“An Ulster University lecturer has criticised the institution’s ‘galling’ spending after it emerged 65 staff were paid at least £100,000 each year. Right-wing pressure group the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) announced the finding after submitting Freedom of Information requests to 120 universities across the UK …” (more)
[Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 3 October]
“Queen’s University has said it regrets its past use of electrical aversion therapy to ‘cure’ homosexuality. The therapy involves a patient being shown naked pictures and given electric shocks if they become aroused. It was used in the 1960s and 70s, however it has since been debunked. Speaking to the BBC, a former Queen’s student who underwent the therapy, John (not his real name), said the experience was ‘horrible’ …” (more)
[Belfast Telegraph, 30 September]
“John, not his real name, underwent electrical aversion therapy at Queen’s University, Belfast, while a student in the 1960s. The Presbyterian student was shown pictures of naked men and given electric shocks if he was aroused …” (video)
[BBC News, 30 September]
“Queen’s students were divided yesterday on the controversial ‘Brits Out’ slogan. For some, it was unwelcoming, others, though, said the controversy was trivial. Speaking with some of her fellow computer science students …” (more)
[Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 28 September]
“Queen’s University has launched an investigation into a poster with the slogan ‘Brits Out’ that was displayed at the Fresher’s Fair by Sinn Fein’s youth wing. The poster attracted widespread criticism from unionists after it was displayed at Thursday’s event at the Belfast campus …” (more)
[Belfast Telegraph, 27 September]
“Ulster Unionists have expressed their anger after a Sinn Fein youth group displayed a poster featuring the words ‘Brits Out’ at the Queen’s University Belfast Freshers’ Fair. The Freshers’ Fair took place on Wednesday and Thursday at Lanyon Lawn and Whitla Hall …” (more)
[Belfast Telegraph, 26 September]
“Queen’s University remains the best university in Northern Ireland, according to an influential list. It has climbed three places to stay within the top 40 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. Ulster University has also climbed in the national rankings to joint 58th place …” (more)
[Gillian Halliday, Belfast Telegraph, 20 September]
“Holyland residents have described ‘total chaos’ as hundreds of young people partied on the streets of the south Belfast neighbourhood overnight. Chair of College Park Avenue Residents’ Association Brid Ruddy told the Belfast Telegraph that the trouble started at lunchtime on Sunday when students began drinking on the streets …” (more)
[Mark Edwards, Belfast Telegraph, 16 September]
“The flaws with college rankings are well documented. They are produced by commercial organisations which sell their expertise on how to perform better. They ignore key aspects of college life such as the quality of teaching and learning. And the science behind some of the indicators is suspect, at best. But there is no denying their influence …” (more)
[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 11 September]
“Northern Ireland’s universities generated more than £400,000 in student library fines over the last five years, the BBC has learned. Figures show that Ulster University and Queen’s University in Belfast amassed a total of £423,000 since 2013 …” (more)
[BBC News, 12 August]
“The Ulster Unionist Party has condemned what they claim is a ‘discriminatory campaign’ by Fianna Fail calling for a ban on the British Army from an event at Queen’s University Belfast. In a post to a private Facebook group for clubs and societies at the university, QUB Fianna Fail allegedly said they voted to launch a campaign calling for the ‘total removal of the British Army from Societies Day’ …” (more)
[Belfast Telegraph, 24 May]
“Speaking following a meeting between Sinn Féin representatives and Queen’s University on equality issues, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said: ‘We had a positive discussion on the university’s new draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy; and on issues such as visibility of the Irish Language …'” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 22 May]
“A row has broken out following complaints by unionist politicians about views expressed by lecturers at Queen’s University. The University College Union (UCU) at Queen’s has hit out at what it termed ‘wholly unfair and worryingly authoritarian attacks’ on local academics’ right to voice opinions … ” (more)
[Adrian Rutherford, Belfast Telegraph, 18 May]
“The union that represents the majority of lecturers at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has accused some unionist parties and politicians of attacks on academic freedom. The University and College Union (UCU) said they were aimed at gagging academics, especially over Brexit …” (more)
[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 17 May]
“An academic who was dismissed from his teaching position at Union Theological College in Belfast last week has said he is considering leaving the Presbyterian Church. Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick said he is now on Jobseeker’s Allowance after a Church disciplinary panel found him guilty of ‘gross misconduct’ as a result of comments he made to BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme in June last year …” (more)
[Mark Bain, Belfast Telegraph, 15 April]
“Union Theological College could face a financial shortfall of up to £700,000 a year after Queen’s University Belfast announced it would cut ties, it’s been claimed. The Presbyterian-run college admits around 150 undergraduate students a year, with tuition fees for 2018/19 set at £4,160 annually – which would generate around £624,000 …” (more)
[Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 11 April]
“The university’s governing body – the senate – approved the move on Tuesday. UTC trains some students for the Presbyterian ministry but the majority of its students are studying theology degrees at Queen’s. The Presbyterian Church said it ‘deeply regrets’ the university’s decision …” (more)
[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 10 April]
“The Presbyterian Church has expressed dismay that a recommendation by Queen’s University to end its link with Union Theological College was seen by the media before its own staff. An internal university review – seen by the BBC – has advised cutting the links to the Presbyterian-run institution that dates back to 1927 …” (more)
[Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 4 April]
“Queen’s University has failed to confirm whether it will rescind Liam Neeson’s honorary doctorate after he was reportedly removed from its latest prospectus for new students …” (more)
[Victoria Leonard, Belfast Telegraph, 27 March]
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have responded to a motion that was tabled and then withdrawn from Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union (QUBSU) Council, saying that they will continue to patrol the university campus. The motion, which was due to be debated at a meeting of the union’s council last Wednesday, was withdrawn hours before the meeting …” (more)
[Finn Purdy, Trinity News, 26 March]
