What areas have been affected by govt cuts?

Daisy03

I am doing a survey on cuts in 3rd level education and their affect on UCC students.
Just wondering what areas have been affected besides computer lab closures, some tutorials stopped, hiring freeze etc.?
If ye have anymore that your course have been affected by it would really help.

Thanks:)

Aodan83

We have to pay for printing now..

maglite

Pay to print is as a result of overspending not cuts.
The computer lab issue was a space thing.
Personally i have not seen tutorial cuts. What was the uptake like if some were cut?
Hire freeze, ya ok, but i think there is enough surplus to accomidate for a while.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

They cut library staff as well, which is pretty noticeable

Byron85

No tutorials for Sociology this year, at least for us first years. One of our lecturers told us they just dont have the money in the department to pay for tutorials this year and it's the first year they won't be having them.

quoteunquote

I'm not sure if it's just organizational issues or financial but I was told that they would like to have an intermediate German class rather than just Beginners and Non-Beginners but they can't do it. Sucks for the average German student aka me.

captainspeckle

yeah, i have been hit with the cut in tutorials, also the libray staff cut is very noticeable, lots of books are hanging around on those re-shelving trolleys now as there isnt enough student staff, or ant staff for that matter to put them back on the shelves. makes it a bit of a nightmare if you are looking for a book to be honest. also, i have gotten handouts and booklets for some of my classes, and we had to go to the their repesctive department and pay for them this year, unlike last year. the lecturers told us they had to do it this way because their budgets were much tighter.

maglite

Again the staff in the library issue appears to be lack of efficiency as opposed to lack of numbers. The people in there need to work harder. They saunter around. They could easly do 3x the work.

There should also be scope to allow 4th year or masters students to tutor and pick up credits for it. So they tutor or do another module.

thebigcheese22

maglite wrote: »

Pay to print is as a result of overspending not cuts.
The computer lab issue was a space thing.
Personally i have not seen tutorial cuts. What was the uptake like if some were cut?
Hire freeze, ya ok, but i think there is enough surplus to accomidate for a while.

maglite wrote: »

Again the staff in the library issue appears to be lack of efficiency as opposed to lack of numbers. The people in there need to work harder. They saunter around. They could easly do 3x the work.

There should also be scope to allow 4th year or masters students to tutor and pick up credits for it. So they tutor or do another module.

Hey there Micheal Murphy, I didn't know you were on Boards! :rolleyes:

The cutbacks are disgraceful and obvious to any student. You say getting rid of the ORB open access computers was a space thing... Wrong! They closed it and gave all the computers to the BIS department because they couldnt be arsed buying new ones. Space issue my hole.

The library issue is a pertinent one and your lack of respect for the people working there is telling (3 X efficiency, where'd you magic that figure from?!)

I have also noticed a big decrease in my tutorials. Last year I had them in most subjects, now I have a single one.

The printing charges are a joke. I agree that they should have been brought in but should be cheaper as well as used a simpler paying mechanism. Having to pay by credit card is a joke.

The college (like the Government) was living beyond its means for years and now it is us generation of students that are paying for it. Its a ****ing disgrace.


/rant

PhatPiggins

Did anyone read the two articles in the Express about the Library this week?

Good stuff, both highlighting real problems that occur frequently.

Regarding the complaints about books sitting in the return trolleys: is it that shagging hard to return a book to the place you got it from? It'll take you about 90 seconds as opposed to just leaving it on the desk. Your life is not that important that you have to sprint from the library to Starbucks.

Jay P

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

The printing charges are a joke. I agree that they should have been brought in but should be cheaper as well as used a simpler paying mechanism. Having to pay by credit card is a joke.

They're actually cheaper than nearly all other colleges in the country.

I had to pay for physics labs this year, and for notes for some lectures. Tight.

Eliot Rosewater

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

They closed it and gave all the computers to the BIS department because they couldnt be arsed buying new ones. Space issue my hole.

You mean they didnt have the money. Are you saying the Uni would build the brand new WGB complex fitted out with loads of modern computers and networking facilities, while simultaneously not "be arsed" to buy a number of computers for BIS?

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

The printing charges are a joke. I agree that they should have been brought in but should be cheaper as well as used a simpler paying mechanism. Having to pay by credit card is a joke.

I dont see whats simpler than punching some numbers into a computer.

