UCD Accomodation Thread - All Queries Here

Pythia

Apparently, so my boyfriend was told by the Accomm Office, no second years are getting rooms on campus this year. It said on the net before that they would be. This is supposedly because the new Roebuck place won't be finished on time.
He rang up since he was refused 'on campus', even though he's from Connacht.
Anyone else know anything about this?

singingstranger

I know:

- that they're late because, with the strike action going on, the builders missed a window to get concrete delivered or something
- that it's hoped that they can get 100 of the Roebuck places finished in time
- that they plan to have the rest of Roebuck ready by the end of September or early October
- that there's serious pressure being applied by some reasonably powerful people - which is likely to succeed - on the Accomm Office to renegotiate the price for the rest of the people who'll otherwise be getting a month less of accommodation for the same price

and therefore...
- that your boyfriend would probably have a good chance of getting Roebuck around early October if he gets on the list for then.

Pythia

Thanks for that! Very helpful.
I wonder if it'll be easier to get a place in October if you waited til then.
Like maybe for myself, who'd have no chance of getting it normally (I'm from Dundrum).

singingstranger

Hmm, there's a point - maybe if they scrapped the 2nd Year ban then they allowed Dubs back onto Res... there's an idea. In fairness, though, would you really be bothered? It's only Dundrum. People live in rented accomm further away. Don't you drive too?!

Pythia

Nah, I'm moving out. Anyway, I'll ring the office tomorrow and see what my chances are if I agree to wait til October for a room.

Stepherunie

Hmm I have yet to hear from UCD, balderdash. Here's hoping they sort it all out soon enough.

irlrobins

Nice one SU, you support the strike and now there's no accomadation for 2nd years. Well done. Take a bow.

panda100

Yes another great example of the union putting the students first:rolleyes: Anyway at least all the bad eggs of union council have gone and I am 100% positive we wont have any of these useless strikes withthe great union we have lined up for next year:)

Pythia if I was you I would tell you boyfriend to ask for the old roebuck as his first prefrence cos he has a good chance of getting a room there.No one ever applies for it.I put down the old roebuck as my first prefrence twice and got it once but then got belgrove too.

InFront

singingstranger wrote:

Hmm, there's a point - maybe if they scrapped the 2nd Year ban then they allowed Dubs back onto Res... there's an idea. In fairness, though, would you really be bothered? It's only Dundrum. People live in rented accomm further away. Don't you drive too?!

only dundrum? Have you SEEN that hill? after a hard day of study that hill is my mount st patrick or whatever its called.

Typical this not getting done on time. Although I think everyone felt it was very ambitious anyway. Shame the housewarming celebrations will be delayed!

Nice one SU, you support the strike and now there's no accomadation for 2nd years. Well done. Take a bow.

very good point. SU seem to prefer defending the common good of the nation instead of doing their job and representing students

Blush_01

Pythia wrote:

Nah, I'm moving out. Anyway, I'll ring the office tomorrow and see what my chances are if I agree to wait til October for a room.

To be honest, with the number of people who get rejected from over a hundred miles away, I'd have a serious issue with you, or anyone else from Dundrum, Goatstown, Donnybrook, Mount Merrion, Booterstown et al getting a room on-campus.

I think it's a disgrace that people who HAVE to move out of home to go to college don't get campus when people who could potentially walk do. Even people with a phenomenal daily commute (as many boards members here do) don't get places, when they could do with them in order to get to class on time (theoretically), rather than just wanting to sample a bit of independent student living which is what you propose.

Not a personal attack Pythia, don't take me up wrong. I just think that the way it seems to be working again this year is a bit unfair. A compromise of the better elements of last year and the better elements of when I was in first year would be, well, better, really!

Guys and dolls, for the sake of people's sanity, can we please not make this a pro-/anti-SU bullcrap thread again?

Pythia

Well from from outside Dublin are hardly likely to want a place in November, or whatever, if they've already signed a twelve month lease.
The problem isn't local people taking accommodation, it's that there's not enough accommodation full stop.

