Waterford University discussion

The management/organisation in WIT is terrible. Im not sure if its the same in all ITs/Universities but its shocking what the college gets away with at times. Iv argued that if this is how it is at an IT, imagine if it was a University - it could be a LOT worse. Others say it would improve (more money, able to hire better staff etc.)

Im unsure, but this is one reason why im more against rather then for. I like the idea of a world class IT tho.

dlofnep wrote: »

The parking at the moment is outrageous. It gets worse and worse every year. You literally don't have a spot unless you're in at 9am classes. They really need to rectify this. There is alot of grass that could be slabbed down. I don't care what X amount of grass is needed. I'm sure the residents would rather it slabbed down than have cars littered throughout Lismore Park. I'll definately be campaigning on it this year.

If I recall, they cant build on the grass. There not allowed. Saying that though, they seem more interested in putting new buildings elsewhere before looking at the parking situation. This year, its been made worse by reducing the amount of spaces (id say by at least a 100) available. Go park elsewhere, the Gardai are now fining people. Saying that, can we hold the parking situation against them? Yes, but not for university.

Saying that though, looking at the bigger picture of WIT and its problems - its a terribly run IT, constant problems for staff and students, lack of communication between staff and students, and thats not evening mentioning College St. The School of Humanites is probably the worst run department in the college.

dlofnep wrote: »

But where? But around 10:30, even Lismore Park is full. There is the IDA carparks, but they are quick to clamp you. I can stick mine in the AOL carpark if I'm stuck, but not everyone is that lucky. The college is obligated to provide sufficient parking spaces. People are late for classes, often missing entire classes in search of a parking space. I actually used to come in for breakfast at 9 last year, before 10am classes just so I could get a space. And working til midnight the night before, the last thing you want is to get up out of bed an our earlier than you have to.

They need to sort out something, and something lively.

Selective quoting is bad - how many times do I have to tell you!! My point being made is, if you go to park anywhere else bar the college your getting fined. Im not telling people to "park elsehwere" as you suggest!

I know people are parking in the campus besides the AIB bank and also some down in Waterford Crystal. But thats only a select few I know doing it. A lot of people just say "**** it, ill get clamped".

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Theres a thread about something crucial to the future of Waterford and the South-East and people are talking about f**king parking???, no wonder Waterford dosen't get anywhere if thats what we're debating.

Aye well I do agree with you there, but I think its part of an argument showing how bad the place actually is. Thus coming to the conclusion, that giving it university status when its in such a state (regardless of what type of education or facilities you get, which can also be questioned) would not be a good idea. Its a point, but I doubt its even part of the debate held amongst officials.

johnnyq wrote: »

I really am amazed how administration holds such sway amongst students at WIT?

Here is the list of criteria for the THES-QS World University Rankings :
-Academic excellence (research, citations/faculty),
-Teaching (faculty/student ratio),
-Internationality (how international the faculty is, how international the student body is)
-Profile of the institution with employers.

Does anyone see admin listed there?

I mean really, when ye decided to go to a college (wit or whatever) did ye say 'Oh Yeah I hear the admin is great there'?!?!

Its very stressful for students in a college that is very badly run. In fact, it would probably put people off - people wont attend a IT/University if its going to be more stressful then its worth. It has a knock on affect on each point you just made. That's just the admin side of things, I could call into question other points also such as teaching quality and facilities.

C'mon folks, can't ye see the benefit to Waterford and to ye're selves if WIT got proper research funding and started attracting international researchers??

Possibly, but the point being made is: If WIT was upgrade as badly run as it is now, would it be far worse and turn more people away? Should it be upgraded if its not going to make the problem go away?

The focus on timetables etc.. is really cutting off ye're nose to spite your face.

Timetables isn't really the problem, but now that you say it - no timetables, means no lectures, means no lecturer, means no academic excellence. But thats on a large scale. For most, it only takes like 4/5 weeks before it gets sorted. After that, its only the odd problem if any. But, thats just one minor issue.

johnnyq wrote: »

How badly is WIT run?
Rat Infested?
No electricity?
Every room is double booked?

Is it really that 'stressful'?

WIT couldnt run if either of the above were happening (bar the last one, which is common enough). But, I do laugh at the building work going on in one building. The dust in the building and noise is pretty bad, yet the building has classes and students walking in such an unhealthy enviroment. Ill list a few of the more basic problems, as I dont want to go into to much detail on individuals problems.

- We are nearly 4 weeks into college and I have heard students complain about no timetables at all resulting in no lecturers. Luckily, this hasnt happened in my course over the last few years (bar one subject, where I had to go the registrar to get a lecturer assigned.) but others have been affected by it. Including 4th years in one course.

- Others have had lecturers not showing up, and I have heard about lecturers attending only a few hours and then heading home. Others go to class for a half an hour, and leaving class early. Others showing up, class numbers low, so cancelling class. Lecturers ignoring emails, not having an email, not having an office, not being contactable by the department head. Supplying students the wrong information on whats coming up in their exam etc.

- We heard hear, and from speaking to 1st years, they knew nothing about registration or induction until very late.

- One 3rd year student returned to college to find *all* data on him has been lost.

- Rooms double booked, to many students for a room, computers not working, computers being very slow.

- Timetable clashes including in exam situations.

- 3rd years returning to college to find that WIT has not contacted the places they are due to go on work experience in that week, to find out they will not have a full week of work experience but must return to college every friday for class.

- Lecturers teaching a subject they dont know very well themselves (some can only explain whats on a slide, and nothing else).

- Lack of communication between staff and students, college departments and staff/students.

Christ theres far more basic ones, and these all happen on such a regular basis that its a pain for a student to try and get resolved. You would expect to go into WIT to be educated straight away (€900 registration, excl. fees for those repeating) without problems (or minor, not so common) rather then having an up hill battle trying to get things sorted.

All of what I've read on this thread would be solved by an increase in funding that uni status would bring.

If anything, maintaining IT status will make the problems you elude to even worse because of budget cutbacks.

Well, thats the question being asked: WILL it solve it, or would it make it even worse? Id imagine cutbacks will affect Universities also.

johnnyq wrote: »

Assigning one administrator to look after each problem you listed there would cost
c.30000*10 = 300,000 a year. That's it.

300,000 vs millions for WIT and the local economy.

University = More Funding. End of.

I don't think lack of funding is a problem at the moment (well, not a major thorn in the side at least). I would think that the foundations of a college should be operating first ("University Like"?!). Then again, that's just your average joe-so view of how things are decided.

I think its known that Universities are finding it tough as it is, which is one reason why don't want WIT upgraded.

How will more funding make the problems you listed worse?

How do you expect the problems you listed to be solved, when you want to restrict WIT getting more funding? It baffles me

At the moment, WIT are claiming they are "University Like". The way the college is running, is not really like a university at all. They have used the funding they have got over the years on other things, and have ignored a worsening problem in the core foundations of the college.

I think a lot of students and parents who have been affected by the problems in WIT in one way or another, would feel that perhaps these problems should be overcome first before giving them University status. The question is, WILL they use the cash to sort out those problems or will they carry on building? There was talk about using the cash to draw in better lecturers in addition.

I'm all for the idea of upgrading, as I think its a lot more then an IT at this stage. It offers a lot, but some of whats offered isn't reaching its full potential. Perhaps more money will allow to work on these, but if its been ignore up to now - it might be ignored in future also.

I have heard staff (incl. lecturers) give out about the place and are shocked they are looking for university status.

Your preference atm is Waterford IT = Tralee IT over silly technicalities.

Where did I make that comparison?