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UL Students against UL RAG Week

  • 28-02-2010 7:51pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23 streetsweeper


    For some, rag week is a week of fun, a week where students can do as they choose, but to a small minority of students it represents something far more sinister.
    The very mention of RAG week makes me cringe. I dread it every year it ruins all the momentum I try to build leading up to my summer exams. Not many people have the moral courage to stand up and speak about what they think is right. But I refuse to be bullied into following the ‘stat quo’ Some of the things I saw from my living room window during last years RAG week isn’t fit for print. I’m a serious student and I tried to go to lectures during the whole week. While walking with my books through the campus I was faced with all types of drunken debauchary and general lawlessness. I just thought to myself- ‘this isn’t about charity, RAG week has lost his way.’ I will be boycotting this years event.
    Walking through the student estates during "DRAB" (oh Im sorry I meant RAG) week is like seeing a vision of a post-apocalyptic Ireland. I saw students getting sick several times during my evening stroll around the campus. Well I’ll tell you one thing, I’m also sick- sick of RAG Week.
    I enjoy a laugh and a joke as much as the next person but I do not tolerate vandalism of public property, some of which happened far too close to home for my liking. Yeah. I go out the odd night and I enjoy a few drinks. So what? Big deal but you won’t see me bungling some young-one half cut into a taxi. That’s not my style.
    Do you even know what RAG week stands for? Raise and Give Week. It’s meant to be a charity event. I think some students in this university think it stands for Rum and Gin Week. I don’t have a problem with people who drink but don’t pretend something is about charity when its clearly not.
    College Court last year was filled with allsorts of sinful behaviour. Bottles lay abandoned on doorsteps, cars were vandalised and men shouted sexist comments at women who happened to pass themI can’t and I will not tolerate sexist remarks.I’m a man of principle. It was like my house had been landed in the middle of the Biblical cities of Sodom and Gommorah. I hope I never have to face the likes of it as long as I live.
    When I was in his first year in college and part-took wholeheartedly in the RAG week mantra that was “shoved down my throat” by his first year housemates. Had to go on medication for two weeks after I got internal bleeding in my liver so the next time you think DRAB Week is gonna be a laugh, think of me and the harm it has done to my self esteem.

    Opinions are welcome.


«134

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 26,147 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    Sound's to me like you are simply growing up.


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,366 ✭✭✭ninty9er


    If you were actually a serious student who spends some time on campus and keeps abreast of campus issues you would have noticed that it isn't RAG Week anymore, it's Charity Week, so come down from your high horse, as those of us who organise the events (which take place solely on campus and in town. No official events took place in College Court last year apart from the clean up) have invested a lot of time, effort and research into rebranding to bring it back to the true meaning.

    Target students by all means, but from the complaints we get regularly, the same thing goes on throughout the year, residents just chose to pick RAG week in the past as it is a big event, when the reality is that RAG week never took place in College Court or Elm Park. If you want to contend that it did, there is no basis.

    If you want to complain about behaviour in the estates there are proper channels in Community Forum, VPARs Office, SU Campaigns and Services Office which houses the Community Relations Officer and Henry Street Garda Station.

    Moaning without base on a web forum is only going to get people's back up, like this post.

    This post, BTW, does represent ULSU.


  • Registered Users Posts: 19,106 ✭✭✭✭TestTransmission


    Fancy a pint OP?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 244 ✭✭RachPie


    I'm a student in UL, not neceessarily a big drinker or anything either - but it really doesn't bother me. It's one week in the year, lots of money is raised for charity and this year the focus seems to be more on doing just that.

    Besides, even "serious students" need to lighten up and have fun every once in a while..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,175 ✭✭✭Paulegend


    wow op wow.

    listen mate rag week yes has gone out of control but thats more to do with the idiots who are out for it and act like its their first time out drinking. thats the problem.

    boycotting rag week is kinda ridiculous. rag week is a chance for you to unwind and socialise(which is important) and more importantly a chance for you to forget about exams for a week. you can be a serious student and still go out during rag week.

    rag week isnt about turning over cars or breaking into houses or wrecking supermacs or any stupid chilish criminal behaviour. people who are found to have broken the law during rag week while partaking(and after partaking) in any organised college function should be dealt with by the police and also by the college. its the only way to stop it.

    i agree that its become a joke to some people but to others rag week is a nice break from the stress of college.

    dont boycott it just dont join the scum who are causing harm. if you dont want to partake in rag week fair enough thats your choice. but DO NOT try to force such a thing on people who are well behaved and deserve to go out and let their hair down.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 streetsweeper


    ninty9er wrote: »
    If you were actually a serious student who spends some time on campus and keeps abreast of campus issues you would have noticed that it isn't RAG Week anymore, it's Charity Week, so come down from your high horse, as those of us who organise the events (which take place solely on campus and in town. No official events took place in College Court last year apart from the clean up) have invested a lot of time, effort and research into rebranding to bring it back to the true meaning.

