UCD Students’ Union Freshers’ Guide 2009
The Students’ U
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a better UCD
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eading this means that you are now officially a UCD student – welcome to the biggest and best university in the country. I hope your next few years here are the most fulfilling, most fun and most influential of your life. Welcome also to UCD Students’ Union. We’re here to help you in any way possible during your years in UCD – we’ll also go a long way to help make them the most fun, too. You are automatically a member of UCD Students’ Union (without any annoying online registration to worry about). Your registration fee helps pay for all of the services that the SU offers – so make sure you avail of them. Four shops, two bars, a second-hand bookshop, a printing bureau, a buzzing entertainments schedule, a nightbus, an STI screening service... the list goes on! The elected officers of the SU are the official student representatives to the university. We sit on nearly every committee in UCD, fighting day in, day out, for a better deal for you. Whether it’s making sure proper exam procedures are in place, making sure the library is running efficiently, or making sure there’s enough beer in the Student Bar, you can rest assured we’re working hard on all fronts for you, our members. This Freshers’ Guide is produced to provide you with a real glimpse into student life at UCD, with all the down-to-earth information you need from day-to-day. It’s a mine of information, so keep it someplace handy. It also makes a decent drinks coaster. The most important aspect of the Students’ Union is the fact that the officers are students too. We’re on a year out from our studies to run this show. We know exactly what it’s like to be a first year student, experiencing university for the first time – call on us anytime for whatever help you might need. All the best,
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Your Union Your Sabbatical Officers How Your Union Works Your Executive Officers Your Programme Officers Being a Class Rep Class Rep Nomination Form A History of UCD Students’ Union
Your Campus Life Introduction SU Shops Centre Club & Student Club Students’ Union Services SU Second-Hand Bookshop & Printing Bureau Getting to UCD Getting Involved in UCD Life Campus Media UCD Sport UCD Societies 51 Things to Do Before You Leave UCD SU Nightbus
6 8 10 12 14 15 18 21 23 24 26 27 29 30 31 33 35 36 39
Your Education Introduction Students’ Union Initiatives SU Second-Hand Bookshop & Grindsfile Grants Modules and Marking UCD Libraries The Academic Year Registration Checklist Useful Links
43 44 45 47 48 50 52 54 55
Your Welfare Introduction Drug Abuse Gambling Addiction Alcohol Abuse Mental Well-Being Managing Stress LGBT Eating Disorders Crime Prevention
57 58 60 61 62 64 65 66 68
69 70 72 74 75 76 77 80 83 84 85 86
Be Healthy Men’s Health Women’s Health Sex Contraception Pregnancy Sexual Violence Sexually Transmitted Infections Accommodation Finance Student Banking Disabilities
Your Campaigns 89 90 91 92 94 95 98 100 102
Introduction Becoming a Campaigner Students’ Union Campaigns Tuition Fees & Student Loans Student Support Bill & Registration Fee SU Themed Weeks & Days Environmental Campaign Feachtas na Gaeilge You Know You’re a Student In...
Your Ents 107 108 112 116 121 122 123 124 126
Introduction How Do I Know What’s Going On? A Sneak Peak of What’s to Come The Mystery Tour Class Parties & Trips Dublin’s Niteclubs UCD Ball UCD Ents Discount Card Acknowledgements
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The Students’ Union offices are located on the ground floor of the Student Centre. They’re usually open from 9.30am-6pm each day, so call in.
President
Gary Redmond
T: (01) 716 3110 M: 087 960 6130 E: president@ucdsu.ie
You’ve already met Gary on he’s ultimately responsible page 3. He’s the President of for all of the services that the the Students’ Union, the chief SU provides – the shops, the representative of all UCD stu- printing bureau, the seconddents. He’s responsible for hand bookshop, etc. – along overseeing every aspect of with being responsible for all the SU. That could be any- of the SU’s actions. thing conducting negotiations You’ll find Gary working with top levels of university hard in his office sending management, to making sure emails and making phone the SU offices are clean and calls, or running between the tidy. 40+ committees he sits on. If I know what u're thinki you yo see him, go him. He’s also the Chief Officer ngtalk Best Acto . "Didto he win a r Oscar or no t?" Well,after your of the SU, which means th that e truthHe’s to tellall. , in all th President you
Education Vice-President The Education Vice-President is Donnacha Ó Súilleabháin. It’s his job to look after all of the education-specific aspects of being a UCD student. That could range from dealing with county councils to ensure grant installments are delivered in time, to making sure the UCD exams process is conducted fairly, to fighting for better facilities in the library. Donnacha is also there should you need to talk to someone about an education-
related problem – be it registration, coursework, exams, repeats, grants or fees. All your problems will be treated in the strictest confidence. If Donnacha can’t solve your problem, he’ll know the person who can. Donnacha is the one with the glasses, probably dying of boredom in his office sifting through the latest teaching and learning policies. Go say hi to him and brighten up his day.
are -Presidents e ic V U S e cers’. Th own as ‘Offi n k ly n o m com ice, Welfare V For example er. c Welfare Offi President/
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is excitemen lost track m t I kind of yself. But be ing as this is last movie as my an actor, yo u' ve got to as yourself one k question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
Donnacha Ó Súilleabháin T: (01) 716 3111 M: 087 952 7156 E: education@ucdsu.ie
Each Sabbati cal Officer ta kes a year off fr om their stu dies to fulfill thei r role. That’ s why it’s called “sa bbatical”. Geddit?
Welfare Vice-President
Scott Ahearn
T: (01) 716 3112 M: 086 357 3916 E: welfare@ucdsu.ie
Scott Ahearn is the Welfare Vice-President. He’s there for you if you need any help with non-academic issues in your life. If you’re feeling down or lonely, if you have any accommodation issues, or just want someone to chat to, Scott is there for you. Scott sits on the committees overseeing the Student Health and Student Counselling Services. He also sits on the Residences Committee that runs all of the campus
residences. Scott works closely with the UCD Student Advisers and Chaplains to ensure that a strong support network is in place for UCD students to avail of if anything goes wrong for them during their time in university. Scott also has glasses, so don’t confuse him with Donnacha. Scott will be the one with the kettle boiling and the biscuits on standby if you ever need a chat.
Campaigns & Communications Vice-President
Paddy Ryan
T: (01) 716 3122 M: 085 289 3930 E: campaigns@ucdsu.ie
The Campaigns & Communications Vice-President is Paddy Ryan. He’s responsible for all of the campaigns that the SU runs throughout the year. He works with the Executive Officers in delivering local UCD campaigns such as Rainbow Week, Environmental Week and Disability Awareness Week. Paddy also works closely with the Union of Students in Ireland on national student campaigns such as the fight against tuition fees and the
lobby for the publishing of the Student Support Bill. Paddy is responsible for ensuring effective communication between the SU and its members – through various publications, the website, posters, Programme Officers and Class Reps. You’ll find Paddy in the SU offices kicking a rugby ball around most times. Feel free to chat to him, and beware of getting that rugby ball in the face.
Entertainments Vice-President
Mike Pat O’Donoghue
T: (01) 716 3113 M: 087 935 8559 E: mikepat@ucdents.com
The man responsible for entertaining you throughout the year is Mike Pat O’Donoghue. He’s the Entertainments (or just ‘Ents’) Vice-President. He’ll be the one booking gigs in the Student Bar, and organising larger events such as the Freshers’ Ball, the Mystery Tour, the Christmas Ball and of course, the epic UCD Ball. Mike Pat also works with Class Reps in arranging class
parties and trips (within Ireland and the UK). He’ll also book comedy gigs, lunchtime entertainment in the Student Centre and anything else you want him to. Time Magazine announced Mike Pat as the nicest person in the world. Go test their assumption and strike up a conversation with him. You’ll leave five hours later, bemused, and quite possibly a member of Team Ents.
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Executive Officers Like Programme Officers, Executive (or ‘Exec’) Officers are part-time elected officers. Each Exec Officer is in charge of a specific area. The following Executive Officers are elected by the entire student body:
Postgraduate Officer
H
aving paid your registration fee, you are now automatically a member of UCD Students’ Union. As a member you have a say in how it is run through voting for SU representatives and officers. The SU operates by way of elected representation. Once elected, each representative has a specific duty, but most importantly, they represent you.
Women’s Officer
Class Reps Every September, each class elects their representatives for the academic year. Class Reps are required to attend SU Council, which sits at least once every two weeks. The number of reps in each class is dependent upon the number of students in the class.
Irish Language Officer
Students’ Union Council SU Council is the forum where all Class Reps, Programme Officers, Executive Officers and Sabbatical Officers meet to discuss and vote upon important student issues. Decisions made at Council directly affect the direction and goals of the SU.
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Environmental Officer
Sabbatical Officers President
Every year, five full-time Sabbatical Officers are elected to represent the UCD students and to run the SU efficiently. Each officer takes a year out of their study and is paid a nominal wage.
Welfare Vice President
The Union Executive SU Executive consists of Programme, Executive and Sabbatical Officers. Exec meets once a week in term-time and once every two weeks outside of term-time. Any Exec decisions are subject to scrutiny and may be overturned by SU Council.
Entertainments Vice President
Programme Officers Part-time elected officers who represent all the students in a specific programme of study, like Arts or Engineering. They sit on the SU Executive with the rest of the Officers.
Executive Officers The following are the part-time officers who are elected by the Students’ Union Council.
Mature Students’ Officer
LGBT Rights Officer
International Students Officer
Campaigns and Communications Vice President
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These part-time elected officers form a large part of the SU Executive. Each one of them has a specific area of responsibility, and liaises closely with the relevant Sabbatical Officer in carrying out their duty.
I’m Ruth and I’m your Environmental Officer. Basically, I’m your goto girl for all matters ecological. I applaud those of you who put your beer bottles in the recycling, but I am asking much more of you guys and dolls this year. The main thing is to assess your needs and wants. Simply ask yourself “do I really need this?” every time you go to buy something. We need to consume less. Reducing is
the first step and recycling the last. I have plenty of ideas and goals for this academic year but I will need help and effort from everyone. Don’t hesitate to get involved and give me suggestions for the SU environmental campaign! We have the numbers in UCD to really make a difference and our actions will in turn influence those we know.
Irish Language Officer/Oifigeach na Gaeilge Fáilte, fáilte, fáilte! UCD, domhan nua duit. Domhan ina bhfuil tú in ann glan dearmad a dhéanamh ar an Árdteist agus, ar ndóigh, tuismitheoirí agus treoracha. Aoife is ainm dom and I am your Oifigeach na Gaeilge for the coming year. I’m here to promote speaking Irish on campus and to make it enjoyable. My job is to encourage people to enjoy, speak and learn Irish while at UCD. My aim is to organise fun, crazy events on campus
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to get you and your cairde nua enjoying Irish – outside the classroom. Get involved! Buail an t-iarann te, mar a deir siad. Live the student life and live the UCD life trí Ghaeilge! If you have any queries or smaointí, feel free to contact me anytime. Look out for the Cumann Drámaíochta, TradSoc and the Cumann Gaelach in the Freshers’ Tent, and of course the luminous green Irish posters with information about all our events!
Postgraduate Officer Howdy folks. My name is Kimberley and I’m the Postgraduate Officer for the year ahead. There’s a myriad of support systems in place for those pesky undergraduates, but the good news is that the SU also offers help to those who’ve managed to get beyond undergraduate level. Postgraduates need to have a network of support available when times get tough, and my job is to make sure you get that support. Whether you’re having trouble with your lecturer/supervisor and want to
complain, or indeed, you’re just feeling a bit down, the SU is here to make sure you get back on your feet and get the best from your time here. I’m also here to bring the focus back on to postgraduates, and I’ll be sitting on the various educational committees in order to get your opinions and issues across to the university officials. Get in touch if there’s anything in particular with which I can assist!
The following Executive Officers are elected by SU Council at the start of the academic year: Disability Rights Officer, International Students Officer, LGBT Rights Officer and Mature Students’ Officer. See “How Your Union Works” on page 6 for more information.
Women’s Officer Hi guys! My name’s Jacqueline Brennan, and I’m your Women’s Officer for the year. It’s my job to ensure equal opportunity throughout UCD, run campaigns on women’s issues, create health awareness and organise charity fundraisers. The main campaign I’ll be running is Women’s Week, which will be held in semester two. Don’t worry, I’ll also be running campaigns highlighting men’s health and issues. I’ll be working with the Welfare Officer to run awareness days such as Pink Day and Blue Day.
Most importantly, I’m here to answer any questions you may have or help with any problems you may encounter. I’ll give you advice and try my best to resolve your issue. If I can’t give you a definitive answer I promise that I will point you in the right direction. Finally, if you’ve any ideas or would like to help out with any of these events then please do! Another pair of hands is always appreciated!
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rogramme Officers act as the de facto head Class Rep for a particular academic area. They’re responsible for co-ordinating and assisting all the Class Reps that fall into their area. They work closely with the Campaigns & Communications Officer to ensure that all SU campaigns are well-publicised within their own programme areas. They also help distribute SU publications and posters within their area, to ensure that the SU has a visible presence across the whole campus – from Richview to Roebuck and everywhere in between. The Programme Officers also sit on the relevant University Programme Board that coordinates the different degree programmes in UCD. In that regard, they would liaise with the Education Officer to keep him up-to-date with developments in local areas. Your Programme Officers are also vital in helping to create a sense of community in your programme area. They work with the Class Reps to help organise class parties and other events. Programme Officers can also assist with class issues if you unfortunately find yourself without an elected Class Rep for the year. The Programme Officers’ details are listed here – contact them with any queries or suggestions, no matter how big or small!
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Arts & Human Sciences Jonny Cosgrove & Madeleine Ní Ghallchobair arts@ucdsu.ie
Agriculture This position is not yet filled. Contact the Union Returning Officer (returningoffice@ gmail.com) for more info.
Engineering & Architecture Simon Keating engineering@ucdsu.ie
Business Gohar Abbasi business@ucdsu.ie
Nursing This position is not yet filled. Contact the Union Returning Officer (returningoffice@ gmail.com) for more info.
Law & BBL Pat de BrĂşn law@ucdsu.ie
Science James Williamson science@ucdsu.ie
Health Sciences Donal Hanratty healthscience@ucdsu.ie
Programme Officer elections are held at the same time as Executive Officer elections, late in semester two.
Veterinary Medicine Aisling McGrath vet@ucdsu.ie
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BEING A CLASS REP ‘‘Dive headfirst into what will probably be the best year of your life’’
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s a first year student in UCD, there are two creeds that you should always live by: “You can always retake the exam, but you can never retake the party” and “Get involved”. My first year experience in UCD could not have been better because I followed these two rules as much as possible. Coming from the sprawling metropolis that is Carlow, heading to UCD was always going to be a daunting prospect. With this in mind, I decided that I would make as many friends as possible (My chosen method was not to leave the Student Bar – save by force – for the first couple of weeks) and to get involved in student life.
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There are plenty of ways of doing this, between the Students’ Union, societies, the campus media, and the wide range of sports available. They’re great ways of meeting people and getting the most out of the UCD experience. Personally, I ran for SU Class Rep, and it turned out to be one of the better decisions I’ve ever made. It’s a fantastic way to get to know your whole class and if you don’t mind organising class trips and parties, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. You might start off just helping out a classmate or liaising with your lecturer, but soon you’ll feel unstoppable. As a Class Rep, you’ll attend the annual training weekend where you’ll get to meet all your
fellow reps, and start on your path as an SU activist. It’s a great way to get the juices flowing on upcoming SU campaigns and find your place in national student campaigns. You might start off as a Class Rep, soon get elected to the Executive, and maybe even one day become SU President. That’s the beauty of it – you never know what you’ll end up working on, or where you’ll end up being. To sum up, just go for it! Dive headfirst into what will probably be the best year of your life. You won’t regret it – I know I didn’t! Pat de Brún 2nd Year Law with Politics
UNION COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2009/2010 CLASS REP NOMINATION FORM All candidates must be nominated by 10 students from the constituency being contested. A candidate may only contest an election in a constituency of which they are a member. Please visit www.ucdsu.ie/elections to find out which constituency you are a member of. Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 18 September. You can submit your nomination form by placing it into the metal box in the General Office of the Students’ Union in the Student Centre or by handing it to the Union Returning Officer. Please read and sign the declaration at the end of this page before submitting your nomination. For important information about these elections, please visit www.ucdsu.ie/elections
PLEASE FILL IN ALL INFORMATION BELOW WITH BLOCK CAPITALS AND ENSURE THE CONSTITUENCY CHOSEN IS CORRECT Name: Student Number: Term Address: Phone Number: Email Address: Course & Year: Constituency:
NOMINATING SIGNATURES Name
Student Number
Course & Year
Signature
I, a member of UCDSU, having been nominated above for the position of Class Representative for the single constituency named above by at least 10 members of the Union who are also members of that constituency, and being a member of that constituency myself, accept this nomination, and this nomination only, and agree to comply with all regulations and directions issued by the Returning Officers. Signed: __________________________________________________
Date: _________________________
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 18 September. The elections will take place on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 September. You can submit your nomination form by placing it into the metal box in the Students’ Union General Office on the ground floor of the Student Centre. Alternatively, you can hand it to the Union Returning Officer, who can be contacted by email at returningoffice@gmail.com All candidates must be nominated by 10 students from the constituency being contested. Visit www.ucdsu.ie/elections to find out which constituency you are eligible to contest. Further nomination forms are available from the Students’ Union General Office and at www.ucdsu.ie/elections Further information about the elections is available at www.ucdsu.ie/elections. The Union Returning Officer can be contacted at returningoffice@gmail.com
CLASS REP TRAINING The Class Rep Training Weekend will take place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October. The event is held at an off-campus venue. The SU will pay for all transport, accommodation and entertainment for the weekend. Attendees will need to pay a small security deposit.