Stepherunie

Not everybody will, you'd be amazed at how many people will find a room for a month - crashing with friends or indeed relations.

In comparasion to other places we've a decent amount of on campus - i mean ucc has had a huge expansion of campus accomodation (needless to say the vast majority of it isn't on campus) but for years first years weren't even allowed apply for on campus.

We should be grateful we have on campus and it should be there for those who need it most FULL STOP.

UCD seems to be a lot about profit - not about the welfare of its students. I've dealt with the inequality of UCDs policy on people staying on on campus and at the end of the day money will always win the day over students. So more than likely they'll take anyone if they numbers are low enough.

dajaffa

Well in any case, over the next few years there'll be a major increase in on-campus accomadation. I went to see that campus development plan + there'll be 5,000 on campus res when it's finished

antSionnach

a friend of mine is repeating in UCD at the moment and has to pay 40 euros per night for student accom. = 280euros/wk. Shes not up all of the time though. I suppose its only fair because it has to make a profit over summer etc, but they should be allowing for people who have to repeat exams etc. You cant exactly hire ahouse for a month. thats a bit crazy isnt it.

As it happened she actually lived there (Merville) during the year and is now paying a hugely inflated rent for summer

recyclebin

I applied for campus this year . Its my third time applying and this year is final year.Has anyone heard back yet if they got campus or not. Ill be pretty pissed if i dont get it this year cause i definitely am not within commuting distance and i have lectures nine to five most days. They should take lecture hours into account as some people can commute if they dont start till say eleven ,while others start at nine everyday.

Blush_01

If you don't get it apply to Glen. It'll be first come first served, and towards the end of the summer, but they give places to final years.

recyclebin

Glen is too expensive and you they dont even have ovens in the apartments. How **** is that

Blush_01

Neither will the new accom. I bought a mini-oven when Lidl had them recently, so if I do get the MA, and then if I do get Glen, I have me an oven. Woohoo! Add that to the dryer and freezer I've bought over the years...

gubbie

Pythia wrote:

Thanks for that! Very helpful.
I wonder if it'll be easier to get a place in October if you waited til then.
Like maybe for myself, who'd have no chance of getting it normally (I'm from Dundrum).

You’re gonna take our on campus accommodation!! NOO you can’t. I’ve got friends from all over Leinster that didn’t get accommodation til later on in the year. They were either commuting (like from Kildare) or kipping on friends couches. There’s a lot of people coming up from Wicklow and you wanna move out of Dundrum… are you mad-cooked meals, clean house and who can remember the “crap no electricity so its cold showers, cereal and no lights (my favourite-starting a fire but then getting smoked out)”

Another thing-UCC’s campus accommodation is about a 15 minute walk from the college and the few near by are about half the size of the UCD ones. But then again I’ve a friend who lives about the equivalent of Bray to Dublin who’s already gotten it… but who goes to UCC besides Cork people…

Blush_01 wrote:

Neither will the new accom. I bought a mini-oven when Lidl had them recently, so if I do get the MA, and then if I do get Glen, I have me an oven. Woohoo! Add that to the dryer and freezer I've bought over the years...

Or you could do as our lovely president did and nick a few of the ones they throw out at the start of the year


Does anyone know if they still do it by those living further away get preference?

Pythia

gubbie wrote:

You’re gonna take our on campus accommodation!! NOO you can’t.

Not my fault if they give it to me over someone else. I'm not gonna feel guilty either.

Stepherunie

With all due respect that seems extremely selfish, i'd really be appreciative of UCDs policy if you were to get on campus over me, I mean why should i get it, I only live in Cork, obviously the need of a Dundrum person is far greater than mine.

Pythia

Stepherunie wrote:

With all due respect that seems extremely selfish, i'd really be appreciative of UCDs policy if you were to get on campus over me, I mean why should i get it, I only live in Cork, obviously the need of a Dundrum person is far greater than mine.

