Ninth Level Ireland

“University College Dublin (UCD) is still working under the expectation of 1-metre physical distance measures on campus in the upcoming Trimester, despite recent guidance from government suggesting a 2-metre distance. Sources have told The College Tribune that the University expects an announcement from the government shortly which would allow a reduction in physical distancing from 2-metres to 1-metre, in cases where students wear face masks, which will be mandatory for students on UCD campus …” (more)

[Nessa Collins, College Tribune, 30 July]

“It took months into the pandemic for University College Dublin (UCD) to realise that teaching in the autumn cannot go ahead as usual. Only on May 28th, UCD’s President Andrew Deeks communicated to staff a teaching framework, which is largely oblivious of the risks around bringing large groups of people together, especially in older, unventilated rooms at the Belfield campus. And even more, it completely ignores the fears that staff and students have …” (more)

[Thomas Grund, College Tribune, 16 July]

“A ‘significant rise’ in incidents of ‘poor behaviour’ on campus have been reported in relation to UCD’s yearly ‘Christmas Day’ celebrations, particularly in Student Residences, and towards female faculty members. Minutes of a meeting recently obtained by The College Tribune have revealed incidents of ‘poor behaviour’ in relation to campus residences and female faculty in classrooms were brought forward at a University Management Team (UMT) meeting on 4th December 2019 …” (more)

[Gemma Farrell, College Tribune, 14 July]

“University College Dublin (UCD) has spent €14.8 million on off-campus residential properties since the presidency of former UCD President Hugh Brady. The College Tribune can reveal that UCD has purchased 19 residential properties in Dublin over the last 17 years at a total cost of just under €15 million. It is understood that this practice is part of a long-term plan to expand the boundaries of the UCD’s Belfield campus …” (more)

[Hugh Dooley, College Tribune, 29 May]

“Hybrid learning, no exams in the RDS, late September start, Saturday classes, specified student groups to share classes with, and not a lot of mixing; here’s what Autumn 2020 will look like in University College Dublin (UCD). In an email circulated to UCD staff, President Andrew Deeks shared a document outlining what the Autumn Trimester will probably look like …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 28 May]

“University College Dublin can sustain its operations in the current volatile environment created by the significant uncertainties associated with Covid 19, which has reduced demand from non-EU students. That is according to a note in UCD’s annual accounts where it confirms that the college’s surplus reduced by 44% to €19.46 million in the 12 months to the end of September last …” (more)

[Gordon Deegan, Irish Times, 19 May]

“A message arrived yesterday evening from a close relative in the USA. Just two videos and a cryptic remark about leadership. The first shows President Trump at a press briefing. There he is, musing about injections of household bleach as a possible cure for Covid-19. The second shows President Deeks reading out a message to UCD’s Alumni …” (more)

[In a Strange Land, 25 April]

“University College Dublin (UCD) has indicated that the financial cost of COVID-19 restrictions on the university may approach €100 million this year. The government restrictions bring financial uncertainties for the university which has become increasingly reliant on non-exchequer income since the 2008 financial crash …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 24 April]

“Maynooth University has reversed a proposed 3% rent increase in on-campus accommodation and have introduced a rent freeze. In a statement online today, Maynooth Students’ Union (MSU) announced the decision, saying it was a result of ‘student pressure’ following a number of protests on campus …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 23 April]

“University College Dublin’s (UCD) Students’ Union President has called University President Andrew Deeks’ attitude towards the voice of students ‘quite sexist’. In an interview with the Irish Times in February, President Deeks said that students had reacted ‘quite emotionally’ to the recent decision to increase the cost of on-campus accommodation, following a number of protests on campus …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 22 April]

“UCD President Andrew Deeks has said that students are not expected to receive any additional costs due to potential financial fallout in the university. He has also stressed delays in additional student supports and a negative short-term impact on UCD. This comes after Deeks warned staff of ‘very severe’ financial implications for the university due to COVID-19 …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 2 April]

“The below story follows the President of UCD on an average day in the office. It should be noted that due to the current COVID-19 restrictions and university shutdown, the President’s day is vastly different, with much of his work done online and from home …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 27 March]

“UCD President Andrew Deeks has said that the potential long-term impacts of COVID-19 for UCD could be ‘very serious’ and have a severe impact on the university’s commercial activities. The President has appealed to recruitment staff to ensure international students, who make up over 20% of UCD’s annual income, attend the university next year …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 24 March]

“UCD President Professor Andrew Deeks emailed students and staff this evening, detailing changes in response to the governments decision today to shut ‘schools, colleges and childcare facilities’ from tomorrow until the 29th of March …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 12 March]

“University College Dublin (UCD) students today attempted to storm the college’s Club Restaurant in protest at campus rent increases, with a tense standoff between students and security marking the latest in a series of demonstrations in recent weeks …” (more)

[Sárán Fogarty, University Times, 4 March]

“The president of University College Dublin (UCD) has said that there is ‘no way’ that the college will reverse its decision to increase on-campus rent by 12% over the next three years, despite outrage from students. Speaking to the University Observer, Andrew Deeks said that ‘absolutely, there’s no way that we’re going to back down on the rent increase’, and that Dublin’s housing crisis ‘can’t be addressed by capping or reducing rents’ …” (more)

[Sárán Fogarty, University Times, 24 February]

“Sir, – I was disappointed to read that the president of UCD said the students had reacted ’emotionally’ to large rent increases for UCD student accommodation (News, February 21st). An emotional response does not take from the validity of the students’ claim that the rent increases are unreasonable, and it appears that the students have good reason to be emotional …” (more)

[Letters, Irish Times, 22 February]

“Students in University College Dublin have reacted ’emotionally’ to a proposed increase of on-campus rents by 12 per cent, university president Professor Andrew Deeks has said. On Thursday students held a sit-down protest outside a meeting of the university’s governing authority over proposals to increase rents over the next three years by the maximum allowed under rent cap laws …” (more)

[Jack Power, Irish Times, 20 February]

“University College Dublin (UCD) students held a sit-down protest outside a meeting of the university’s governing authority, in protest over proposals to increase on-campus accommodation rents by 12% over the next three years. Students protested at the entrance to the meeting on Thursday morning holding placards with the slogans ‘Stop the 12%’ and ‘#NotaBusiness’ …” (more)

[Jack Power, Irish Times, 20 February]

“UCD has decided not to back down on the planned on-campus rent increases. In a letter to UCD Students’ Union regarding the rent hikes, University President Andrew Deeks has said that ‘it is in the best interests of our community overall to proceed’. This letter comes after over one hundred students marched on UCD’s Tierney’s building earlier this week, in protest of the on-campus rent increase of over 12% over the next three years …” (more)

[Hugh Dooley, College Tribune, 19 February]