Ireland’s STUDENT NEWSPAPER Of The Year 2005 Trinity News Est. 1947 Ireland’s Oldest Student Newspaper Tuesday, December 6, 2005 [email protected] Vol.58 No.4 Was Enda right? The Dumbing Down Irish Language Debate TNT FEATURES page 9 In College Schol exams are likely to be scrapped within a year achieving senior freshman students rooms on campus for up to five mittee level. But it is understood rect the exam papers has also been give third and fourth year students tradition of the Provost announcing John Lavelle can opt to sit special Foundation years, free dinner at Commons that the changes could come into cited as a major reason for scrap- the right to sit Schol exams every the new scholars from the Dining Scholarship exams at the end of each night and up to three years of force as soon as the beginning of ping Schols. March. It is still unclear as to how Hall steps on Trinity Monday in Trinity College’s Foundation Hilary Term in March. But under free postgraduate education. It is the next academic year in October Trinity News understands these students will be accommodat- May could possibly be brought to a Scholarship exams are likely to be the new scheme, scholars will not known whether or not the new 2006, should they win the approval that Prof Kearney’s proposed ed when the Foundation halt under the new system. abolished within ten months, instead be chosen on the basis of proposal will affect the rewards for of staff and student representatives. changes have initially received a Scholarship examinations are This custom has been in Trinity News can reveal. College their annual examination results at scholars or the number of scholars. Prof Kearney and other cautious welcome in most quarters, incorporated into second year final place since new college statutes authorities are examining a radical the end of Trinity Term in June. The overhaul of the senior College figures are said to but may encounter some degree of exams in June. The practice of were initiated by King Charles I in new proposal that will permanently In some cases, the mone- Schol exams, initiated by the new believe that the traditional Schol resistance at College Board level. A allowing students who achieve a 1637. Any move to alter it would scrap Schol exams – a 350 year old tary value of a Foundation Senior Lecturer, Prof Colm exams in March place an unneces- number of sticking points have II.1 grade in Schol exams to gain be sure to be opposed by conserva- custom that is unique to Trinity Scholarship can exceed €50,000. Kearney, has yet to be discussed at sary burden on Trinity’s finances. already emerged, which could see exemptions from sitting end of year tive elements within the College. College. Successful students receive the College Board and is still in the The extra time demands imposed the scheme delayed or revised. exams is also liable to be ended. Traditionally, high prestigious title of Scholar, free early stages of consultation at com- on academic staff who set and cor- College statutes currently In addition, the ancient Starbucks is coming to Trinity Starbucks could be in Arts Block and Hamliton by Oct 2006 Subway and O’Brien’s also in Projected image of new look Arts Block Cafe Photo: Cian Kennedy talks with College some of the floor space currently West Coast Coffee about the pos- comply with standards. But lets in Trinity. “We do realise that John Lavelle occupied by the Arts Block Café sibility of establishing branches Trinity College will still own and there will still be students who just Inside and the Hamilton Café for external on campus. manage the outlets. want a quick cup of coffee for a The American coffee giant coffee, sandwich and juice fran- Proposals to bring major Mr McGovern cited euro, nothing fancy. Even with the Starbucks is currently in talks with chises beginning at the start of the sandwich franchises, most likely intense competition from retailers new arrangement, we will contin- Trinity’s Feeder Schools the Catering Department about next academic year. The remain- Subway or O’Briens, into the Arts in Dublin city centre as the reason ue providing that.” Diego Cortez looks at who comes here and from where setting up two outlets inside der of the space in the cafés will Block Café and Hamilton Café are for inviting Starbucks and other McGovern is confident See page 2 Trinity College, Trinity News has stay under the direct control of the also being considered, according outside franchises into Trinity. the Catering Department’s plans learned. The coffee chain could Catering Department and will con- to Mr McGovern. Installing new “We have to move with the times will get the green light from open its doors to students as early