! has said that his union students' union may also be The site also has a comprehensive entertainment section, master plan for the Institute including the purchase of the knew nothing about the and will include the latest on clubs and gigs in Dublin, as Grangegorman site, were moves in the right direction. The carried out by lecturers. survey. "We are currently in well as other cities nationwide. The site also includes a fear now is that while the first step on the road to such student guidebook, which according to the site "is filled with facili.ti~s the advanced stages of The Q6 form will ask has been taken, there are many more steps to take, student survival information, everything from finance to ~nd students to rate lecturers on a It !S up to DIT management to ensure continued pressure negotiations with DIT food, sex to accommodation". IS applied to relevant Government authorities to fulfil their commitment to third level education in the new millennium. . It is not just facilities that have need upgrading. Concrete Chef to Jungles never made good rugby fields, and while indoor SOCcer is a recognised sport, so is GAA. The drains on sports funds from pitch rental have been enormous, and visiting compete in teams have never received the hospitality other universities and ITs are in a position to offer our teams when they visit. major , DIT, up until n~w, own no sports pitches, and a 25 metre swimming pool, an out of date weights room and a sports Now that you ve got used hall is certainly no where near a full commitment to a well competition rounded education. Again, hands were tied and this By Margeret Donnelly situation is hopefully now about to change. Goal post and a few bags of lime do to break budgets and hopefully the new A STUDENT chef is Cathal to your new year will bring a new birth to sporting triumphs. What is needed is financial support for a sports complex, and this Brugha Street is to represent battle will have to be fought it we are to win the war. the college in a major Accommodation is a word that scares most students. national cooking timetable... take a look Dublin has reached crisis level in terms of finding suitable competition. and reasonably priced accommodation for students and an Jonathon Adamson will on site campus is needed. When this will happen and what form it should take are all issues that also need to be face competition from 12 at ours. addressed in the coming year also. colleges to win the fmal of Well done DIT. Well done DITSU. Well Done DIT students. the Knorr Student Chef of The battle has been won, but the war has year to come. the Year. The competition is ...... on February 23 in the ~ is the policy of the OIT Independent to correct any Waterford Institute of Inaccuracies as soon as they occur. An corrections or Technology. He has been clarifications will be printed in the next edition of the studying Professional www.buseireann.ie newspaper.lt is also the policy of the Oit Independent to Cookery in Cathal Brugha offer the right ofreply to any person who feels a9grieved by Street for the past two years comment or opinion contained within. Please forward any and was chosen from 30 Such comments in writing to the Editor. The views 8Xpressed do not necessarily reflect the policies of the entries to represent the DIT. StUdents' Union. The student had to submit The DIT Independent a written recipe for a full meal, including a starter and ~round Floor, DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8 el: 402 4636 Fax: 4783107 email: desert, and describe the [email protected] methods used to prepare such ~ditor Thomas Felle; Deputy Editor Margaret Donnelly; a meal. DIT has yet to win oews Editor Usa-Marie Deeney; Features Editor: Jenni the competition. Waterford uggan;Entertainment Editor Eimear Lowe Institute of Technology has "/ Executive Editor: Sarah McGovem won the award twice, and Cork and GalwaylMayo ITs ...... have taken one award each. The DIT Independent is produced by This years winner will Bus 'Flreonn receive an all expenses trip to email: [email protected] the culinary olympics, taking place this September in Berlin. "The winner will be able to see at first hand the And printed by The Meath Chronicle, competition and will also have the opportunity to cook - Navan, Co Meath with the Irish team," 6 .BIT IndepeOOentD January 2000 NEWS Bolton St to host a e fees major• conference By Samantha Rowntree THE incredible contribution of architecture to the may be abolis world's environmental and educational abilities will be examined at an By Margaret Donnelly, to the same financial support such a move is necessary to continually re-skill to meet The final report stated: international architectural whether on a full-time or ensure a highly skilled labour challenging needs." education conference Education "The Commission on the hosted by DIT on February Correspondent part-time basis. force and the continuation of According to Ian Russell, Points System considers that 11th and 12th. current economic prosperity. THE Government is to It also recommended that Education Officer with USI, a person who did not enter The main theme of this consider the abolition of part­ there should be more scope Philip Madden, Present of the idea of abolishing fees for third-level education on conference, to be held in Bolton Street, is to tackle time fees following for transfer and progression, USI, said "our current part-time courses is not a new leaving school should have recommendations from its' particularly to degree level, prosperity is largely a result thing. the future direction of access to the same financial architectural education in Commission on the Points from national certificate and of our highly educated work "It was recommended by support as a school leaver, if the 21 st century. System. diploma courses. force. the de Butleir Committee on he wishes to enter third-level The future for architecture The Commission's report The Union of Students in However to keep Ireland Student Financial Support in is uncertain as it's being recommended the abolition Ireland has welcomed the competitive in the 21 st 1993 and these education later life, whether viewed by society as a form of part-time fees saying that report, brought out on century we have to give recommendations must be that be on a full-time or on a of art. everyone should have access December 8, and says that people every incentive to implemented now." part-time basis." Ironically, say the organisers, this is happening at a time when there's a need for innovative research and design in the field to solve Mountjoy Sq environmental problems and develop new products. The conference will ask how architects can student wins contribute to the plans for change. It will also question their influence on forces such as business and marketing politics. There will be presentations from Keynote speakers representing award international institutes. They include Professor FIO NULA Daly, who such a strong academic Juhani Katainen from graduated with a degree in understanding of the Finland and Professor administration marketing in industry," said the manager. Edward Robbins from Harvard University. December, has won a top The competition, which is award award for her analysis The conference is the in its first year, is open to culmination of a week of of a market case study. final year marketing students events in the School of The award, an engraved in Mountjoy Square. Architecture. Waterford Crystal Bowl, was According to a Lites Students of the School presented by the ational spokesperson, the will be involved in group Field Marketing Manager of competition wa started to work around Dublin City Lites Marketing Group, recogni e the close from February 7. Aidan Connelly. "We are n:lationship the compan} There will be an open delighted to be involved in have with both the col1ege critique of student's work resulting in a prize giving these awards. and its graduates. ceremony on February "The standard of there "The award is part of our 11th. analyses continues to rise ongoing programme of co­ eve!) year and it is great to operation with the Marketing Fionnula Daly, who graduated with a degree in administration marketing in Careers know that new marketers are Faculty in DIT," added the December, has won a top award award for her analysis of a market case study entering the work place with spokesperson. office to hold jobs Film student scoops DIT play on Irish team in day for top award retail A FILM student has won a major national film award for work world skills competition carried out as a student in DIT. Deirdre Lynch has won the 1999 Jesuit Film and students Video Competition in By Ray Foley The previous best of the proud that there were so The DIT careers office are the documentary A TEAM of competitors who Irish was finishing in sixth many successful participants to host a graduate careers l category with 'Salt of place in 1997. from DlT, and it shows how in retail day in Mountjoy the Earth'. were cho 'en to represent Square on February 2nd. Ireland in the 35th World The winners of the two capable the Institute is in Deirdre programme is producing quality awards and The School of Retail and a revealing portrait of Skills Competition in gold medal were John training courses." Services Management have life in tenement Dublin Montreal is made up mainly Gallahue for his skills in collaborated with the during the 1930's, 40's, of lecturing staff from DIT. brickwork and Rita Dempsey She went on to say that careers office to put on the and 50's and was given "there is a huge pool of event, from 10am to a public screening last for waiting (food and The team, which also untapped potential in the rest 12:30pm on the day. year in the Irish Film features experts trained in beverage), both from DIT. Centre. of the Institute." According to Carol other colleges including like The other skills the Irish Minister for Education & Kelehan, careers adviser The major national Athlone IT, Sligo IT, featured in were fitting, with the Institute, Irish and film and video award Science Micheal Martin also Galway/Mayo IT and NCAD carpentry, industrial UK retailers will be well attracts entries from congratulated the team's over 20 third level is 18- trong, nine of whom electronic, CNC milling, represented. success and praised their institutions and is were chosen from the ranks and graphic design. "These retailers will seek sponsored by ability to compete with the applications from Independent of DIT to represent their The performance of the best other nations have to certificate, diploma and Newspapers with country at the internationally competitors this year is the offer. degree students as professionals from the renowned competition. highest ever achieved, and management trainees in On the achievement of the broadcast and print DITSU Overall President, their stores." media adjudicating. The Irish team was group the Minister aid Sarah Mc Govern, was The event is open to all Deirdre made the film awarded two gold medals, "Ireland can be justifiably suitably delighted by the final year students from as part of her course two silver and three bronze, proud of this years across DIT faculties. work for the Certificate and was placed third in the achievements of the DIT tremendous achievements "Anyone with an Deirdre Lynch with Cecil in Media Production competition just pipped by representatives. and is now studying winning two gold, two silver interested in retail Alien, course co-ordinator in Communications in Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in Expressing her and three bronze medals and management is encouraged the Irish Film Centre last Aungier Street. second, and Austria who congratulation to the team, eight diplomas of to attend with their CV", month came in first place. Mc Govern said: 'Tm very excellence." concluded Kelehan. NEWS January 2000 'DlTlndepmdmtD 7 Students visit FeI European Parliament am

