Bar and res

PunkAnderson · 16-08-2005 4:05pm #1

DCU RES

Its a joke! for the huge prices they pay in res, you would expect to get your moneys worth.
Its over €110 a week for being virtually locked in at night. Coming back to your apartment usually requires an encounter with one of the “friendly” faces of DCU security wanting about 50 forms of ID and an interrogation to get to your own flat! And the fact that visitors are not allowed to stay over, punishable by about €120. and the room inspections are ridiculous also.
They can do all this because the occupiers have virtually no rights. Its not a lease they sign, which would give them rights by law, but DCU draft up their own tenancy licence, and if anybody here read it, you’ll know that it’s a disgrace. Once you sign they basically have you by the b**ls!
I mean I just signed a lease for 1 year, in a big 4 room house, that’s just after being done up, not even 1 min walk from the helix, for 65 euro a week with my own room. I wont have room inspections or security demanding ID to get home, not to mention the “privilege” of being allowed visitors overnight.

DCU BAR

Most expensive student bar in Ireland, in that case probably in Europe!
The pints taste like muck. I have never had a good pint there in 3 years and would be extremely surprised if the beer lines were EVER changed.
They spent a huge amount of money “doing up” the bar last summer with the promise of many new things. The only difference’s I can see is they got rid of 1 little divide, painted the walls yellow and put a hot deli counter at the front. Where’s the money gone to???
And making food available in the bar is a joke.
You can get food in the business school, nursing school, library, main restaurant, the new bar, the invent centre and spar!!! Like I mean, the bar is for drinking not for eating. I dont go to any of the restaurants looking for a pint!

They are to 2 things I hate most about this college.
Anyone agree?

Zyox · 16-08-2005 5:14pm

So why are you going to DCU?

Honestly...

Crucifix · 16-08-2005 5:22pm

PunkAnderson wrote:

And making food available in the bar is a joke.

I disagree with that myself.

Suaimhneach · 16-08-2005 5:45pm

I agree with your points about Res, though you did excaggerate. A lot of people have stood up and noticed its a rip off, and res hasnt sold out this year. Hopefully this will lead to a change in lease etc.

With regard to the bar the SU fcuked it up a few years back if I remember the story rightly which resulted in the Bar being run by a private company, much like the Gym being run by an outside company.

A lot of what is run in DCU isnt excatly what you'd call geared towards the students, however we have a lot more amenities than most and generally speaking its not as bad as you are making out.

Tbh, they'll cop on eventually once they make enough losses, and change it. Just be patient.

Dont be at yourself · 16-08-2005 7:05pm

The bar has the worst pint of Guinness in Ireland. Which is pretty bad, for a student bar.

PunkAnderson · 16-08-2005 7:51pm

Crucifix, is there not enough places in dcu to get some food already.
I got a pint of beer in the bar last semester with pieces of what looked like fungus floating around in it. went up and complained and the manager wasn't having any of it.
When I came to DCU a few years ago, res was great craic, but now they have a huge gate around the whole complex, after a night out (or after 11 o'clock) the only way you can get in is past the security guards.
all other colleges are allowed overnight visitors, even postgrad res in dcu can have visitiors, so why not the rest of res. it used to be nearly inpossible to get into res, and now they can't fill it, and to be honest, i'm glad for them. they brought it on themselves.
I chose DCU, mainly because of the course, near(ish) to home, had family there, and because of the social life. there used to be mad parties happening all over res then. you might find the odd 1 now but thats about it. that was 3 years ago and its changed quite a bit since then.
basically its a lot different to how it was.

cooker3 · 17-08-2005 7:28am

Guests are not allowed after 12 midnight but what time are they allowed back in at?

gizmo · 17-08-2005 10:40am

Pfft...nothing new tbh. Everyone knows Res is crappy, hell even the Welfare Officer sent around a mail "informing" students of the conditions over there...I'm sure that went down well. Truth be told however, not one damn thing is going to change. The only possible way would be to inform prospective first years so that they may boycott the place and have Campus Res stuck for people. Then again rumour has it they havnt even half filled Hampsted and College Park so you never know...