A History of UCD Students’ Union
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re-1970s: In the beginning, there was the Student Representative Council. It had been active for nearly as long as the university had been in existence, since John Henry Newman’s founding of the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854. The SRC served its purpose for a time, but as the international student movement gained momentum in the mid20th century, the SRC model fast became outdated. It was seen as an ineffective way of representing student views; some even criticised it as being
1960
a mere puppet of the college. The events of the 1968 student riots in Paris marked the beginning of modern student movement, a movement with the ability to effect not just educational, but social change. UCD held its own version of the Paris riots, known as the ‘Gentle Revolution’ in 1968/9. It culminated in a mass sit-in the old Great Hall of Earlsfort Terrace (when the Belfield campus was still in its infancy). With this new breed of student coming to the fore, it was only a matter of time before the SRC was disbanded and a stronger organisation formed in its place.
1970 1975: Step up, Enda Connolly. The founding President of UCD Students’ Union established a working union along constitutionally defined representative structures, thus providing a democratic voice for students. The new union took on a larger remit than the SRC. A large part of the new union was to provide decent services for students, at a time when Earlsfort Terrace was becoming dangerously overcrowded, and the Belfield project falling behind schedule. Late 1970s: UCD Students’ Union quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. Heated clashes between the SU and the college authorities over library facilities and study spaces saw this period defined by a series of occupations. The Trap, that famous pool hall in the Arts Block basement was founded during this time. Rumour has it current UCD Registrar Philip Nolan may have spent more time here than in the library.
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1980 1980s: The 80s were a dark time not just for UCD, but also for Ireland as a whole. In this decade, UCD Students’ Union expanded out of purely studentcentred issues, and played its part in larger national issues of social justice. The middle of this decade saw a souring of relations between the SU and the college, as the students supported striking contact cleaners whose severance had been dealt with in an unfair manner. The college responded by cancelling the Freshers’ Ball. What was the SU’s counterresponse? It held a series of free concerts on campus, including one on the Stillorgan dual carriageway. The 80s ended with a bang for UCD Students’ Union, as it got embroiled in a legal case with the Society for the
1990s: Despite being more notorious for its questionable fashion, the 1990s saw the SU hold several important referenda. In 1992, students voted no to a banning of tobacco products in SU shops. In November 1994, they voted yes to boycott all Nestlé products in light of the African breast milk scandal. UCD Students’ Union disaffiliated from the Union of Students in Ireland, only to re-affiliate several years later. During this time, the SU also attempted to reclaim its numerous condom machines that had gone missing over a period of nearly 20 years. Each time a new machine had been installed, it would mysteriously go missing the following morning. The college authorities claimed to know nothing. The SU didn’t believe them.
1990 Protection of the Unborn Child – a pro-life organisation. The SU took a stance against archaic and discriminatory abortion legislation, and decided to distribute its own abortion information. SPUC took the SU to the High Court, and then the Supreme Court, generating a national controversy that helped liberalise Ireland as a whole. The SU were represented pro bono by the one and only Mary Robinson.
2009 and beyond: It’s clear that many great challenges lie ahead of UCD Students’ Union, given the financial difficulties affecting the third-level sector in Ireland, and indeed, UCD’s own troubled finances. Whatever may come down the line, the SU is confident of handling it. 23,000 students standing together is almost certainly an unstoppable force.
2000 2000s: The early part of this decade saw the SU move from its offices in the Library Infill Building to a purpose-built suite of offices in the newlyconstructed Student Centre, heralding the beginning of the 21st century. In 2002/3, the SU mobilised to help defeat the threat of the reintroduction of tuition fees. This period saw the SU return to its roots of traditional activism, not least in part due to its liaisons with the Campaign for Free Education group. In 2006, the SU delivered on a long promise, and held the first ever UCD Ball, an event worthy of Ireland’s largest university and largest student body. The government began overtures regarding the re-introduction of tuition fees again in 2008, and
2010 UCD Students’ Union took a large role in the national student campaign against such a move – a role that is still being played today.
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PAGE 21 HEADLINE: Your Campus Life So, you’ve been here a few days now, right? You’re getting the hang of the place, you’ve scoped it out. So you realise you’re in biggest, best, and most student-centred university in the country. And if you don’t, well, you probably shouldn’t be here. UCD is renowned for have the best student life available. The Belfield buzz can’t be matched by all the cobblestones of Trinity or all the holiness of Maynooth. There are infinite opportunities available to you in UCD, all you , have to do is take them. ays now a few d re e e h th f n o e e e banythinginfrom hang They could getting involved in a sports club, a sociyou’vbe tt g the So you t. You’re ge u o t? h it g ri d ety, the Students’ Union (hint, hint) student-specific projects that pe or any sother u’ve sco be t, and place, yo e biggest, th if in d crop up from time to time. n e A ’r u untry. realise yo in the co ersity you iv n u Thisnsection will give the lowdown of what your Belfield life could here! d e e tr b houldn’t de t-cen s tu s ly b t nt life a s eavailable o b d ro tu p s u t o s y bemlike;dothe top-class facilities and services that will make your exe the b , well, by all the you n’t r having d fo e h d tc e a n w m student organisations no . perience beneficial andueasy, that will make your ’t be the zz canand UCD is re Maynooth Belfield b liness of o e , h h D T e . C th le U ll b experience one oyou’ll never r a forget. le to you in availa f Trinity o ab lestonesin, intrepid ities availand immerse yourself in the unique world that nreader, u rt o p cobbDelve p o e it n fi in . a m There are seize the olved in is UCD! etting inv e to do is g from g int, hint) ll you hav
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SU Shops The Students’ Union runs four shops across campus that are designed to ensure that you receive the cheapest products available, with no corporate interest hiking up the prices to generate profit! The shops stock a wide range of products to suit your everyday needs, including sandwiches, soft drinks, tea/coffee, statio-
nery, UCD-branded merchandise and much, much more! You won’t find better value on campus than at your local SU shop. They’re also situated right in the middle of campus, so you don’t have to go on a massive trek to get that vital can of Red Bull!
The four SU shops are located in:
Student Centre, ground floor (the Kiosk)
Engineering Centre, first floor (next to Distillery Beam)
Science Centre, ground floor (opposite vending machines)
Library Building, ground floor (under library turnstiles)
The shop staff are just lovely. Their services as counsellors, mammies and bessie mates are also available at no extra price. The SU will soon be selling all the UCD merchandise presently available in the shops online. Watch this space at www.ucdsu.ie!
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The Centre Club The UCD Centre Club (also known by its old name, the Forum Club), is the smaller of UCD’s two bars, and is located at the back of the Student Centre and beside the giant hole in the ground that will become the Student Centre Extension. The Forum/Centre Bar is the perfect location for a few relaxing drinks with friends, after a long session in the library or a long session in the Sports Centre. It boasts comfortable seating and bright surrounds, and plenty of plasma screens. The bar regularly shows Championship and Premiership football, rugby, golf and whatever other sport happens to be on! The bar also serves hot food during the afternoon and early evening if you feel peckish. Upstairs can be reserved for a society/sports club event, so long as you book in advance. Platters of food at very reasonable prices can also be served to guests. Many SU class parties, karaoke sessions and open mic nights are also held in the Forum/Centre Bar throughout the year, so keep an eye out! The bar will be at the heart of the new Student Centre extension development, providing the point of connection for the existing building and the extension. This will place the Forum/Centre Bar at the heart of UCD – and Ireland’s – student life.
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The Student club Ahhh, there’s just not another place quite like it. This building is one of the focal points of UCD, a place where love is born, life is lived, and dignity is lost. Yes, it’s the one and only Student Bar. Situated between the giant glasshouse (aka the Quinn School) and the main restaurant lies this unassuming warehouselike building that is more vital to the university than the library. The Student Bar is UCD’s premier student event hall, with UCD Ents hosting most of its gigs during the week there. The Student Bar will play host to
the Freshers’ Electro, Thursday Night Live, comedy gigs and much, much more. The bar recently installed a state-of-the-art lighting system; you’ll feel like you’re in one of London’s top clubs rather than your local pub. The bar offers a full lunch and ala carte evening menu until 7pm each day within term, to suit all tastes. Fresh sandwiches made to order are available at lunchtime. It also has a smoothie bar and tea/coffee machine should the urge take you.
Some of the best pool tables in Ireland are located here, ready for you to work your magic on. And tucked away in the corner near the men’s jacks is a dartboard. The Student Bar is a perfect venue to begin your night out – head there with a few friends and enjoy the company, atmosphere and terrible décor, then hop into town, and get the SU Nightbus back home safely. This unique building features heavily in a UCD graduate’s fond memories – make it part of yours and drop in today!
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STUDENTS’ UNION SERVICES Education Support
The full-time SU Education Officer, Donnacha, is there to help you with any academic problems that you might have – whether it’s difficulty with a module or a repeat, or delays in your grant installment. Call into Donnacha at any time. He’s located in the Students’ Union offices on the ground floor of the Student Centre. You can also call him on (01) 716 3111, 087 952 7156 or email education@ucdsu.ie.
Welfare Support
The full-time SU Welfare Officer, Scott, is there to help you with any non-academic or welfare problems that you might have – that could be financial, social, relationship difficulties, or even if you just need someone to chat to. Call into Scott at any time. He’s located in the Students’ Union offices on the ground floor of the Student Centre. You can also call him on (01) 716 3112, 087 291 7245 or email welfare@ucdsu.ie.
STI Screening Service
The nearest STI screening service to UCD is based in St James’s Hospital, and costs approximately €90 to get done. To offset this, the Students’ Union has organised a subsidised screening service in conjunction with a Donnybrook GP’s office. At a low cost of only €40, you can book a visit in confidence using the online booking form on the Students’ Union website, www.ucdsu.ie, or by calling into the General Office of the SU offices. All you need to do is bring along a urine sample, and the doctor will take care of the rest!
For a full list of all SU services, visit www.udcsu.ie.
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SU SECOND-HAND BOOKSHOP University text-books are off-the-chart expensive. Whether it’s the latest edition of Netters Anatomy, EU Law, or Shakespeare’s Complete Works, be prepared to fork out a week’s rent for just one of them. To help tackle this, the Students’ Union operates a second-hand bookshop that maximises benefit to both the buyer and the seller. The bookshop is always looking to increase its supplies, so continuing students should drop down any unnecessary
books, off which they can make some neat money. Make sure to browse the bookshop before rushing off and buying a brand spanking new copy of that book – there might just be a near-perfect copy available at a fraction of the full retail cost! The SU Second-Hand Bookshop is located on the ground floor of the Student Centre. It is generally open from 10am to 5pm during term time.
The SU SecondHand Bookshop is located on the ground floor of the Student Centre, beside the stairs at the Grind sandwich bar.
SU PRINTING BUREAU Beginning this September, the existing Students’ Union Copying Bureau will expand its services to provide full printing and copying for all students. This expanded service includes self-service photocopying, printing from a USB key, along with stationery
stock. The bureau will of course continue its long-standing tradition of stocking lecturers’ notes and reading materials that can be copied for you at a low-cost price. The SU Printing Bureau is located next to the Belfield
FM studio, just off the Library Tunnel between the Newman and Library Buildings. It’s generally open from 10am-5pm during term time; although if your lecturer announces that there are notes available in the bureau, get there quick before the queue forms!
Visit the expanded SU Printing Bureau today to get the lowdown on their cheap, cheap prices!
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There are several options available for getting to UCD’s Belfield campus. The public transport infrastructure serving UCD is extremely good and the campus itself is situated close, just off the N11, and approximately 15 minutes drive from the M50 at Dundrum. The numbers 3, 10, 11B, and the 17 all provide direct bus services to the campus. The numbers 3, 10 and 11B can be boarded at O’Connell Street. For timetable information, visit www.dublinbus.ie and search for ‘University College Dublin’. Bus Éireann provides a nationwide bus service throughout Ireland with most major areas having a regular link to Dublin. The majority of Dublin services terminate in Busáras (Central Bus Station) from where it is a short walk to O’Connell Street for
For a full list of all Dublin Bus timetables, visit www.dublinbus.ie.
connecting buses to UCD. For further information, visit www. buseireann.ie. Aircoach operates a bus service to Leopardstown/ Sandyford/Stillorgan that passes UCD to and from Dublin Airport. Further details are available at www.aircoach.ie Dublin is served by two main railway stations: Connolly and Heuston. From Connolly Station it is a short walk to O’Connell Street from where the numbers 3, 10 and 11B can be boarded. There are frequent connecting services from Heuston to the city centre. For further information, visit www.irishrail. ie. The DART is a commuter train that connects Dublin with points north of the city, such as Howth, and points south of the city, such as Bray. Trains are frequent. Tickets
may be purchased in person or through automated ticket machines in stations. The nearest DART station to UCD is Sydney Parade. You can pick up Bus 2 or 3 near the station to complete your trip to UCD; otherwise, the distance from Sydney Parade to UCD is a short walk. There is usually an adequate number of taxis in operation in the city centre at any given time. It is possible to hail a taxi from the street, but convenient taxi ranks are located outside Wynn’s Hotel on Middle Abbey Street and opposite the Bank of Ireland on Dame Street. The N11 boasts excellent cycle lanes, as does the neighbouring Clonskeagh area, making cycling to campus a convenient alternative. Secure bike racks are available all across campus.
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Getting involved in UCD life Entering a university atmosphere for the first time can be a daunting experience. New people, new places and new routines are something that every student has to contend with. The best way to deal with these dilemmas is to get involved in UCD life. Whether you are into rugby, table tennis, cricket, debating, journalism or drama, UCD has the right clubs and societies for you. UCD has some of the best facilities in the country so take advantage of them while you can! I’ve been involved in the organisational side of student life for a number of years now and I have loved every minute of it. Some of my favourite memories in UCD are from my time in the L&H (Literary & Historical Society) where I got to meet amazing guests like Will Ferrell, JK Rowling and Tony Hawk. I
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have also been lucky enough to take part in a number of competitions around the world and have helped run a number of huge events. Societies like the L&H and Dramsoc host events nearly every day of the week so there is always something to do or some way to get involved. Even if you are just looking for an excuse to party, the SU and societies like B&L or ArtsSoc run niteclub events nearly every night of the week. The UCD Ents (Entertainments) Officer also runs regular oncampus events catering to a wide variety of musical tastes with acts such as JLS, Digitalism and the Saw Doctors. One easy way to get involved in the Students’ Union is to become a Class Rep. Class Reps represent their class on academic matters and organise nights out with the SU’s support.
The SU always needs new people to run Ents events and help out with their campaigns. New people, new places and new routines are not necessarily a bad thing! A fresh start and loads of new options is an exciting chance to really follow your interests. College is a life experience, not just an academic one. Involvement in the SU, societies or clubs doesn’t hinder your studies but in most cases brings balance to your college life, which can help you in the long run! To make a long story short, UCD is a place where the more you put in, the more you get back in return - so try everything once, see what you like and basically... get involved! Stephen Whelan
Campus Media Settin g the stand ard f o r stud ent jo u r n a l is m Do you like to know what’s going on before anyone else? Want to hear about the best new music first? Want to be part of an award-winning team of writers, photographers and editors? If so, The University Observer is for you! Now entering its sixteenth year, and having won more Student Media Awards than any other student newspaper in Ireland, The University Observer has firmly established itself as
the leading source for student news, features, comment, sport, arts and culture, both on and off-campus. The University Observer is Ireland’s largest student newspaper, with a fortnightly print run of 10,000 – reaching every corner of the UCD student community. Otwo is The University Observer’s arts and culture supplement, covering music, film, travel, art, food & drink,
Who or what is Belfield FM? Belfield FM is the stuff of dreams. A radio station run by students, for students. The music you want to listen to. The topics that you want to raise: UCD events, drama, debate, campus sports, society interviews, celebrity guests, chart, dance, hip-hop, rock, metal, indie, electro. If you’re interested, then get involved! Every career has a beginning. Belfield FM is your chance to be the next Ruth Scott, Ray Foley or Ryan Tubridy. No experience required. Seven weeks hands-on training provided.
Schedule: 12.00 Afternoons & Coffee Spoons 15.00 High Society Entertainment Show 16.00 Features 17.00 Campus News 18.00 Sports Talk 18.30 Chart Show 19.30 Residence Show 21.30 Speciality Music 23.00 The Late Night Loop
theatre, literature – as well the entertainment that’s happening on campus. In the past year alone, Otwo has interviewed Alan Rickman and Roger Daltry from the Who If you have an interest in writing, what are you waiting for? Join Ireland’s leading student newspaper team – just call into our office on the ground floor of the Student Centre, or email info@ universityobserver.ie.
Listen live at www. belfieldfm.ie!
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Campus Media Ever wanted to interview the celebs on the red carpet? Get backstage at the major concerts? Star in your own show? Welcome to CTN – Ireland’s premier student television network. Would you like to get involved in a fast-paced television environment? Would you like to write for a magazine, operate a camera, or produce a TV programme? CTN provides an excellent opportunity for UCD students and staff interested in the field of broadcasting to get first-hand experience and training. Whether you are interested in presenting, researching, editing,
hair and make-up, scripting, or being part of the crew, we can find a job for you. Running a television station requires everything from marketing and PR to event management and graphic design, and we need you to make it happen.
Furthermore, we are always open to suggestions and new ideas, so if there’s something you’d like to do, suggest it to us. So stop reading, get involved, and make it happen! Email info@ctn.ie or visit us in the Freshers’ Tent.
The College Tribune is UCD’s oldest newspaper and has a long-standing and proud tradition in college journalism. It is a proven training ground for some of the country’s top reporters and has produced some of the most high-profile journalists who can be seen in a wide spectrum in various different fields of today’s national media. Set up by Vincent Browne, one of the country’s most
respected broadcasters and journalists, our award-winning newspaper is the ideal way to immerse yourself in college life and further your career, whether you are an aspiring journalist of an eager contributor to university life. As a prospective writer, you will get the opportunity to meet and interview various wellknown names. Grab your press pass and get into the latest gigs, movies, theatre viewings
and conferences as well as increasing your portfolio and enhancing your CV. Whether design, reporting or colour writing is your designated field, the College Tribune welcomes all new contributors gladly. You can drop into our office in the basement of the Arts Block, or call us on (01) 716 8501, or email collegetribune@gmail. com.