A GROUP of journalism students from Aungier St Students need a took part in the first ever official visit by the School of Media to the European campus, to Parliament. The group, headea by senior lecturer in journalism call home and former Irish Times Media Correspondent, Michael Foley, visited the Opinion by Thomas Felle --.=--.,;,..~ Strasbourg plenary session of the Parliament during I remember travelling to Such a student centre will December 13 to 16 last. Belfast for a USI national give DIT students a place to Council Meeting around go to, where they can at the MEP Mary Banotti hosted Halloween in 1997. It was my very lest expect to meet the tour and gave oral first time in the then troubled some of their class mates, presentations on the work of city, although ceasefires had and hopefully meet other been called, the gun and the people in a student friendly the Parliament and her own bomb were still decisive parts work on education and child environment, something many of Northern Irish politics. of the city's clubs are quickly welfare issues in the After settling into a hostel turning out not to be. European Union, as well as on the Lisburn Road, the next Accommodation, the her work within the EPP port of call was Queens burning issue for everybody Group. University, a towering period in Dublin, could also be building in the heartland of tacked with the development She also organised the city. Off campus, but not briefings on parliamentary of an apartment complex, far from there lay the Queen's with single rooms built to operation from Avril Doyle student centre, a building The group of journalism students who took part in the first visit of the school student needs. and .John Cushnahan, both of media to the European Parliament completely run by the MEPs. Banotti also hosted an students union in the Six foot square bed sits in Hennessy who spoke about John Hedigan, who sits as The 15 students university. Ranelagh are all very well official lunch for the tour. until it starts to rain. The DIT group also had the work of a journalist in Ireland's representative on represented both Modern architecture it was Europe. the Court. undergraduate and post not, and, from the outside at Such accommodation briefings on the relationship least, it was certainly nothing could easily be built without graduate students III between the Parliament and The journalism students He spoke about the change special. But once inside, you little capital investment Ireland from Jim O'Brien , also visited the European in international relations journalism. had a feeling there was through public private Who heads the European Court of Human Rights, and within Europe and the effect The group also included something special about the partnership, not unlike the Parliament Office in Dublin were met by the most senior the court has had on the lives lecturer in Journalism at the place. Corrib Village in Galway. as weB as Examiner Irish member of the judiciary of millions of Europeans. Institute, David Quin. Apart from the obvious Prices may not decrease European Editor, Mark in Strasbourg, Mr Justice benefit of two bars, a club substantially from that of the and a sizable lounge, the Ranelagh bed sits, but size, centre also included serviced security and availability may. offices for the students' union executive, a board room for Even on a purely academic D'Aungier meetings, general point, the DIT library does administration and meeting need to be centralised. zone rooms for students who A central location where needed a travel save stamp the majority of published on their uslt card or just material is available that .Who says size moves wanted a chat with a officer opened in line with student THE Students' Union in because their rent was late needs will undoubtedly and they didn't know what to benefit students. Aungier Street have moved do about It. The centre also their by now regular contained a launderette, a Worries about Intruders dosen't matter? Wednesday night out to Club book shop, a small grocery would no longer be an Issue Mono, formerly the Mean shop and a news agents. on a campus, as It has been In the past when talk of Fiddler. It was nothing special, but longer opening hours around Alan Coleman, Deputy It was something special for Queens' students. It was a exam times was mentioned. President at the site site said place they could go on a But there are far more the move was taken because Monday evening to do their important reasons why DIT of the results of a student laundry, a place they could needs a campus. have a drink in at a survey conducted by the SU, Last week's the which overwhelmingly reasonable price (£1 a pint when there's a promotion on), announcement that the supported a change from the a place where they could national centre for the old venue, the Palace congregate and not feel like performing arts was to b nightclub. "Students have they were alone. located In Dublin City become bored of Planet University was of courde DIT students have never good news for DCU. Murphy's and would rather had that luxury. Students' go somewhere else exclusive union offIcera work hard, and After the successes of Mlchelle de Btun at the last to Aungier Street," added the the beck up and supports staff also ensure on an olympics, calls for a sabbatical officer. ongoing basis that the International standard 50m Coleman said that students Interests of students come swimming pool were echoed could expect free admission first. around sports circles end at the Department of Tourism to the club on Wednesday But we have never had a end Sport. AgaIn, DCU was nights and also added that 'student centre'. For thoM of us old enough to remember ..... as a possible location special promotions including for this. £2 a pint or shot, £1.50 for the USI b8r In Temple Bar, BIGGER IS BETTER city centre students at least Now that DIT has a modem Aftershock, £2.25 for had somewhere to go end facility to house a head Bacardi Breezers and meet other students without quarters, there will be no Bacardi Ringo have been being charged exorbedent reuon why It cannot bid for added to help make the cover charges and Inflated such national amenities. For the largest fleet ofcoaches prices for a drink. transition a success. It benefits everybody. The Fumace was never D'Aungier Zone was first anything special, but It was a StayIng on the sporting TEL 4755010 started in 1998 by the then home from home for many front, a full sporting complex site president, Siobhan students who just wanted to combined with a number of Weekes. It was originally be somewhere Instead of aN weather and ordinary held in Sorohan's, which is their damp bed sit on a cold playing pitches are needed, for immediate quotation OCtober night In their first and no doubt In time will now under new management. yeer In college. come. The move to Planet Fax: 4783820 e-mail: [email protected] WIth the centralisation of The familiar chant that the Murphy's was made by last the Institute's he8dq1.l8l1Atrs city Is our campus really year's President, Dan Pender. cornee a lot more room, 65 doesn't wash ...ymore. Kevin Street will continue to acres of It In fact. We need these fllCllitIes, hold their night out in Planet A student centre Is surely and It Is not unreasonable to - Murphy's. the least students deserve. expect ...... 8.DITIndependmtD January 2000 FEATURES