As for the Bar, well as a Miller or Bulmers drinker I don't think the quality of the pints are that bad, the price however is terrible. Decor wise the issue was that the SU were not willing to spend SU funds on doing the place, they did buy the new furniture for the New Bar afaik which turned it into a mildly usable bar, it still lacks any atmosphere though. The Old Bar is looks pretty bad but I'm used to it by now and at least for events in there theres always a good atmosphere.
Getting money back for pints or even getting a new one has never worked for any of my mates and that goes for any problem they've had. My only issue was the use of plastic cups on some evenings..hate the bloody things especially since they don't seem to hold as much as a regular pint and we still get charged full price for them.
Food in the bar? Well while I don't use it often, it is pretty handy for when theres matches on and you can just go over and get some chips to go with your pint.

While I'm at it though I have to point out this years debacle with the projector. Feckin bulbs in went in mid-November if my memory serves me correctly and werent replaced for AGES, despite constant promises from the staff. Not THAT pissed me off, especially for having to watch the big Champions League matches on the tiny TV in the corner... :mad:

Crucifix · 17-08-2005 10:49am

PunkAnderson wrote:

Crucifix, is there not enough places in dcu to get some food already.

Aye, there is. But I use the place in the bar more than any of the others.
That said, it was like that when I got here, so I dunno if it's appearance damaged the appeal of the bar.

StickyMcGinty · 17-08-2005 12:43pm

ah he's right the bar is sh1te, but it could be worse. look at the pav in trinners. 3.20 for a can of heinieken for and you have to sit in that dump and drink it!

the bar in maynooth is deffo the nicest studend bar i've been too, was in it at our rag trip last feb. savage bar, really great atmosphere

gizmo · 17-08-2005 1:15pm

And did you hear that its run by the same company that runs our bar?

PunkAnderson · 17-08-2005 2:31pm

yea, they have it sorted over there. was there recently and all I have to say about it is: nice pints, nice price, nice decor, and a nice atmosphere. are you serious that it's run by the same crowd?

Suaimhneach · 17-08-2005 8:55pm

Faceless Man wrote:

And did you hear that its run by the same company that runs our bar?

Really?! I think thats a bit shocking! It couldnt be the same manager like. I've heard good things bout Maynooth too, and also that the Venue they have has just been refurnished etc.

thewools · 18-08-2005 12:52pm

Ye must admit they improved the old + new bars last year alright!!! However the new bar lacks any athmosphere, maybe because its too modern + open! I like the old bar as its cosy, plenty of seats (could do with more) + more importantly there's the pool tables! The Venue??? mmmm never really venture down there too often (too far away from a bar :mad: ) but if the place is jammered then the pace is rocken; otherwise its ****e!!

Hopefully they done a bit more to the place this year, could do with an awl makeover, a spot of paint is needed, a few more seats + dont get me started on the toilets in the place!!! :eek:

neGev · 18-08-2005 1:10pm

What DCU res have gotten away with and are continuing to get away with is an utter ****ing disgrace.
Paying such high prices to be treated as an inmate? What a joke.

Security this past year are nothing more than glorified Nazi Stormtroopers. They're on a serious power-trip, some worse than others.
Also, I've come to the conclusion that the person in charge of Campus Residences Ltd. has no soul.

gizmo · 18-08-2005 1:24pm

Yep, when we were on the Rag Trip one of the lads in charge told us to behave cos "the guy who runs/owns this place is the same as the bar in DCU so f*ck up here and he'll know about it back home" or words to that effect. I couldnt believe it when I walked in and saw the place though...niiiiiice!

The Old Bar, although a bit dodgy, does indeed have a really nice atmosphere. Its like one of those old irish pubs that you like for no apparent reason!

Aye security this year were a major pain in the arse, whatever happened to the nicer lads from last year I don't know. The only guy that I recognise as being sound from last year was the young Kevin guy but he was usually over at the first year res so us College Park-ers were stuck with that ignorant gorilla with the Man Utd. cap... :mad:

neGev · 18-08-2005 1:28pm

They seem to have gotten rid of any of the decent security guards and employed escapees from the nearest vivisection clinic.

Man Utd. Cap was a perfect example. As some may know, he and I got on famously.

...

gizmo · 18-08-2005 1:35pm

Ah yes the infamous "I heard loud noises and music coming from your room despite the fact that your wearing headphones for the last few hours"...