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UCD SPORT UCD sports clubs are at the centre of student sport at the university. The Athletic Union Council (AUC) is the governing body for UCD sports clubs and all UCD sports clubs are affiliated with the AUC. Clubs provide a huge range of opportunities to train, play, and compete in sport, no matter what your passion, ability or level. Although competition is a feature of many of the sports at UCD, clubs also cater for students who may not wish to compete but want to train in a particular sport for the health and fitness benefits you can take away from it.
Whether you want to try out a new sport or continue training in a sport with which you are already familiar, UCD sports clubs invite you to get involved. You can join most sports clubs at any time throughout the year and the majority of the clubs organise new member and/or introductory training sessions. Getting involved in a sports club is an ideal way to keep fit, learn a new skill, meet people with similar interests, as well as provide a welcome break from academic life. UCD sports clubs are student-run and student-led so you can play your sport and if you wish also lead and develop your club.
With over 60 sports clubs to choose from ranging from team sports, adventure sports, water sports to martial arts, there should be something to meet your needs! If you can’t find a club that interests you, then set up your own, contact Suzanne Bailey in the Sports Office (tel. 716 2208) who will be delighted to provide information on how to set up a new club. So make the most of your time in UCD and get involved. Involvement in UCD sports clubs will ensure that your time at UCD is a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience!
“I started rowing when I was 14 years old and my university choice was very much determined by the standard of the rowing club. UCD Ladies Boat Club is one of the most successful clubs in the country and it did not disappoint me. I have enjoyed success in competitions both in Ireland and overseas. I have formed many close friendships and had many amazing experiences. Rowing is one of the toughest sports, requiring fitness, strength and technical ability, the training is intense and challenging but the team spirit, passion and determination makes it all worthwhile.” Naomi Fearon - UCD Ladies Boat Club. “Joining a UCD sports club was the best decision I made in college. Trips abroad, nights out, the opportunities to play your chosen sport all week long and especially the life long friends you make! I’d recommend getting involved in a sports club committee. The organisational and leadership skills you learn will stand by you wherever you go after college. Also it’s a great way to meet other like-minded people from other clubs and societies around UCD.” Paddy O’Leary - UCD Lacrosse Club.
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Join any of these societies during Freshers’ Week (14-18 September), in the Freshers’ Tent beside the Student Centre.
UCD SOCIETIES Ag Science Actuarial and Financial Agriculture & Food Engineering AIESEC Alternative Music Amnesty International Animal Rights AMSA An Cumann Dramaíochta An Cumann Gaelach An Cumann Literatha Archaeological Society Architecture Arts Backpacker Belfield Folk Group Biochemical Biological Business & Legal Campus Television Network (CTN) Celtic Supporters Chemical Chess Chinese Students & Scholars Christian Union CIMS Civil Engineering Society Classical Comedy Commerce & Economics Complementary Health Computer Science Countryside UCD Dance DJ Dramatic
Dutch Economics Education Electrical Engineering Emergency First Aid Engineering Engineering Postgraduate English Literature Equality Erasmus European Law Students Ass Arts Fianna Fáil Film & Video Fine Gael Formula One Forestry French Game GAA Supporters Geography German (Deutsch) Geological - Roc Global Action Greens History Hellenic - Greek Hip Hop Humanist HumanResources / Industrial Rel. International Students International Students Internet (NetSoc) Inclusion, Participation, Awareness (IPA) Irish Red Cross Islamic Italian
Jazz Jewish Students Juggling Labour Youth Landscape Architecture Landscape Horticulture Law Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgendered (LGBT) Life Literary & Historical Livingstone Mathematics Mature Students Mechanical Engineering Medical Medical Students Overseas Relief Microbiology Music Newman Nurses Outreach Pagan Parents Party People Before Profit Pharmtox Paintball Penang Medical Students Society Physiotherapy Physiology Philosophy Poker Photographic Planning
Presidents’ Awards (Gaisce) Political Studies Postgraduate Business Postgraduate Engineering Psychological Quinn (QSoc) Radiography R&B Retrospective Rotaract Russian Science Fiction & Fantasy Scientific Sinn Féin Soccer Supporters Social Science Socialist Party Socialist Worker Student Socialist Alternative Spanish Sports Management (The Link) St Vincent de Paul Stock Suas Traditional Music Turf Appreciation (Racing Club) Veterinary Society Visual Arts Volunteers Overseas (UCDVO) Women’s Wine Culture World Aid Youth Defence Youth 2000
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51
Things To Do Before You Leave UCD
1. Hate Trinity Students for no real reason. 2. Hate Trinity students because they’re a shower of useless cravat-wearing, upper class, toffee-nosed, inbred, lisping, masturbating, self-obsessed bastards with no sense of fashion, sense of humour, sex appeal or any redeeming features whatsoever. Bastards. 3. Fall in love with the Ents Officer. 4. Make friends with people who live on res if you’re living at home – free gaff! 5. Envy your mates who had the sense to take up a trade instead of three years of Arts. 6. Become an anarchist. 7. Run in a Students’
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Union election. 8. Sell some mixed herbs to another student who thinks they’re something else. 9. Buy some mixed herbs from another student thinking they’re something else. 10. Go looking for the underground tunnels and realise they’re nowhere near as interesting as everyone says. 11. Join a society because of the free stuff and promises and then never hear or see anything from them again. 12. Throw a snowball at UCD President Hugh Brady. 13. Walk through campus at 5am, utterly twisted. 14. Avoid going to the li-
brary for a whole year. 15. Get a load of alcohol confiscated by Pulse Security. 16. Discover where the other lakes are in UCD. 17. Make a new friend during the first week. Then never speak to them for the rest of your time in UCD. 18. Fall asleep in a lecture. 19. Pledge to start studying in October and end up cramming two hours before the exam. 20. Come into campus early enough in the morning to steal all the fresh milk delivered outside the Arts Café. 21. Get a book from the library, read two pages, and think it’s a day’s work. 22. Go to a Dramsoc play,
and praise it regardless of its merit. 23. Lose your virginity. 24. Steal it back. 25. Steal a traffic cone while drunk. 26. Sheepishly put it back the next day after you may have caused a serious accident. 27. Sneak in to the Fair City set, down the road in RTÉ. 28. Fantasise about telling Hugh Brady to fuck off when he gives you your degree but bottle it because your parents are there. 29. Come in with a thick Cork accent, leave with a D4 twang. 30. Use “but everyone experiments in college” as an excuse. 31. Start reading Ulysses. 32. Stop reading it after
two pages and watch reality TV instead. 33. Abuse an L&H guest. 34. Bullshit your way through a tutorial. 35. Stay in every res accommodation in the first week. Belgrove, Merville, Roebuck and the slightly more elusive Glenomena. 36. Spend a whole day procrastinating on the couches in the Student Centre. 37. Say “Fock” in the Quinn School. It makes you feel like you belong. 38. Spend a whole day in the bar (double points if it’s the day before an exam). 39. Swim in the lake (if you get caught we do not accept responsibility for any trouble/
disease/embarrassing penis shrinkage that may occur). 40. Streak in a lecture theatre. 41. Try counting the number of Pat Patterson jokes on the walls of cubicles in UCD. 42. Add to the number by writing a Pat Patterson joke on the walls of a toilet cubicle. 43. Get sleazed on by Paul Lynam. 44. Climb the water tower. 45. Climb the Arts Block. 46. Fail an exam. 47. Fall in love. 48. Fall out of love. 49. Fall into a bin. 50. Spend all your money playing pool in the Student Bar.
.
51. Graduate
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SU Nightbus U
CD Students’ Union set up the Nightbus service originally to ensure that UCD students had a safe and affordable way of getting home from the city centre after a night out, without the burden of the cost of an expensive taxi ride.
This year, the SU Nightbus will initially run one route to areas surrounding UCD, but plans are already in place to launch a second route serving a wider catchment area in October, if the service is deemed to be successful in its first few weeks of operation. The route will run from D’Olier Street at 2.45am & Harcourt Street (Outside Tripod) at 3.00am every Wednesday & Thursday from Freshers’ Week (Wednesday 16 September) during term time. The service is totally free and is paid for by your Students’ Union, but a valid UCD Student Card is required to board the bus.
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ation the Educ to e m o lc d we i guys, an Officer ! n o Secti Education r u o y ou , a h ac present y I’m Donn b is to re al jo e y d M y, it r. a rs for the ye s around the unive , re e h e e m te ti commit ng your ri ic u m d e e d v a a c h on the a ou might r behalf. roblems y ls on you with any p ard policy proposa ight seem school m rw ry fo p a t d u n p o sec and l be well u and you’l UCD from g to in d g a in re iv Arr ut keep change, b n like a big ns! ef rundow ru e give a bri is plac , to .) is tc e n , o g ti c in on how th this se , mark s d m in a h x e e b lp f a e o can h The ide (in terms n things I CD works rmation o fo form you in in l on how U fu to e .), and me us o tc s e u , o ts y a e e to giv sits, rep ides. (grants, re w e SU prov th s you with e about ho ic rv e f the s give you n g a c in I in o e J ic of some o ! adv lved piece of – get invo ’ le ts p n e im d s The best tu ry ve the S in UCD is volved in anto do well getting in r ing the tr o k , a ty m ie , c e o g s e ll r o o c b d a clu r gra es le into helps you s you sett it lp e , h h g n u io o Un ly en y. Bizarre sition eas ing, eduwith anyth keep lp e h too. d e e I er, if you n only man! Pop in – Rememb ur meet o y to t is n e a .i w u cds u even o y if me r cation@u o d , n e st s ce hours at too… ju th normal offi o d n a c hat, I at easy. up for a c text, it’s th a r o il a an em
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YOUR EDUCATION
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STUDENTS’ UNION INITIATIVES
T
he Students’ Union has been working away very hard at various different initiatives to help you get the best out of your
university educations – here’s some of the stuff we hope to bring you during the 2009/2010 academic year:
24-hour study area
We’ve been working closely with the university to provide a secure 24-hour study space. The university has established a committee that should be reporting soon on a suitable location.
making you money
The Grindsfile is now being advertised in secondary schools all over Dublin, giving you the chance to earn money giving grinds.
library hours
Over the summer, the SU lobbied to increase library opening hours by 12 hours per week, and will ensure no cutbacks to services in September.
wireless printing
More wireless printing in more locations across campus
demonstrator and tutor standards
The SU put forward a piece of policy in June, which has led to a change in how your demonstrators and tutors are hired and assessed, meaning a higher standard of teaching for you.
exam guide
The SU will continue to publish the Exam Guide semester by semester, but you don’t need to worry about that until November!
service learning
The SU has been working with the Registrar on Accreditation for Participation, and it should be rolled out during the coming year. It’s a great initiative that rewards students for the learning that occurs while they partake in co-curricular activities.
contact your lecturer
Following a new policy that the SU brought to the university, from this September, all lecturers’ contact details and office hours will be placed on Blackboard, for students to gain easy access to.
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SU SECOND-HAND BOOKSHOP how to take over world By diana ross
Need some dosh? Want some books on the cheap?
T
he SU runs a secondhand bookshop, where used books are traded. Selling and Buying? It’s a win-win situation! You can visit the bookshop’s online catalogue at www.ucdsu. ie/bookstore. It also means that
you can purchase all of your course books (at a nice discount) without ever having to leave the comfort of your bed… isn’t the internet amazing? Of course, for those of you who want to actually see the books before you buy, the real-
world bookshop is located on the ground floor of the Student Centre. It’s normally open from 10am5pm in term.
SU GRINDSFILE
T
he Grindsfile is a comprehensive listing of UCD students looking to give, or looking to receive grinds. If you’re having difficulty with a subject, consult the Grindsfile to see if someone can help you.
If you’re looking to give grinds, either in university subjects or secondary school subjects, the Education Officer, Donnacha, will take your details and put them in the Grindsfile. Even better, this year the Grindsfile will be advertised in
secondary schools all over Dublin – the SU will advertise your services for free, helping you earn some cash to spend in the Student Bar. How nice is that? The Grindfile is available at www.ucdsu.ie/grindsfile. Check it out today!
To include your details on the SU Grindsfile, just email the Education Officer, Donnacha, at education@ucdsu.ie.
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GRANTS
H
ow do you know if you’re eligible for the higher education maintenance grant? It’s simple really – if you’re under 23, you’re judged on your family’s income level, and if you’re an independent mature student,
you’re judged on your own income. The ‘reckonable income bands’ are shown in a table below – use these to figure out if you are eligible (and what level of grant you can receive). You’ll see that they change depend-
ing on how many children there are in your family. They’ll also change if you’re not the only one in third-level education from your family. The website www.studentfinance.ie will contain more information on that aspect.
RECKONABLE INCOME LIMITS No. of Dependent Children
100% Grant & Full Fees
75%Grant & Full Fees
50% Grant & Full Fees
25% Grant & Full Fees
Half Fees & Registration Fee
Less than 4
€41,110
€42,235
€44,720
€47,205
€51,380
4-7
€45,165
€46,415
€49,145
€51,880
€56,460
8 or more
€49,045
€50,400
€53,360
€56,320
€61,295
If you fall within the income limits above, you should apply to the local authority where you’ve been resident since 1 October 2008. Forms are available from the Students’ Union offices, as well as from most County Coun-
cil offices. Pick one up, and if you have any difficulty with filling it in, the Education Officer, Donnacha, or the Welfare Officer, Scott, should be able to help you. There are two rates of grant –
adjacent and non-adjacent. You will receive the adjacent rate if your normal residence is within 24km of UCD. The table below shows how much you’re entitled to if you qualify.
PAYMENT LEVELS Grant
Non-Adjacent Rate
Adjacent Rate
100% 75% 50% 25% ‘Top-Up Grant’
€3,420 €2,565 €1,710 €855 +€3270
€1,370 €1,030 €685 €345 +€1310
The website www.studentfinance.ie contains lots of information on grants and other financial supports. At least one in ten UCD students is eligible for the grant.
If you’re eligible for a grant, you can collect your cheque from the Student Desk in the Tierney Building when your local authority sends it in to UCD.
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I
f you haven’t noticed already, UCD isn’t very like secondary school. If you disagree, you must have attended somewhere awesome. Gone are the three years of study before the Leaving Cert. Here’s what’s in:
Modules
UCD’s equivalent of a class in something. You know when they talk about “Math 101” on American high-school dramas? You too could be taking Math 10010. How cool do you feel now? In any given year, you’ll probably take 12 modules, split into Core, Options and Electives (see below).
Credits
You get credits for modules depending on how much work is required to do them. Most modules are worth five credits, but some might be worth more or less.
Semesters
UCD loves its imported words. Before 2005, the university worked in three terms (Hilary, Michaelmas and Trinity). Now it works in two semesters. The catch? You take six modules in first semester, have exams in those, and then take six brand new modules in the second semester. Once you’ve passed a module, you’re completely done with it. Finito. Never have to worry about it again.
Core, Options and Electives
You had to do English, Irish and
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Maths for the Leaving. These were core subjects. In UCD, you will have modules you have to take to get your degree. These are core modules. See the connection? Options are the bits that are kind of related to your subject area. They give you a bit of flexibility in subject choice, but they’re always from within your own programme. Electives. Oh dear. Pick a module, any module. See where this is going? Two of these per year. Choose wisely! Before you choose a module, read the Module Descriptor It will tell you what you’re expected to learn, how much work you’re expected to do, and how the module will be assessed.
Marking and Assessment
UCD works on a system of continuous assessment for most modules, so even though your module might only run from September to the end of November, you’ll be assessed during it all – through essays, tutorials and mid-term exams. Sometimes, your final exam might be only worth 40 per cent of the module, and in some modules there’s no final exam at all! It’s critical that you read the Module Descriptor before you register for a module, so you know how you’re assessed. Tutorials/seminars/labs can also be worth marks for attendance, so go to them! Hand assignments in on time too! You’ll lose marks otherwise.
Module Grade
Grade Point (GP) Values A+ 4.2 A 4.0 A- 3.8 B+ 3.6 B 3.4 B- 3.2 C+ 3.0 C 2.8 C- 2.6 D+ 2.4 D 2.2 D- 2.0 E 1.6 F 1.0 G 0.4 NG 0.0
To the left is a breakdown of how marking works in UCD. You get a letter grade (A through G), and a corresponding grade point. Maximum grade point is 4.2, and when you get your results at the end of the year, your Grade Point Average (GPA) will also be calculated. The A’s to D’s are the easy bit. E’s onwards – not so. Read the SU’s Exam Guide (published later on in the year) to get advice on these, or check out the (way) more comprehensive explanation online at www. ucdsu.ie/ education.
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U
CD has fantastic library facilities spread over five sites. You can access any of the libraries with
your student card, but make sure you make the most of what’s there! The library is extremely innovative, and increasingly
digital – UCD is the leading Irish library for the delivery of online services. Below are some of the services that you might not know the library offers.
Libraries in UCD Architecture and Planning Library Richview
Veterinary Medicine Library Belfield
Health Sciences Library Belfield
Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business Library Blackrock James Joyce Library (Main) Belfield
Computer Access
The Online Library
The library not only offers public computer access locations, in the James Joyce and Health Sciences Libraries you can also borrow a laptop for a period of time.
Use the ‘My Library’ tab when you log into UCD Connect to renew borrowed books, access online books and journals. You can even instant message the library staff!
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Library Tour You should get to know your library pretty well – it’s probably going to be your first port of call when you write essays or do projects. The James Joyce Library offers tours during the first few weeks of the semester. You should avail of one – you’ll get to know where all the books are for your particular subjects, and you might even make a new friend!
How do I borrow a book? Borrowing a book from the library is easy – just take the book and your student card to the service desk or the express service machines. Normally, undergraduates can have up to eight books from the general collection and two books from the short loan collection (as well as some allowances) out at any one time. You can also renew certain loans online through your UCD Connect account.
The James Joyce Library holds over 1.3 million books and at any one time there are approximately 1,600 people in the library. There are 3,000 study spaces available across the five libraries, including 200+ laptop-enabled spaces.
Don’t be afraid to ask the library staff for help – they’re very friendly!