r as long as I could the valley. Dressing up in late remember, I had always Rebecca Kelly reminisces about her August, my group of friends and I Rdreamt of seeing the cities of city decided to treat ourselves to one of Europe. So when I finally escaped summer in the sunny southern German these sunsets. Sitting hundreds of the confines of school and made it metres high, drinking the local to college, I decided to spend my The following day, after having horrendous. My title as 'general wines and sampling the ostrich. I first summer in a students' sampled a little too much of the assistant' would have been more thought to myself, life doesn't get paradise. A land where cheap drink local beer, I wobbled off again, this accurately termed had it been any better this! time to my summer job in the general dogsbody! I stuck it out for flowed and pubs stayed open 'till One of the highlights of the three. A land where beer had Bavarian Alps. With a little regret, two days but I knew this remote I left the picturesque city of life was not for me. I longed for the summer was the 'Sommer Fest'. practically been invented Beer tents, bratwurst and bands. Germany. Stuttgart and my newfound friends, city. Noise, cars, shops. Suits on and took the three-hour train lunch and buskers singing. I picked The early evening sun gave the city Much to my parents' dismay, I journey to my Heidi-like home for up my unpacked bags and got the a honeyed glow as we gathered on booked a one-way ticket and the summer. The trained trundled next train out of there. the steps of the Kinigsbau. a clutching my German phrase book, magnificent building supported by through breath-taking forests and Stuttgart welcomed me back. set off alone to the promise of a job mountain scenery and I constantly columns. in some remote Bavarian village. Deep in a valley and surrounded by had to suppress the urge to yodel! hills and forests, the city is a The summer crowds wandered But as the plane touched down to dreamily through the fragrant food and Heidelberg are laid-back nightfall in Stuttgart, panic set in. Obertsdorf, the village I was to prosperous centre of both industry work in, was spectacular. Jagged, and culture. Stuttgart is famous for stalls. We watched street artists university towns. A short twenty­ The sudden realisation that I really perform to lively music and later as minute train ride will take you had no idea where I was or what I snow-capped mountains encased its Mercedes Benz and I was this idyllic town. Cowbells suitably impressed to see many the beer flowed we joined in the there and the wide variety of great was doing, made me curse my singing and dancing. pubs and restaurants will keep you itchy travelling feet. sounded in the surrounding fields examples being driven through the and cable cars inched slowly city's sunny streets. Stuttgart has an exciting nightlife entertained. Disney based his As I stood miserably by the skywards. No traffic. No beeping which you can be assured I took fairy-tale castles on the one in baggage reclaim, a bodhran sailed Even the Hauptbahnh, the Heidelberg and it is a must see. horns. No noise. But unfortunately bustling train station, sported an part in. The biggest and best known by and was picked up by a gruff, that also meant no people. It looked club in town is 'Perkins Park'. The great thing about mainland bearded, Ronnie Drew lookalike. I enormous Merc silver logo. Little like it could be a long four months. did the car giants realise that it With two huge dance floors, it Europe is you can take a day trip to recognised him as one of the loud­ played a good mix from techno to almost any other European country mouthed Dubs who had sat behind Refusing to give in so easily, I would become one of the most found the hotel I was to work in, significant elements of my trip. A rock'n'roll. However, my favourite for next to nothing. For £50 return, me on the flight over, chatting up club was 'Klim Bim'. I flew to Amsterdam and explored the cabin crew. Noticing my nestled between sloping forests and guiding star on nights out, as I It lacked the style of 'Perkins the infamous city on the banks of worried expression, he offered to a rushing river. My boss, a stumbled home trying to locate my Park' and with the aging DJ the Amstel. help. terrifying man in lederhosen, city centre flat! showed me to a cellar room. sporting a dodgy Bon Jovi haircut, As impressive as Amsterdam is Two hours later, I was sitting in Dismayed at this darkened place I ithin three days of my its not for dedicated clubber. But though, Stuttgart had captivated O'Reilly's, an Irish pub in west was to call home, I soothed myself return from Obertsdorf, I with my flat across the street and me. Thoughts ofthe balmy summer Stuttgart, listening to Finbarr and with thoughts of it looking better in W had found work in a city the Irish pub next door, what more evenings spent among friends, his bodhran and toasting my good the morning. centre hotel and a flat nearby. My could a student have asked for? drinking the local beer warms my fortune at having found other mad central location meant I could Germany is renowned for its winter. So for all you travel Irish expatriates. It did't. In fact, it got progressively worse. The work was explore the city on my days off. efficient transport system and lovers out there, if you are From the River Neckar to the visitors should defiantly use this to considering Germany as your Schlossgarten (castle gardens), I their advantage and explore as travel destination this summer, was mesmerised by this green city. much of the neighbouring towns consider Stuttgart. Over half of Stuttgart is covered and villages as possible. Tibingen with orchards. vineyard , meadows and forests and you are never more than a short drive from the beautiful country ideo The Fer ehenturm. or TV Tower, at the southern end ot the City, tand 450m above Stung,lrt and offers amazing views. The tower h'ls ,1Il exduslve re tau rant on level down from the top, so late dIners can wat h the sunset over