Your problem is not with me, but the accommodation office. If I apply and I get it, I'll take it. Don't get annoyed with me. I don't decide who goes in and who doesn't.

humbert

Pythia wrote:

Your problem is not with me, but the accommodation office. If I apply and I get it, I'll take it. Don't get annoyed with me. I don't decide who goes in and who doesn't.

It does come down to the fact that if you get it there is one less place for someone who needs it. I have no strong feeling on the subject myself because it doesn't concern me but that attitude is far too common, "It's not my fault because the rules allow me to do it", utter rubbish.

Stepherunie

The rules don't allow it - they've stated that noone who lives Dublin County can move on campus (i'm not sure of the situation for disabled students - that's completely different) - you yourself Pythia said that you are in effect going to try and circumvent those rules by offering to wait until october for a room in order to move on campus, that is why I have a problem with what you said.

Pythia

Stepherunie wrote:

you yourself Pythia said that you are in effect going to try and circumvent those rules by offering to wait until october for a room in order to move on campus, that is why I have a problem with what you said.

I'm not going to circumvent the rules. But if they say, ok, we don't have enough people to fill the places from outside Dublin, so anyone who wants one can have one, then I'm going to go for it. And most people from the countryside will have already signed a 12 month lease somewhere else, so they couldn't take it anyway.
And look guys, it's everyone for themselves where this is concerned.

gubbie

Pythia wrote:

I'm not going to circumvent the rules. But if they say, ok, we don't have enough people to fill the places from outside Dublin, so anyone who wants one can have one, then I'm going to go for it.

... not much chance. Most Dubliners who get (not that theres many) get it after they open it to all but they always come up in the "My friend's from Dublin and she got campus where as my friend from Tipp didn't"

And I can not wait to be able to go back on to campus next year-the commute from Cork to Dublin to go looking is not only long but insanely boring

Het-Field

I know people from Offaly, Laois, Donegal, Kerry, and Cork and from other countries and they are forced to take accomodation on the Northside, and places which are nowhere near to UCD. That is a serious pain in the ass for most. I have always been a firm advocate of a blanket ban on people form Dublin taking up campus accomodation for the sake of their drinking/social habits, and i even had it in my manifesto when i ran for union president. If accomodation is only available to those who really need it it will mean they will be able to meet new people and integrate much more into college. Many of them come up to Dublin without knowing anybody and are a long way from home. Forcing them into an environment which may be very lonesome is not right. Campus accomodation should be used as a tool to settle in and integrate, as opposed facilitating a social life for Dubs.

PS Dundrum is a five minite walk from UCD, taking a room would appear fairly wasteful if you ask me

irlrobins

Het-Field wrote:

PS Dundrum is a five minite walk from UCD, taking a room would appear fairly wasteful if you ask me

Agreed

the evil lime

If I had the money, I'd be tempted to go after the on-campus myself.

I'm a Dub too btw.

However I will point out that my commute ranges from 1 hour 20 mins (good day) to 2hrs 10(really bad day), as I live in north county Dublin.

This has screwed with my getting as involved with the social aspects of UCD as I'd like to, due to constantly having to leave about an hour or two before those who live on the south side (stupid last dart at eleven...)

However, it would be rather unfair to take a place from someone who lives in say, Sligo or some such.

nando

I really don't think a "blanket ban on people from dublin taking up campus accommodation" is fair either. I live in a west dublin suburb but often started college at 7.30am, but 8am at the latest. (I've just graduated) It was impossible to travel by public transport to ucd for this time. Why shouldn't I have been entitled to campus accommodation? Whether travelling from cork or travelling from dublin living at home was not an option for my course so surely I had as much right to the accommodation as anybody else? Instead I ended up only being allowed apply for Glenomena which was far too expensive.

antSionnach

Okay what exactly is the problem with Dubliners getting campus? My brother got campus two years in a row and Glenomena in his final year. He actually worked over the summer to pay for it because he didnt want to live at home (we live in Ranelagh). Personally I have four years left on my course, I dont want to move out yet, but I can see myself applying to campus before I finish up.