The hassling at the door coming home EVERY week was what got to me eventually, they were just SO bloody ignorant. At least in first year they had the decency to feck off to their office and let us bring home whoever we wanted!

neGev · 18-08-2005 1:42pm

Faceless Man wrote:

Ah yes the infamous "I heard loud noises and music coming from your room despite the fact that your wearing headphones for the last few hours"...

Well I guess the big ears had to be useful for something other than making him resemble the F.A Cup...

You'd think they'd have compassion for semi-locked students coming back after a night out. But did they? Did they ****.
There's providing security and there's being an utter spanner. DCU security seems to have perfected the latter.

gizmo · 18-08-2005 1:51pm

neGev wrote:

Well I guess the big ears had to be useful for something other than making him resemble the F.A Cup...

Hah!

Yea but its strange how they suddenly turned into complete assholes, me thinks they were told to "get tough" or something by that yoke in charge...

StickyMcGinty · 18-08-2005 1:58pm

neGev wrote:

What DCU res have gotten away with and are continuing to get away with is an utter ****ing disgrace.
Paying such high prices to be treated as an inmate? What a joke.

Security this past year are nothing more than glorified Nazi Stormtroopers. They're on a serious power-trip, some worse than others.
Also, I've come to the conclusion that the person in charge of Campus Residences Ltd. has no soul.

paul may is a director of campus residences limited did you know that?

maybe he'll change it around this year.

you sound like your gettin a rough time up there in jurrassic park, but thats the price you pay for living on res. its a college, not a nightclub.

imagine if they let free reign on parties and the like, there would be mahem. and DCU would be landed with the responsibility if anything happens. they should loosen the reigns a bit, but not too much.

even the college having the rag trip is sketchy enough - imagine justifying to the board why your letting 200 students go off on a piss up organised by DCU??

neGev · 18-08-2005 1:59pm

That wagon who claimed that Campus Res Ltd. put up the fences for "protecion from the unsavoury characters who drink lager in the park" beside us...?

"Hello! XXXXX speaking"
"Hi...um...this is the 19th century here, I was wondering when we could have our viewpoint back?"
"No, I'm afraid that won't be happening, I'm using it quite frequently here"
"Uh...ok then..bye"
"There's a fine for calling me outside of office hours. €20. Pay within a week or it'll be taken out of your deposit."
"Uhh..."

I don't like XXXXX

thewools · 18-08-2005 2:05pm

So college park is pretty much a prison yes????

im stuck there this year coming, never stayed on res before cos i never wanted to (house way better), but kinda stuck there next year for various reasons!!!

so theres no chance of getting guests in??? unless someone wishes to jump the fence i presume yes?? Also are they bringing in newer ID cards etc to make sure the person actually stays on RES???? :mad:

me not happy already.,...

gizmo · 18-08-2005 2:12pm

Hrm, is May only a director recently or what? He never mentioned that when he was SU Pres...

Theres a happy medium VinnyL, I spent quite alot of time over in Shanowen last year and they seem to have gotten it right. Basically you can do whatever you want (to an extent obviously) after 12 as long as you dont make excessive noise. Guest arent prohibited either plus the (lone) security guard is pretty sound. As the woman in charge over there said when I was inquiring at the start of the year "You're not children so why would we treat you like one?".

'Nuff said really, hence I'll be over there next year!

Campus Properties Ltd are indeed completely deluded. The excuses that shes given for the current rules and restrictions are ridiclous. We've gotten everything from "Fire Hazard" to "Insurance Reasons" and the classic "Keeping out the knackers from the Park". Fair enough the gates may keep them out but its the over-zealous security guards and excessive rules that we have the problem with not the bloody gates!

neGev · 18-08-2005 2:15pm

VinnyL wrote:

paul may is a director of campus residences limited did you know that?

maybe he'll change it around this year.

you sound like your gettin a rough time up there in jurrassic park, but thats the price you pay for living on res. its a college, not a nightclub.

imagine if they let free reign on parties and the like, there would be mahem. and DCU would be landed with the responsibility if anything happens. they should loosen the reigns a bit, but not too much.

even the college having the rag trip is sketchy enough - imagine justifying to the board why your letting 200 students go off on a piss up organised by DCU??