You should realize that paying by Credit Card is far cheaper for the college than handling legal tender, which can cost upwards of 1% to process with the Banks. It also avoids a scenario of librarians giving a nod and a wink to some students using printing.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

The college (like the Government) was living beyond its means for years and now it is us generation of students that are paying for it. Its a ****ing disgrace.

The fact we are paying more now is as much the SU's fault for refusing to negotiate a better form of funding scheme for Unis as it is the Unis fault itself.

thebigcheese22

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

You mean they didnt have the money. Are you saying the Uni would build the brand new WGB complex fitted out with loads of modern computers and networking facilities, while simultaneously not "be arsed" to buy a number of computers for BIS?

Yes because the WGB has been planned for years, while the decision to close the ORB labs were a short-sighted decision to save a few bucks.

I dont see whats simpler than punching some numbers into a computer.

You should realize that paying by Credit Card is far cheaper for the college than handling legal tender, which can cost upwards of 1% to process with the Banks. It also avoids a scenario of librarians giving a nod and a wink to some students using printing.

What are you talking about? It is not at all as easy as 'punching some numbers into a computer'. It involves firstly a student being fortunate enough to be in a financial position to be able to afford a credit card, and secondly could cause credit card fraud if some students aren't vigilant enough.

Explain to me how having a machine similiar to the ones used for photocopying would not be easier to use? This would not involve at all 'a nod and a wink'

The fact we are paying more now is as much the SU's fault for refusing to negotiate a better form of funding scheme for Unis as it is the Unis fault itself.

Do you honestly think that the SU have enough power to block huge capital projects such as the WGB? If so you are deluded my friend. And what do you mean by a better form of funding scheme - larger fees? Because if thats what you want then I don't think the turkeys would vote for Christmas. :rolleyes: Suggesting that students are just as culpable for the present mess is disingenuous to the extreme. Micheal Murphy and his underlings are paid handsomely enough (270000 a year for Mr Murphy) to ensure that such financial difficulties should never take place in the first place.

Eliot Rosewater

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Yes because the WGB has been planned for years, while the decision to close the ORB labs were a short-sighted decision to save a few bucks.

I thought the reason they didnt buy new PC's for BIS was because they couldnt "be arsed," to steal your words.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

It involves firstly a student being fortunate enough to be in a financial position to be able to afford a credit card,

a) I have two Visa cards that are identical to credit cards except that one doesn't need money to get them - they are Visa Debit Cards which both Halifax and Ulster Bank provide free of charge

b) Previous to this Ulster Bank had a Credit Card scheme for students where you didnt need income to get it, anyway.

c) Thirdly, and this is the debating equivalent of a slam dunk, if you had even tried to get money into your account (which, from the above statement, its pretty clear you didnt), you would realize that they accept Laser cards which are default ATM cards for the two biggest banks in the country AIB and BOI. And did I mention theyre free?

EDIT: for your information: http://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/Text,82735,en.html

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

and secondly could cause credit card fraud if some students aren't vigilant enough.

And this is what one defines as grasping at straws. Arent vigilant at what exactly? How exactly does one get credit card fraud through the UCC affiliate website, thats https?

There are so many slants you could have taken against printing fees, like the SU did, but you really had to go for the two silliest.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

And what do you mean by a better form of funding scheme - larger fees? Because if thats what you want then I don't think the turkeys would vote for Christmas.

Ehem, loan system? And in case you didnt realize, and I really hate to be the one to break it to you, but we are getting larger fees now and this is what the SU campaigned for. They were stubborn and any bystander who wasnt deluded by their dogma knew that if psuedo-free-fees were to be kept Reg fees would go up.

thebigcheese22

First off, can I just say that your whole attitude stinks

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

I thought the reason they didnt buy new PC's for BIS was because they couldnt "be arsed," to steal your words.

Sorry I used a more colloquial word, can you possibly forgive me? They closed the labs to save money, full stop.

a) I have two Visa cards that are identical to credit cards except that one doesn't need money to get them - they are Visa Debit Cards which both Halifax and Ulster Bank provide free of charge

b) Previous to this Ulster Bank had a Credit Card scheme for students where you didnt need income to get it, anyway.