Why do country people need to live in UCD as opposed to Ranelagh/ Dundrum/ Stillorgan if they are "so close"?

It doesnt have to be any more expensive, and could often be cheaper for them
Campus is handier than Ranelagh/ Dundrum/ Milltown for EVERYONE.
There is no shortage of supply of accomodation over this city, especially when compared with places like Galway. This idea that people who live in Dublin dont need to move out of home is ridiculous. Im going to be working in Dublin in 5 years time, should I stay living in the parents attic then too so as not to take up property opportunities for country people? God knows the hassle of househunting is bad enough...

Het-Field

antSionnach wrote:

Okay what exactly is the problem with Dubliners getting campus? My brother got campus two years in a row and Glenomena in his final year. He actually worked over the summer to pay for it because he didnt want to live at home (we live in Ranelagh). Personally I have four years left on my course, I dont want to move out yet, but I can see myself applying to campus before I finish up.

Why do country people need to live in UCD as opposed to Ranelagh/ Dundrum/ Stillorgan if they are "so close"?

It doesnt have to be any more expensive, and could often be cheaper for them
Campus is handier than Ranelagh/ Dundrum/ Milltown for EVERYONE.
There is no shortage of supply of accomodation over this city, especially when compared with places like Galway. This idea that people who live in Dublin dont need to move out of home is ridiculous. Im going to be working in Dublin in 5 years time, should I stay living in the parents attic then too so as not to take up property opportunities for country people? God knows the hassle of househunting is bad enough...

1.Each of the places mentioned has direct bus routes. Ranelagh/ 11/ 11A.
Dundrum 17 and Milltown has its own bus im just not sure which. They are also within walking distance of the campus. My friend walks from Ranelagh in 10 minites, and the bus will take you quicker.

2.Campus accomodation is excellent to integrate people who are new in college and have no other people they know. Rest assured if you live in the surrounding area, you are guaranteed to know somebody in the college, and if not, you are in the county where most of your friends will be. People from Donegal etc find it very difficult to know hoards of people on arriving in UCD. Res helps big time as a social tool

3.If people are so anxious to live out of home in Dublin, they should go looking elsewhere, and not force new people (some who may never have been to Dublin) to have to familiarise themselves with Sherrif street or Drumcondra, or the area around the Phoenix Park which are like mazes. If you come from Dublin you will already have a good idea about other areas

humbert

antSionnach wrote:

Okay what exactly is the problem with Dubliners getting campus? My brother got campus two years in a row and Glenomena in his final year. He actually worked over the summer to pay for it because he didnt want to live at home (we live in Ranelagh). Personally I have four years left on my course, I dont want to move out yet, but I can see myself applying to campus before I finish up.

Why do country people need to live in UCD as opposed to Ranelagh/ Dundrum/ Stillorgan if they are "so close"?

It doesnt have to be any more expensive, and could often be cheaper for them
Campus is handier than Ranelagh/ Dundrum/ Milltown for EVERYONE.
There is no shortage of supply of accomodation over this city, especially when compared with places like Galway. This idea that people who live in Dublin dont need to move out of home is ridiculous. Im going to be working in Dublin in 5 years time, should I stay living in the parents attic then too so as not to take up property opportunities for country people? God knows the hassle of househunting is bad enough...

you should try doing a 1 to 4 hour commute to dublin, a city which you may not know at all, to try and search for accommodation which starts at prices you can barely afford before you start criticising country people for feeling they should get preference. The fact is that college accommodation is reasonably priced and applying for it is fairly straight forward and as you say there are other options for those dubs who simply want to move out and have the money to do it. I can completely understand a person wanting to move out enough to fork out rent when living at home is practical but I think college accommodation should be reserved for those who need it.