Nixon's Nixon ffivo/i Theatre called them blessed. By Thomas Felle Tension mounts as Nixon On August 8th, 1974 Richard continues to look back with M. Nixon resigned from the I anger at how his so-called presidency of the US allies have all fled his side, following the now famous and cynIcism and came up seeking to save his career Watergate scandal. His with Nixon's Nixon, now from almost certain doom. and curses past challengers for his own weakness. Such impeachment was imminent showing at the Tivoli. Nixon maddens with every for some days, however, it is Two excellent actors, Tim passing moment, recalling tensions reside in Nixon's said he only finally made up Donoghue and Keith Jochim, past triumphs and compelling reluctance to resign. his mind to quit after a under direction from Charles Kissinger to imitate world He and Kissinger dream meeting with this Secretary Towers, offer a very leaders, like 8rezhnev and up international incident after of State, Henry Kissinger the entertaining 90 minutes of Mao, to enable him to relive international incident, which previous evening. near-satire cut and thrust. remembered glories when he He had summoned They generate lots of laughs, met them as equals, and might demand a firm hand Kissinger to the White but enlightenment is not their apparently gained their trust. from a US leader. but all to House. where they conferred business here. Kissinger. becoming no avail. for almost three hours. In a powerful and inspired anxious of his career, There is only one course of The content of their performance from both reluctantly agrees, but action left to the beaten conversation was never actors, the play recounts what interjects with demands on browed leader. Nixon bows. known. however both Nixon might have happened that Nixon to ensure his work the play ends.. and Kissinger refer with fateful night in the White would live on through play are in no way intended This is essentially a clash differing accounts in their House. and adds some of the He resigned the following to represent the real actions of comedy and conscience, a Kissinger. biographies. authors remarkable wit to day. Khsingcr. of course. or opinions of the two Nixon ranging from the 80th men look back at entertain the audience. Playwright. Richard Lees characters. It hardly needed manic to the lugubrious, and what was, question what survived as secretary of state has taken the accounts. added The usual disclaimer to be said. a self-serving Kissinger might have been. and wonder under Gerald Ford. Booking some good old sharp satire records that the events in the if future generation will at 01-4544472

10 DITIndependentD January 2000 FEATURES yn• e Beac

lamie Hannigan reviews the latest movie releases THE BEACH End of Days. he was the devil I'M really not a fan of Leonardo di incarnate. in Stigmata. he's a priest­ Caprio. You should know that come-scientist investigating alleged before you read on. He always miracles for the Catholic Church. seemed to me like a guy who wa a Frankie Paige (Patricia Arquette) is technically brilliant, but who was a Pittsburgh hairdresser, a hard­ always just Leonardo di Caprio you drinking, hard-shagging slacker never believed for a second that he chick who also happens to be an was anything other than an actor. In atheist. The Beach, the fourth film from the This makes it all the more strange writl~r/director/producer team when she starts showing the signs of behind Trainspotting, Di Caprio stigmata and the wounds Christ plays Richard, an American received on the cross and backbacker with a taste for supposedly limited to the extremely something a little off the tourist religious. trail. Byrne is despatched by the Whilst spending the night in a Vatican to investigate, and general seedy Bangok hotel, he meets wackiness ensues. Whatever the Daffy, (Robert Carlyle) a paranoid trailers may look like, this is not the fellow traveller, who gives him a next Exorcist. Despite the violent map to an island "a place where flash-on sequences when Frankie he'll find the perfect beach", a place starts experiencing the stigmata, unsullied by tourists, which Richard there is little or no tension. Byme naturally sets off to find. and Arquette are good, but you On paper, it can't fail: beautiful don't get a chance to know them locations, beautiful people, sex, and the camera jerks about like a violence, and for the ladies, a buff demented NYPD Blue wannabe mysterious deaths in the remote (and mostly half-naked) Di Caprio. while the editing makes Con Air Leonardo di Caprio in town ofSleepy Hollow. The catch is There are problems and the seem sedate. The Beach and right: that the victims were all romantic sub-plot never really kicks •• Mathew Broderick is decapitated, and the locals blame in, and we're never satisfactorily Inspector Gadget the legendary Headless Horseman. told just why Richard starts going· As the sceptical Crane delves BRINGING OUT THE DEAD all Apocalypse Now in the second further into a logical motive behind half. If you see one film this year, you the killings, he finds himself drawn These are minor quibbles, really should get out more. But if to the mysterious Katrina Van Tassel RUN LOLARUN however. Boyle's inventive visual you are the unsociable type and can (Christina Ricci), daughter of one of flair livens up the extremely only spare cash for one cinema It's not often you hear his chief suspects. someone say "I just saw straightforward story, while Di ticket, you could do worse than In addition to being an this brilliant German Caprio is wonderfully refreshing checking out Bringing Out The exhilarating homage to the old film," but Lola Rennt and not trying to win any awards but Dead, the latest from the Hammer horror films, Sleepy (Run Lola Run) is poised relaxing a little and having some writing/directing team of Martin Hollow also features a three-way to change all that. The fun. Watch this and try to do the Scorcese and Paul Schrader, who sword fight to rival the climax of premise is simple and same. brought us the classic Taxi Driver The Phantom Menace. And what flame-baired punk Lola over twenty years ago. more could you want than that? •••• (Faffike Potente) has to Like that film, Bringing Out The STIGMATA find lOO,OOODM (as lot, •••• Dead's central character is a Two things will ring through your apparently) and get it to tortured loner whose job involves head immediately after seeing her boyfriend Manni (Moritz driving around the main streets of SLEEPY HOLLOW INSPECTOR GADGET Stigmata. The first is a blinding Bleibtreu) in twenty minutes. Manni New York city. But whereas Taxi THERE'S a terrific joke in the headache and the SFX of nails being has lost said amount on a subway Tlffi Burton and lohnny Depp had a Driver's Travis Bickle ended up end credits of Inspector Gadget, one driven through wrists will pound train and his boss, a violent drug lot to live up to. Their previous killing people, involving a 'Minion Recovery themselves into your brain until dealer, is not known for his collaborations - biopic Ed Wood and Group' - something like the AA for your ears start bleeding. The second Frank Pierce (Nicholas Cage) is empathy. the fairy-tale Edward Scissorhands ­ were lauded with both critical and recovering evil henchmen. Richard is the curious thought that if you an ambulance driver, haunted by With no car and her beloved public acclaim, and much was Kiel, who played who played Jaws crossed this with End Of Days, visions of people he failed to save. moped stolen, Lola is left with no hoped for their latest, Sleepy in the lames Bond films is in it. you'ld end up with a very decent Set over three hellish nights and choice but to run to save her Hollow. film. two days, the film follows Frank's boyfriendfs life. There. That's it, the rmest, most Well, not to belabour a fine point, original part of Inspector Gadget. Gabriel Byme appears in both - in increasingly hallucinogenic grip on The film is ingeniously split into but this film i absolutely terrific That ONE scene is responsible for reality. This doesn't sound like a three twenty minute segments and and deserves to be seen on nothing the single star this film got. whole barrel of laughs, but there is three versions of the same story and less than the biggest screen you can humour. It may be black-as-hell each keeping within the twenty If you're a fan of the cartoon find. gallows humour, but it's funny minute deadline set up at the start, series, you'll loathe the film. If nonetheless. resulting in something like Sliding Burton's trademark visual style you've never heard of Inspector Ifyou want mindless fun, try End Doors on overdrive. have never been used as well before, Gadget, you'll be merely irritated while the story is scripted from the by it. It makes Herbie Goes Bananas Of Days. If you want to leave the Director Tom Tykwer refuses to original Washington Irving story by look like Goodfellas. cinema feeling like Martin Scorcese let the pace of the film drop for Se7en writer Andrew Kevin Walker. has dragged you around in an more than thirty seconds at a go, Don't pay to see this, don't force ambulance for two hours (and I giving us the tiniest sensation of The story finds Ichabod Crane it on your kids - remember, it's an mean this in the best possible way) what Lola feels like. (Depp), an idealistic policeman in hour and a half of their childhood 18th New York whose unorthodox they'll never get back. Patrida Arquette asFrankie then see Bringing Out The Dead **** Paige in Stigmata above all else. scientific methods lead to him being • ••••• assigned to investigate a number of

