UCD HAS APPOINTED Aine Galvin as co-ordinator - of its access project for disadvantaged students, but has postponed the formal introduction of a plan to reserve places for such students.
Galvin was involved in a similar initiative at DCU, and has also acted as the Catholic Youth Council's coordinator of Youthreach services to disadvantaged communities.
UCD announced last year that it would reserve a percentage of places for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This followed a report to the Higher Education Authority on access to third level by a UCD team led by Dr Kathleen Lynch.
A UCD spokesman says the system for disadvantaged students will be fully in place by 1998 and that the college will seek a co-ordinated approach with other colleges and the HEA. He emphasises that UCD will consider applications from disadvantaged students on an individual basis.
The USI's annual congress nominated access as the union's priority issue for the coming year. USI education officer Malcolm Byrne was critical of the Government's efforts in the area, despite commitments in the White Paper. The White Paper had set a target of 500 places for disadvantaged students every year for five years. These have failed to materialise, Byrne says.
The Minister for Education, Niamh Bhrenthnach, indicated to E&L last year that her priority was dealing with those who drop out before finishing second level.
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