panda100

Everyyear Ive lived on campus theres been someone from Dublin as my next door neighbour.One of the guys in first year was from Ranelagh but put down his cousins address in sligo so got campus.I think its really selfish cos it really isnt fair for us from the sticks.
From what I know there is a board that decides the campus accomodation at the end of Juy.Tony Nicholls is the college representatve,Colm whiley (clare td) is the goverment representative and the accomodation and empolyment officer is the students rep when the board sits. Therefore its all very above board and I dont any of them will give accomodation with someone with a Dublin address.

rainbow kirby

Much as I would love to live on campus (after 4 years of this ****ty commute from Firhouse every morning... *tears hair out*), I definitely think that preference should go to students from outside Dublin. And that it's very unfair if a student from Dundrum/Ranelagh etc gets a place that could have gone to a student from outside the county.

dajaffa

Het-Field wrote:

PS Dundrum is a five minite walk from UCD, taking a room would appear fairly wasteful if you ask me

K NOOOOOOOO. If it was I'd shop there a lot more . Still ridiculous if ppl from there did get campus, which I'm quite sure they don't unless it really can't be filled.

Het-Field wrote:

Dundrum 17 and Milltown has its own bus im just not sure which.

The 17 is one of the most unreliable buses known to man. It's truly awful. There are plans in the pipeline for a bus that would link UCD to dundrum, which could service milltown. There's no bus route from milltown to UCD.

Het-Field wrote:

I really don't think a "blanket ban on people from dublin taking up campus accommodation" is fair either.I live in a west dublin suburb but often started college at 7.30am, but 8am at the latest. (I've just graduated) It was impossible to travel by public transport to ucd for this time. Why shouldn't I have been entitled to campus accommodation?

Agreed. I've often thought the worst situation is that u face a fairly big commute to college, u do a full-time (ie 30+ hours a week) but with rent how it is u can't justify spending a huge amount on it, wheras if u are from say, Donegal, u obviously can't commute, and often your parents will have been saving cause they know you'll have to move out when the time comes. Granted, it is hard to draw boundaries, as some ppl may live far away but have a direct bus, and ppl who live a little closer don't.

I think the system at the mo is as fair as it can be. The ppl who live furthest away get preference, and u'll only get one if u are from say Dublin a month r so into the college year with dropouts etc.

Hopefully the overall situation will improve with the allowance for res in the campus development plan (5,000 by 2010 I think, could be 2015 for the last of them)

Pythia

Het-Field wrote:

PS Dundrum is a five minite walk from UCD, taking a room would appear fairly wasteful if you ask me

Eh, do you know where Dundrum is. It's not 5 mins. Some parts of Dundrum could be up to an hour's walk. I'm 30 mins away and I live in the nearest edge of Dundrum.

antSionnach

Het-Field wrote:

1.Each of the places mentioned has direct bus routes. Ranelagh/ 11/ 11A.
Dundrum 17 and Milltown has its own bus im just not sure which. They are also within walking distance of the campus. My friend walks from Ranelagh in 10 minites, and the bus will take you quicker.

I live in Ranelagh and it takes me about half an hour or more to walk. Essentially, she lives in Clonskeagh. But the point you make is correct. Remember its also very handy for country people!

3.If people are so anxious to live out of home in Dublin, they should go looking elsewhere, and not force new people (some who may never have been to Dublin) to have to familiarise themselves with Sherrif street or Drumcondra, or the area around the Phoenix Park which are like mazes. If you come from Dublin you will already have a good idea about other areas

Thats not very practical! Im going to move out of Ranelagh and live in Swords because while I dont want to live with the rentals, I dont want to take up property that those from Westmeath or Mayo or Waterford would like to rent???

The only point I agree with you on is the socialising effect. But while Dublin people may be slightly more likely to know UCDians, they can have just as hard a time settling in here and can also benefit from res. From personal experience, I think that already having friends in Dublin actually stops you from making the effort in 1st year, youre less likely to integrate, and this is why clumping us all together in res would be good for everyone

irlrobins

Pythia wrote:

I'm 30 mins away

That's cos you walk slow!