    Target students by all means, but from the complaints we get regularly, the same thing goes on throughout the year, residents just chose to pick RAG week in the past as it is a big event, when the reality is that RAG week never took place in College Court or Elm Park. If you want to contend that it did, there is no basis.

    If you want to complain about behaviour in the estates there are proper channels in Community Forum, VPARs Office, SU Campaigns and Services Office which houses the Community Relations Officer and Henry Street Garda Station.

    Moaning without base on a web forum is only going to get people's back up, like this post.

    This post, BTW, does represent ULSU.

    I respect this and Im glad that you are doing work to change things. I have not made any cliams against the ULSU itself but I think some students get out of hand during the week. this was not an attck on the ULSU..


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,366 ✭✭✭ninty9er


    Just to stress and hammer home the point, as it's cost me €1 every time I mention RAG week in a meeting, it's now called CHARITY WEEK .

    I don't expect that to solve all the problems of the world, but over €2k has already been raised and we're a month out from Charity Week.

    We have gone to great pains to stress this rebrand to off-licences and licenced premises.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,214 ✭✭✭wylo


    OP, serious question, are you suggesting there shouldnt be a rag week, or have you an alternative idea?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,175 ✭✭✭Paulegend


    i get the feeling that this "serious student" isnt very social

    having a few years back been involved in lit rag week prep myself i know that alot of planning does go into charity events. cash raised alone by the bugee jump make it worth while.

    while yes there are students who mess. it could as easily happen any time of the year. while most students are not thinking about charity during the rag wee(good idea by ul to rebrand it by the way) at least cvash is raised for worthy causes. all that thrown in with having a bit of fun...........

    or maybe the OP can recomend someone who can teach us how to play world of war craft that week:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 streetsweeper


    wylo wrote: »
    OP, serious question, are you suggesting there shouldnt be a rag week, or have you an alternative idea?

    never said that.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 streetsweeper


    everyones entitled to an opinion. I would consider taking part in a WoW event if one was to be organised.

    its a debate thats well worth having no matter what your opnion.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,175 ✭✭✭Paulegend


    i do admire your courage though OP. its an opinion which has made you very unpopular very fast:D


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,361 ✭✭✭Itsdacraic


    everyones entitled to an opinion. I would consider taking part in a WoW event if one was to be organised.

    its a debate thats well worth having no matter what your opnion.


    southpark_wow2.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 streetsweeper


    Paulegend wrote: »
    i do admire your courage though OP. its an opinion which has made you very unpopular very fast:D

    I have no desire to be popular Paulegend :cool:


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,214 ✭✭✭wylo


    never said that.
    never said what? Im asking you for a reason, just wondering is it a rant or do you have an alternative idea of any sort?
    Thats why I said "serious question", im not having a go im just curious


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,639 ✭✭✭PeakOutput


    pretty much 90% of your post is complaining about things that you can simply ignore

    the rest that mentions vandalism etc no1 advocates and supports

    so grow up live your own life let everyone else live theirs and report any illegal activity you see affecting you or your property


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 244 ✭✭RachPie


    I catch the drift what you're saying - shouldnt be all based around alcohol and people making a mess of themselves. But surely no one can force you to drink so much that you get a lacerated liver...?!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 streetsweeper


    wylo wrote: »
    never said what? Im asking you for a reason, just wondering is it a rant or do you have an alternative idea of any sort?
    Thats why I said "serious question", im not having a go im just curious

    its a moral problem in this coun try that goes far deeper then the week in question.

    drinking culture in this country is out of control.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,214 ✭✭✭wylo


    its a moral problem in this coun try that goes far deeper then the week in question.

    drinking culture in this country is out of control.
    so the answer is no you dont have alternative suggestions, and it is a rant. Thats grand, was just wondering.
    My point is, that when you go to college, in Ireland, and in most other countries for that matter, drinking is a part of the culture. Drinking too much is almost a part of that culture. Its the one place where people finally come out of their shell and learn about drink. Its a part of being in college, but to you , its a nuisance that gets in the way of your studies etc.
    It leaves with the point that college may not be for you, and that you will just have to grin and bear until you get your degree.