So you basically think its right that to print out essential handouts, a credit card should be necessary? Because no matter of all the talk of 'free' credit cards, no student should be subjected to getting a credit/laser card in order to print out measly notes.

c) Thirdly, and this is the debating equivalent of a slam dunk

lulz

if you had even tried to get money into your account (which, from the above statement, its pretty clear you didnt), you would realize that they accept Laser cards which are default ATM cards for the two biggest banks in the country AIB and BOI. And did I mention theyre free?

Thanks for all the italicized words there, makes it much easier to understand for us simpler folk! :rolleyes:

Laser cards are not default ATM cards for the two banks, thats ridiculous! You can opt to get one but by no means not every student has a Laser card. Even acknowledging that, what about students who are with other banks? No matter how you spin it, there will be students who are missing out with this illogical system.

EDIT: for your information: http://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/Text,82735,en.html

You're so kind, thank you!!!

And this is what one defines as grasping at straws. Arent vigilant at what exactly? How exactly does one get credit card fraud through the UCC affiliate website, thats https?

Simple. If a student has to print out notes for a lecture in 2 mins ASAP, then he/she will be typing out their details in a computer lab, which is far from secure as there are people all around the PCs.

There are so many slants you could have taken against printing fees, like the SU did, but you really had to go for the two silliest.

Personally I think someone like you calling my arguments silly are a big win for myself

Ehem, loan system? And in case you didnt realize, and I really hate to be the one to break it to you, but we are getting larger fees now and this is what the SU campaigned for. They were stubborn and any bystander who wasnt deluded by their dogma knew that if psuedo-free-fees were to be kept Reg fees would go up.

Firstly, terrible attempt at sarcasm. Also, what did you ****ing expect them to do? The overwhelming majority of students were against the reintroduction of full fees so the SU had a responsibility to campaign as such. I am not going to get stuck in a debate over third-level funding as there's another dedicated thread for it but the SU were exactly right to take the stance they did. Not sure if you're a first year or not (your general demeanor would suggest an immature First Year) but there was a referendum last year in which the SU were mandated to take action against the reintroduction of fees. You're suggesting they should have gone against this? Thats how democracy works, get with it :rolleyes:

Eliot Rosewater

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Sorry I used a more colloquial word, can you possibly forgive me? They closed the labs to save money, full stop.

I dont see how "couldnt be arsed" is a colloquial term for couldnt afford it. In either case I wasnt meant to be pedantic, the only reason I said it because I believe these debates often escalate to just series of asterisks and that bacuase all points have merit its possible to debate it without referring to the slang.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Thanks for all the italicized words there, makes it much easier to understand for us simpler folk!

I never said you were simpler. I just said it was obvious you were giving out about a system you never even attempted to use.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Laser cards are not default ATM cards for the two banks, thats ridiculous!

I have both a BOI and AIB laser card, and I never asked for either. I rephrase: In my experience Laser cards are the default ATM cards for the two banks.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Even acknowledging that, what about students who are with other banks?

They can get 3V vouchers. As detailed on the UCC page.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Simple. If a student has to print out notes for a lecture in 2 mins ASAP, then he/she will be typing out their details in a computer lab, which is far from secure as there are people all around the PCs.

The answer would probably be not to be in such a rush or even just close your computer afterwards. It seems like your trying to make every excuse for students to not get up off their "backsides" and do something of their own accord. Personal responsibility, etc.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Personally I think someone like you calling my arguments silly are a big win for myself...
your general demeanor would suggest an immature First Year

Why did you have to go all ad hominem on me?

To be honest, I certainly wouldnt be accusing the person better informed in the debate of being immature.

//waits to be questioned how better informed

//waits to once again explain the ways in which printing can be paid for based on how the system actually works.

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Thats how democracy works, get with it

Said an American white supremacist as another racist sheriff was elected in the deep south to make sure the blacks were kept down. Everyone who has seriously considered politics etc knows that democracy is far from the be all and end all people want it to be.

maglite

Again most of this does not pertain to GOVERNMENT cuts. Read the question you are answering. Carry that through to the summer too, its a free tip.

Are we saying we should have free printing because students are't smart enough to use online medium safely?But the method of cost recoup is not a matter for this thread.


AFAIK the open access computers were or are going to be put in storage, BIS will supply their own for their academic needs. This is what i have been told.

As far as my library staff question goes, well i would extend that to most civil servants.

if you have seen tutorial cuts fair enough, i did say personally., there are ways around the cost of tutorials and again i belief it is institutional failings that prevent work arounds.