Emma Stokes in the Times

Voice of authority: Stopping Trinity being a rule unto itself

Three articles in the Education section of the Irish Times today about Junior Deans. Have to say I'm very interested as to how someone managed to get a car on the top of the Exams Hall.

First article: Voice of authority: Stopping Trinity being a rule unto itself

Second article: Student Discipline: The Sixties

Third article: Student Discipline: The Noughties

Here's the car part:

Voice of authority: Stopping Trinity being a rule unto itself wrote:

The longest serving junior dean at Trinity, Dr RB McDowell, held the post from 1956 to 1969 and allegedly dealt with far graver infringements than today's students can dream up. One former student, Jose Xuereb, recalls being bailed out of the Garda pound where he had been "detained while the balance of my mind was fizzing with Guinness". In the 13 years of McDowell's deanship he dealt with a riot involving 300 students on Front Square, a series of fireworks rigged to go off for hours during the night around campus and a car hoisted onto the roof of the Examination Hall.

Good times!

Boston

what the story with the riot?

Stargal

That article is such bull****. It makes it hard to take the Irish Times seriously as a 'paper of record' when in trying for total objectivity, it ignores the real issues with its softly-softly approach. The article makes Emma Stokes sound like some kind of camp counsellor who goes around cleaning up the grazed knees of Trinity students, rather than the intimidatory JD that she's proven herself to be.

On the plus side, there is a big picture for Ibid and others who are that way inclined to lust over.

europerson

stargal wrote:

On the plus side, there is a big picture for Ibid and others who are that way inclined to lust over.

I text him. By the way, it's bad, isn't it?

Stargal

Well it ain't good.

nutball

stargal wrote:

The article makes Emma Stokes sound like some kind of camp counsellor who goes around cleaning up the grazed knees of Trinity students, rather than the intimidatory JD that she's proven herself to be.

Amen to that.

This was particularly bemusing:
"McDowell was famous for dealing with matters of discipline in a spirit of camaraderie and good humour: Stokes is carrying on that tradition."

Ha.

Stargal

nutball wrote:

This was particularly bemusing:
"McDowell was famous for dealing with matters of discipline in a spirit of camaraderie and good humour: Stokes is carrying on that tradition."

Ha.

*falls off chair laughing*

That's hilarious. Who knew the Irish Times could be so funny?

Time Magazine

stargal wrote:

On the plus side, there is a big picture for Ibid and others who are that way inclined to lust over.

Reluctant as I am to say I'm not that way inclined to avoid the inevitable suggestions as to my fare, I merely jest when I speak of Dr. Stokes in lustful terms.

Stargal

But you'd be so well suited

Time Magazine

You die now.

Pet

I haven't heard a whole lot about Ms Stokes' term as JD, but what has she done so far that's been so heavy-handed? Her reputation has to have come from somewhere..

People got annoyed over the residence rules she brought in last year about overnight guests and fines, as well as the no-booze events before 12 rule that cropped up around Freshers' Week. Oh, and the demilitarised zone around the pav.

Black_Couch

I remember that email she sent around about bringing cans in from Centra. People do it all the time, no questions asked.

Nietzschean

during the start of the summer there were security posted on teh way into the pav to stop people bringing in booze from centra.....and also sec walking around the pav/cricket pitch to confiscate booze not bought there

............

Myth

Myth wrote:

as the no-booze events before 12

If only. I meant to say 6pm.

What were the rules about overnight guests before she came in?
Where do you sign in guests actually, at front arch?

Megan Wonderful Conductor

Megan Wonderful Conductor wrote:

What were the rules about overnight guests before she came in?
Where do you sign in guests actually, at front arch?

Can't say for sure on the first point, just that the punishments changed to become harsher.

On the latter, you sign them in at the security desk in Front Arch from Monday - Friday, and usually down at Pearse Street on Saturday & Sunday (go past players, along the metal walkway, through the open door. You'll see a book and above the book is an open window, where the security guards will be.)

OK, grand. It's only one guest at a time isn't it?

xeduCat

Si, si.

Crash

Yup. on the emma stokes article, I think I might have a nice letter to the times to be written asking exactly when their editors head ended up in JD's ass -that article is ridiculuous.

&#231

&#231 wrote: »

Yup. on the emma stokes article, I think I might have a nice letter to the times to be written asking exactly when their editors head ended up in JD's ass -that article is ridiculuous.

Start a letter writing campaign to the Times

BrenC

I'd admit I did laugh a bit during the article, The JD has imposed a lot of restrictions this year, i don't see her having good humour

Edwardius

Ah the poor dear just needs to get laid, or something.

BrenC

LOL

Some people did like the 6pm rule on alcohol though.

prothalamium

Dead Ed wrote:

Ah the poor dear just needs to get laid, or something.

Yeah, or maybe she's just trying to do her job, or something. Junior Deans are *obviously not* going to be lenient, and a female JD is going to get the rawer deal every time.

Blimmin' students.

