Ninth Level Ireland

“The University of Limerick (UL) has come under fire after refusing to issue refunds to students who leave the college’s accommodation early due to the coronavirus pandemic. Students leaving UL’s accommodation have been told they can claim back deposits paid at the beginning of the year, but will not be refunded rent that covers the rest of the semester …” (more)

[Alex Connolly, University Times, 30 March]

“A new returning officer is to be appointed to supervise a Seanad election panel because of cocooning rules for the Covid-19 pandemic. Chancellor of the National University of Ireland (NUI) Maurice Manning is also the returning officer but because he is over 70 he will be forced to stay at home …” (more)

[Marie O’Halloran, Irish Times, 30 March]

“I study in Leipzig in Western Saxony. That’s in Eastern Germany between Berlin and Munich. When I finished secondary school, I worked as a volunteer in a children’s library for one year. I really liked that and decided a library career was for me …” (more)

[Theres Rudolph, libfocus, 30 March]

“For the last three weeks, life on university and college campuses has all been about doing what is needed to save the semester and move to remote learning/remote working format. I get the sense that this is the week when everyone’s attention is going to shift to ‘omg, what do we do now?’ The answer to that question will vary, of course, but if there is just one piece of advice I could give everyone, it is that the absolute worst thing any institution could do right now is centre its planning around a re-opening on a certain specific date …” (more)

[Alex Usher, HESA, 30 March]

“Students at the University of Limerick (UL) are urging the university to refund rent to students who leave campus accommodation early due to the coronavirus outbreak. UL has told students they can claim their deposit back early but that rents paid for the rest of the semester will not be refunded. It is in stark contrast to other universities …” (more)

[Kevin O’Neill, Irish Examiner, 30 March]

“The Institute of Technology Carlow has cancelled examinations and other face-to-face assessments scheduled to take place at the end of the summer term in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The examinations will be replaced ‘where feasible’ by alternative online assessments or online exams, the institute confirmed today …” (more)

[Éanna Ó Caollaí, Irish Times, 30 March]

“UCD students and staff have been given a ‘grace period’ until 18:00 on Monday night to retrieve their belongings from lockers and offices. In light of new government restrictions, the campus is due to completely shut, save for non-essential activities. The Residences will remain open for tenants only …” (more)

[Alex Lohier and Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 29 March]

“Student nursing interns face a litany of unanswered questions, even as the government hails healthcare workers. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, one thing that’s become crystal clear to most people is how much we rely on our healthcare workers. Recent weeks have seen an explosion of public gratitude towards the country’s doctors and nurses, as they work every day on the frontlines of a health service bracing itself against a tidal wave …” (more)

[University Times, 29 March]

“Students renting from a UK-wide university accommodation company are being held liable for hefty fees despite the coronavirus outbreak. The Student Roost, which has 20 locations across the country including four facilities in Belfast, is charging students for their digs up until April 30 despite course cancellations and campus closures …” (more)

[John Toner, Belfast Telegraph, 29 March]

“More than half of the world’s learners are affected (51%, 890.5 million students) by the impact of COVID-19. With mass high school and university closures in an increasing number of countries, concerns about the implications for future international student enrolments and ultimately the impact on institutional cash flow are high on university leaders’ agendas …” (more)

[Janet Ilieva and Vincenzo Raimo, University World News, 28 March]

“The closure of schools has meant the COVID-19 outbreak has affected more than 130 countries, impacting over 80% of the world’s student population. At the higher education level, close to 60 million, that is one in four, previously enrolled students are currently not attending a higher education establishment …” (more)

[Michaela Martin and Uliana Furiv, University World News, 28 March]

“To: The Presidents of the Universities. The Minister for Education and Skills wishes to inform Universities on the implementation of the regulations and procedures regarding the special arrangements to cater for COVID-19 for staff employed in approved posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas …” (more)

[DES, 27 March]

“Elsewhere on the site, Canadian HE expert Alex Usher describes the big decision facing universities around the world when it comes to what to do in September. I’ve been thinking about big decisions too – but rather than those faced by universities, I’ve been trying to think about the decisions now facing students …” (more)

[Jim Dickinson, Wonkhe, 29 March]

“Counting begins on Monday in probably the most unusual election in the history of the Seanad. As contingency measures are made to conduct the election which must go ahead because of constitutional obligations, Cathaoirleach Denis O’Donovan appealed to candidates and their agents to waive their legal right to attend the counts at three locations across Dublin …” (more)

[Marie O’Halloran, Irish Times, 30 March]