Pythia

irlrobins wrote:

That's cos you walk slow!

Sure you live 10 minutes away and you moved into res.

irlrobins

Pythia wrote:

Sure you live 10 minutes away and you moved into res.

Yep. Slightly different scenario though. I was applying to Glenomena back when they only took postgrads. They had more rooms than applicants so I wasn't denying anyone, undergrad or postgrad, a room. And I later worked as an RA.

Stepherunie

Seeing are irl lives none too far from where i lived this year I can tell ya it was more than a 10 minute walk, it was a 7 minute cycle and that's considering there's a giant hill to bring you a good bit down fairly fast.

Het-Field

Well mabye 5 minites is a bit of an exagreation. But its still a stones throw away from the Clonskeagh entrance. I live in Templeogue. From the Montrose entrance its a two hour walk, and from the Clonskeagh gate its an hour and a half. To walk from Donegal id say it would take the guts of twenty four hours. I have made my case for why locals should not get campus accomodation, and they are legitimate points. Furthermore, its much cheaper to rent campus accomodation than to rent outside. Areas like Dundrum and Ranelagh would suggest that those who live there are not devoid of money and the grant is not a necessity. The financial burden would be considerable lifted by offereingcampus accomodation to those who live away from Dublin. While m aware that those who are from dublin suffer from monetary tribulations aswell, they do have a local abode which in most cases is a bus ride away. They have parents or guardians who can supply them with a hot meal, a desk to study at, hot water and a bed. Campsu residences have rules and regulations which other accomodations dont have. Last year, i sat in a house with a few lads i knew listening to music from Trivium, Slayer, Dragonforce, Primus and Mudvayne at full blast (i wanted them to turn it down). When i left the room one of the other tenants had a go at me for playing loud music and asked me to turn it down. On campus residence he would not be suffering from the ignorance of his other housemates, and he could study in peace. By letting him have that campus accomodation he could study in peace. However, as a result of locals living in the residences he was forced to room with a load of rockers.

-Money
-Comfort
-Social Integration
-A regulated environment

All reasons why locals should be the last considered

antSionnach

Het-Field wrote:

By letting him have that campus accomodation he could study in peace.

I dont know anyone who is applying to res for the 'study in peace' effect. I do know lots of people who did not apply to res for that reason. I dont know about Belgrove but my gf lived in Merville in 1st year, study was not a priority with the neighbours/ often housemates.

Obviously there isnt the same urgency for people who live close to campus to move out as those who live in Donegal or the Aran Islands or whatever. There are lots of helpful resources out there for 'them country folk', like the accomodation office and websites like daft.ie. But do they automatically deserve rights to campus accomodation over others? I just dont see the link between coming from he country and having to get res. Dublin, and especially the area around UCD, is actually a small place and theres nothing about campus that would benefit a country person that wouldnt also benefit a Dubliner.

Also, Im not making mad allegations when I say, and I think most people have some sort of knowledge or experience of it, that the accomodation committee is corrputed as feck. There are two public representatives who I know of that have used their positions within the college to get places for their constituents' kids, and it isnt a once off, I know for definite one of them who is again guaranteeing places for constituents who approached him this year

gubbie

Ya but whats great about on campus accomodation is that it gives you the chance to go to the library when ever you want and not have to leave at 11 to get a bus. Therefor some people do pick it for the study.

People who are from the country usually have no other option but to move out of home. People from... well pretty much anywhere that doesn't have a university. As great as daft.ie is, its hard to come up with a place that is as cheap as campus considering that they have to get a 1 year lease (in most cases) and have to pay the costs of getting to college. Who says these people can afford it? A grant will barely cover the costs of accomodation and then you have to pay about €100 a week to keep yourself going

antSionnach

gubbie wrote:

Ya but whats great about on campus accomodation is that it gives you the chance to go to the library when ever you want and not have to leave at 11 to get a bus. Therefor some people do pick it for the study.

