Thursday 8^th October : TTHW Reintroduce 3^rd Level Fees

The Madam Auditor Jackie Driscoll was in the chair, tarting to find her sea legs. The motion for the night was TTH would reintroduce 3^rd level fees, an issue that after the debate was solved, just saying is all. Before this though she called for a motion form the floor

Mike Spring had found a new hero to worship in Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jimmy Junking Jammeh and decided he wanted to acknowledge his brilliance.

Mike proposed TTHW send Letter of salutations to the Gambian President

Mike Spring (Faculty of Education)

This man stood for strong words, strong actions and strong leadership. He was a man of principle and should be applauded for it. Phrases like “I will kill anyone, ANYONE, who opposes me” and “death to anyone who even thinks about it” provided an indication of the type of man we were discussing, a true leader. Mike read his letter out and left it for the house to decide.

George Carr (2^nd Civil Law)

We should declare the Gambia a failed state, be it by invading them or writing a different letter.

He felt that the people of the country and the aid workers needed protecting and the letter was a misguided attempt at humour.

Dave Finn (Postgraduate)

Gambia had fair elections, he was their choice of leader and who were we to say otherwise. A lot of people enter under the guise of human rights groups to push their own agendas and the presidents actions, could potentially be a fair choice

Cornellia Carey (2^nd Med)

We should send him a letter of advice that he was going about his dirty business far too obviously. He should be more underhanded and secretive if he wants to be a ruthless dictator.

Eimear Spain (2^nd Science)

The art of letter writing has died and this was a positive step to reinvigorate it. Also, the Gambia could be a great ally in times of war so to stub them would be unwise.

Niamh McNally (4^th Arts)

Having ratified the Lisbon treaty and signing up to the Charter of human rights we could not agree to this.

Both sides were summarized and following a recount, the motion was carried.

Then Came time for main Business, The speakers were asked to take to the stage and kick off…

First to speak was Deputy Registrar for NUIG Jim Ward

He told us of lack of money that Irish Universities work off in comparison to that of Belgium, the Netherlands etc. We need to be pushing up the quality of our 3^rd level institutions be it through additional taxes, fees or similar.

He drew a comparison that people pay for private secondary schools, why not enforce fees for those that can afford them and suggested a top up system with a good grant system and a good loans system.

Peter Mannion, President of USI and past student at NUIG opposed

He told us about the leaps in college uptake that have happened since the system came into place and how Scotlands free fees scheme is an example of a system that works.

He stressed that we should be looking for value for money in our education, not additional costs and attacked the Australian/New Zealand model that the government was suggesting

Sean Butler, Bsc and HLM of the society opposed

On the grounds that no matter what the policy, it will have to effect us. There were bigger things at stake in our current economic climate and everyone would have to make sacrifices. Not going to college isn’t the end of the world he said, and that as it stands, were taking it for granted. We can no longer afford to live in the style that we’ve become accustomed to and people need to realise that.

Donna Cummins, SU president and past auditor

told us that fighting fees was their 1^st commandment in the SU but it was about student not at college yet as well. This movement towards fees is not just since the economic recession, its been in consideration since 2003 and still doesn’t make sense to her. It would poorly affect our workforce, our education and our futures.

Jackie then opened the motion to the floor…

Ronan Fitzpatrick (3^rd Science)

It is a regressive policy, we cannot keep the status quo because it is effecting too many. Mire direct funding than indirect taxation.

Mike Spring (School of education)

Sacrifice isn’t always a good thing and refuses to be scapegoated for the mistakes of older generations.

Niamh McNally (4^th Arts)

Education is an asset and this proposal would increase quality. For those against them it should be a matter of working with what system. Fees are a question of how, not if.

Student who didn’t give her name

College already costs a lot, rather be seen as a whiny student than not a student at all.

Dave Finn (Postgrad)

Grants system still protects the poorest, and fees already exist. Everyone has a basic degree these days, need masters to stand out and they cost money. 3^rd level is taken for granted and losing it value in this country

Alan Lyon (2^nd Mlit)

Someone always falls between the cracks and would like to see cuts elsewhere.

Ronan O Fathy (3^rd Law)

Charge fees to the top 3^rd of students in income. They can afford it and it would free up money to help the lower end.

Emily Ravenscroft (Irish Postgrad)

Things are different in America and sometimes people just go a bit crazy about things.

Richard Manton (4^th Civil Eng)

Reg fee subsidises college = fees

Grand taxes, loan systems and full fees are all flawed systems and haven’t been shown to function anywhere. He then suggested payment through increased taxation as it would represent Education as a national resource like roads etc.

The guest speakers summated their cases and the motion was put to a vote.

In a very close call between both sides the motion was carried.

All that was left was for Jackie to wrap up the meeting and invite everyone back to the Dáil for post debate drinks and food.

These are the minutes

Conor Kelly

Recording Secretary

163^rd Session