“Senator David Norris has been re-elected to the Seanad in the University of Dublin constituency, reclaiming a seat he’s held since 1987 on the fourth count. Norris won 3,768 votes out of a total valid poll of 15,041, surpassing quota by seven votes, returning officer Provost Patrick Prendergast announced this afternoon …” (more)
[Donal MacNamee, University Times, 1 April]
“Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has called on Irish Universities to implement a ‘No detriment policy’ in the context of the unprecedented disruption of the COVID 19 outbreak. Speaking today, Deputy Ó Laoghaire said that such a policy was being implemented by numerous institutions to ensure that students are not academically disadvantaged …” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 1 April]
“You’ve sent your students home for the rest of the semester, moved heaven and earth to shift your classes online, moved your workforce to telework, and scheduled a virtual commencement. What’s next for university leaders as the COVID-19 crisis deepens across America? The most important task this week for presidents, provosts, CFOs and board members is to begin to pivot from short term emergency response to long term strategic adjustment …” (more)
[John Kroger, Inside Higher Ed, 1 April]
“Students’ unions across the country, as well as the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), have called on luxury accommodation providers to refund students forced to leave early due to the coronavirus outbreak …” (more)
[Emer Moreau, University Times, 1 April]
“College is considering adopting a ‘no detriment’ policy in this year’s summer assessments, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union President Laura Beston has said. Beston met with Prendergast today to discuss a proposal that could mean students who get over 40 will not have their overall mark for the year brought down by summer assessments …” (more)
[Orla Murnaghan, University Times, 1 April]
“Ronán Mullen has been the first person elected to the NUI panel of the Seanad. He was elected on the first count with fellow outgoing Senator Michael McDowell almost reaching the quota …” (more)
[Irish Examiner, 1 April]
“Sinn Féin Senator Máire Devine has said that vacant student accommodation and hotels should be used to accommodate frontline healthcare staff where possible, saying that a number of nurses and other hospital staff who have returned home to find they are struggling to access accommodation or who cannot stay at home due to ‘at risk’ people within the household. Senator Devine said …” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 1 April]
“Temporary reassignments of higher education and ETB (education and training board) staff is to get underway from today (1st April). The education department has asked employers in the sector to identify workers who can be reassigned to critical work areas on a temporary basis …” (more)
[Fórsa, 1 April]
“During this time of isolation and social distancing I’ve noticed how many people are posting messages on social media about being bored. Conscious that I am in danger once again of being excluded from a popular cultural phenomenon I have been trying recently to join in this craze. Unfortunately whenever I try to experience a bit of boredom I find there is far too much to distract me …” (more)
[In the Dark, 1 April]
“DCU students studying abroad were advised to return to Ireland amid the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. Students abroad have praised both DCU and their host colleges on their proactive efforts advising students to return home and have commended DCU on being extremely facilitating during the crisis. All students are currently partaking in online classes each day and completing assignments as per usual …” (more)
[Katie Lowry, The College View, 1 April]
“DCU’s Student Support and Development faculty have launched an at-home study toolkit in response to many students being housebound over the next few weeks as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. The home study toolkit aims to help students make their days as productive and normal as possible in light of recent circumstances resulting in the closure of schools and colleges …” (more)
[Beth Molloy, The College View, 1 April]
“Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has called for all landlords, private and university, to refund students who have had to end their licences early because of COVID-19. Deputy Ó Broin said: ‘We have received hundreds of emails from students and their parents who have had leave their private rented accommodation and end their licenses early due to COVID-19. They have been refused rent refunds …'” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 1 April]