Then shouldnt dubliners be allowed it as well? Okay so I live within easy enough distance but what about those from further away... harold cross? Castleknock? Swords? shouldnt they be allowed it by that logic

A grant will barely cover the costs of accomodation and then you have to pay about €100 a week to keep yourself going

but this is also a problem for country students on campus as well!

Chakar

Oh yeah, disabled students get campus accomodation straightway if they want to even if they live in Dublin or down the road from UCD.They get priority over everyone.

antSionnach

Chakar wrote:

Oh yeah, disabled students get campus accomodation straightway if they want to even if they live in Dublin or down the road from UCD.They get priority over everyone.

Thats fair enough though, I mean lots of them cant exactly cycle or walk into college (...are owenstown and clonskeagh gates even wheelchair accessible??) and probably have more to worry about than we do, no matter where we live

Chinafoot

antSionnach wrote:

Then shouldnt dubliners be allowed it as well? Okay so I live within easy enough distance but what about those from further away... harold cross? Castleknock? Swords? shouldnt they be allowed it by that logic

Eh, I commuted every day for three years from Balbriggan. That's pretty much as far north in North County Dublin as you can go. I walked 15 minutes to the train station and got a train that took an hour into the city centre, then I got the bus out to UCD. On a good day it would take me about an hour and a half and on a bad day (the more frequent type of day) it took me over 2 hours. Not too nice when I had 9am lectures.

However, I would never apply for on campus accommodation and risk taking a place from someone who has to come from Cork or Galway or wherever, because quite frankly, they need it more than I do.

It is unbelievably selfish for people who have the ability to remain at home within commuting distance (Dundrum....give me a fúcking break) to try and get a room on campus if it is going to deny someone else who actually needs that room.

This kind of "well if they give it to me I'll take it" attitude is all too prevalent in UCD. It can be seen with people applying for grants too. I know plenty who have managed to get themselves a grant despite the fact that their parents income would never allow it. I guess the honour system is dead.

Stepherunie

Never had a problem with that, never would, have a friend who always gets campus because of his needs - its only fair and right - i'd in fact protest against those who need campus due to health reasons being denied campus just because they're from dublin.

antSionnach

peachypants wrote:

I walked 15 minutes to the train station and got a train that took an hour into the city centre, then I got the bus out to UCD. On a good day it would take me about an hour and a half and on a bad day (the more frequent type of day) it took me over 2 hours. Not too nice when I had 9am lectures.

However, I would never apply for on campus accommodation and risk taking a place from someone who has to come from Cork or Galway or wherever, because quite frankly, they need it more than I do.

If you chose to live at home thats fair enough. But you didnt do it for the good of the students or whatever. As Ive already said, there is ample accomodation available within EASY commuting distance to UCD. Ranelagh is student city during terms, for example. Living on campus isnt all about journey time. Yes, its good, but res is about parties, drink and getting to know one another. Why not include everyone? UCD is very accessible due to high availability of accomodation in local estates, the 46A and the DART. Not to mention biking it.
What I dont understand is why is it okay for a dublin student to bike in and not a country student???

It is unbelievably selfish for people who have the ability to remain at home within commuting distance (Dundrum....give me a fúcking break) to try and get a room on campus if it is going to deny someone else who actually needs that room.

Yes Dundrum is quite handy isnt it. Lots of country people should live there and commute in no time. For south Dublin, you can get some really cheap acccomodation there. Good suggestion!.

This kind of "well if they give it to me I'll take it" attitude is all too prevalent in UCD. It can be seen with people applying for grants too. I know plenty who have managed to get themselves a grant despite the fact that their parents income would never allow it. I guess the honour system is dead

Agreed, the grants abuse is a disgrace. Still, when it comes to paying taxes, an honour code is the stuff of a dreamworld, not real life. Sure, its not right but its not going to change. This is not the soviet republic of Ireland, get down with capitalism! When it comes to alcohol, parties and women, its every man for himself