Paul May, from what I heard, may be on the board of directors, but either is not allowed attend meetings or is not allowed change anything, otherwise he will lose his seat on the board.
As for it not being a nightclub, have you ever had to prove your identity with more than one form of ID to get into your own house/apartment? That's common practise in DCU res.
As for the RAG trip, it's to raise money and to have a good time doing it. Nothing too crazy about that.

drunkenfool · 18-08-2005 2:51pm

We are all adults(well some you might have to question) why should we not be treated like one?
I thought that in shanowen your allowed to bring people back, thats pretty much why im going there next year.

StickyMcGinty · 18-08-2005 3:31pm

neGev wrote:

Nothing too crazy about that.

you wernt on it this year then!!

thats sh1te about the id thing, that sound more like being in the joy than havin the craic in college. do you have to break up big rocks in the yeard too??!?!

seems like they've lost the run of themselves up there, hopefully they wont fill them this year and that'll lead to changes.

and paul may as a director has a lot of powers for that company.... its a very good postition to have

segadreamcast · 18-08-2005 4:27pm

What the hell are the student union doing about this? They seem to be lacking any kind of backbone regarding this issue...

Suaimhneach · 18-08-2005 7:39pm

Are you serious? The SU have done so much. Afair Paul May had a place on the board but it was revoked cuz of the fuss he kicked up with current policy etc. He mentioned it at his end of year thingy. They wrote to media as well. Its not that easy to see the results, which is fair enough, but they've gained ground imo. For example, Hampstead and College Park havent sold out, because of all the bad press. A lot of people I know, and know of have been forced to accept College park even tho they applied for Hampstead. They're kinda desperate for people atm. This will have to lead to a change of policy. They have a morgage to pay, and if they dont get enough students they'll have to do something to get them back!

As for Fire hazard, what is more dangerous about 2 people being in a room before twelve as opposed to after 12?

One of my good mates goes to Queens university and they have one main gate/entrance and tahts it. You can bring as many people home as you want,whenever you want. Have parties, once their not too loud. And their student res is about three times bigger than ours, which technicaly could be considered more risk [as far as DCU is concerned] but they're treated like adults.

neGev · 18-08-2005 7:50pm

Jesjes wrote:

As for Fire hazard, what is...

What she said.
It's not too much to ask for. The way it is at present definately impacts negatively on the university and is just another nail in the coffin of DCU's atmosphere.

segadreamcast · 18-08-2005 8:10pm

Jesjes wrote:

Are you serious? The SU have done so much. Afair Paul May had a place on the board but it was revoked cuz of the fuss he kicked up with current policy etc. He mentioned it at his end of year thingy. They wrote to media as well. Its not that easy to see the results, which is fair enough, but they've gained ground imo. For example, Hampstead and College Park havent sold out, because of all the bad press. A lot of people I know, and know of have been forced to accept College park even tho they applied for Hampstead. They're kinda desperate for people atm. This will have to lead to a change of policy. They have a morgage to pay, and if they dont get enough students they'll have to do something to get them back!

As for Fire hazard, what is more dangerous about 2 people being in a room before twelve as opposed to after 12?

One of my good mates goes to Queens university and they have one main gate/entrance and tahts it. You can bring as many people home as you want,whenever you want. Have parties, once their not too loud. And their student res is about three times bigger than ours, which technicaly could be considered more risk [as far as DCU is concerned] but they're treated like adults.

I thought Paul May wasn't in charge anymore? I was referring to Sarah Farrell - isn't that the current head of the SU? Anyway, their press campaign failed - they didn't even draw any attention to the issue in their local area. They've failed to gain any significant budget/influence in DCU. The student union are, from what I can see, a joke in DCU - idealistic, yes, but successful? No.

The SU might have "done so much" - but it hasn't had any real impact, there has been no change in regulations, just a few unbooked places in an ever-expanding DCU.

gizmo · 19-08-2005 10:23am

wooly69 wrote:

so theres no chance of getting guests in??? unless someone wishes to jump the fence i presume yes?? Also are they bringing in newer ID cards etc to make sure the person actually stays on RES???? :mad:

Not really, unless you had a second swipe card that worked. That wont work anymore though since theyre meant to be coding our Student cards to work at the door which means picture of the owner on it.

drunkenfool wrote:

We are all adults(well some you might have to question) why should we not be treated like one?
I thought that in shanowen your allowed to bring people back, thats pretty much why im going there next year.