John

There's a happy balance between being strict on important things and just being strict for the sake of it. Do we really need more restrictions are regards people staying over in college rooms? Everyone at college is an adult paying for accommadation, why should they have so many rules for what is home for students? Depression and suicide rates are high among the student population, why add more stress and take away more comfort from them? I'm not saying that getting your mates kicked out of your apartment is going to push you over the edge but moving to a new college and a new way of life can be lonely and extremely stressful. The junior dean is there to look after students as much as enforce and create rules.

prothalamium

I don't like to differentiate Trinity from other universities, but historically and architecturally it's not just a lump of concrete 2 miles from Wigan, it's a precious Irish building. Not just 'home'. Practically, standards of authenticity have to be maintained - you can't just have residents running around with potential non-residents 24/7 - it's irresponsible, disrespectful and even dangerous.

I wouldn't apply the same rules to Trinity Hall, fyi.

John

I'm all for keeping important buildings safe and sound but not to the exclusion of present students. If the buildings are that precious then the college should have invested in a bigger complex for Trinity Halls. Buildings may be around for a long time but they are defined by what they are used for. A campus is only a campus, it's where people live and study. Tourism and image should come secondary to student wellbeing and academic standards.

Boston

prothalamium wrote:

Yeah, or maybe she's just trying to do her job, or something. Junior Deans are *obviously not* going to be lenient, and a female JD is going to get the rawer deal every time.

Blimmin' students.

It's not how strict she is, or even that she's a woman, but rather that it's generally accepted that she doesn't give a **** about the welfare of students, and only acts in the best interest of the college image. Everything is ok, once it doesn't bring the college into disrepute.

Edwardius

prothalamium wrote:

Yeah, or maybe she's just trying to do her job, or something. Junior Deans are *obviously not* going to be lenient, and a female JD is going to get the rawer deal every time.

Blimmin' students.

An overzealous old dragon is an overzealous old dragon regardless of what's "down there". Now her little escapades during the summer, namely trying to have the pav shut down due to the crowds surrounding it on a sunny friday, do seem a little excessive. Maybe she doesn't want the poor yank green-baseball-cap-toting dears to feel scared because some horrible people might possibly be having some fun. It certainly hasn't anything to do with any trouble because there is never any around from the time I've spent there (a lot)! How exactly has she got a raw deal because she's a chick (well, old hen I guess)? Is this some sort of neo feminist downtrodden by horrible men bull****?

CelloPoint

Dead Ed wrote:

An overzealous old dragon is an overzealous old dragon regardless of what's "down there". Now her little escapades during the summer, namely trying to have the pav shut down due to the crowds surrounding it on a sunny friday, do seem a little excessive. ?

Lol.

Maybe she's just not afraid to go head to head with DUCAC over the Pav? Didn't she resign from her DUCAC position over a dispute? Anyway, she's moved on to fight bigger battles now and won't let anything get in the way of her Provostly ambitions...

Edwardius

CelloPoint wrote:

won't let anything get in the way of her Provostly ambitions...

Dear god. I think matt the jap should run against her, or at least send some ninjas to take her out before it's too late...

prothalamium

Dead Ed wrote:

Is this some sort of neo feminist downtrodden by horrible men bull****?

If only it were that easy, Dead Ed. Firstly, neo-feminism doesn't exist. Secondly, I have no hatred towards men; my closest friends are male.

I don't object to criticism of Stokes as a junior dean, that's your opinion -
but I do object to your implication that 'getting laid' will put Ms. Stokes right. The "needs to get laid" comment is rarely applied to a male in my experience. But I assume you're just more worldly than most and thus apply the term to both sexes.

I think the general consensus in the world is that a female junior dean would be easier on people, because she is a woman who is wrongfully and automatically assumed to be more emotional (read: more lenient) when dealing with student discipline matters. This is obviously not the case where Ms Stokes is concerned (and her reasons for being harsh are her own business) - hence she gets a rawer deal because people get disappointed.

Pet

The "needs to get laid" comment is rarely applied to a male in my experience.

That's because it wouldn't have the same effect. Usually, if you want to insult a feminist, you tell them they need to get laid, it works like a charm. The male equivalent is probably some kind of insinuation of homosexuality.

Boston

prothalamium wrote:

If only it were that easy, Dead Ed. Firstly, neo-feminism doesn't exist. Secondly, I have no hatred towards men; my closest friends are male.

Emm yes it does, just look at neofeminism.org. Also you're clearly a man hater.

I don't object to criticism of Stokes as a junior dean, that's your opinion -
but I do object to your implication that 'getting laid' will put Ms. Stokes right. The "needs to get laid" comment is rarely applied to a male in my experience. But I assume you're just more worldly than most and thus apply the term to both sexes.

Few males are in need of a good cocking like Ms Stokes is.

I think the general consensus in the world is that a female junior dean would be easier on people, because she is a woman who is wrongfully and automatically assumed to be more emotional (read: more lenient) when dealing with student discipline matters. This is obviously not the case where Ms Stokes is concerned (and her reasons for being harsh are her own business) - hence she gets a rawer deal because people get disappointed.

The reasons for her being a cunt is her own business? Now now, we'ed hardly agree.

Boston

Case in point

<Image removed>

Nietzschean

And i think we've had enough of this............