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r a e Y c i m e d a c A The 2009-2010
Make the most of the year ahead because it will fly! Semester 1 First Year Registration and Orientation Teaching term Revision Exams Christmas break Exam process #
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Monday, 31 Aug – Friday, 4 Sept
Varies depending on course
Monday, 7 Sept – Friday, 27 Nov.* Monday, 30 Nov – Sunday, 6 Dec Monday, 7 Dec – Friday, 18 Dec Monday, 21 Dec 2009 – Sunday, 3 Jan 2010 Monday, 4 Jan – Friday, 15 Jan
12 weeks 1 week 11 working days
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Semester 2 Monday, 18 Jan – Friday, 5 March 7 weeks Teaching term Fieldwork/Study Monday, 8 March – Sunday, 21 March ** 2 weeks period Monday, 22 March – Friday, 23 April *** 5 weeks Teaching term Monday, 26 April – Sunday, 2 May 1 week Revision 11 working days Exams Tuesday, 4 May~ – Saturday, 15 May Monday, 17 May – Friday, 28 May Exam process # ** St Patricks Day: Wednesday, 17 March 2010 *** Good Friday, 2 April 2010; Easter Sunday, 4 April 2010; Easter Monday, Monday 5 April 2010 ~ May Bank Holiday: Monday, 3 May 2010 # Incorporates Grading, Grade Entry, Processing, Programme Boards
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M
ake sure you’ve completed your registration correctly. All students must be fully registered and have paid their fees.
Priority: High
Due Date: Friday 18 September, 2009
Check your SIS registration summary page to see if your student card is ready for collection.
Make sure you register for enough credits. If in any doubt, get academic advice.
Make sure you register to any tutorials, labs and practicals you have to take.
Drop extra credits if you’re not taking them or else you’ll be charged for them.
Online module registration closes at 5pm on Friday 18 September 2009.
For comprehensive information about registration including dates, online guides, electives information, support contacts, etc. please visit: www.ucd.ie/students/registration.html
REMEMBER! Check your UCD email regularly as you will be sent very important messages throughout your time in UCD regarding registration and fees, exams and key information from your Programme Office, School(s), Student Advisers and lecturers.
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www.ucdsu.ie/education
– the Education section of the Students’ Union; all you’ve learned here, and more!
elearning.ucd.ie
– direct access to UCD’s elearning system, Blackboard
www.ucd.ie/registry whatsfree.ucd.ie
– to see where computers are free around UCD
www.ucd.ie/students
– lots of good information for undergraduates
www.ucd.ie/library
– access all of the library’s digital resources
– for information on registration and exams
www.ucd.ie/programmeoffices
– a full list, including contact details and opening hours, of all UCD Programme Offices
www.ucd.ie/itservices
– plenty of information on how to set up your laptop on the UCD wireless network and how to print on campus
imap.ucd.ie
– direct access to your UCD Connect email and calendar
D UC unt r u o co k y ail ac dates c e Ch ct em r up ty – fo ne rsi o C n ularly unive htly g g re m the rtni o fro nd a f mail! e a U S
Watch out for the SU Exam Guide, coming to a building near you this November…
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Hello!
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16 3112 Ph: (01) 7 291 7245 Mob: 087 ucdsu.ie welfare@
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drug abuse Drug abuse generally relates to the misuse or overuse of a psychoactive drug for non-therapeutic or non-medical effects. It may lead to criminal penalties and also to physical and psychological harm. Acid/LSD Acid is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that commonly comes in the form of small squares of paper or tiny pellets. Trippers have been known to talk with trees and moan incoherently for hours. Acid users can experience flashbacks years after taking the drug. There is also always the danger of having a bad trip. This is when users experience terrifying nightmare-like hallucinations.
Cannabis/Hash When smoked, the effects of cannabis are usually felt fairly quickly with people feeling more relaxed, happy and generally laid back. Strong cannabis can also lead to a loss of inhibitions. Regular users develop a poor appetite and lose their physique. Heavy users can choke on their own vomit when overdosed and passed out.
Cocaine Cocaine delivers a quick high, but because the hit is so concentrated and brief, cocaine
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encourages repeated doses. Smoking cocaine can give a stronger hit. Long-term use can result in a range of mental health conditions from mild depression to psychosis, with symptoms similar to schizophrenia, as well as the development of eating disorders.
Ecstasy (amphetamine) Ecstasy is a powerful stimulant and mood changer that speeds bodily systems and alters perception. Some users have been known to come up with a huge exhilarating rush, and experience hallucinations. Once the user comes down they’ll feel depressed, anxious, hungry and tired. Ecstasy is said to be socially addictive, with people needing the drug to interact in social situations.
Heroin Heroin users experience a sleepy euphoria and total relief from anxiety as the drug enters the system. This then makes way for a feeling of calm. Many of the dangers of heroin from
using shared/dirty needles that carry diseases, as well as developing body sores and ulcers. There is also the risk of a fatal overdose.
Ketamine Ketamine is an anesthetic used in human and veterinary medicine. In illicit use, ketamine is evaporated from liquid to form powder. Ketamine is odourless and tasteless; it can be added to drinks without being detected. Users can experience sensations including a feeling of floating and being separated from their bodies. Ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems.
Magic Mushrooms Magic Mushrooms are naturally-occurring and grow in many places, including in Ireland. There are many different types of magic mushrooms, but all contain a natural hallucinogenic chemical, psilocybin, which affects a person’s senses. They can cause dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea and anxiety as
Signs of drug abuse well as numbness of the mouth. A small amount of magic mushrooms leads to mild effects, a large amount can cause a ‘bad trip’.
Poppers
• Cycles of increased energy, restlessness, inability to sleep, or excessive sleep • Abnormally slow movements or speech, confusion and disorientation
• Sinusitis or nosebleeds • Persistent cough, bronchitis • Dental problems • Cycles of being unusually talkative and energetic
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Irritability, agitation and anger
• Unexpected changes in clothing, such as constantly wearing long sleeved shirts, to hide injection marks
• Unusual calmness, looking ‘spaced out’
Amyl/butyl nitrate (the main ingredient in poppers) is a power• Suspected drug parapherful drug that gives a burst nalia of dizzy energy for a few minutes. The rush kicks in immediately, and for a brief minute sensory perceptions are amplified. Using poppers can be a serious health risk for anyone with heart trouble, breathing problems, anaemia and glaucoma.
Speed (also an amphetamine) Speed is a stimulant that can keep users awake for hours, making the user feel extremely energetic. Speed can also make users feel confident and outgoing, and turn quiet introverts into party animals. Users might feel tired and unwell, and even paranoid and depressed. Some users have been known to hallucinate.
• Apathy, depression • Paranoia, delusions • Temporary psychosis, hallucinations
Seeking help UCD SU Welfare Officer Scott Ahearn T: (01) 716 3112 UCD Student Advisers Student Counselling Service Irish Association of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors T: (01) 797 9187 Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy T: (01) 230 0061
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Gambling Addiction Gambling is an acceptable and fun activity. But it can become compulsive, abnormal, and destructive. Gambling is a very high-stakes game, where friendships, family, finance, and reputations are all at risk.
Action Gamblers
Mostly male, action gamblers are generally very bright. Their outlets are games requiring skill (blackjack, poker, etc.). Gambling conveys a sense of euphoria, similar to a drug-induced high.
Common signs:
Constant use of phone Regualrly viewing sports/racing/betting websites Fixated on sports/racing from perspective of odds, etc. Borrowing money from many sources Anger and isolation Defensive and argumentative attitude Chronic fatigue
Escape Gamblers
Most escape gamblers are female. Escape gambling generally involves games requiring little or no skill like slots, bingo or the lotto. Escape gamblers appear numb, or in hypnotic trance when engaged in gambling.
Common signs:
Boredom Stress Grief Loneliness Abuse Depression Desperate financial condition Reasonable lack of other hobby
Phases of Gambling Addiction Winning Phase This is often a short, or indeed sometimes non-existent, phase which brings several small or large wins, and provides a sense of emotional escape from problems, and a sense of empowerment to the gambler.
Losing/ Changing Phase Following the highs of the winning phase, losses are explained away as poor luck. No single win seems enough. Often the gambler will bet as much as is possible during this phase which can last multiple years, with progressively larger and riskier bets.
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The Desperation Phase This is the commonly stereotyped view of gamblers, where the complete non-acceptance of blame and complete lack or accountability is standard. The gambler will often become unreasonably angry for no reason with anyone outside of their gambling circle during this phase, feeling that any nonparticipant in their habits is not worth the energy or time.
The Hopeless Phase Many gamblers actually go beyond ‘rock bottom’ through isolated lives without close friends or family to intervene.
This phase goes well beyond what most people would imagine ‘rock bottom’ to be. This phase can involve clinical depression, suicide, or actions that will most assuredly land them in jail.
Seeking Help Rutland Centre T: (01) 4946358 Alcoholic Rehabilitation Centre (inc. gambling) T: (01) 8367171
Alcohol Abuse Alcohol is a depressant that can affect people in a variety of ways – some folk are pleasantly relaxed by the drug, other lose their inhibitions completely.
Effects Drinking reduces your inhibitions, increasing your relaxation and sociability. Too much can lead to a loss of control, blurred/double vision, dizziness, sickness and even loss of consciousness. And if all that wasn’t bad enough, wait till you have the king of hangovers. Alcohol slows reaction times; some activities – like driving and cycling – get very dodgy. When drunk, you can make irrational decisions and this can lead to sexual risk-taking (if you’re ca-
pable – it can also seriously affect performance in that department!) and the increased chances of catching STIs. Alcohol abuse has been linked to lots of social problems, including domestic violence and violent crime. It might also lead to relationship problems – being drunk isn’t much of an excuse if you say something to a friend you regret the next day.
Health Effects Regular use of alcohol can lead to tolerance, so if you’re down the pub every night, you’ll find yourself having to wolf down more and more beers to get the same effect. If you’re not exercising, your waistline will definitely expand. Taking a large dose of alcohol can cause memory loss. Long-term use of alcohol is known to cause many physical illnesses. Alcohol is estimated to cause 115,000 deaths per year worldwide. Alcohol will also reduce a person’s sensitivity to pain, and cause dehydration. Taking alcohol with other drugs that
dehydrate (like speed and ecstasy) is very risky. Alcohol overdoes will lead to loss of consciousness and possibly even death. For an irregular drinker, about 30 units (a bottle of spirits) would end in a trip to hospital and could be fatal.
Three/four units for a man and two/three units for a woman a day are relatively safe benchmarks. People who regularly drink more than this increase the risks of suffering alcoholrelated illnesses.
The body breaks down alcohol at the rate of one unit per hour – the liver only works at one speed. Giving someone black coffee or a cold shower to sober them up won’t make their liver work faster. They’ll still be drunk, but they’ll be wide awake.
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It’s easy to overlook the importance of emotional health. The fact that Irish men between the ages of 15 and 34 are more likely to die by suicide than be killed in a car crash demonstrates the need for our mental health to be addressed. If you feel you suffer from mental illness, or are just feeling low, read on.
Depression
We all may experience short-lived feelings of sadness in response to disappointments in everyday life. Depression as an illness is more severe and not short-lived. It may be associated with negative thoughts such as suicidal ideas, which require urgent treatment. Depressive illnesses affect seven per
cent of the population, and one in thirteen students. It is frequently preceded by setbacks in life, such as bereavement, failed relationships, financial difficulties, or medical illness. An inherited tendency towards depression is also a major factor.
Recognising Depressions
• Feeling sad, anxious, bored, fatigued If five or more of the fol• Waking during the lowing symptoms are present for more than two night or too early in the morning, overweeks, it is probably a sleeping or trouble depressive episode: getting to sleep • Slow thinking, poor concentration, forgetful, indecisive • Loss of interest in food, work, sex
Bereavement Counselling
In UCD, it’s practically impossible to find somebody who hasn’t been affected in some way by the death of a loved one. The SU will be facilitating support groups for students who have been affected by bereavement. If you’re interested in taking part, or would just like to find out more, please contact the Welfare Officer Scott at welfare@ucdsu.ie
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• Reduced sense of self-worth, low selfesteem or guilt • Headaches, chest or other pains without physical basis • Suicidal thoughts or thinking of death
If a person self-harms, they cause themselves some measure of physical pain by some means. This could be by burning, cutting one’s self, pulling out hair, getting involved in dangerous relationships, etc.
Seeking Help Niteline – Student Listening Service 1800 793 793 www.ucd.ie/niteline UCD Student Counselling Service 716 3133/3143 Aware 1890 303 302, www.aware.ie The Samaritans 1850 60 90 90 www.samaritans.ie
There is no set way to self-harm, and no one way shows that a person is in more distress than any other. Self-harming is a coping mechanism. It is not a signal that a person is trying to kill themselves. However, because of the amount of distress being experienced, the possibility of suicide is probably higher in those who self-harm. People self-harm because they are trying to live and cope with the tough feelings that crop up every day. Self-harming can be a physical release from emotions that can seem very overwhelming. There is a lot of shame, embarrassment, and secret behaviour that surrounds selfharming, and people can be very afraid of speaking up about it in case they are ridiculed, or for fear of causing anguish to those they love. People will often hide any physical signs that they have hurt themselves.
Helping a Friend Through Self-Harm Do not act horrified or disgusted. Do not threaten. Your acceptance of the person is needed. Do get as much information about selfharming as possible, and find out what support is available to you and the person you are trying to help. Tell the person that support is available whenever they want it. Encourage them to talk to their GP. Talk honestly with them about what is going on for them, and their feelings surrounding their self-harming. Concentrate on the feelings rather than the actions or injuries. If you see the physical signs of the selfharming, again, do not react with horror, revulsion, or disgust. You do not have to like what is going on, nor should you pretend that you do. But you should try to be supportive of the person.
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managi n g Stress
Stress comes about when there are so many demands and just not enough resources to deal with them all effectively. Stress in small amounts can be a positive thing and many people use it to drive them. However, if it becomes overwhelming, it can have serious negative consequences for your physical and mental well-being. DEALING WITH STRESS *Exercise regularly. This will keep you healthy, and more importantly, will help you release those mighty mouse hormones called endorphins all around your body making you feel all happy inside. *Learn to say ‘no’ – you’ve got enough on your plate. People will have to accept that everyone needs time to themselves. *Prioritise. When you’ve done this, you can better manage your time and fit in most of the things you need to do in your week. Remember to plan for recreation too, and not to let study take over your life. *Mind yourself. All-nighters with Red Bull, while inevitable, isn’t good for you. Be sure to eat properly and sleep well before an exam to make sure you’re in top form. *Have someone you can talk to/rant at. It can be really helpful to get another perspective. *Laugh. Being too serious is bad for your health. Look what happened to Father Stone… *Be optimistic. Positive things happen to positive people.
STUDY TIPS *Don’t panic. They’re just exams! *Try not to leave everything until the last minute. *Take breaks, plan your time, and plan your revision. *Familiarise yourself with past exam papers in good time. You’ll often realise that you might not need to cover the entire syllabus. *Study in groups with your mates. Hanging out with friends is also an excellent pre-exam stress relief. *Get a good night’s sleep before your exam. This will help you keep alert during the test, and aid your brain in processing the bits you have learned. *Think carefully about what you eat and drink before your exam. Eat Weetabix and bananas on the morning of the exam, for a slow and steady release of carbs to keep you on your toes for the day.
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UCD LGBT Society This should be the first port of call for any LGBT student in UCD, a great place to meet other LGBT students, as well as make new friends. There are weekly coffee mornings that are always a laugh, and the society is an excellent forum in which to meet people, chat away and have the craic. They have events every week that range from wine receptions to movie nights to games nights and everything in between. Nights out are also organised regularly, be it to the cinema, or to some of the bars on the gay ‘scene’, described later in this article. They also run a buddy system; a way for new members who may be slightly nervous about joining to meet up with a committee member, and have a friendly face to bring them to the next event. To contact them, email ucdlgbt@gmail.com
SU LGBT Support The Students’ Union also has a part-time LGBT Rights Officer who sits on the Union Executive and represents the needs and interests of UCD’s LGBT community. They are the bridge between the LGBT Society and the SU, and are always there to listen and advise if you need someone to talk to. The SU runs Rainbow Week in February every year. It is UCD LGBT Week if you will. Past events have included mock gay weddings, mini pride marches through campus, talks, workshops, guest speakers like David Norris and Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan, L Word/Queer as Folk nights, table quizzes, nights out, etc. Always remember that if you’re facing discrimination, or you’re having a difficult time with ‘coming out’, you don’t have to face it alone. The SU Welfare Officer Scott is there to help.
University is a daunting and intimidating experience. It can be even more difficult if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or have just recently started to question your sexuality. Regardless about how you feel about yourself and the people around you, coming ‘out’ and being ‘out’ can sometimes be a nerve-wrecking time.
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E TING disorders
Eating disorders are complex, life-threatening conditions from which people can, and do, get better with appropriate treatment. ‘Eating disorder’ refers to a group of conditions characterised by severe disturbances in eating, emotional and psychological distress, or any one of a variety of physical consequences. Recognising Eating Disorders • •
• • • • •
Person is likely to have dieted Overly concerned with body shape, weight and size, and an obsession with food Thinness is seen as a magical solution to problems while weight gain is feared May view body as larger than it actually is (distorted body image) May find it hard to talk about feelings and to deal with conflict May be depressed and may become isolated May experience mood swings
The disordered eating can take various forms, from fasting and self-starvation to binge eating. Excessive exercising or self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives or diuretics are used to avoid weight gain (purging). All of these behaviours, sustained over time, will have a serious effect on both physical and emotional health.
Anorexia Person will make determined efforts to attain and maintain a body weight lower than the normal
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body weight for their age, sex, and height. This will usually take the form of self-inflicted fasting.
Bulimia Involves repeated episodes of binge eating followed by high-risk behaviours aimed at compensating for the binges. These can include fasting, excessive exercising, self-induced vomiting, and the use of laxatives, diuretics or other medications.
Binge Eating (Compulsive Overeating) Involves repeated episodes of bingeing but without purging. The person who binge-eats is therefore likely to put on considerable amounts of weight over time. They find themselves locked into a lonely cycle of dieting, bingeing, self-recrimination and self-loathing.
