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Trinity Students End Sit In Ov...

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Trinity Students End Sit In Over Repeat Exam Fees

98FM
98FM

02:11 13 Mar 2018


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Students at Tritiny have ended a sit-in at the college's dining hall, but say they'll continue further demonstrations.

They've been staging a sit-in since Tuesday over plans to introduce a fee of €450 to re-sit failed exams.

Last night the president Patrick Prendergast tweeted that board will seriously consider alternative proposals for the fees at its next meeting.

Sarah Meehan from the Take Back Trinity Campaign says these comments aren't enough.

"We've been in here for two days, and we're tired and hungry, but our demonstrations will continue", she said.

The Take Back Trinity group believes the introduction of the fee demonstrates Trinity's "continuing disregard for students, their opinions, and their welfare." 

In January, the college proposed charging students €200 for every exam they re-sit, with a cap of €1000.

Despite objections from students, the College Board decided to introduce a flat rate fee of €450.

Protesting students say they want all re-sit fees to be scrapped, with a promise they with never be introduced in future.

The TakeBackTrinity group are also calling for affordable rental options for the full academic year to be introduced, along with no more increases to any student fees.

The college claims it's restructuring charges, which it believes will save students time and money.

The university's Vice Provost, Professor Chris Morash, feels that the new fee is actually good news for students.

"At the moment if you fail their first exams and the supplemental exam, you have to re-sit the entire year including things they've passed".

He explained that that would cost students "about €6000", and said that under "the new system they would only pay for the things that they've failed".

Professor Morash suggests the new system would mean students who need to re-sit exams would make massive savings.

The Workers' Party society based in Trinity College have backed students' protests over the increase in fees.

Workers' Party secretary Josh Brady said "The people running Trinity know there's money to be made on this campus - from tourists, businesses and students. Trinity is prime real estate."

However, he warned that is "also an opportunity for students. We have demonstrated we have the power to bring commercial activity on Trinity to a halt, and that's how the demands of the 'Take Back Trinity' campaign will be won." 


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