Mary Coughlan on campus tomorrow (Friday 29th, 930), get your protesting pants on!

LeixlipRed

Arrives at 9:40am to shout obscenities at library workers or something (she's actually announcing the funding for the library extension). Sly timing on the university's behalf with students away for mid-term. We're meeting at North Campus side of bridge at 9:30am so if anyone at all is around try and get down. Poxy timing of course but only just found out. Link to facebook event here.

irish_goat

What a bitch, coming here announcing new funding, she has some nerve.

MaynoothSU

Anyone interested in joining please contact president@nuimsu.com

We were literally just told.

cian1500ww

The uni's getting good at keeping these things under wraps :P

LeixlipRed

irish_goat wrote: »

What a bitch, coming here announcing new funding, she has some nerve.

Ah will you ever cop on ffs, I'm assuming you don't face much financial hardship because any time there's a hint of a protest or something related you're on here with a snide comment. New library is great, government policy isn't great. Which is obviously why we're protesting and you know that because I've met you and you're an intelligent person. But you can't help yourself.

Seren_

If it weren't for the fact that I'll be on a train to Sligo tomorrow morning at half 9, I'd come along. Hopefully the more times the government actually see students giving out about cuts to education funding, they might actually take some notice.

Good luck anyway.

Daemos

What exactly is wrong with an extension for the library? Is it because it's going into that and not march-related issues?

Seren_

Daemos wrote: »

What exactly is wrong with an extension for the library? Is it because it's going into that and not march-related issues?

I don't think they're protesting about the (much needed) library extension, more the fact that she's the Minister for Education and that the government are planning huge cuts in education spending.

Daemos

Hm, makes a little more sense now, but is there really any point since the big march is only 5 days later?

Seren_

Well, in previous years when Ministers etc would visit the college, the SU would invariably pander to them, and not tell the student body in case a protest or whatever would occur. But all that seems to have changed now, or so it would seem.

The march next Wednesday is for every student around the country to get their point across. Tomorrow is really just to show that NUIM students aren't happy with what the government are proposing.

At least that's what I get from the whole thing

Daemos

Yeah I guess. It just seems a bit pointless having one (especially an impromptu (sp?) one) so close to next Wednesday. I mean I'd imagine there'd be only ~100 there tomorrow, what's the point when there'll be 30,000 gathered together only days later? With all due respect to whomever is organising it, I doubt it'll have any impact at all.

Edit: Also, doing so when she's announcing an extension to the library, something that will benefit the college? Sounds a bit like campaigning for the sake of it, that even when they're doing something good they still have protesters around the place? That's not the kind of image I want the college to be associated with, but unfortunately it seems like that's the road things are going down.

Seren_

Lol 100? I doubt they'll get 50, no offence to them. Not due to lack of interest, but mainly due to the fact that we're only finding out about it now, and she's going to be there early in the morning.

It's something like the protest that the SU held when Mary Hanafin came to open the Iontas building a few months ago.

I'm making it sound like it's going to be awful. It won't though

PrivateEye

Lol 100? I doubt they'll get 50, no offence to them

As an 'old man of the left' (:rolleyes:) I have to agree. I've always been opposed to calling short-notice demos. A low turnout to any demo never looks good. You could get a dozen heads at something like this with such short notice.

Saying that, I support it. If I can get off work for a bit I'll go (don't need much sleep obviously).

Also, doing so when she's announcing an extension to the library, something that will benefit the college?

Fianna Fail Stop Doing This, This and This- But Keep Doing This!

Their educaiton policies are crippling us. What use a nice library if none of us can afford to go to University?

LeixlipRed

There was about 25 hardy souls there to endure getting pissed on for an hour. Just back home in bed Some good chanting and the lovely lady didn't even acknowledge our presence. Nor did the President. But worth it.

PrivateEye

That's bloody excellent. The days of getting two dozen students to stand in the rain at Trinners or Belfield are sadly over, with less than 24hr notice that's a good sized picket.