H
ELP
!
Bodywhys 1890 200 444 info@bodywhys.ie
Men and Eating Disorders Contrary to public opinion, eating disorders are not exclusive to women. Although fewer in number, men also experience eating disorders. Body image issues and feelings of low self-esteem triggered by the media may play a part in the development of eating disorders in men. The trim aesthetic for men is increasingly represented as the norm. Men, as well as women, internalise these media messages and then measure themselves against unrealistic standards.
Male Risk Factors For males, the following seem to be common triggers of eating disorders: •
• •
• •
•
Being overweight for their height and age as a child. They may have been teased or bullied about their weight. A history of dieting. Being excessively concerned with fitness, which can leave to over-exercising. Men in particular can become obsessed with moulding their bodies into a particular physique. Participation in a sport that demands thinness. An image-conscious job, or profession, that demands thinness. Male models, actors, and entertainers seem to be at a higher risk than the general population. Conflict over gender identity, or over sexual orientation, may precipitate the development of an eating disorder in some males.
Some males experience severe distress due to body image disturbance and become obsessed with the idea that they are ugly and misshapen, or small and underdeveloped. They can experience real feelings of self-loathing and inferiority and may experience consequent impairment in their ability to form relationships to work and to socialise.
Seeking Help Many men feel shy or awkward about seeking help for an eating disorder. Treatment should include dealing with the emotional and psychological issues as well as the physical aspects. Again, while eating disorders are serious and potentially lifethreatening illnesses, help is available and recovery is possible. Most people make a full recovery from an eating disorder, but it can take time.
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Tips Walk in numbers at night. If possible, stick to busy streets with lots of lighting and traffic. Do not take dodgy shortcuts.
Ireland is still a comparatively safe place to live. Having said that, it’s not as safe as it once was, and the idea that it’s only women who need to be careful is an outdated view. Men are increasingly likely to be victims of crime, particularly physical assaults when alcohol is involved. There is no point living in fear, so as well as being self-aware and precautious, follow these ten tips and stay safe wherever you are.
Try to avoid talking on your mobile or listening to a personal stereo, it will make you less aware also advertise that you have something worth stealing. If you think you’re being followed, go to somewhere busy and flag down a taxi. Always make sure someone knows when you’re going out, if and when you’re coming back, and whom you’ll be with. Only used licensed taxis and hackneys. Take note of the taxi licence number (the yellow display on the roof) and key it into your phone or text it to a friend. When you arrive at your destination ask the driver to wait until you get inside the door before leaving again. Do not leave keys to your home in an easily accessible or guessable place. Everyone knows to look on top of the doorframe, or under the mat, potted plant or just inside the letterbox. Always be aware of who is around you when you go to an ATM. Do not use ATMs at night on isolated streets – always choose those with good lighting.
Thankfully, personal attacks on UCD’s campus are relatively rare, but it’s always important to have your wits about you. In case of any security issue on campus, call UCD Unicare, on (01) 716 7999.
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Unfortunately, sometimes you will have to act suspiciously to strangers. Don’t be afraid to act assertively if you are uncomfortable or if you think someone is acting inappropriately. Walk with confidence. Be alert and always look like you know exactly where you are going.
Avoid carbohydrates for breakfast and eat proteins instead. This will boost your brain’s levels of dopamine and make you feel alert as well as keeping your blood sugar steady.
Always sleep in a room that is calm, restful, and free from dust, clutter, electronic equipment, books and telephones if you can help it. Keep fresh air circulating and never let your room become too stuffy.
Give up caffeine – replace with water, herbal teas and juices, grain coffees, diluted fruit juice.
If you have a shower in the morning, finish with a two-minute cold burst to boost your circulation and get your scalp tingling.
If you suffer from a 4pm slump in energy and concentration levels, you’re probably dehydrated: try drinking bottled mineral water steadily throughout the day.
Be He lthy If you are feeling sluggish, eat foods that cleanse your liver and eliminate toxins. Choose from bananas, grapefruit, pears, onions or garlic.
If you’re living away from home, making your own ready to eat meals by cooking in advance and freezing for other days can be very useful.
Walking uses virtually every muscle group in the body and burns up 520 calories an hour, and gets the cardiovascular system working, so get out and start walking!
Relax every day with 10-20 minutes of deep breathing and relaxation - this will help rejuvenate both your body and mind.
Always try to reserve your bedroom for sleep, sex and perhaps building a small fort.
When you come to college, you tend to feel invincible, you probably won’t be worrying about your health too much, and it’s very easy to overdo it. But if you don’t take care of yourself, watch your diet, and exercise regularly, you won’t be able to keep up with the pace of college life.
Timetables for college can differ greatly compared with secondary schools, and you may find it more difficult to find time to relax, eat proper meals and get good exercise.
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Testicular Cancer Over a lifetime, a man’s chance of developing testicular cancer is roughly one in 250. It is most common among males aged 15-40 years. Testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers, in excess of 90 per cent. Even for the relatively few cases in which the cancer has spread widely, chemotherapy offers a cure rate of at least fifty per cent. However, testicular cancer is still the fourth-largest killer of males aged 15-34 in Ireland. Because testicular cancer is curable when detected early, men should self-examine their testicles regularly for any changes in shape or hardness of either teste. A good suggestion is to get into the habit of checking the scrotum during or after a hot shower, when it’s looser. Men should examine each testicle, first feeling for lumps and then compare the testicles to each other together to see whether one is larger than the other. If you do discover an abnormality, don’t panic, as most are not cancerous. However, you should still contact your doctor immediately to arrange a check-up.
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Sudden Adult Death Syndrome This term has been adopted for referring to the more general notion of a sudden death of an apparently fit and healthy young person. SADS events are defined as non-traumatic, non-violent, unexpected occurrences resulting from cardiac arrest within as little as six hours of previously witnessed normal health. Although there have been some high profile tragedies in Ireland on the sports field, more than 70 per cent of the 6,500 annual SADS deaths in Ireland happen in the home. However, based on American figures, it is possible to determine that, of the 10,000 people who die of ‘cardiac causes’ each year in Ireland, around 65 per cent of them are deaths caused by SADS. SADS and other cardiac dysrhythmias are often first detected by simple means - checking the heartbeat with a stethoscope, or more commonly, taking a pulse at someone’s wrist or neck. These cannot usually diagnose specific problems, but can give a good general indication of the heart rate and whether it is regular or irregular. If you or someone you’re with seems to be experiencing irregular pulse, do not panic, but get to a doctor as soon as you can, or if you feel the condition might be more serious, call an ambulance.
Impotence Impotence (erectile dysfunction) means that a man’s erection does not stay hard enough for long enough for him to have satisfactory sex. Men of any age might be affected although it becomes more likely with age. One in ten men in Ireland is affected so although they may feel alone, in reality they’re not. A vicious cycle starts whereby the more a man worries about the problem the less likely an erection is to happen, and so on. Relationships are harmed, sometimes destroyed, with each partner thinking it’s their fault. Temporary failure of the erection, such as in the case of ‘brewers droop’ after drinking too much alcohol, is common. Being over-tired or over-stressed can also cause temporary inaction. Recreational drug use, for example cannabis, can cause temporary and chronic impotence. For around 70-80 per cent of men who consistently can’t get it up the cause is physical. A shortage of blood to the penis caused by narrowed blood vessels is commonly responsible and is usually an effect of diabetes or high blood pressure. Accidents or injuries that damage the nerves to the penis, or drug side effects, may also be the culprit. Worrying about impotence only makes matters worse. Treating impotence may be as simple as changing a medicine whose side effects are responsible. Addressing any underlying stresses and talking with your partner is essential. The list of treatments has lengthened over the last few years: Implants are surgically implanted in the penis and are semi-rigid rods or are devices that can be inflated when the moment arrives. Vacuum pump devices. Legend has it that the first vacuum pump was apparently invented by an American mechanic in his garage whilst he played around with a tyre pump. Drug therapy. This can come in injection, intraurethral pellet, and most recently tablet forms. Natural remedies, including ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and muira puama.
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Period Pains
Most women suffer from some sort of period pains. These can range from general uncomfortable feelings to severe cramps, headaches and backache. There are a couple of methods that women can try to relieve their cramps: •
Lying in the foetal position holding a hot water bottle against t h e womb, or having a hot bath, can give immediate pain relief.
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Yoga and gentle exercises can help promote long-term relief.
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Avoiding coffee, tea and soft drinks can ward off cramps. It’s much better to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and to keep active during your period.
Pre-Menstrual Tension Women with a slightly irregular menstrual cycle are more likely to suffer from PMT. Classic symptoms include weight gain, food, craving, spots, disturbed and interrupted sleep patterns, tenderness and slightly swollen breasts or nipples, reduced alcohol tolerance, fatigue, tension, irritability and depression. Again, there are a few practical measures that can help alleviate PMT symptoms. •
Increase your intake of proteins, veg, eggs and wholegrain cereals. Make a particular effort to take in lots of Vitamin B (fish, bananas, etc).
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Physical exercise can help release endorphins to help counteract the stress, as well as being a reliable de-stressor
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Avoiding tea, coffee and soft drinks, which can all upset a volatile abdomen.
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Cystitis Cystitis is caused by an infection of the urethra, which can occur when bacteria enters the area, or from bruising through prolonged sexual intercourse. It is characterised by a frequent need to pass water and a burning feeling while doing so, and passing a small amount of dark smelly urine when doing so. Drinking cranberry juice, which can improve the body’s natural resistance to the virus, as well as some natural remedies, can prevent cystitis. Passing urine immediately after sexual intercourse can also combat the risk of cystitis. Your GP will also be able to prescribe treatments.
Thrush Thrush can infect men as well as women. It’s caused by the overgrowth of a fungus, and occurs when a person has become run-down or has changed the body’s natural balance (taking antibiotics or the pill, for example). Symptoms include: •
A vaginal discharge which is white, thick, lumpy and smells of yeast
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Sore, red and itchy genitals
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Migraine, severe itching, and general irritability and depression.
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It is a little known but very real fact that thrush can be developed in any bodily cavity, like the mouth or even, on rare occasion, the ear.
•
The standard medical prescription is a vaginal pessary (e.g. Nystain), which is a small
piece of plastic or silicone inserted into the vagina and held in place by the muscle. A common natural remedy is the application of natural yoghurt, while it’s good practice to increase your intake of raw vegetables by about 60 per cent. Drink plenty of water, too, and avoid sugar as much as possible.
Breast Cancer Breast cancer usually affects women over thirty years of age, but is not unheard of in younger women. Symptoms include puckering or dimpling of the skin, a rash on (or around) the nipple, breasts loosing, a persistently painful area in a breast, a lump which had previously been absent, or enlarged glands under the skin or armpit. It is vital that all women examine themselves on a monthly basis. The best time to check is on the seventh day after a period begins. It’s recommended to remove all clothes above the waist, place the left hand over the shoulder and behind the neck or back, and to feel for lumps with the right palm. Then repeat the procedure on the other side. If you do discover something, don’t panic. Arrange a check-up with your doctor immediately.
Cervical Cancer The cause of cervical cancer is a mystery, but some groups seem more prone to developing it than others. These include smokers, people who have had more than one sexual partner, and those who have had sex at a relatively early age. The cervical smear test is the only way of detecting cancer of the cervical region. This involves cells being taken from the cervix and being analysed for pre-cancerous or abnormal cells of any kind. Smear tests are available in the Student Health Service, upstairs in the Student Centre.. All sexually active women should be tested at least once every two years.
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S
ex happens in a variety of ways, places, and with a variety of people. It is a misconception to think that sex is limited to straightforward, bog-standard heterosexual or homosexual intercourse. Sex is an expression of love, or lust, between two or more people, and can be fun, painful, passion-
Vaginal Intercourse Vaginal sex is human sexual behavior involving the vagina, especially, but not limited to, the insertion of the erect penis into the vagina. The use of sex toys and other activities involving the vagina can be considered vaginal sex as well. Anal Intercourse Anal sex is the insertion of the erect penis into the rectum through the anus. It is practised by a wide variety of people including both heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual partners.
ate, meaningful, or meaningless, and should at all times be practiced safely and in a safe environment. There is no occasion where you should feel you are obliged, or forced, to have sex. It is always your own choice.
to the exclusion of all other forms of sexual activity. Oral sex may or may not include the ingestion of any bodily fluids. Anilingus (anal/oral sex) Anilingus is a sexual activity involving contact between the anus or peri-anal areas of one person, and the mouth of another.
Oral Sex Oral sex consists of all the sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth and tongue to stimulate the genitals. It may be used as foreplay before intercourse, as climax of a sexual act, or even following intercourse. It is sometimes performed
If you have any sex-related queries, contact the SU Welfare Officer, Scott, at welfare@ucdsu.ie.
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No contraception is 100 per cent safe, but if used correctly can greatly reduce chances of getting pregnant.
Condoms
It is important to remember that a condom should never be re-used, and, you should always check the expiry date on the condom before using it (obviously you don’t use it if it’s out of date). If an erection is lost while wearing a condom, you should always put on a new one before having sex.
Female Condom
A sheath used to line the vagina, and the area just outside it, to prevent sperm from entering .When used correctly, it can be as effective as the male condom.
Diaphragm
A barrier method of contraception; it prevents sperm from reaching and fertilising the egg. It is a small rubber dome with a flexible rubber ‘O’-ring moulded into the edge which the user fills with spermicide before placing it in the vagina or wall of the cervix The diaphragm offers a 98 per cent protection from pregnancy, but offers little protection for STIs.
Both forms of the pill are available from the campus pharmacy, found in the Student Centre. Morning-after Pill
The morning-after pill is a tablet of hormones that acts to prevent ovulation or fertilisation, or the subsequent implantation of an embryo. If needed, you can get one on campus in the Student Health Service located upstairs in the Student Centre.
The Pill
There are two main forms of the contraceptive pill – combined pill and the mini pill. Neither form protections against STIs. Combined Pill: contains two hormones that stop a woman from ovulating. The pill is prescribed by a doctor, and should be taken at approximately the same time each day for three weeks, followed by a week-long break during which a woman has her period. It is unreliable if taken over 12 hours late, after vomiting, or severe diarrhoea. Some women won’t be prescribed the pill for medical reasons. For detail contact your GP. Mini Pill: contains a hormone that causes changes that make it difficult for sperm to enter the womb of for the womb to accept a fertilised egg. Again, the pill should be taken at the same time every day. It is useful for woman who cannot take the combined pill for different reasons.
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Pregnancy
If you think that you are pregnant, the first step is to have a doctor perform an ‘official’ pregnancy test. This service is available in the Student Health Service.
Continuing the Pregnancy and Keeping the Baby Managing a pregnancy is a long (forty weeks) and a challenging process. Maintaining a pregnancy is every woman’s right and she is entitled to a wide range of help and support. It is a decision that no woman will take lightly.
Adoption Adoption is the process whereby a child becomes a member of a new family. It creates a permanent, legal relationship between the adoptive parents and the child.
Abortion Many Irish women travel every year to England or the continent to terminate their pregnancy. If you are thinking of terminating a pregnancy, you are strongly advised to seek appropriate counselling before you travel. Abortion is illegal in Ireland except where there is a real and substantial risk to the life, as distinct from the health, of the mother. This includes a risk arising from a threat of suicide. However, women may not be prevented from travelling abroad to get an abortion. It is lawful to provide information in Ireland about abortions abroad, subject to strict conditions. It is not lawful to encourage or advocate an abortion in individual cases.
Seeking Help Positive Options, www.positiveoptions.ie Dublin Well Woman Centre, 01-8728051, www.wellwomancentre.ie Irish Family Planning Association, www.ifpa.ie
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R
ape is unlawful sexual intercourse who at the time does not consent to it, where the offender knows he/she does not consent to it, or is reckless about finding out whether he/she consents or not. Rape is also sexual assault, which includes penetration, however slight, of anus, mouth, and/or vagina, by penis or other object.
Aggravated sexual assualt is a sexual attack that involves a serious level of violence, causing grave injury, humiliation, or degradation to the victim. A sexual assault involves a less serious degree of violence in the attack.
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MYTH
Rape only occurs at the hands of strangers in dark alleys, at night, behind bushes, in lonely places.
FACT
MYTH People ‘ask for it’ by hitching lifts, dressing provocatively and leading others on.
FACT
Rape is not about sex, it is about power, violence and control over another person. The vast majority of rapes are carefully planned.
No person ever deserves to be raped, abused or assaulted, no matter what the circumstances. Most rapes are planned. What someone is wearing makes no difference.
Sexual assault and rape are not just sex. They involve the total humiliation of a human being. They involve taking control of their body against their will. They involve taking all dignity and self-assurance away from a person, and reducing them to an object of sexual abuse. It is violence when someone forces anybody else to engage in sexual acts against their will. It is humiliation and degradation, and should never be tolerated.
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FACT
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MYTH
Research shows that in the majority of cases the person knows the rapist. They may be a friend, a workmate, relative or partner. About 50 per cent of rapes occur in the home of the victim or the attacker.
Stranger-rapes/assaults make up 35 per cent of sexual violence towards adults. For 24 per cent of women who have experienced sexual violence, it is their partner or expartner who has raped or sexually assaulted them. For 42 per cent of men, it is friends or acquaintances.
MYTH Rape is committed by a sex-starved maniac overwhelmed by uncontrollable sexual urges.
It cannot be rape unless there has been an act of physical violence such as beating, or cutting or using a weapon and in some way physically injuring the victim.
An Irish report tells us that 28 per cent of men said they had experienced sexual violence at some point. (10 per cent said it was as an adult). For women it is 42 per cent. Rape is just sex when a woman does not want it.
MYTH
FACT
Some attackers badly beat and severely injure, others do not. However, in any rape the offender violently takes away the victim’s control over their life and their sexuality, and as a result the victim often suffers psychological trauma. The emotional after-effects of rape can include eating disorders, sleeping disorders, agoraphobia, depression, suicide attempts and sexual difficulties.
