Limerick divided in reaction to Universities Bill

STAFF and students at the University of Limerick vowed to continue their opposition to the Minister for Education's Universities Bill, despite the decision by the governing body in favour of the legislation.

A special meeting of the governing body voted by nine to six to welcome the Bill, while calling for the "sensitivities" of staff and students to be taken into account. A motion from the students union which called for the rejection of the legislation was nottaken.

The Bill, published by the Minister in July, was described at the time as a "historic" piece of legislation. It establishes (among other things) the four separate colleges of the National University of Ireland (UCD, UCC, UCG and Maynooth) as constituent universities of the NUI with devolved powers and functions.

This had been sought by the NUI senate and the colleges themselves. However, some UL staff objected to the Bill, claiming it contained no electoral procedure for appointing staff to governing bodies, and it would amend existing superannuation schemes.

The college is now to put forward a number of "considerations" to Ms Breathnach. One of the main concerns among staff relates to the continuity of their pensions and conditions of employment when the university is newly constituted under the legislation.

In addition, there were calls for staff and student representatives to be elected, rather than selected. Governing body members also expressed opposition to a time limit on the period representatives can hold their seats.

One of the elected staff representatives on the governing body, Mr Joe Wallace, said he was disappointed it had not rejected the legislation.

"We still feel the objectives of accountability and transparency which the Minister says she wants are at odds with the excessive centralisation of power and authority in university executives and president, as proposed in the legislation.

The president of the students union, Mr Seamus Doran, said would continue to oppose the Bill. "It is so bad it deserves to be, rejected outright."

In University College Dublin, a special meeting of the governing body to discuss the Bill has been called for the start of next month.