Like with Hanafin earlier on, another small demo, it was an issue of timing. Looks like the lads managed to pull something together. As I said, I'm not a fan of short notice demos myself (I've been on demos with a two taxi loads of people before...) but well done to those who organised this quickly. Were I not working, I'd have assisted/attended. Nice work friends and comrades alike.

Some good chanting and the lovely lady didn't even acknowledge our presence.

Fianna Failers are making a habit of ignoring booing people.

LeixlipRed

Daemos wrote: »

Yeah I guess. It just seems a bit pointless having one (especially an impromptu (sp?) one) so close to next Wednesday. I mean I'd imagine there'd be only ~100 there tomorrow, what's the point when there'll be 30,000 gathered together only days later? With all due respect to whomever is organising it, I doubt it'll have any impact at all.

Edit: Also, doing so when she's announcing an extension to the library, something that will benefit the college? Sounds a bit like campaigning for the sake of it, that even when they're doing something good they still have protesters around the place? That's not the kind of image I want the college to be associated with, but unfortunately it seems like that's the road things are going down.

I only seen this post now. First of all, what sort of image is it you'd like associated with the university? One were educated people have no right to protest for example? A university should be a place were if someone wants to stand outside the library 365 years a day roaring about the lack of education financing they should be allowed and encouraged to do so. Because it attracts debate on important issues related to being a student. Issues which plenty of posters on here seem willing to discuss on an anonymous internet forum yet once there's any mention of marching around campus it's ,"oh god, why would you do that?".

Secondly you seem to miss the point completely about why we were protesting. New library extension is fantastic news. Now who exactly will be using that if a)registration fees double b)grants decrease c)grant threshold increases? I reckon if we surveyed all those with similar attitudes to yourself you'd find that very few of them will be financially affected by what will happen in the budget. Because I can only assume that if you were on the grant and struggling to afford a bus into college every day you'd be supportive of any protest which draws attention to your plight.

banquo

PrivateEye wrote: »

with less than 24hr notice that's a good sized picket.

Technically we were never officially informed. The email got leaked to the SU.

declan06

I think it went well, considering the short notice. I got absolutely soaked, but there was some media attention. I really think little protests like this are important. Wherever these ministers go, we're telling them we won't tolerate education cuts.

Daemos

LeixlipRed wrote: »

I only seen this post now. First of all, what sort of image is it you'd like associated with the university? One were educated people have no right to protest for example? A university should be a place were if someone wants to stand outside the library 365 years a day roaring about the lack of education financing they should be allowed and encouraged to do so. Because it attracts debate on important issues related to being a student. Issues which plenty of posters on here seem willing to discuss on an anonymous internet forum yet once there's any mention of marching around campus it's ,"oh god, why would you do that?".

Secondly you seem to miss the point completely about why we were protesting. New library extension is fantastic news. Now who exactly will be using that if a)registration fees double b)grants decrease c)grant threshold increases? I reckon if we surveyed all those with similar attitudes to yourself you'd find that very few of them will be financially affected by what will happen in the budget. Because I can only assume that if you were on the grant and struggling to afford a bus into college every day you'd be supportive of any protest which draws attention to your plight.

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree that we should have a right to protest against issues that will affect us. Although I won't be going to the march next Wednesday I support it 100%, and wish you and everyone going to it the best of luck.

It's just this protest today that I have issues with. It's not like the Iontas building that was funded but wasn't needed, that was rightly protested against. But protesting today, during an announcement of funding into an area you yourself said was needed, seems pointless, because it does help us.

I want the college to be associated with strategic, meanful protests. That way they are more effective because they're less frequent. But doing it at every single opportunity seems like a step backwards because IMO it'll have a weaker effect each time, especially if turnouts are so small (granted today was Friday, hastily organised and had bad weather, but how much support would it really have had if it wasn't?).

I am on a full grant so I do understand why the protest is on next Wednesday. And I understand your and others opinion on how today's protest is relevant to it. I do see what you're saying; I just don't agree with it.