•...••.....•..... _~.------.. January 2000 DITIndependent 11 12 IDITIndepeodent~ January 2000 FEATURES The Independent looks at the effects of ...... • When eating IS a problenw

By Jenni Duggan magazine or newspaper there are frustration, disappointment, anger adverts about new ways of dieting and loneliness. Very often sufferers IT has been estimated that and features about how to keep our of anorexia also suffer from approximately one in five Irish weight down. Due to this obsession bulimia. people between the ages of 15 and with dieting and image, it is not Obesity or compulsive 30 will suffer from an eating always easy to detect when overeating, is an eating disorder that disorder at some stage in their lives. someone has a problem. is often overlooked or not Most of those who suffer will Possibly the most well known considered to be as serious as the make a spontaneous and full eating disorder is anorexia nervosa. others. It is described as the recovery, however there are also Sufferers of this disorder will under excessive accumulation of fat in the many sufferers who will be more eat, often to the point of starvation. body. affected and require intensive treatment programmes. Despite an The main symptom is an Obese is the medical term to increase in cases, there is still a obsession with food and body describe someone who is 20% weight. stigma surrounding eating above the average weight for their disorders. Like depression, and Losing weight is the number one stature and age. It tends to run in other psychological disorders, aim and due to a distorted body families mostly because most people are not keen to admit their image, those suffering from this children follow their parents' habits disorder and often feel ashamed of disorder perceive themselves as and become 'comfort' eaters. The their condition. being fat even though in reality they marked decrease in physical activity in affluent societies seems to be a Eating disorders are only are often dangerously thin. This major factor in the recent rise in symptoms of something deeper that disorder is most likely to occur at obesity. is going wrong. For those suffering times of stress or unhappiness. from an eating disorder controlling Those suffering from anorexia are While eating disorders are more their bodies and their food intake is usually very lonely and tend to common in females, the number of a way of feeling in control when The actress who plays Maxine from Coronation Street suffers from isolate themselves and withdraw reported male sufferers has they feel there is little else they are Anorexia from social contact. increased greatly over the past few years. in control of in their lives. Often images of thin 'beautiful' people in little wonder with all these images A similar eating disorder is with eating disorders, there is magazines and on television. that there are some people who are bulimia. The main symptom of this Many sufferers never seek dissatisfaction with their bodies, Teenagers are particularly aware completely dissatisfied with their disorder is repeated episodes of professional advice and often it is which is often due to low self­ and unsure of their bodies and they body shape and size. compulsive binge eating often with only when they become medically esteem. also make up a large percentage of self induced vomiting and laxative at risk that their disorder comes to Dieting is widespread in our abuse. In western society only slim those who suffer from eating culture and it is estimated that light. While eating disorders are figured people are considered to be disorders. approximately 70 per cent of This disorder can be quite caused by psychological factors beautiful. There is a perception that There are many of magazines women between the ages of 25 and difficult to detect as sufferers can be they lead to physical problems fat people are stupid and ugly. Many aimed at this age group which 54 will admit to being on a diet at of any weight. Sufferers usually which can become extremely jokes are made about fat people and feature adverts and fashion pages some stage in their lives. Every time overeat in private and eat high serious. Itis important therefore that this is evidence of this perc€ption. with good looking slim models. It is we turn on the television or open a calorie food. Bingeing is believed to a person who suffers from an eating Everyday we are bombarded with be an outlet for feelings of disorder gets professional help. A £20 pre-paid account from Spirit is .~ the equivalent of400 minutes of ~ national calls. 400 minutes ofnational spirit calls on an eircom payphone could cost spirit you as much as £192*

CALL ANYWHERE IN IRELAND FOR THE PRICE OF A SPIRIT LOCAL UsE FROM ANY PHONE - SO NO BILL-SHARING HASSLES OR MONEY-OWING

To open a Pre-Paid residential account (min. £25) call Freephone 1800 921 921

*This is basell on an ell'COm payplrone tlaYtlme lIIltIolltll 8 I'tIte call aOp for 25 seconds). SpI,ws pre-pald accolUlt daytlme I'tIte (or " lItltio",,' call Is 5p a minute.