Indeed, we are allowed bring people back. The only rule they have over there is no excessive noise after 12 which to be honest is fair enough. As I said before Diane, the woman in charge in Shanowen, is the one who always says it..."You're not kids so we won't treat you like one".

As for the Fire threat, THAT excuse went out the window when it emerged that during the summer even more people are allowed stay in the rooms than usual and they were allowed guests. Campus Res replied saying that they assigned a "fire warden" type person to each apartment meaning one person there had the responsibilty of getting everyone else out in the event of a fire. I would have thought those intensely annoying and loud fire alarms would have done the job...

Indeed, Sarah has taken over as SU Pres as of a couple of weeks ago. She'll be continuing Pauls work but tbh I don't really see it going anywhere. Remember this is a private company who only have to answer to the college IF they f*ck up and not letting us have guests after 12 seemingly doesnt constitute a f*ck up. Then again the ONLY way they are gona fill that place up is if they open it to non-students at which point we'll have a case to raise holy bloody hell.

tinkerbell · 20-08-2005 10:25pm

Oh for god's sake! People!!!!!

Get a grip!!! :rolleyes:

Just because they SAY you can't have overnight guests, doesn't mean you have to obey the rules. Rules are meant to be broken.

My boyfriend stayed over sooo many nights on res, there was no problem getting him in. And having stayed on res for FOUR years, I think I would know how often security hang around asking people for ID. The only time I have ever been asked for ID was for the freshers ball and the rag ball. Any other night, and they don't even come outta that cubby hole they stay in. And on those two nights, my boyfriend just wouldn't come over coz I know he wouldn't get in.

I liked res, it was comfortable, really lovely, and it was secure - I didn't have to worry about someone nicking my stuff, I'd a big room to myself and my own bathroom, and a massive kitchen (I was in the deluxe College Park this year).

As for the room inspections - I think they are a great idea. I lived with pigs this year (don't get me even started on them trollops!), and I would anticipate the inspection because I knew that the kitchen would actually be clean that day, and that it wasn't only me that cleaned the place up. And besides, jees the inspection is not that big of a deal anyway. All you gotta do is clean up your room, and eh ... don't you have to do that on a regular basis anyway?!

Some people make such a big deal outta it. Res is not that bad, you get around the no guests rule, and even parties after 12 still happen.

That or you could always just bring back whoever you want at 11:30 p.m. and security will be none the wiser

Polly19 · 21-08-2005 7:32pm

Cooker3: 6-7am guests r alllowed in as thats when revolving doors reopen

For the next two years the SU are putting huge pressure on Res to change the agreement we have to pay to make it more far.At one stage the agreement Sinnoa(or however u spell it) was the excate same as res but when SU approched them wit suggestions they took the suggetsions on board whereas res just completely ignored the suggestions.

Alot of security is gone cause they have esigned.They all felt they were getting treated badly by the students and werent getting paied fairly so they resigned which is why foreign guys and that r now coming into their places

And a little secret here.All the security guys actualy hate that ypoke in charg,they cant stand him cause hes so pushy

Polly19 · 21-08-2005 7:38pm

Other thing is yes they want to make our student cards also our cards to access res but theres been problems.The coding over writes the coding to gain access to the libray so when you try get into the libary your card is rejected.So Im pretty sue they wont be bring in using yyour student cards any day soon Im afriad.

I remember last year though having a spare swipe card and it didnt work on my door but it worked on the outer door.So when security made u swipe your card coming in the door the person,non-res,could get in

sionnach · 21-08-2005 7:58pm

sinnoa? can someone decipher this for me?

Suaimhneach · 21-08-2005 8:09pm

Shanowen.. maybe.

I think she doesnt really say anything important though, so dont worry.

gizmo · 21-08-2005 8:48pm

tinkerbell wrote:

My boyfriend stayed over sooo many nights on res, there was no problem getting him in. And having stayed on res for FOUR years, I think I would know how often security hang around asking people for ID. The only time I have ever been asked for ID was for the freshers ball and the rag ball. Any other night, and they don't even come outta that cubby hole they stay in. And on those two nights, my boyfriend just wouldn't come over coz I know he wouldn't get in.