LeixlipRed

Disagreeing with me is no issue at all. I don't have a problem with that. And we do fundamentally disagree. Coughlan coming to announce new funding for a library is not even a good thing. She's giving with one hand and taking away with the other. The library extension project is excellent but she sure as hell didn't come up with the idea and we were protesting against what she represents. And I think that's perfectly clear to everyone. I'm sure even the Tanaiste would realise we weren't there protesting against a library being extended.

As for your point on not protesting with too much frequency, I disagree. Every opportunity to protest should be taken. It'll remind those in power that we're a constant presence and nuisance to them. We're not bandwagon jumpers who turn up for the big day out (which will be a huge issue next Wednesday) but dedicated and persistent protestors who won't back down or give them a reprieve.

irish_goat

LeixlipRed wrote: »

Ah will you ever cop on ffs, I'm assuming you don't face much financial hardship because any time there's a hint of a protest or something related you're on here with a snide comment. New library is great, government policy isn't great. Which is obviously why we're protesting and you know that because I've met you and you're an intelligent person. But you can't help yourself.

I face more hardship than the average student as I get nothing from my the county council and my parents can't afford to give me anything so I put myself through college by working, getting loans and budgeting so I don't believe any of the crap about people not being able to afford to go to college. Students have to accept that cuts need to made across all sectors of the community and the rest of the working country aren't going to be cheering student protestors on when they're all taking a beating.

Twigster

of course they're going to double registration fees, how are they going to pay for the library otherwise?

mp3guy

Twigster wrote: »

of course they're going to double registration fees, how are they going to pay for the library otherwise?

They already have that money. The University has A LOT of money tied up in capital funds, they just can't spend it else where. It's only for building.

LeixlipRed

irish_goat wrote: »

I face more hardship than the average student as I get nothing from my the county council and my parents can't afford to give me anything so I put myself through college by working, getting loans and budgeting so I don't believe any of the crap about people not being able to afford to go to college. Students have to accept that cuts need to made across all sectors of the community and the rest of the working country aren't going to be cheering student protestors on when they're all taking a beating.

If it's that easy to get a job, loan and do a budget then why is anyone poor?

mp3guy

LeixlipRed wrote: »

If it's that easy to get a job, loan and do a budget then why is anyone poor?

Because everybody is different.

LeixlipRed

Being poor isn't being different.

Saying get a job to pay your way through college or get a loan (which you obviously need a job to repay) is all fine and good. Where are these jobs? My brother is in his 2nd year of college and he hasn't been able to find a permanent part time job since he started college. Luckily I've moved out and my other brother has a good job and can support himself allowing my parents to support him. I'm from a middle class family, not everyone has these luxuries or opportunities. Irish goat is lucky in that he has a job. And not much sympathy who don't obviously.

I won't even comment on this "we all have to share the burden" rubbish, if I hear the phrase one more time I'll have a coronary.

mp3guy

LeixlipRed wrote: »

Being poor isn't being different.

Saying get a job to pay your way through college or get a loan (which you obviously need a job to repay) is all fine and good. Where are these jobs? My brother is in his 2nd year of college and he hasn't been able to find a permanent part time job since he started college. Luckily I've moved out and my other brother has a good job and can support himself allowing my parents to support him. I'm from a middle class family, not everyone has these luxuries or opportunities. Irish goat is lucky in that he has a job. And not much sympathy who don't obviously.

I won't even comment on this "we all have to share the burden" rubbish, if I hear the phrase one more time I'll have a coronary.

I think you missed the point of my post.

LeixlipRed

I picked up on the implications just fine, thanks.

mp3guy

LeixlipRed wrote: »

I picked up on the implications just fine, thanks.

And what were the implications?

LeixlipRed

Just to be clear the first line of my post was a smart arse retort to your comment. The rest was directed at irish_goat.

mp3guy

LeixlipRed wrote: »

Just to be clear the first line of my post was a smart arse retort to your comment. The rest was directed at irish_goat.

Well in that case I don't think you picked up on the implications "just fine". Rather you picked them up the way you wanted to, which amounts to the same thing as totally missing the point.

I wasn't saying that people who are poor are different, I was saying that it's how people deal with their situation that lets them rise above it.