I In some assaults, a drug is used to make a potential victim incapable of defending him/ herself. There has been a huge rise in date rape in Ireland where victims have had their drinks spiked with drugs like rohypnol, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid), oxycodone, or with extra alcohol. The drugs used are often colourless, tasteless, and odourless. Always keep an eye on your drink and don’t accept unsolicited drinks from strangers. If you ever combine alcohol, even mistakenly, with prescriptive medication or drugs of any kind, your normal tolerance level can be dramatically diminished.
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 1800 77 88 88 www.drcc.ie One In Four (01) 6624070 www.oneinfour.org
t is up to you to decide if you want to report it. You can leave your options open by not washing yourself or your clothes afterwards. This may be exactly what you want to do, but remember that this can destroy possibly very valuable evidence if you decide afterwards that you do want to report it. Without committing yourself to anything, you can call your nearest Rape Crisis Centre, who will offer you support and advice about what you can do in the immediate, short and long-term future. Their services are for both men and women. You should get a medical check-up even if you don’t want to report it – this way, you can have any injuries treated, be tested and treated for possible STIs, and receive emergency contraception.
•
•
•
•
•
When trying to support a friend who has experienced a sexual attack, the Rape Crisis Centre is there to support you too. They can offer advice, help and information, which can help you to aid the survivor in regaining a sense of control over their own lives, which the attack or abuse will most likely have taken from them. Resist temptation to constantly do things and make decisions for them, even though you just want to be Never helpful. Remember that even the smallest gesture leave your of respect and independence will go a long way to drink unathelping the victim along the road to recovery. tended. Even turning your back on it can be dangerous. If you want to report a drug-assisted attack, When someone ofyou should do so quickly, because most of fers to buy you a the drugs leave the system very quickly drink, go to the bar with and cannot be detected in tests. The them so that you can see Gardaí are very anxious to point out everything that goes on. that anyone reporting being raped Go out, stay out, and come under the effects of drugs will not back in numbers. Don’t let be prosecuted for drug-taking someone go off on their own and will be treated as any other unless you have a way to conrape victim. Again, help and tact them. information is available from your nearest Rape Crisis Be wary of someone who is not a Centre. close friend offering to help out, even if it seems really innocent. If you think your drink has been spiked, you should report it as soon as possible, either to the security in the bar/club or to the Gardaí.
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d e t t i m s n a r t y l l es xua infections
Chlamydia A bacteria that affects the genitals and sometimes the throat and eyes. Most women will have no symptoms, but there may be a vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding while taking the pill, or unusual bleeding between periods. Most men will also have no symptoms, but some may have a discharge from the penis or experience pain in passing urine. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.
HIV & AIDS AIDS is an infectious disease that causes your body to lose its ability to defend itself against certain diseases. AIDS sufferers are far more vulner-
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able to infections than a healthy person would be, and experience more extreme symptoms of these infections. There is currently no cure for AIDS, and the disease can only be kept under reasonable control through a delicate cocktail of medication.
Genital Herpes Women with the virus will experience painful sores or blisters in the genital area, where an itching tingling sensation can also occur. Men will often have no obvious symptoms, or develop sores on the penis. Urgent referral is necessary for immediate treatment, and to identify the exact nature of the virus present.
Genital Warts
Pubic Lice (‘Crabs’)
Genital warts are commonly perceived to only be applicable to men, but the infection can occur in both men and women. Symptoms include, predictably, painless lumps or flat warts in the genital area, which may itch. Warts can increase in number and size if not treated. They can be treated through application of a cream or lotion.
Pubic lice affect both men and women, and symptoms include a severe itch in the pubic area. Lice may be seen crawling around on the pubic area, and the eggs of lice may be seen as black specks on the pubic hair. A specific type of lotion or cream is usually used to treat lice.
Gonorrhoea
Syphilis
Gonorrhoea symptoms vary in men and women, and the infection often has no symptoms, which can make detection very difficult. Women may experience pain during sex or when passing urine, while men will have a yellow discharge from the penis and also find urinating painful. Gonorrhoea can be easily treated with antibiotics. If left untreated in women, gonorrhoea can cause a pelvic inflammatory disease threatening fertility.
Syphilis is spread through kissing or oral, vaginal and anal sex. It can also be passed to a newborn baby from an infected mother. Men and women are equally susceptible to the infection. Syphilis infection usually involves sores in the genitals, rashes on the palms and soles, and then the development of growths on the skin or skeleton. If left untreated there may be no symptoms for years, but syphilis can greatly damage physical, and not just sexual, health.
Hepatitis B
Trichomonas
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. It can be spread through exchange of body fluids such as blood, saliva, or urine with an infected person. Many people have no symptoms at all or just mild flu-like symptoms, like tiredness, physical sickness, and pain in the joints.
Trichomonas can be spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. It affects both men and women, and symptoms can include a greenish discharge which can be quite unpleasant smelling. There may also be itching and soreness on the penis or vagina. Trichomonas are easily treated with a course of oral antibiotics.
Some experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and their urine turns dark. There is no specific medical treatment, but a healthy diet, rest and abstinence from alcohol may help recovery. A vaccine against the virus is also available.
Non-Specific Urethritis Non-specific urethritis is an infection which usually only occurs in men. It is an inflammation of the urethra (the tube connecting the bladder with the penis) which can sometimes be absent of symptoms, although is usually characterised by a burning pain when peeing. The infection can spread to the testicles and prostate, which can cause pain and swelling affecting male fertility. It is treated with a course of antibiotics.
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Accommodation Where to Look for a Place
Websites
The Students’ Union and UCD Residences have teamed up to provide one consolidated online list of accommodation, which can be found on www.findahome.ie. On the site there is a specific UCD section (the password is ‘belfield’) where you can find a massive list of places specifically for UCD students. Aside from findahome.ie, the best websites to check are www.daft.ie, www.myhome2let.ie, www.rent.ie and www.loadza.ie.
Newspapers
Check out the ‘To let/flat/house sharing’ columns of the daily, evening and local papers. The Evening Herald and local papers such as the Southside People are particularly good. Evening papers are usually out at lunchtime so get a copy as early as possible and if something catches your eye ring without delay as places go quickly.
Shop Windows and Noticeboards
Check in the areas surrounding UCD or the area you are searching. Shop windows and noticeboards are an often overlooked area to search for lettings.
Don’t give up hope when searching for accommodation; everyone finds a place eventually!
Friends
UCD is all about who you know. Everyone knows someone who knows someone else whose aunt’s beauty therapist’s local florist has a gaff in Clonskeagh. However tenuous the connection, get in touch and get phone numbers for landlords – they may have something else in the area to let. You’d be surprised how often this works!
The SU Accommodation & Employment Office
Drop by the Students’ Union offices in the Student Centre where we will gladly print out a copy of our latest list of digs and properties to let. The Students’ Union can also advise you on any tenancy issues you might have. Check out the accommodation section on www.ucdsu.ie or call into us in the corridor for some friendly advice. Remember, if we can’t help you we definitely know someone who can!
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F I NANCE Many students experience financial hardship while at university. Students should therefore be aware that there are some bodies that offer various means of financial assistance.
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he Student Welfare Fund and Assistance Committee are responsible for assisting students who find themselves in financial difficulty. Money problems may arise from difficulties due to the ongoing low income, childcare costs or financial worries that may be the result of unforeseen events such as illness, accident or bereavement. The committee operates three distinct schemes for assisting students:
Student Welfare Fund Student Assistance Fund Childcare Assistance
Childcare Assistance
As part of a commitment by UCD to students with childcare responsibilities, the University offers a contribution towards childcare costs. There is no guarantee that any student will receive a childcare subsidy. All childcare subsidies granted by UCD will be based on individual need. The subsidy is generally equivalent to half of the parents’ cost of the childcare, capped at a maximum of ₏100 per week.
For further information and an application form please contact your Student Adviser, Chaplain or the SU Welfare Officer, Scott.
Student Welfare Fund The purpose of the Welfare Fund is to offer financial assistance to students who encounter unexpected difficulties during their time of study in UCD. The scope of the fund also encompasses those students who cannot, for various reasons, be financially assisted through standard channels. The Student Welfare Fund Committee meets on a regular basis throughout the academic year. Students can, therefore, apply at anytime within the academic calendar.
Student Assistance Fund
The purpose of the Student Assistance Fund is to assist those disadvantaged students most in need. Students are invited to submit an application to this fund at two fixed dates during the year.
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Keep an eye out for notices about the application dates for the Student Assistance Fund during the year.
STUDENT BANKING When starting out in university, it is very important to make an informed and sensible decision about what bank you want to use. The banks in this county know that you guys are some of the most promising undergraduates students around that will evolve into highly lucrative customers in years to come.
A
s Bank of Ireland openly admitted in their advertising, “When you start making it, we do too!” Banks will try anything and everything to get you to open your student account with them at the start of term. You will be offered free phone credit, sweets, food coupons, book vouchers, etc. It is important to look beyond the freebies and choose a bank that offers a student package that best suits you. Over your lifetime, you’re going to spend tens of thousands on financial services and the bank you choose as a student is likely to be your bank for life.
Opening a Bank Account You’ll need: •
Identification – student card and passport or driver’s licence.
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Proof of address – utility bill or bank statement that isn’t older than three months.
•
International students – you will need a letter from your college that says you are a student at your home college, the name of your course, your address at home as well as your address in Ireland stated in the letter.
Seeking Help MABS is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people in debt or in danger of getting into debt. MABS helpline: 1890 283 438.
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DI S ABILITI E S Some students come to university with a disability that could be physical or mental. All students just want to enjoy the third-level experience. However, sometimes disabled students face challenges in university. There are a number of supports both inside and outside of UCD that disabled students can avail of to ensure that we have as inclusive a time as possible. UCD Disability Support Service The Disability Support Service (DSS) is located beside the library turnstiles in the Library Building. They provide a range of supports for
students with any type of disability. The DSS is contactable at www.ucd.ie/disability and the DSS main office number is 01-7167565.
IPA Society The Inclusion, Participation, Awareness Society is not just for disabled students but for anyone interested in equal opportunities for students with a disability in UCD. As well as looking for full inclusion in university life, events include guest speakers such as paralympians and people from disability organisations, many great nights out and fundraisers.
It’s hard to balance study, socialising, friends, family and the pints as a student in UCD and everyone wants to live the student life to the max, but if you have an interest in disability issues you would like raised, they can be contacted at ipaucd@yahoo.co.uk or have a look out for them in the Freshers’ Tent.
Useful Websites Ahead www.ahead.ie This Irish voluntary organisation provides an excellent start for all students at thirdlevel. It has many useful links, publications and general information.
www.dyslexia.ie
Irish Wheelchair Association
This provides an e-learning module on study skills for students with disabilities, an e-learning module on disabilities awareness and inclusive education for teaching staff and a virtual support network for graduates with disabilities.
www.iwa.ie Contains information on services and news from around the country.
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Dyslexia Association of Ireland
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Quest for Learning www.questforlearning.org
Hi
there, My name is Paddy Ryan and I am your Campaigns & Communications Officer this year. Every year, the Students’ Union organises various campaigns, and my job is to oversee the running of all these campaigns and to ensure that you, the student, gets involved. I am also responsible for organising Class Reps, and co-ordinating the production and distribution of all SU publications. This year, I’ll be making sure that all SU campaigns on campus are more visible, enjoyable and most importantly, relevant to you. As well as the various campaigns that will be focused on specific themes, we also have to contend with the ever-present treat of the re-introduction of third-level tuition fees, or
in their guise as a student loan scheme. It is essential that we remain united against this threat; fees would have a detrimental effect on a student’s ability to make their way through their third-level education, and in turn, on the country’s economy. During the year, if you want to get involved with running a campaign, or if you feel strongly about something and you would like to see a certain campaign undertaken, feel free to call down at any time to my office or email me. I’m here to ensure that your voice is heard, but I can’t do it unless you get involved. Whether it’s running for Class Rep, helping to organise a campaign or just coming to a meeting, make sure you get involved! As Chef from South Park once said, “There’s a time and a place for everything, and that place is college”. Get involved and be part of the college experience, you won’t regret it!
Ph: (01) 716 3122 Mob: 085 289 3930 campaigns@ucdsu.ie
To learn more about being a Class Rep see pages 14-16
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BECOMING A CAMPAIGNER ‘ When students unite with a common goal they can become the creators of change’’
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hroughout history, students have worked to create substantial political, environmental, economic, and social change. Irish students protested at Carnsore Point so that we could live in a safe, nuclear free Ireland. Students marched in Northern Ireland to demand their civil rights. 40 years ago, students brought down a whole government in France. One thing is certainly clear from history – when students unite with a common goal they can become the creators of change. This year, you too can join. Whether you’re worried about the effects of climate change or believe in greater disability access on campus; think that we should campaign to protect human rights or lobby to lower the price of food in the restaurant, the Student Campaign Group is
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for you. The Students’ Union needs a diverse group of people who have opinions that relate to the world around them and who believe that by working together, we can achieve our goals. The Student Campaign Group aims to be a forum in which people can discuss methods of effecting change. Remember, it’s your Union so make sure you run for Class Rep or join the Student Campaign Group – anyone is more than welcome to join! The Student Campaign Group will be aimed at helping Class Reps and students promote the mandates and policies of the Students’ Union. The Student Campaign Group will be running campaigns aimed at promoting awareness about welfare issues such as sexual health, and campaigns aimed at changing and improv-
ing conditions and facilities for students, and occasionally campaigns on wider political issues. For campaigns to be successful, as many students as possible must be actively involved. Indeed, many ideas for campaigns often come from Class Reps and may arise from problems that class members bring to their attention, or directly from students who were not previously involved. When running a campaign, practical things like putting up posters and giving out leaflets must be done. This is why we need as many people as possible. Make sure you get involved today!
CHANGE STARTS HERE 2009/2010 will see the launch of a comprehensive Students’ Union campaign, “Change Starts Here”. As part of the overall campaign, the SU will be focusing on three different areas:
Demand a Better Future
Working alongside the national union, USI, UCD Students’ Union will be fighting against the government’s threat of tuition fees and student loans. The SU will also be tackling the exorbitant Registration Fee (currently standing at €1,500), and the delay of the legislative process on the Student Support Bill.
SOS: Save Our Services
A local campaign, SOS: Save Our Services aims to halt cutbacks to student services in UCD. A large part of the €1,500 Registration Fee each UCD student pays goes towards essential support services such as Student Advisers, Career Development Centre, Student Couselling Service and more. Societies and sports clubs also receive funding from this fee. The SU will fight against any university proposals to cut funding to these areas.
UCD Deserves Better
The SU will continue its existing campaigns to improve safety on campus, through the provision of more lighting, along with campaigning to improve accessibility for students with disabilities. The SU will also organise themed weeks, such as SHAG week, to raise awareness of sexual health, Rainbow Week, to campaign for LGBT rights, and Seachtain na Gaeilge, to promote the Irish language. If you have creative ideas for these campaigns, or to get involved, contact the Campaigns & Communications Officer, Paddy, by emailing campaigns@ucdsu.ie
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&
TUITION FEES STUDENT LOANS
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n July 2008, the Minister for Education, Batt O’Keeffe, signaled the possibility of the return of tuition fees, in one form or another. Since then, UCD Students’ Union, in conjunction with the Union of Students in Ireland, has been actively fighting this threat. The SU has been in constant contact with TDs, Senator and County Councillors, lobbying them to deny support for tuition fees. Last February and October, nearly 5,000 UCD students took to the streets, joining other students from all around the country to send a message to the government – we do not support tuition fees, in any way, shape or form.
Why were tuition fees abolished?
Before tuition fees were abolished in 1996, third-level education was almost exclusively confined to the wealthy, to those families that could afford to pay tuition fees upfront. Few students from disadvantaged areas or farming backgrounds attended third-level, as they simply could not pay. In 1980, only 20 per cent of 17/18year-olds attended third-level. In 2004, that figure stood at 55 per cent, showing that free fees works.
Why does the SU oppose their re-introduction?
The re-introduction of third-level tuition fees would create a substantial financial barrier for stu-
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dents. Less students would be able to attend third-level, meaning less graduates exiting the thirdlevel system, which would lead to a ‘brain drain’ in the country. Ireland needs bright, young graduates to help re-ignite the economy – introducing third-level fees would hinder that. There are plenty of other reasons too, including: Fees mean longer hours at part-time jobs, leading to more stress and lower grades College is already hugely expensive without fees – €10,000 per year of study, according to Bank of Ireland Once fees come in, they will only go up and more and more people will be charged There is no evidence that the introduction of fees or a graduate tax will
introduce better education or services for students Governments will use it as a cost-cutting measure and reduce university funding on a pro-rata basis Education is more than a personal good; it is a social and public good that can and does benefit all of society
“Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education.” - United Nations Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic,Social and Cultural Rights
What is the SU going to do?
The Students’ Union is going to continue its campaign against these proposals, through meeting with ministers and TDs, and organising protests and sit-ins. The SU will work closely with the national union, USI, and in particular with the other Dublin SUs to fight this.
How can I help? What about a student loan scheme?
In July 2009, the Minister for Education signaled his preference for the introduction of a student loan scheme, where students receive a loan to pay fees up front,
and then start re-paying the loan through the tax system after graduation. The minister claims this is the best way forward, but he is wrong. Australia employs a similar system, and has not had much luck with it. The average student in Australian leaves university with a €38,000 debt that takes about ten years to pay off. This means that young Australian graduates are not able to contribute effectively to society – they’re not able to spend their salary, they’re not able to buy a house or a car, or start a family. The Australian Education Minister is currently reviewing this loan system. If it doesn’t work for Australia, why should Ireland introduce it?
It is essential that we fight tuition fees on every level, but to do this we need you. Everyone has a part to play in the fight against tuition fees – you can play yours by getting involved. Talk to your local politicians, come along to one of the SU campaign meetings and attend protests. We can fight this if we stand united.
Get in touch with Paddy, the Campaigns & Communications Officer, by emailing campaigns@ucdsu.ie
Don’t support the Fianna Fáil Legacy Tax – oppose tuition fees and student loans by getting involved.
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THE STUDENT SUPPORT BILL What is the Student Support Bill?