Yes but thats your boyfriend who could come over at any time. Our gripe is for those out on a Wednesday or Thursday nights, coming home at around 3 and being greeted by Security at the revolving door. That happened nearly ever night up until the last few when the place was just deserted.

tinkerbell wrote:

I liked res, it was comfortable, really lovely, and it was secure - I didn't have to worry about someone nicking my stuff, I'd a big room to myself and my own bathroom, and a massive kitchen (I was in the deluxe College Park this year).

I was the same. I even really liked Larkfield in first year, it was nice and cose and tbh the only downside was the shared bathroom. It always had a class atmosphere though! College Park was great this year too, it was basically brand new and everything was perfect. My only complaint was our kettle blew up after a few weeks and the couches were pretty much THE most uncomfortable ones I've ever sat/lay/sleeped in...

tinkerbell wrote:

As for the room inspections - I think they are a great idea. I lived with pigs this year (don't get me even started on them trollops!), and I would anticipate the inspection because I knew that the kitchen would actually be clean that day, and that it wasn't only me that cleaned the place up. And besides, jees the inspection is not that big of a deal anyway. All you gotta do is clean up your room, and eh ... don't you have to do that on a regular basis anyway?!

Ah but the problem was that when your a clean person and you live with slobs you end up having to clean their mess. Fair enough theres breaking up the jobs and stuff but it gets annoying. *Note the people I lived with were grand this year, werent ye negev.

My other complaint was that some of the charges and standards of cleanliness were OTT. I mean for the second room inspection I was running abit late and had to have a quick shower before my labs. My room was already perfectly tidy but my bathroom floor was deemed "too wet" to pass. I told her that it wouldnt have been wet if they had installed decent bloody showers and that there was no way I was gona be charged for it and she just agreed and that was the end of it, others however havnt been so lucky.
Also the introduction of fines per "item" is ridiclous. Dirty shower + sink + toilet = €20 + €15 + €20 or something like that etc...
Now while I've never been fined I must say it can be a giant pain in the ass...

Suaimhneach · 21-08-2005 9:00pm

They fined me and I got a card once, but I never got charged for either... woot. Meant to take it out of my deposit but they didnt. Left my room pretty messy too, well, dusty.

Res itself is great, res regulations suck the big one.

Polly19 · 21-08-2005 9:22pm

Considering I was res rep for Larkfield last year and have been filled in on all the developements to happen wit res you can choose to ignore what I say or pay heed to it its up to ye but Id say I know what Im talkin bout

spockety · 21-08-2005 11:43pm

People, I've had to edit a few of your posts.

Please don't name people in a defamatory manner. If you have a gripe with people, fair enough, but unless you actually have positive proof that a person is a "manbeast", you can't actually say that kind of stuff without the possibility of the people who run boards.ie getting in trouble. It should be possible for you to get across your gripes with Res without having to resort to personal abuse of the staff. After all, the staff simply implement the policies of the Company.

And just an aside/personal note, I learned the hard way some years ago on the 'net that you should probably not abuse people for the way they post, in terms of their grammar or spelling, because there's a half chance you're slagging off someone who is dyslexic or similar. Not nice.

J.

Amz · 22-08-2005 12:03am

spockety wrote:

And just an aside/personal note, I learned the hard way some years ago on the 'net that you should probably not abuse people for the way they post, in terms of their grammar or spelling, because there's a half chance you're slagging off someone who is dyslexic or similar. Not nice.

J.

Just in relation to this, I realise it's off topic, but there are plenty of boards users who are dyslexic who make an effort to ensure that their posts are at least readable.

There's nothing stopping most people using a word processor, or similar when posting. Dyslexia is not an excuse for laziness.

If someone is afraid of getting mocked, or being misinterpreted due to bad spelling and/or grammar then why not take an extra few seconds to use a spellchecker/dictionary. I always have Word open when posting and I’ll check the dictionary if I’m worried that something I write might be misconstrued, or otherwise misinterpreted.

I’m not saying it’s necessary, but if you are sensitive about it then make an effort.

I know I do.

gizmo · 22-08-2005 10:43am

Jesjes wrote:

Res itself is great, res regulations suck the big one.

And thats it in a nutshell.

Bar and res

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