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,811 ✭✭✭✭billy the squid


    UL students against rag week?

    be gone to the UL forum with ye


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 streetsweeper


    wylo wrote: »
    so the answer is no you dont have alternative suggestions, and it is a rant. Thats grand, was just wondering.
    My point is, that when you go to college, in Ireland, and in most other countries for that matter, drinking is a part of the culture. Drinking too much is almost a part of that culture. Its the one place where people finally come out of their shell and learn about drink. Its a part of being in college, but to you , its a nuisance that gets in the way of your studies etc.
    It leaves with the point that college may not be for you, and that you will just have to grin and bear until you get your degree.

    I have a few questions of you:

    are you suggesting that students should spend their grant money on drink?

    are you suggesting that students need drink to come out of their shells. Are you reccommending that people should drink so they can be confident? what do you think that leads to?

    Im a student thats serious about student but according to you collegee is a place for drinkers and not the studious..

    hope that works out for you mate


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,214 ✭✭✭wylo


    lol, your jumping to alot of conclusions there tbh, I dont know where you are getting those questions but the answer to them is no. All im saying is that you are in wrong place , as its a part of student culture to drink. You cannot deny that, you can dislike it but you cant deny it.
    And im just saying that you are gonna have to grin and bear it because thats the environment you are in. You would find the same things in the likes of Harvard


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 244 ✭✭RachPie




  • Registered Users Posts: 539 ✭✭✭DingosAteMyBaby


    Itsdacraic wrote: »
    southpark_wow2.jpg


    i thought the exact same thing:P


  • Registered Users Posts: 359 ✭✭pervertedcoffee


    something far more sinister.

    the moral courage to stand up and speak about what they think is right. Some of the things I saw from my living room window during last years RAG week isn’t fit for print.

    a vision of a post-apocalyptic Ireland.

    allsorts of sinful behaviour.

    It was like my house had been landed in the middle of the Biblical cities of Sodom and Gommorah. I hope I never have to face the likes of it as long as I live.

    Hyper-bole much? If you want people to take your argument seriously, please be realistic about it. I'm not arguing that anything you concretely described didn't happen but the above are really unnecessary and make you look like the infamous McCarthy of the 'Red Scare'.
    But I refuse to be bullied into following the ‘stat quo’
    Who is bullying you and what is the 'status quo' in relation to Charity Week'? The idea of a 'status quo' and bullying surrounding a student run event is more 'hyper-bole'.
    When I was in his first year in college
    Please be careful of the use of the word 'his'. Also try to re-read your posts before posting, some of it made no sense and while I appreciate this is an online forum; if you are making an argument please put some effort into it.
    "DRAB" (oh Im sorry I meant RAG)
    I’m also sick- sick of RAG Week.
    I'm not usually one to give out about peoples' writing but please don't try word play again, especially considering that the last thing you wanted to convey previous Charity Weeks as was 'drab'.
    I can’t and I will not tolerate sexist remarks.
    First of all, this is an example of what the organisers of Charity week have no control over and is a result of some individuals' bad taste. It happens all year round, although because these people exist there may be a slight increase in these incidents during Charity week. How it can be tackled is difficult to say because even if Charity week was made an alcohol free event those types of characters would still use the week to have house parties and cause disturbances - they would find ways and means around and preventative measure. The problem lies in peoples' attitudes.

    Secondly, this is another problem with your argument. You say you "will not" yet fail to follow through with any action, or fail even to suggest a course of action or make clear that you would like suggestions. Instead you take a challenging stance yet direct it at no one or towards no end. If you just wanted a rant then the 'bitchin' thread would have been more appropriate. If you just wanted students to debate the issue then you might have been less abrasive and defined the topic a little more. If you wanted action to be taken then you might have tried suggesting something.
    Had to go on medication for two weeks after I got internal bleeding in my liver so the next time you think DRAB Week is gonna be a laugh, think of me and the harm it has done to my self esteem.
    What? Could you please be more coherent! What has liver damage got to do with your self-esteem? If you're going to make that point, at least make it clear. This seems to be the major flaw with your post: you are making rash and incoherent connections between thing that - to other people, have no connection at all (see my discussion on the previous quote for another example of this).
    ______________________________________________________________

    My opinion is as follows:

    I too am apprehensive about the conduct of students during Charity week as opposed to Charity week itself.

    Charity week is a wonderful opportunity for the students of UL to show the wider Limerick community that we do care about them and our place in society. Ironically, so far it seems to be having the opposite effect.