Country Rate Country Rate Country Rate AllStmlla 17p Hungary 20p Romania 30p Belgium 151' Italy 15p Serbia 30p Botswana 48p Israel 26p South Africa 39p Bosnla 30p Japan 19p Sweden 15p CQnada 12p Kuwait 45p Switzerland 15p China 55p Malaysia 25p UK Fixed 8.5p Costa Rica 66p Morocco 30p UK Mobile 21p Denmark 15p New Zealand 19p USA 12p France 15p Norway 15p Yugoslavia 30p Hong Kong 19p Pakistan 79p Zimbabwe 52p

All prices correct at the time 0(going to press. Prices are per minute, in Irish Pence ana inclusive 0( VAT. FEATURES January 2000 'DITIndepmdmtIJ 13

...... eating disorders on young people

T happens every year. We Weight Watchers is not the indulge ourselves over the way to go for everybody I Christmas holidays,and though. Some people prefer justify it with assurances that to devise their own methods of~ of weight loss, and find the everyone else is doing it. Before you know it, it's all Battle whole support group idea a over. Nothing left but little discomforting. Others drunken memories, novelty believe that weight loss is not gifts and a fat belly. The so much about eating less January blues have set in. than it is about keeping fit. There are many reasons for Elaine, another DIT student these blues; nothing to look from Mountjoy Square forward to for a long time, no decided to counteract her the bulge Christmas indulgences by money left, back to the dreary joining her local gym. routine of college or work or simple points system. Every to Weight Watchers to try and both, and of course, the Mary O'Neill has some food is valued, and members feel better about myself." "I really think the only way unwanted legacy of to get slim is to keep fit, and are allotted a certain amount Olivia admitted she chocolate, mince pies, roast healthy advice of points everyday. In this then you can eat and drink as approached the experience much as you like", she said. potatoes and beer. Everyone way you can still eat your puts on a few pounds over and enthusiasm. The moral "There is so much food and with a ense of dread, but was support of peers is probably drink around, and people tend favourite food, as long as you pleasantly surprised."1 was Elaine attends the gym Christmas. When I say don't exceed the daily everyday. It cost her £45 to everybody, I am of course, the best way to get ahead in to eat a lot of fast food after expecting everyone to be the dieting process and this is parties as well. We try to allocation of points. massive, but they weren't. join and is £34 a month after excluding annoying, fit, Members are encouraged to that. With that kind of cost, organised people who always why Weight Watchers have encourage people to keep up It's kind of like AA in a way. adopted this approach. It's regular exercise over read labels, and the purchase I thought a lot of people on top of al! the other bill look skinny and lovely of products which don't and expenses with which whatever the occasion. The easier to tackle the delicate Christmas, and in that would be there for a quick topic of weight if other respect, treat it like any other display sufficient nutritional fix, but there are people who students are bombarded, it is kind of people we ordinary information on their labels is probably wise to attend as folk love to hate. people seem to be in the same time so the year." have been going for years, boat too. not recommended. just to have it as a sort of often a possible in order to That sounds easier said get value for money. She So it's time, therefore, to Since the points system support group." sit down and make out a list than done, as most people joined with her friends and view Christmas as a time of was introduced, the age Initial subscription fees to of New Year's Resolutions. profile of members has sees it a a good way of This is actually a very reckless abandonment, and Weight Watchers are £6, and making friends. remembering to keep up decreased. The average age that covers the cost of the ~njoyable way of passing the "There's always people to daily power-walking is put to of subscribers is now first class as well. Classes time', and it's fun to think up between 18 and 45 years. chat to down there, and most of new and original ways to one side. But Weight after that cost £3.90 a week Watchers is, in a way, like a Olivia Kelly, a 23 year old and last an hour. Members people join along with better oneself. Dieting, or at someone else. It's strenuous ~east "cutting down", is social centre in itself. student in DIT Aungier record their weight on a Street, has recently joined weekly basis. "I think it's at the start but you get used to Invariably there at the top of "We are, essentially, a it. The hidden expense is the list. But does anyone support system." explained Weight Watchers. fantastic value", Olivia said, "think how much you'd have getting there and all the really stick to these healthy Carmel. "We hold meetings "I say every year that I will special clothes you have to ~ving plans? The road to hell, every week, where we try and eat more healthily, but to spend to join a gym for a year. At least with this you wear." So maybe it's not so ~s afterall, paved with good hardly surpnsmg, therefore, encourage positive thinking I generally never get round to difficult after all, once you have a group to encourage Intentions. that more people join Weight about weight loss. Losing it. But this year I was feeling you." can summon a little bit of January is probably the Watchers in January than in weight is basically about especially fat so I went along motivation. changing what you do, and if worst month to start having any other month. According you are going to make 1------sticks of celery for lunch, to Carmel Smith of Weight because it's a depressing Watchers Ireland, Christmas changes, you have to be happy with them". ~nough time of the year as it is a very dangerous time of IS. And joining a gym year for people trying to lose The Weight Watchers require a lot of organisation weight. policy is based on a fairly Mountjoy Square's THE Welfare Officer, Yvonne Ross talks to Margaret Donnelly and gives some advice for students worried about eating disorders THE causes of eating disorders are hard to pin down. Lack of self-esteem, family problems, emotional problems, personal insecurity, and abuse are the most common reasons someone starves their body of food. Yvonne Ross: "If you think you may have But even harder to pin-down are the a problem or you know someone who Sufferers, says Yvonne Ross. has. get help" Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa are the two eating disorders that affect many people, According to the Welfare Officer friends especially teenage girls. No one ever wants to more ~o than fami~y, are probably ~ore Iik~ly ~dmit that the've got a problem and because to notlCe.chan.ges In a person's behaviour as norexia and Bulimia sufferers are they are I.n.dally.contact with them and may notoriously secret about their problem it's eve.n b~ liVing With them. A tendency to avoid very difficult