The Student Support Bill is a piece of legislation, currently waiting to be passed by the Oireachtas. It deals with certain long-running student issues, primarily financial supports and the systems surrounding their provision.
Is it important?
The Student Support Bill is unbelievably important for students! UCD Students’ Union, the Union of Students in Ireland, and other unions around the country have campaigned for a fairer grants system. This would include greater income threshold levels, an end to late payments, support for part-time students, and the introduction of criteria to allow a student to be judged on their own merits. This is all included in the Student Support Bill.
So, what’s the problem?
Well, all of the above is great, except for one small detail – the government promised us this three years ago, and we’re still waiting. The bill has been held up at “committee stage”, and there’s no sign of it moving from there. Every year this bill is delayed, it costs the taxpayer millions of euro in wasted administration costs and inefficient processes.
THE REGISTRATION FEE What is the Registration Fee?
The Registration Fee, or to give it its proper name, the Student Services Charge, is a €1,500 fee levied at all undergraduate students. It covers services like exams and registration, along with student supports like Student Advisers, Student Counselling and the Student Health Service.
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So, what’s the problem?
The fee was only £75 in 1996. It was £250 in 1998. In 2008, it was €900. In last year’s Budget, it rose 67 per cent to €1,500. At the moment, most of the fee doesn’t even cover student services. €600 immediately goes to the government, and 30 per cent of the remainder goes towards making up the reducation in the block grant UCD receives from the Higher Education Authority. The government has found that they can increase the Registration Fee substantially at very little political cost. The can take advantage of students by charging for education through the back door.
What is the SU going to do? The Students’ Union will continue its hard lobby of TDs to take the Student Support Bill off the shelf and get it published. The SU will also campaign to reduce the Registration Fee, and to ensure that all of its money goes solely towards student services. Working alongside the national union, USI, we’re confident we can win on these fronts, so long as we have as much support from you, the student, as possible.
SU THEMED WEEKS & DAYS
M
any of the various campaigns that the Students’ Union will be running this year will culminate in specific themed weeks or days. These pages detail the ones that you should watch out for! YOUR CAMPAIGNS
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ness
re Awa y t i l bi k Disa Wee
International
k Students’ Week Wee th ess i n w e International Students r s t wa n ’ Week A siude will be held in the sec bility how st their bu n a s on i d seD i t s mester. It’s a great op asis abou light portunity high lities go to-day b ds of for all UCD students i a to experidisab n a day ill be lo ek, e o w en ce other cultures from w s e s h t e e r r across i n e uring the globe and also elcha . Th a chance UCD tivities d ate, whe s and c to make friends wit p D h people fun a s Blind worksho a from home and abroa d h n c a u , s d. Make l l i a d r b et -o sure to come along an bask e co ights d enjoy b l l i . the fun! This week wil w y R by t k i talks l e i l be coe b w d isa ordinated by the Int This y the D e electe the ern ational b of ill d b Students Officer, wh nate r, who w the start cono will be e n elected elected by SU Offic ouncil at You ca dro@ Counr. g C cil a n at the start of the acad i e l U i y a S c m emic i em y e year. You can email him To learn more acad im/her b /he r at h about the various international@ucdsu.ie. tact .ie. u Executive Officers ucds of the Students’ Union, and what they do, see pages 10-11.
Environmen
tal We
ek For the little environmenta list inside each of us, there will be Environmenta l Week. Dur ing the week, the SU will be rais ing awareness of climate chan ge and the pow er of one, as well as having an alternative en ergy expo to show you the viabili ty of various ty pes of altern ative energy. There’ll also be other even ts such as green workshops, sw ap shops and ecological to urs. This week will be co-ordinat ed by the Enviro nmental Offi cer, Ruth. You can email her at en vironment@ucds u.ie. See page s 100-101 for m ore details.
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You can get involved with any of the Students’ Union campaigns by emailing the Campaigns & Communications Officer, Paddy, at campaigns@ucdsu. ie. You can also contact any of the Executive Officers that are involved in these campaigns.
Rainbow Week
Rainbow Week will be held in February, and is an event dedicated to raising awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered issues. The week will contain various workshops for students who are coming out or questioning their sexuality, along with coffee mornings to help students get to know one another. Past events have included mock gay weddings, mini pride marches through campus and talks from guest speakers like David Norris and Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan. There will also be L Word/ Queer as Folk screenings, table quizzes and nights out. Definitely a date for your diary! This week will be co-ordinated by the LGBT Rights Officer, who will be elected by SU Council at the start of the academic year. You can email him/ her at lgbt@ucdsu.ie.
Road Safety Week
Due to the number of deaths on Irish roads, a new awareness campaign that the SU will introduce this year surrounds road safety. The Road Safety Authority will be sending out an interactive shuttle, so students can learn more about being safe on the roads. There will be several events on such as a Fire Service & Ambulance Rescue Extraction, Garda Road Show – “It Won’t Happen To Me”, road safety table quiz and a road safety photography competition. This is a hugely important issue so make sure you come along.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
is a weekSeachtain na Gaeilge ing the rat leb ce l long festiva culture h Iris d an e ag gu Irish lan ly sucge at UCD. It has been hu plenty h wit st, cessful in the pa and es, ch lun h Iris of céilís, r yea Last sports as Gaeilge. the of n tio also saw the introduc mpaign, first ever ‘No Béarla’ ca nt one we nts de stu where UCD g English. week without speakin please For more information, week is see pages 102-103. Th Irish the by will be organised who ife, Ao r, ce Language Offi ail at em by d cte nta co can be gaeilge@ucdsu.ie.
SHAG W
eek SHAG (Sexual H ea Guidance ) Week is lth and sexual h a nation ealt al co-ordina h awareness wee k ted by th e Union Students of in Ireland . It is gea toward m red ak aware ab ing students mo re out safe sexual p tices, se racxually tra nsmitted fections inand othe r aspects student’s of a sex life. Be sure to pop in to the Stu dent Cen tre during SHAG we for your ek free SHA G pack. contain u It’ll seful thin gs such condoms as , lubrica nt and sex info safe rmation! The Welf Officer, S are cott, will be co-ord nating S A finalised HAG We iek events UCD. Yo schedule of in u can co ntact him emailing these themed by welfare@ ucdsu.ie. weeks and days will be made available at www.ucdsu.ie during the year.
If there are any campaigns you’d like to see run, or if you want to get involved in any campaign, all you have to do is email the Campaigns & Communications Officer, Paddy, at campaigns@ucdsu.ie or call down to his office in the Student Centre. Don’t worry, he won’t bite! In fact, he’ll be grateful for all the help he can get!
k Wee areness e r a f all aw Wel ill raise ffecting and
kw s a al wee issue physic ssues s i h e i r T elfa his cific from of w nts – , to spe men. T ay o e h D stud al healt and w Pink ed n t a e n at e e c i m e m ing also s ch ded en’s t c e m a aff ill ay, e s and k w wee Blue D omen’ a w at. and ues of ctively rdin tt, o o e s Sco to is re resp be c a will Officer, Jacf l k e e w we cer, are m This he Welf n’s Offi ct the t e ta .ie n y m u o b s o c ed the W can ucd eck @ e and ne. You welfar .ie. Ch on li ti que mailing @ucdsu re sec re e a n lfa f l e e y e b om ur W nW w o n and the Yo rmatio out ore info for m . k Wee
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C A M PA I G N
UCD
What are the human consequences of climate change? Climate change will have a disproportionate effect on the lives of people living in poverty in developing countries. They’re more likely to
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in the world’s climate. Climate change is a humanitarian crisis.
AL
I’ve been in a cave for the past few years – what’s this climate change thing all about? Global warming is caused by the growing concentration in the atmosphere of a series of gases, which act as a blanket and trap the sun’s heat. The most important of these greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide. The main source of carbon dioxide is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas in power stations and in internal combustion engines.
live in unplanned, temporary settlements, which are erected on unsuitable land – most prone to the risks of flooding, storm surges, and landslides.
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From the river deltas of Bangladesh, to the deserts of Africa, and the South American Andes, communities are already being affected by changes
What can be done about it? The only realistic way to cut emissions from power generation is to stop burning fossil fuels and use energy sources that have a minimum impact on global warming. What we need in Ireland, and indeed globally, is a greater shift towards renewable energy driven by wind, wave, tidal and solar power. These technologies are already fairly well developed, and could quickly become the dominant form of electricity generation if the political will was there. For historical reasons, however, we live in a global society where the fossil fuel corporations have immense
How to be green! 1.Phone Chargers – Energy Wastage. Believe it or not, removing your charger after you’re finished with it saves energy that cannot afford to be wasted. Just because you don’t see the electricity still flowing, doesn’t mean it’s not there being needlessly wasted! 2.Television – Energy Wastage. Unless you are suffering from a compulsive disorder which forbids you from pressing the ‘off’ button on your television, there’s no reason why your television should be consuming half the amount of energy needed to be on full power. power. They help shape the policies of the parties and politicians who run most of the world’s governments and global institutions. What can we do as a student movement to make a difference for the future of our planet? Governments all over the world are taking token steps towards change, but we need to act much faster to avert crisis. We need to get active and create the political will necessary to take positive action to limit our impact on the environment. Student Action on Climate Change – what’s that? Student Action on Climate Change is a campaign started here in UCD by the Students’ Union and other bodies, to campaign for
better government policy on the prevention of climate change. You can play your part by getting involved.Remember – we are stronger when we unite and work together.
You can contact the Environmental Officer, Ruth, for more information on action against climate change at environment@ucdsu.ie.
3.Recycling – You’ve juggled at least seven subjects in the Leaving Cert. You’ve filled out the most stressful application of your life, the CAO, without cracking a sweat. Now all you have to do is to sort out your recycleable waste. (This includes beer cans and bottles!) 4.Lights – It’s one of the easiest things to forget, but when you’re leaving a room, be sure to turn off the light. Every little bit counts! 5.Don’t fly – If at all possible, try to avoid flying. Most journeys, particularly around Europe, can also be made by ferry/train. 6.Don’t drive – Make an effort to cycle or walk for shorter distances. It can make a big difference, and is more enjoyable than sitting in traffic. 7.Install energy efficient bulbs – these will help the environment, and also save you a nice wad of cash in the long run.
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I
rish in UCD is much more than learning off prose and the Modh Coinníollach. Irish is about enjoying the language, culture, events, activities, clubs and societ-
ies that go along with it. This year, the Students’ Union will advance on its Irish language campaign, and deliver a comprehensive and continuous promotion of Irish.
Join the adventure – get involved in Irish events and societies in UCD from the beginning and you will experience the true college life – craic as Gaeilge!
Feachtas na
Gaeilge
Irish
Language UCD 3 Ghaeilge Campaign
3 D UC ilge e a h G
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You can contact the Irish Language Officer, Aoife, by emailing gaeilge@ucdsu.ie.
Criú na Gaeilge This is where the fun starts and where it gets organised. This is a great way to get to know new people as Gaeilge and to get into the heart of the craic in Belfield.
Casaigí linn – take part in our events! Féile lá Naomh Phádraig – celebrate being Irish, whether you are Irish or not! Sports competition between residences – what’s a better way to meet your new neighbours, than on a heated sacar pitch? Maidin Tae – a place to get together and speak Irish on a regular basis over a good cup of tea.
Ag Teastáil – Catch the leprechaun to win prizes... all you need is a cúpla focal Speed Dating – Raic agus Craic in the Student Bar Céilithe – This year promises to improve on last year’s crazy céilís with the help of TradSoc
Bord na Gaeilge UCD Bord na Gaeilge UCD provides various useful services to help UCD students to learn Irish and to enjoy it as a language. They provide free Irish language classes for people with all levels of Irish. Bord na Gaeilge also provides subsidised cultural weekends and Gaeltacht courses for all learners, sean nós dance workshops as well as social evenings on campus. They also organise ‘Lón le Gaeilge’ lunch sessions with various guest speakers where
you can drop in for a sandwich, cup of tea and lean ar aghaidh ag labhairt as Gaeilge. When these Irish lunches are not on, feel free to drop into Room B207 in the Newman Building, an Irish common room where gaelgóirí are always found! This year, Bord na Gaeilge has introduced a free online Irish course for those with an intermediate level of Irish. This will be available from 30 September.
Buailigí linn – Seachtain na Gaeilge 2010! Every year, the Students’ Union’s Irish week grows stronger and stronger. Seachtain na Gaeilge will take place from 8-12 February 2010. This week is packed with events, spreading Irish to all four corners of the campus: Heated debates against our enemy Trinity College as Gaeilge Classes from all years will battle in a competitive sports competition Céilís and trad sessions in the Student Bar, beside the lake and on kitchen tables
Irish quizes, TV sessions with South Park ‘as Gaeilge’, oícheanta móra with bands such as the Coronas as well as a major club night out The ‘No Béarla’ campaign, where UCD students speak no English for a will reach out to even more UCD students, those with and without Irish Gaeilge is your language and it is a language to be enjoyed by everyone. Make sure to visit www.ucdsu.ie/gaeilge to keep track of all upcoming Irish events and services and for quick links to all of UCD’s Irish
societies. Release your inner Gaeilgeoir agus bain taitneamh as do bhliain i UCD, 3 Ghaeilge.
Beidh Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl ar an 8-12 Feabhra 2010.
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you know you re
’ A STUDENT in... Ag Science It looks like a farm, it smells like a farm, and boy, well who are we kidding? It’s a bloody farm. The main lecture theatre is called ‘The Bin’. Seriously? A veritable shrine to the Massey Ferguson, here you will find records of winners of competitions where to win, you just had to grow the best crops. It’s a bit like a boys’ secondary school, with all the kitbags just inside the door. If you’re an Ag student, remember you can always break the ice by approaching
anybody else in a room and asking, “football or hurling?”. Remember that if you’re not an Ag, they’ll be able to recognise it from the smell (i.e., if you’re not wearing that Maverick stuff from Lidl, they’ll know). They’ll also beat you to a pulp to get one of them fancy portable phone things that them fancy lads have.
arts Yes, that’s Arts. Believe it or not, that Transformersreject building you go to class in is actually supposed to be the artsy one. Suuuuure. The Newman Building (or the Arts Block, to go by its real name) was designed by Andrzej Wejchert, a Polish architect who won an international competition to to design the central buildings of the new Belfield campus back in the late 60s. If you’re wondering why the steps outside are so plentiful, it’s not, as legend tells, because admin types didn’t want stu-
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dents congregating outside and rioting. It’s literally because it was far too expensive to dig a full basement to the building, and it was cheaper to pile up the steps. That, and the campus is naturally sloped anyway. But the Arts Block itself? Well, it’s airy, in Theatre L at least. You can also feel like you’re truly one in a million when you’re in Arts, because you are literally one of a million people inside the damned place. Hope you feel as special as you are.
engineering Engineering, eh? Well, congratulations on being from the only building on campus that was designed without a front door. Legend tells that the building was designed by UCD’s own Architecture students once upon a time, and in the hubbub about making sure the building had enough pointless glass panes on the outside, it was forgotten to build an actual entrance to the building. Hence, the concrete stairs facing the
concourse were a last-minute addition to cover their tracks. Or that’s how the legend goes anyway. You can at least be thankful that Engineering students designed the stairs. Or should you be? Even if you’re not, you can be thankful for Joan, who runs the Eng Shop. She’s just lovely. Make friends with her and little things like paying full price just slip by the wayside.
health sciences Don’t be put off by the name. You ‘Health’ students just spend your days sitting in your little laptop areas facing up to your alcohol addictions. There are, to be fair, far too many women in this building, and it might be a bit too Irish Countrywomen’s Association for you to handle. The building itself though, was more expensive than all of Elton John’s birthday parties put together, and the logic in some of the buildings features is very
questionable. Why do they have a reception area the size of a spare airport hangar in Baldonnell? Why is there an obscene amount of skeletons upstairs? (With more daily – eeeek). Why are there so many lovely couches in the library? Ah well, better get used to the soft feel of couch against your buttocks – all you’ll be doing is sitting on them seeing as Mary Harney won’t employ you after graduation.
QUINN Well, first off – you got lucky. Really lucky. You have a shiny and nice-looking building, a swanky laptop, and regardless of what you’re doing in there, you’ll get a good degree. You are also soooo lucky, because you’ll sweat off any excess pounds in Q001 (They don’t call it ‘The Sauna’ for nothing, you know). You’ll also never have to work on your tan because the
radioactive ultra gamma waves from everyone else’s face will be more than enough to keep you, literally, glowing. Nor will you ever have to worry about small change for the bus – just hand over a €10 note when you’re grabbing lunch in Insomnia and you’ll instantly have your €1.80 back. You lucky thing.
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RICHVIEW This year, the Campaigns & Communications Officer will be launching an official campaign to see if Richview actually does exist. The rumours of this fabled place have increased exponentially in recent years, but its location is unknown, and its purpose even more so. The Campaigns & Communications Officer probably has more of a chance finding Shergar in the Vet Building, though. Nevertheless, it’s said that the metre-stick-loving meatheads residing
in Richview really like… erm, measuring things. If you’re an incoming Architecture student, you might want to steer a bit clear until we scope the place out. If you’re a current Architecture student, you’re probably not reading this, as all those late nights in the dark underground studios have caused you to turn into a rat. Therefore, you’d probably rather eat this book than read it.
ROEBUCK Ah, you’re thinking, it’s not just ‘Roebuck’, is it? It’s ‘Roebuck Castle’. It must be a really snazzy and well-kept place. Question – have you actually been inside?! Being a castle doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s vintage. It just means that the place is seriously old (about 800 years actually). You should be thankful there’s a replacement building on the way because there’s a chance the ’aul
castle could literally start crumbling around you while you’re running to Tort. That said, the café is always a great place to grab a quick coffee, and your lecture theatres could be a hell of a lot worse. Sadly, you’ll be too depressed to notice, as you’ll be feeding off the collective negativity of people who wanted to go to a nicer building in Trinity but didn’t get the points.