    Again, its all down to the students, but it seems that trying to get them to care about anything other than drinking is an impossible feat. Only the other day I saw two students with the sponsor cards for the sleep out (an idea I'm in love with btw) when one said: "Oh, it's an alcohol-free event..." The other replied in the most disappointed and disgusted tone I've heard in a while: "Are you serious?"
    The sleep out could be an amazing opportunity for an outdoor, fun, diverse, alternative cultural event but instead they just want the same ol' piss-up they have week in and week out... :pac:


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,097 ✭✭✭✭zuroph


    was impressed with Corks approach this year (saying that I havent heard of its success rate).
    They ran a long campaign along the lines of "don't be a wanker and be seen drinking in public" and did their utmost todiscourage day-time drinking. They also had a very heavy security prescence along college road, the visibility of which was designed to discourage vandalism, anti-social behaviour etc.
    While the union here are at pains to point out that no official RAG week events took place in college court/elm park/etc., one would have to be very naive to claim that the two events had nothing to do with each other. While people have said the same stuff happens week in week out; a) It doesnt make it right, and b) It was clearly much worse that week.
    I wish Charity week all the best, and hope it does help UL students win some respect from a cynical Limerick population, but instead of just avoiding the subjects of the off campus anti-social behaviour, it should be the first thing to be examined and planned against.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19 spume


    Only the other day I saw two students with the sponsor cards for the sleep out (an idea I'm in love with btw) when one said: "Oh, it's an alcohol-free event..." The other replied in the most disappointed and disgusted tone I've heard in a while: "Are you serious?"
    The sleep out could be an amazing opportunity for an outdoor, fun, diverse, alternative cultural event but instead they just want the same ol' piss-up they have week in and week out... :pac:

    I intend on joining in on the sleep out myself. Bought a proper sleeping bag the other day in elvery's. When I was in there, there were a few other UL students buying sleeping bags as well but they asked one of the workers to direct them to the "lush bags". The poor girl was genuinely confused. Didn't know what they were on about.

    When they finally found the sleeping bags, they called her down again and asked how many naggins they could fit in a sleeping bag. She said she didn't know. One of them replied "Well then why don't you eff off and find out for us?". Another snotted himself from the force of trying to contain his laughter.

    I'll have campus security's number at the ready if those louts are attending the sleep out.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,212 ✭✭✭Mrmoe


    The central point of the problem is that a minority of people are assholes. You will see more of it during Charity week simply because there are more people about. Drinking does not make you turn into an asshole it merely releases the asshole from within. All you need are 2 or 3 people acting the muppet and this is what catches your attention. You do not see the 100 other people doing this. This is a problem with society in general not just Charity week.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,097 ✭✭✭✭zuroph


    true this, but the assholes seem to be one-upping each other lately! take a look at the vandalised cars outside Mollys on any weeknight drinking session. Or just last week, when my mate witnessed them running up and down over the roofs and bonnets of cars along Ellen street.
    Regardless of whether they're a minority or not, the Union needs to realise that these are the primary reason residents give out about these events, and then stereotype all students, tarring them with the same brush. Swift, decisive action would sort this out. instilling a culture among the others to speak out about anti-social behaviour, to report crime, to stop letting these scum drag their reputations through the mud.
    Rat out the marauding idiots, get them suspended/expelled and the copycats would think twice about following their lead.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 7,639 ✭✭✭PeakOutput


    I have a few questions of you:

    are you suggesting that students should spend their grant money on drink?

    students can spend it on whatever they want its their money once the goverment gives it to them
    are you suggesting that students need drink to come out of their shells.

    most do in fact most people in ireland need to drink to come out of their shells, in fact id argue that most people in westernised culture do especially people under a certain age because the vast majority of people are insecure and alcohol helps with that. here more than in other places but in other places all the same
    Are you reccommending that people should drink so they can be confident? what do you think that leads to?

    again most people do need to drink to be confident its one of the big problems with the country not rag week
    Im a student thats serious about student but according to you collegee is a place for drinkers and not the studious..

    its a place for both no1 but you can stop you from being studious college is about far more than lectures and exams if you havnt realised that by now then your missing out on at least half of what college has to offer. this year im taking the more studious approach that dosnt entitle me to look down on the people who go lodging 3 nights a week you said yourself you went mad for rag week in first year so your no different to anyone else just because you were unfortunate enough to have a bad experience with your liver threw drink dosnt make you any difference accept you know your bodies limitations now. most people will never have such a problem

    no1 is making you do anything. you are letting drunk people annoy you during this one particular week if you dont like how the campus is that week then dnt go to the campus study at home or go to the lectures and go straight home its one week out of the year. i dont drink that much in fact i can count on one hand the amount of times iv been drinking since halloween but i dont get bent when i see other people doing it im sure i do things that annoy them and they see as beneath them.

    dont presume yourself to be better than anyone regardless of what you have seen them do because at the end of the day you dont know **** about them.


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