to for anyone else to become eat,lng In front of people, to hide the amount aWare of it. b~In.g eaten - too mU~h or too little, regularly p Everyone who has an eating disorder has a !flISSlng m:als, food disappearing and "I've ~o.blem, not the disorder, but something Ju~t eaten .are a!1 common signs of someone d hlch has triggered off the disorder such as With an eating disorder. ~ression. a personal problem, or lack of self But how do you confront someone who eem. It is not slimming gone wrong. you think has a problem? Ross has found in an "On~ of the main problems with Anorexia her work that it is usually friends or family ar d BUlimia, especially Bulimia is that people who come to her concerned about someone pre often in self denial that they have a they know. She says that confrontation all Wi~hblem. Most of the cases I've been involved depends on the individual being confronted. th are people who are insecure within "You have to be supportive. It's no use ernselves. attacking someone, they'II just close up and "It. deny it completely. You need to probe softly So IS often very difficult to recognise and let them know that you care." nameIone wit~ an eating disor,der as there are of c ear cut signs. Sudden weight loss is one .. All OIT colleges have welfare officers who be the more obvious signs but people should have been trained by both USI and OITSU to Suchware that any kind of sudden behaviour, deal with such problems. We can also put als as a sudden obesslon with exercise, is people in touch with councillers who are de 0 an i.ndicator that someone could be outside the college." Her advice: If you think veloPlng an eating disorder," says Ross. you may have a problem or you know ------:....::::..::=:::::::..=.:======someone who has, get help. 14 'DITIndependent[] January 2000 FEATURES 1000 21 st century Joes 2. 0 00 AFfER all the predictions of Thin Lizzy, a bit of Crowded year Biomedical Science smoking completely. I'm only ribbons," He mentioned that planes falling from the sky, Natasha Reid House, a bit of U2, a bit of student in Kevin Street made a very ca ual moker when he had already given up impending nuclear disasters our own, u ually in Slattery's a resolution to give up I'd be drinking, That's about wearing underwear due to a and all the other Millennium and Dermot up on Caple Street" cigarettes, but like so many it So far it's been a few embarressing moments palaver, we're all still alive Kevin Walsh is in 2nd other students interviewed, resounding failure, but I'm caught undoing wedgies, and returned to college life, Keyes checked year Physics and Physics Imelda lasted only a few hoping lo remedy that I'm days, "I smoked pretty much just putting it down to having As DIT tudents (in their Technology In Kevin Street Laura Foley who is in the out how some into the New Year so it wasn't no will power because I'm dozens) declined to say "My New Year's Resolution 3rd year Film and anything or proved too is to party more because I'm a very good resolution, I can't run down after Christmas, but dumbstruck at the sight of a students hope to not doing it enough, " he keep rules, That's why it's a when I get my health and my camera lens, a number of make 2000 an jokes, A Dublin native, he stupid idea," strength back, I will certainly victims, sorry, volunteers admits to knowing mo t of Conor Clooney studies apply myself to it" bravely stepped into the fray improvement on the pubs and clubs in Dublin Electronic Engineering, He Jamie Hannigan, a to tell the DIT Independent but "I only seem to go out wa adament about his Communications Student in what their New Year's their 20th about one or twice a week, resolution, "To get the best Aungier Street had put a lot resolutions were, An ancient, Everyone else I know seems results I can possibly this of thought into what he if not always upheld century to be going out three or four year. I've already starting wanted to do differently in tradition, resolutions usually times a week, which i not studying," and beyond 2,000, "I got a last for about the length of existence fair. I need more money," David Lynch studies new phone and whenever I use someone else's phone, I time that you think about keep them, When I was really When asked if he had a International Business and resolution to get a part time make really long calls so this making one! Here's how young, I told myself I'd give French, "To quit smoking and year I'll be making very short some students hope to make up sweets and I didn't keep job to get money, he replied, swearing" was his promise, "I phone calls, nothing to it­ Y2K different to how they that either." He thinks the "that sounds like work. I'd was swearing in front of Broadcasting class wants to like it to be given to me, but Hello and that's it spent the past twelve months, tradition is dying out children one time and I just stop spending so much that's not going to happen," especially among students. thought it was bad," He only "I got my first bill money and to try to cut back He added that he'd like to win He supposes that it's too kept his promise to himself ye terday. It was £12 and £3 a bit Robert Laird is a student the lotto, but without buying in DIT Kevin Street Here's much too soon after such for a week, "I gave up VAT. That's how careful I "I'm spending too much at a ticket over indulgence during smoking loads of times," He am," Jamie also has some once and then have to Christmas, "especially when Imelda Moynahan, a 4th thinks it's a good time to try more dangerous habits that truggle for the rest of the you're a musician", to give up such habits he thinks he should give up, week. I'd go to the cinema, "because people feel guilty "I'm going to give up Another resolution he has pend it on clothes, you know after Christmas after eating skateboarding because of all is "to get some decent blokes - impulse buying and that the trouble I had last year, I in me band", "We play all and drinking so much, People kind of tuff," overindulge at Christmas and did a lot of that and I just got over the place. To get a She'd rather spend it on then try to feel good about so many injuries, We used to record deal wouldn't be bad more important items such as themselves," do it at the Central Bank but now, you know - to be books or as she says her elf, we can't do it anymore famous," They've already Jim Conway is studying "instead of buying a pair of because they cordoned it all made a demo, "The name of for a Phd in Experimental shoes with heels of six inches off, And roller-blading too, the band is 'Desh', We're the Physics in UCD and lectures or something like that, buy a because you should see the what he had to say about New best band in the world, I hope in DIT. "My New Year's state of my legs, I can't afford pair of decent boots that are Year's Resolutions, "I never you get that down, We play resolution was to cut out going to last me," shinguards so I just wear m. Irish Independent Ireland's National Quality Daily. Special Student Price ONLY

