Ninth Level Ireland

“The governing body of the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) has said it will contact the college’s accommodation group requesting that the decision to increase on-campus rent be reversed, NUIG’s student union has said. It is understood Údarás na hOllscoile, NUIG’s governing authority, has agreed to contact Atalia Student Residences requesting they revoke their decision to increase campus accommodation rents by 4% …” (more)

[Sarah Burns, Irish Times, 28 February]

“Many people imagine universities to be calm and relaxed places of work, populated by academics who have long holidays, small workloads and obsessions with obscure subjects. But our new research paints a very different picture …” (more)

[Mark Erickson, Carl Walker and Paul Hanna, The Conversation, 28 February]

“The developers behind a proposal that would provide almost 300 student bed spaces at North Main St in Cork city centre have been cleared to apply for fast-track planning. Bmor Developments Ltd have just been given the go-ahead to lodge plans under the Strategic Housing Development process by An Bord Pleánala, with just a few minor amendments, according to a spokesperson for the planning authority …” (more)

[Catherine Shanahan, Irish Examiner, 28 February]

“Trinity College Dublin wants to manage its very formal front lawns as wildflower meadows. This is a bold and telling indication of a shift in our cultural attitudes to the natural world, driven by increased awareness of the biodiversity and climate emergencies …” (more)

[Irish Times, 29 February]

“The larger Irish universities are growing bigger and more global by the day. But should they be judged by non-performance-related indicators, such as size or degree of ‘internationalisation’ of staff and student cohorts? Surely there are more meaningful criteria? Like how these organisations make big decisions. Behind closed doors or out in the open? Only after lots of talk and critique and debate? Or by how they respect expertise …” (more)

[In a Strange Land, 28 February]

“Drivetime’s John Cooke reports on NUIG’s student rent protest, and Joanna Siewierska, President of UCD Student’s Union, and David Condon, Commercial and Communications Officer UCC Student Union, discuss the student rent increases in Ireland …” (mp3)

[RTÉ – Drivetime, 28 February]

“Student satisfaction with Trinity has fallen sharply in recent years, a survey has shown, with 37.5% more students than in 2016 admitting they would pick a different college if they were choosing again …” (more)

[Robert Quinn, University Times, 27 February]

“This morning I was proceeding in a Northerly direction when I spied the local celebrity feline on post near the library. As I prepared to take a picture he turned to wash his rear parts. If he sits there when it’s raining or snowing it’s because he wants to be fed …” (more)

[In the Dark, 28 February]

“Some students in UCD are sleeping rough, in their cars and on their friends’ floors as they can’t afford accommodation, the university’s students’ union has warned. Yesterday, students at UCD took part in a tent protest after it emerged rents at campus accommodation are to increase by 12% in the next three years …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 28 February]

“Ulster University has announced plans to move many of its healthcare degrees to its Magee Campus in Londonderry. However, its preferred option is for postgraduate students in health sciences to study in Belfast …” (more)

[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 28 February]

“The President of NUI Galway has met with protestors this afternoon over their call to revoke a 4% rent increase in on-campus accommodation. A group of four students met with President, Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh at 3pm and said he supported their concerns and vowed to hold a meeting to discuss the hike with all relevent stakeholders …” (more)

[Galway Bay FM, 27 February]

“For the second week in a row, Trinity students today blocked off the entrance to the College in protest at mooted rent increases, calling for a rent freeze amid a wave of demonstrations across the country at the cost of student accommodation …” (more)

[Jordan Nann and Sárán Fogarty, University Times, 27 February]

“Students at another university in Ireland have joined the protests demanding the reversal of rent increases in on-campus accommodation. NUI Galway saw students begin their sleep-out on its campus …” (more)

[Irish Examiner, 27 February]

“Members of the public and organisations across Northern Ireland are being asked for their views on the relocation of Ulster University’s School of Health Sciences. The Derry News recently revealed that the university was seeking the views of stakeholders and the courses could be moved to any of UU’s campuses …” (more)

[Derry Now, 27 February]

“University of Limerick president Dr Des Fitzgerald has told staff and students that the current accommodation situation in the university is ‘better than any other university in Ireland’ and has pledged that the university ‘will do more’ to address the issue. In an email issued earlier this Thursday, he said …” (more)

[Rebecca Laffan, Limerick Leader, 27 February]

“Students camping out day and night in protest at proposed incoming rent hikes at accommodation owned by their university believe they will remain in their tents on-campus for at least another week …” (more)

[Jess Casey, Irish Examiner, 27 February]

“Indecon International Consultants have been appointed by the HEA to undertake research on the issues and challenges associated with first-time mature student participation in higher education and to make recommendations for how access to, and participation in, higher education by mature students can be supported in the future. The full terms of reference can be downloaded here …” (more)

[Mari Tighe, Higher Education Authority, 27 February]

“Students are ramping up their protests against rent increases for on-campus accommodation. There has been a furious reaction to the decision by the majority of universities to hike rents in September, by 3-4%. Under recent legislation, 4% is the maximum allowable …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 27 February]

“A Students’ Union has asked people to ‘consider their attendance’ at a ball in Limerick if they have travelled to coronavirus-affected areas. An official with Mary Immaculate College Students’ Union issued an email to students this Thursday morning in relation to the MIC Ball that is taking place in Limerick city this Thursday evening …” (more)

[Fintan Walsh, Limerick Leader, 27 February]

“Residents of Cork’s newest private student accommodation will pay rents of around €1,000 a month. Strong interest has been reported in the 420-bed Lee Point complex, which has been developed on the former Beamish and Crawford brewery site on South Main Street, and which opens for viewings this weekend …” (more)

[Eoin English, Irish Examiner, 27 February]