SCIENCE Ah, the Science Block. The goths, Elements, the lab coats, the stairs to nowhere, the odd stale smell you always get when you walk into the main atrium… doesn’t it remind you of a nice polytechnic institute in the city centre? That one on Bolton Street, to be exact. Still though, you should be proud – you’re based in the building that was supposed to be temporary when it was built 45 years ago. Mind you, your career will be even more temporary – Burger King has
a really high staff turnover these days. Never fear, Elements with its Starbucks and Conway with its Insomnia are always looking for new staff. At least some parts of the block have been refurbished, and that giant hole outside Elements will turn itself into a new east wing someday in the distant future. Grab your copy of New Scientist, hang about outside the SU shop, and eagerly await its construction, you nerd.
VET Bengal tigers! Arabian camels! African elephants! You can see all of these sights – and more! – in Dublin Zoo. In the Vet Building, however, you’ll be more likely to see. I dunno. A horse. Or that young lad you scored in the Palace last week. If you didn’t get the number of that rough-and-ready, handsbuilt-like-currachs lad from Clare, this place is
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your last chance saloon! As a Vet student, you’ll want to be careful, as you’ll take on the habits of your clientele, unfortunately for you, on most of your nights out. We’ll keep you posted if there’s any update on vaccinations for this, but don’t hold your breath.
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YOUR ENTS
Hi guys,
Cert and welcome to Fair play on making it through the Leaving play as well – good UCD! For those of you who are returning, fair life choice. ents (Ents) Officer My name is Mike Pat and I’m the Entertainm sure that this make and Ents UCD for the year, it’s my job to run lives. your of year is one of the best the Mystery Tour, UCD Ents organises all the gigs in the bar, and the 8,000 ENTS Resid UCD gigs, dy come the Freshers’ Ball, And if there’s Ball. capacity, 12 hours of mayhem that is the UCD us know. let – t aren’ we that anything that we should be doing d’s finest Irelan first, at ting While UCD does seem a bit daun generally are le Peop bad. that lly concrete metropolis isn’t actua so ion posit same the in much pretty sound and everyone’s to be would e you’re bound to land on your feet. My advic events on head out loads in the first few weeks; we have ya. stop to ng nothi nearly every night so there is important The next few pages are definitely the most ct them. disse you sure make , pages in this whole guide have we ts even the some of ew previ k There’s a snea do. we what t abou bit a just and up ng comi lly know Anyways, have fun settling in (you’ll actua reason the is Phil you’re a real UCD student when Dr over truly and well is part you get out of bed) – the hard it,. of most the so be sure to make good, be Be good and keep in mind – if you can’t be her where tell don’t ul… caref be can’t you if careful. And you live. good time, not And of course, remember – you’re here for a a long time. Cheers,
Ph: (01) 716 3113 Mob: 087 935 8559 mikepat@ucdents.com
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How Do I Know What's Going On?
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www.ucdents.com – Possibly the greatest website of all time, make sure you check ucdents. com regularly to keep up to date with what’s going on in and around UCD; from upcoming events to club reviews, ticket sales and competitions to pictures from the night before - so now you can see what she actually looked like.
of the buildings around campus.
Posters & Flyers – Every week you will see posters plastered on every pillar around the campus, flyers will adorn nearly every lecture theatre that you’re meant to be in – take some time to read them. If it has the UCD Ents logo then it is something you should go to. If it doesn’t, it isn’t. UCD Ents only puts together events that you want to go to so ensure you look for the quality assurance Ents logo on every poster.
Ents Texts – Your phone beeps. Everyone in the room looks at you as if you could possibly be the most popular person on the planet. Then, their phones beep as well. It’s a text from Ents. You might not realise how annoying it is now but you will. To make sure you’re kept in the loop about what’s going on, you might get the odd text from time to time. We’re not trying to annoy you, just keep you informed.
Ents Guide – This monthly publication will be readily available across the campus, feel free to pick it up and take stock of all the events that Ents has lined up for you in a four-week period. Ents Events Calendar – Forget that academic calendar you should probably have up beside your study desk and grab yourself an Ents events calendar instead. If you’re living on campus, it’ll be delivered to your door, if you don’t, just pick one up in any
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Ents Mailing List – If something good is coming up, we want you to know about it. Know about it first by signing up to our mailing list on www.ucdents.com and be in with a chance of winning guestlist spaces and loads of other prizes.
Campus Papers (The University Observer and the College Tribune) – In between the articles about how the college is stealing your money and how people did stuff that could be relevant if you were bothered to read it, there might be something that actually interests you. These papers are filled with interviews with acts that have played in the bar and reviews of what transpired. There’s also the obligatory Ents ad just so you know exactly what’s happening.
ts?
e k ic T t e G I o D e r e h W
www.ucdents.com
SU Shops
The Student Bar
– Do not underestimate the sheer greatness of this website! Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year – it’s hassle-free and as easy to use as a pint glass. We accept Visa, Mastercard and Laser and even post your tickets out to you if you want. What better way to plan your next Ents night out while recovering in bed from the last one…
– Downstairs in the Library Building, first floor of the Engineering Building, ground floor of the Science Building and the Kiosk in the Student Centre.
– This is the building between Ireland’s largest tanning salon (Quinn School of Business) and the land of ‘meat in a mystery sauce’ (UCD Restaurant). Now, it is used to host the biggest student gigs in Ireland and some of the greatest sessions ever witnessed. Previously owned by Soviet Russia, and used as a nuclear fallout shelter during the Cold War, the bar is one of UCD’s finest establishments.
Team Ents and Class Reps – Coming up to major events like the Freshers’ Ball and Mystery Tour you’ll see these unbelievably attractive people walking around your building. You may also see a member of Team Ents, typically at a table selling tickets or wearing a red hoodie. If you want to get involved with Ents just email team@ucdents. com. The phenomenon of the hot people in your building has yet to be explained.
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Sneak Peek of What’s To Come Freshers’ Ball WHEN: Monday 7 September WHERE: The Academy UCD Ents is proud to announce that Tinchy Stryedr has confirmed to play the UCD Ents Freshers’ Ball. Having broke onto the Irish scene with ‘Take Me Back’, Tinchy Stryder solidified his place in rightful place on Irish airwaves with arguably the most recognisable song of the early summer, Number 1, spending a whopping five weeks at the top of the Irish charts. Tinchy is one of the hottest acts around at the moment and one of the biggest acts ever to play the UCD Ents Freshers’ Ball With two stages and a dance stage spaced over this four-floored supervenue, there is much much more to get you excited. It’s advised to get your tickets early as this event sells out in a matter of hours. For a full line up or to get your ticket early – check out www.ucdents.com where you can pay by Laser, Visa or Mastercard.
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If you have any suggestions for events you want UCD Ents to put on, just contact the Ents Officer, Mike Pat, at mikepat@ ucdents. com.
Thursday Night Live 1 – The Blizzards WHEN: Thursday 10 September WHERE: UCD Student Bar Every Thursday night is Thursday Night Live in the Student Bar. To get the year off to a proper start, UCD Ents brings you one of Ireland’s biggest acts – The Blizzards! They’ll be raising the roof in the Student Bar until the early hours with songs like ‘Trouble’, ‘Fantasy’ and ‘Trust Me I’m a Doctor’ from their album release The Domino Effect. Having played support to both Oasis and AC/DC and having played on the main stage at Oxegen, it’s no wonder they’re previous winners of the Meteor Award for Best Live Act. And if this wasn’t enough – UCD Ents has made it a late bar ensuring you get value for money. Thursday Night Live is a weekly occurrence with tickets priced between €5 and €15, with the odd free gig thrown in for good measure; great value considering some of the acts that will grace our stage during the year. Previous gigs have featured acts such as the Coronas, Republic of Loose, Damien Rice, Paddy Casey, Calvin Harris and the Saw Doctors to name but a few – expect nothing less from UCD Ents this year!
Mystery Tour
The Blizzards
WHEN: September/October What better way to spend a college day than hopping on a bus and embarking on a 15-hour trip around the country stopping off at three of Ireland’s top clubs along the route. There are many myths and even legends about what has happened on previous Mystery Tours, most of which are, however, unconfirmed – purely because no-one can fucking remember. The Mystery Tour is not for the faint-hearted but if you think you are able for 15 hours of fun, with all sorts of messiness and tomfoolery that will never be spoken of again, then join us on the trip of a lifetime. By the way, don’t worry too much, we carry plenty of sick bags and an ambulance! From previous experience, getting plenty of sleep and stocking up early is the way forward.
And Much, Much More… Aside from these start-of-term events, UCD Ents will be bringing a wide variety of gigs and shows to suit your taste. These range from seasonal balls such as the Halloween Ball and the Xmas Ball, to comedy gigs in the Student Bar, lunchtime entertainment in the Student Centre, and whatever else you want!
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The Mystery Tour
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Location – ???
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here were two problems facing me when sitting down to write this article. The first problem was to find an adequate way of describing just how much fun you will have if you decide to take the plunge into the unknown and partake in the famous UCD Ents Mystery Tour. The second problem was a far more serious one. The simple fact of the matter is that I’ve been on two Mystery Tours, which is roughly about 30 hours of madness altogether, and if it wasn’t for the aid of our cameraman, I wouldn’t have a bean what the fuck happened to me. Yes, out of those 30 hours or so, I drank consistently, smoked thousands off cigarettes, jumped in many bushes (both of the female and plant variety), fell off a 20- foot speaker nearly killing an innocent bystander, took all my clothes off repeatedly, got thrown out of niteclubs, got fired as a steward, got beaten up with a torch, robbed a security radio, somehow managed to contact the local Gardaí, got chased out of some auld dear’s front garden for urinating in a flower bed and feel asleep in pile of gravel. I know those of you coming to UCD for the first time may think you know what this tour is going to be like. Well, you don’t. I thought I did too but I soon realised that I was completely underestimating the potential of this wonderful day of messiness. If you actually just stop to think for a second, you get on a bus without knowing where
you’re off to, basically leaving your welfare in the hands of a few immature alcoholics whose only goal for the day is too see how close they can push all of you before they have an insurance claim on their hands. Make no mistake, this trip is going to measure exactly how physically and mentally stable you all are. Some of you will make it home, some of you won’t, most of you will lose all dignity and self-respect and there’s always one in the ambulance. As for me, I slept in the morning of the tour, woke in a panic and while barely dressed, I was off to the off-licence. Along with the student-standard Buckfast, I had a shoulder of vodka for the niteclub and a few breakfast cans of the glorious Dutch. So with an arsenal of booze we loaded up and were off into the mysterious unknown. I enrolled as a steward for the trip, which meant I was the responsible one in a high-vis vest looking after a certain group. I reckoned the best way of looking after them was to get them as fooked as possible inside the first half an hour. That’s exactly what happened. A game of dares, a dance off and a strip competition later, everyone was in great spirits.
I’d love to tell you where venue one was but I just don’t know. Someone said it was Leitrim – but I find that hard to believe as everyone knows Leitrim doesn’t actually exist. Anyway, I arrived on the dance floor looking for a lady and a good dance. I succeeded in neither, rather spent my time falling around like the little mess I was. On to venue two and I was running seriously low on memory and common sense. I remember kissing a few different girls; God knows what they were thinking. I’m pretty sure they were all scared off one by one by the antics of the UCD Ents hierarchy. We started the blurry trip home. Battered, bruised, drunk, tired and more or less looking for anywhere to curl up and pass out; the Mystery Tour was drawing to an end. There are so many other stories I could tell, but they might be a bit too much to be published. However… [Part Omitted]. Go on this tour, you will forever regret it if you don’t. Get your priorities right in college from the beginning and remember – you’re only young once. Lil’ Dave
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Get to know your classmates intimately!
A vital role of a Students’ Union Class Rep is to organise parties and other events for their class to get to know each other. Each Class Rep works with the Ents Officer to see that this happens.
Typically, each class should have a party at least once a month. This would consist of a few drinks (on Ents, of course!) to set the mood, followed by free food and free entry to an Ents gig on campus, or an exclusive karaoke session for your classmates to embarrass themselves. Then, we’ll provide transport into town and reduced entry fee into one of Dublin’s niteclubs. Nice, right? Get on to your Class Rep as soon as possible! On top of all this, each class should have at least one trip per year – be it someplace in Ireland, the UK or further afield. Some of the top destinations last year included Bundoran, Cork, Edinburgh, Galway, Lahinch, and Prague.
Ents liaises with relevant partners to secure special deals in these locations for a cheap, all-inclusive price to pass onto students. Ents will also arrange for you to get in free in to local niteclubs. Ents also arranges a special surfing trip to Bundoran in conjunction with the Donegal Adventure Centre. It’s Ireland’s biggest surf school, and they also have cool hostel accommodation right in the centre of the town, so it’s perfect for a weekend class trip If you’ve never surfed before, you’re missing out big time; it’s definitely something you need to try! Donegal Adventure Centre can tailor things to suit beginners or non-beginners. Either way, it’ll be wile craic hi!
A trip is the perfect way for your class to spend the March break, or to celebrate getting exam results. YOUR ENTS
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UCD Ents brings you the lowdown on the best niteclubs in Dublin to spend every night of the week in!
Monday Gratuit au Marquee, East Essex Street, Templebar This brand new Ents night boasts free admission and great drinks promos all week long in the newly re-established niteclub, the Marquee. DJs play all the best of chart, R&B, dance and 80s.
Tuesday Juicy Beats at the Village, Wexford Street Tuesday nights at the Village now host Juicy Beats, a brand new student night where resident DJs play the best of indie, rock, classic pop, synth pop and electro.
Thursday Thirsty Thursdays at Club XXI, D'Olier Street Muzik at the Button Factory, Curved Street, Templebar The official UCD Ents night of the week takes place in Club XII, D'Olier Street. World exclusive Extra Value Meal Deals will set you on your way, with unrivalled drinks prices. This will become the climatic night of the week, so be sure to turn up early to avoid long queues! If you want good, quality music, then Thursdays at the Button Factory is for you. Resident DJs play an eclectic mix of upbeat indie, ground-breaking new electro and filthy electro all night long. Mix that with great drinks promotions and you’ve got a great night out.
Wednesday Heat at Tripod & Dirty Disco at d|two, Harcourt Street With three rooms, and a maximum capacity of 1,300, there’s something for everyone in Tripod. Top of the range equipment gives you a world-class club experience, and cheap drinks (€2/€3) will only make it better. Nestled underneath the luxurious Harcourt Hotel lies d|two, and home to Dirty Disco. With its award-winning beer garden, d|two is fast becoming one of Dublin's top student spots.
Remember, the SU Nightbus will bring you home safely from your night out. See www.ucdsu.ie for more information.
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UCD Ball
Think a sunny April day. Think sipping cool beer instead of going to your classes. Think the same thing 8,000 other UCD students are thinking. Think this is how epic the UCD Ball is. The last day of term will see the return of the UCD Ball, an infamous event that is simply not to be missed. 12 hours of mayhem, plenty of booze, top international acts – let’s face it, it’s more fun than cramming for summer exams. Previous UCD Balls have seen the Blizzards, the Wolfe Tones, Iglu & Hartly, Japanese Popstars, S Club and East 17 grace Belfield. The 2010 UCD Ball won’t disappoint. More information will be made available at www.ucdents.com later on in the year.
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UCD Ents Discount Card The UCD Ents Discount Card has been produced to make life a little easier and a little cheaper for UCD students. It features discounts for almost everything from niteclubs to laptops and everything in between. The card is available from the UCD Ents stand in the Students’ Union Marquee during Orientation Week and in the Freshers’ Tent
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during Freshers’ Week, and also from www.ucdents.com. Be sure to always carry your UCD Student Card and UCD Ents Discount Card. Some of these discounts have been specifically negotiated for UCD students only, and are exclusive to UCD Ents. In other cases, UCD Ents has managed to negotiate a special
additional discount on top of the regular student discount, so to ensure you’re not in Trinity, DIT or somewhere else, the UCD Ents Discount Card needs to be used in conjunction with your UCD Student Card. The UCD Ents Discount Card cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer by the retailer.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The UCD Students’ Union Freshers’ Guide 2009 would not have come together were it not for the hard work and dedication of the following people: Kristin McKnight: our fabulous designer who we were very, very lucky to find! She effortlessly turned her hand to all the copy she was given, making this by far one of the best guides produced by UCD Students’ Union. Sorry for all the lateness, though. We’re kinda ‘down to the wire’ guys, ya know? Sabbatical Officers: Gary Redmond, for ignoring his Ritalin medication. Donnacha Ó Súilleabháin, for turning to alcohol after four weeks in the job. Paddy Ryan, for that damn rugby ball. Scott Ahearn,
for catching swine flu. And Mike Pat O'Donoghue, for occasionally coming into work. SU Staff: Giselle Jiang, Dave Carmody, Dave Jones, Stephen “Wonder Boy” Whelan, Paul Sweeney & Rob Lowney – that fine line between the sabbats and utter chaos. Paddy Rath & Séamus Conboy: for filling this guide with ads, and for their unnerving ability to sell ice to the Eskimos. Student Centre staff: for the endless cups of Brava coffee that bind this guide together, for the unlimited fillings in the Grind sandwich, for Mark, Sandra, Dominic, Grace, Siobhan, Charlie and Paul for keeping the building running.
Contributors: the Exec and Programme Officers who allowed us to strong-arm them into writing articles. Photographers: Dan Hayden, Colin Scally, Al Kennington & UCD Media Services. Mary White TD: (Green Party, not Fianna Fáil): At least we know you’re totally anti-fees, right? Heh heh heh.. ahem. Er, “Sorry”. You: the reader who took the time to flick through this Freshers’ Guide, we hope you enjoyed it.
Editor: Rob Lowney Designer: Kristin McKnight
This publication is printed on 50 per cent recycled paper sourced from managed forests Printed in Dublin by Speciality Print & Design Ltd
Disclaimer: Information contained in this publication is correct
and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge. The information contained herein should be treated as a general guide only, and UCD Students’ Union accepts no responsibility for self-diagnosis made on the basis of this publication. Medical or professional attention must be sought on any of the topics contained within this publication, and this publication should not be treated as definitive. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information. However, UCD Students’ Union cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions and cannot accept liability in respect of thereof.
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