A,!.all DITSU campus shops from January 17th to ~8th January 2000 'DITIndependentD 15

Hockey DIY has tealll take to the sticks cycling cream By Kate Draper CATHAL Brugha Street's By Margaret Donrlelly ."Gary is currently in has an impressive, yet mixed hockey team had a Lanzorete where the weather virtually unknown, list of lot to live up to after last - ONE ofIreland's top cyclists, years success in the plate Gary McQuaid, is currently and road conditions are more successes under his belt finals as runners up to IT training in Lanzorete to suitable for cycling. He's already. In 1997 he won the Cork. Their first match was qualify for the Irish cycling gone for two weeks on the Eagle Grand Prix, the Christy a double header against team. recommendation of cyclists McManus Memorial, both Tallaght IT and Athlone IT. who travelled last year and junior level, and the M.E.R. Tallaght got the upper Garry, who is a first year hopes that it will improve his Summer League. hand last year but a business student in Aungier chances of becoming a full detennined Catha! Brugha Street, is training with 1998 was his most St team had a tougher fight Irish International. successful year to date when members ofthe olympic team this time. The first half saw "Gary will have to go he qualified for a place on the strong Tallaght team who Who are on endurance and a abroad to further his career. Leinster cycling team, took controlled play but were heat training exercises in the There are no professional the M.ER Autumn League, unable to score due to Canary Islands. cycling teams in Ireland and excellent blocks from the M.E.R. Batterstown race, goalkeeper Robert Morgan. Ifhe succeeds he will be in to cycle in something like the Second in the Newbridge The second half started one of the smallest clubs in Tour de France you have to Grand Prix, came third in the Ireland. There are only two off as the last finished but a be part of a professional Mayo Grand Prix,third in the break for Catha! Brugha St professional cyclists in cycling team. Stamullen Grand Prix, and This month's DIT Independent I Heinekan Sports Star came after some tight Ireland. Morgan Fox and finished fourth in the defending leading to a " He will currently cycles of the Month is cyclist and 19 year-old business Kieran Power both turned 200K races and at the KellylRoche Classic and the counter attack from John professional last year and are student Garry McQuaid McKenna who set up moment his aim is to gain as Meath Grand Prix. C1iona CasIIn for their only the first professional cyclists much experience as possible, Tony Allen, Executive financial support to the more adults through sport," and victorious goal. in this country since Sean because cycling is all about Officer with the Federation of athlete. added the FIC representative. Kelly. Catha! Brugha St's tactics, and you have to have Irish cyclists, says that "Educational institutions "Garry is still young, and second match of the day The DIT Independent experience to have tactics." McQuaid has a great future should offer more support to the next olympics are four was against Athlone IT who spoke to McQuaid's father, McQuaid, from ahead of him in cycling, but all sports people. Athletes are years away, but if he keeps they had beaten last year Kieron, who represented often much more rounded going we would hope he despite not having a Rathfarnham, cycles for the added it was very difficult for goalkeeper. this year Ireland as a cyclist in the Emerald Cycling Club since a cyclist like Garry to keep up individuals, as they are able would be in contention for a Athlone proved to be a 1972. Olympics about his starting cycle racing as a with study and training, to get away from the mental place on the irish squad," stronger side. son's chosen sport school boy. The 19 year-old considering DIT offer no strain of study and develop concluded AlIen. However forwards John Kelly and Chrta Kenny took the game to Athlone and made valiant efforts to score. According to one Aungier Street show the way in bystander Kenny crashed into a fence when unable to slowdown after a particularly quick run and indoor soccer blitz had to leave the pitch. The defence of CathaJ continued to rise, larchester Maher's last second goal games fourth goal, Brugha St was reinforced By Daniel Metcalfe with recruits and nothing AMIDST the fiery cauldron went ahead through Simon set up a repeat of the last two At 3-1. the game was still was able to pass through of the YMCA sports hall, Faughnan only for Brendan finals, in which The Mighty up for grabs until the closely their walls. Wing play was students from Aungier Street Owen to equalise. By now Mighty Bostoons had lost out marked Glenn Dalton excellent and helped eathaJ indoor soccer club put on a the large crowd of spectators to Dimbos Lunchbox. This showed some impressive Brugha St pile on the pressure with captain display of four-aside football present were turning up the was to be an epic encounter close control and then Audrey McCormack and to warm the hearts of all noise and the game became between two footballing released the free flowing Kate Draper. Brugha's next involved on a bitter mid- more heated with several late sides. Was it to be third time Ciaran Horan to make it 4-1. match against NCI was nee be ft tackles. lucky for Bostooners or deemed a draw when em r a ernoon. would Dimbos Lunchbox NI'all Creavey contt'nued to weather conditions forced After a series of league larchester went ahead continue their domination of prove the most I'ndustn'ous play to stop but they had matches and knockout stages, again, this triggered more player in the game forcing done enough to guarantee .& h f the four aside League? the biggest club in DIT hold VOCllerous c eers 0 save after save from Keogh. a place In the league final its grand finale. The format encouragement from the After a lengthy break and The nippy Creavey scored his where desPIte a valiant for the afternoon was two crowd. The contest was now witnessing their final Hat-Trick goal and the teams team effort were beaten. semi-finals followed by the bubbling nicely, until a late opponents come through fifth after a superb solo effort final later that day. challenge by larchesters after a tough slog Dimbos down the left wing. Team to keeper Paul Mollahan Lunchbox were favourites for The first semi-final was incensed the crowd, a brief a second title. With £200 for At this stage it appeared compete Contested between the current scuffle ensued between the winners and half that that Dimbos lunchbox were holders Dimbos Lunchbox Brendan Owens and amount for the runners up comfortably in control but In Holland tnd Well-Oiled Stallions. Mollahan. These shenanigans there was plenty to play for. Maher was to prove this THE OfT hockey team will nfortunately for Well-Oiled Brendan Owen and Niall were quickly dealt with by The tension showed in the wrong when he scored two compete in IntematIonaJ hockey competitions In Stallions it wasn't much of a Creevy in action in the referee and co tournament opening few minutes as goals in quick succession. ~ontest Holland In February.The with Dimbos final organiser Peter Duming. neither teams one touch With the score now 5-3 teem are to play a number unchbox scoring ten passing was quite up to Brendan Owen really rattled of games against Dutch unanswered goals. larchester and second years The impressive Alan the champions with his first Mah th k hi 1 d scratch. Both keepers were 8icIea from Februa'y 21 to Man of the match Glenn Mighty Mighty Bostoons. er en ept s coo an to leave only a goal in it with 25. ~ Interested equalised, to tie the game at repeatedly forced into fine . I ft. Dalton repeatedly showed The first few minutes pointed saves. a rrnnute e shoukI contact KevIn to h the way for the rest of the three each. The scoring Street's Sports 0fIIcer. uc es and tricks of true continued when FIynn again It was left to Niall Creavey, Maher then rounded Barry Se8mus Byrne. s~ll. Dalton, able to pull off match, with several put larchester ahead with a the smallest player on the to bring the house down and his magician like tricks with crunching tackles flying in thunderous volley, only for pitch to open the scoring for unbelievably equalise. This the knowledge that the from both sides. larcbesters the more free flowing Dimbos Lunchbox, after a dramatic final had a twist in tackbone of the team Ciaran physical and tightly Bostooners to score two save by Gareth Keogh. the tail as the now rampant oran and Dave Barry were controlled defence had the quick goals and go ahead for Creavey added another when Bostooners looked like steadfast in their defence. upper hand for the opening the flfSt time in the encounter. he finished a move he started bringing the game into extra . ~ong with the finesse and period and they indeed struck With just over a minute on with a super cross court pass time after scoring four goals VI~lonary passing from little flfSt through larlath Flynn. the dock larlath Flynn to Ciaran Horan. without reply. Nlall Creavy, Dimbos FIynn, the fulcrum of all scored again much to the Dave Barry in the Man of the Match Niall Lunchbox were too strong for larchesters advancing moves, crowds disgust. At five goals Lunchbox goal continued to Creavey crushed the Well-Oiled Stallions, and ran looked to have his work cut apiece and only seconds left, make important saves and Bostooners hopes by OUt 13-6 winners to secure a out for him in the midfield Brendan Mollahen again lost also managing to make an crashing in the winner after a place in the final and looked against the impressive Alan his head and only for lenient advancing impetus to score scramble in front of his own Promising for a second Maher and it was Maher who refereeing would have been the third. goal with only seconds Abhan Dunne, overall SUccessive four aside title. equali~d albeit against the sent off. In the dying seconds It seemed only Alan Maher remaining. winner of the Tekken The second semi-final was run of play for the Man of the Match, Alan believed that the now weary For the second successive 3 competition is eVerything the first wasn't. Bostooners. Maher poked in the winner looking Mighty Mighty season Dimbos Lunchbox presented with his ~s Was a true battle, fought Over the next few minutes after a frenzied goal mouth Bostoons could win and he were the Aungier street Four trophy by the event organiser Mark Smyth ------_...... :._------======tween the fourth years the heat and tension scramble. proved this by scoring the aside champion . · 16 DITIDJeI..... January 2000 All igh, go -f you m , b on1t come ac here pissed. ~