tinue selling cold drinks, confec- deli counters run by Trinity cater- and try and give students what College authorities. But the proj- College Senators as next October at locations in the tionary and tea and coffee at cur- ing staff, similar to those operated they want. We’re in competition ect is by no means finalised. The Gearóid O’Rourke finds out who they are and what they do Arts Block and Hamilton rent prices. in Spar and Centra shops, is also with the likes of Spar and upmar- proposals will require significant See page 4 Building. The Head of College an option being examined. ket coffee shops in the city centre renovation of the Arts Block and Starbucks is just one of a Catering, Mr Eugene McGovern, Under the Catering and they’re doing great business.” Hamilton Cafés and this could number of major franchises, told Trinity News that he has Department’s plans, current staff “If you look at other uni- lead to financial difficulties and Global Warming? including Subway and O’Briens already had discussions with from the Buttery and other versities around the country, problems with planning permis- sandwich bar, that have been Starbucks about setting up inside Catering outlets will be rede- almost all of them already have sion. Mr McGovern cited a lack of Oliver North looks at whether it’s fact of fiction approached by the College about Trinity and that he believed “they ployed to the new franchised cof- outside food and drink franchises floor space in the Café areas as See page 24 setting up on campus. As part of a would be very eager to come in.” fee houses and sandwich bars. The operating on their campuses.” another potential obstacle. wide ranging review of food out- Mr McGovern said that he had franchise’s head office will pro- He added that the new Opposition to the scheme from Christmas Cocktails lets in Trinity, the Catering also made contact with major Irish vide training for staff and monitor plans would not affect the price of staff and students could also prove Department plans to set aside coffee shop chains Café Java and the products sold to ensure they food or drink in other catering out- a barrier. Rosie Gogan-Keogh serves up some seasonal cheer See page 15 College Health Trinity News Two USI in crisis after TNT returns wih features, columns, politics, books, theatre and more! Service announces See supplement double resignation Index end to free treatment emergency visit service until fur- Jonathan Drennan Clare Kate O’Mahony ther notice. Diego Cortez College News p1-3 SU & Societies p18 There was an increase of News Feature p4 Comment & Opinion Fees will be introduced for stu- 10% in student visits from 03/04 to The future of the Union of National p6 p19-20 dents availing of the College 04/05 and a 20% increase in over- Students in Ireland (USI) is in Health Service as of next October, all visits in the same period. grave doubt after the organisation International p7 Letters p21 Trinity News can exclusively Although the figures for this year was hit with the resignation of two Features p8-10 Gaeilge p22 reveal. are not yet available, Dr Thomas of its leading officers. In a shock Film p11 Inter’l Students p23 A charge of €10 will be says he is certain that they will move, USI Deputy President Ruth charged for both emergency visits indicate a further increase this Ní Éidhin and Education Officer Music p12-13 Science p24 and appointments according to Dr year. Since 2002 there has been no Daithí MacSíthigh both resigned Food & Drink p14-15 Sports Features p25-26 David Thomas, Medical Director change in the number of staff their positions just over a week Tony: ‘I have a great work- Daithi: ‘I have no working Travel p16 Sport p27-28 of Trinity College health service. members which includes three ago, plunging the country’s student movement into crisis. Ní Eidhin ing relationship with Daithi’ relationship with Tony’ Careers p17 Dr Thomas said he believed that doctors available in the morning “it is essential we introduce fees” and two in the afternoon. and MacSíthigh were Deputy speech at an emergency conference changes to the USI constitution. because existing college funding is Staff at the clinic believe President and Education Officer of blasting the influence of “careerist As a result of the resig- not adequate. that students living at home who Trinity College Students’ Union hacks” in the organisation. The nations, calls for disaffiliation from Look out for Issue 5 in January! Due to the increased previously would have used their last year before being elected to the remark was allegedly directed at USI have been made in many of pressure on the system, the health local GP, are now turning to the national body in March.