“Students of University College Cork (UCC) are calling for a fair approach to upcoming final examinations which are due to be sat online. UCC students are continuing to study from home as measures taken by the Government led to the further closure of universities across the country …” (more)
[Breda Graham, EchoLive, 1 April]
“A week passed, so activists had time to galvanize colleagues via an online petition. Hundreds immediately protested against the proposed dilution of the principle of Academic Freedom. And now, the Chair of UCD’s committee on Academic Freedom has issued a statement. The statement asserts UCD’s devotion to the principle of undiluted Academic Freedom. So far, so academic …” (more)
[In a Strange Land, 1 April]
“The brand of remote instruction most colleges are offering now will create a backlash against online education. Colleges will have to significantly expand the learning ecosystem to overcome it, write Peter Stokes and Mark Johnson …” (more)
[Inside Higher Ed, 1 April]
“This summer’s exams are going to be tricky. For students, exams are always tricky. That’s kind of the point. High stakes assessment that plays a significant part in the calculation of degree classification is supposed to test the knowledge and application that has built up over the course of a module or year. Students want to be sure they are performing at their very best, and where this best is impossible to achieve due to circumstances beyond their control providers have traditionally offered mitigations …” (more)
[David Kernohan, Wonkhe, 1 April]
“Four Irish researchers are to benefit from a total of €10 million in grants to study the ancient genetic make-up of farm animals, complete a data analysis of 36,000 Victorian-era books, examine the impact of extreme trauma and investigate novel substances that could reduce energy and carbon footprints. The European Research Council (ERC), an EU institution, has allocated €2.5 million to each of the projects under its ‘advanced grant’ programme, which seeks to facilitate exploration of the most daring and creative ideas …” (more)
[Kevin O’Sullivan, Irish Times, 31 March]
“A contact tracing centre has been established at GMIT. GMIT staff commenced work this week at the Dublin Road facility, which has been set up in partnership with the HSE. Work is also ongoing to operate another contact tracing centre in the Mayo campus of GMIT in Castlebar …” (more)
[Galway Bay FM, 31 March]
Change.org is emerging as a significant forum of protest for those dissatisfied with the state of Irish higher education. Here are petitions for the last month:
‘No Detriment’ Policy for Technological University Dublin (31 March)
“No detriment” Policy for UCD (31 March)
“No Detriment” policy for the Waterford Institute of Technology (31 March)
“No Detriment” Policy for Trinity College Dublin (31 March)
Show Compassion: Refund UL Students no longer using on-campus accommodation 2019/20 Sem. 2 (30 March)
Protect Academic Freedom at University College Dublin! (30 March)
“No Detriment” Policy for Cork Institute of Technology (30 March)
“No Detriment” policy for Maynooth University (30 March)
‘No Detriment’ Policy for Dublin City University (30 March)
“No Detriment” Policy for University College Cork (30 March)
Establish a “No Detriment” policy in UL (30 March)
Ulster University: Introduce a ‘safety net’ mitigation system for summer assessments (27 March)
Queen’s University: Introduce a ‘safety net’ mitigation system for summer assessments (26 March)
To ensure students are given Rent relief given the Covid-19 situation! (25 March)
Queen’s University: Give Students the Option to Keep Current Grade as Final Mark (25 March)
10% added to Degree Classification for Final Year Students in COVID-19 Pandemic (24 March)
Urging Ulster University to reconsider the tuition fees for the year of 2019/2020 (23 March)
Maynooth University Student Accommodation Refund (23 March)
No online exams for QUB Students (19 March)
Suspend Student Accommodation rent for those who have had to return home due to COVID-19 (19 March)
Extend the History Dissertation Deadline at QUB (16 March)
Airlift Indian Students from Ireland (16 March)
Kylemore Reinstate Staff during Coronavirus #BoycottKylemore #BoycottKSG (13 March)
Queens University Belfast- Shut Down Lectures (12 March)
Close NUIG, Keep Sult Open (9 March)
Petition for Online Teaching in QUB under COVID-19 Threat (7 March)
Stop Unionists interference in QUB students voice. Support Grian Ni Dhaimhin as President (3 March)
Stop the 12% rent increase in UCD (2 March)
End the Sectarianism towards Protestants and Unionist Students at QUB! (1 March)
DCU Students’ Union urge the University to reverse its decision to increase rents by 4% (1 March)
