Spicing up life at UCD

When you think of UCD, what springs to mind? Cold, blustery open spaces punctuated by grey, concrete bunkers? Thousands of voices from the southside of Dublin? In an attempt to rectify its image problem, UCD has appointed a vice- president for students. So can we expect a makeover at UCD?

It is already a well-documented fact that people choose a university primarily for the course. As expectations from students grow, however, universities have had to adapt to meet the demands from their undergraduate population for a more comprehensive and co-ordinated choice of activities such as sports and society life. UCD has taken their advice on board and has, for the first time in the history of the university, appointed a vice-president of students.

Mary Clayton, former head of the School of English is the new vice-president of students. It's what she describes as a "logical development".

"I've already had 20 odd years lecturing, but, for me personally, it's a new departure and a challenge," she says. Clayton's position means she has the task of co-ordinating and improving all of the non-academic aspects of student life. This covers residency issues, the campus development plan, crèche facilities, sport and society activities. Her first task, she explains, is to review all of these areas and identify how their operation can be improved. "We'll see what we can do to enhance those other aspects to attract the best students."

By best, Clayton explains, she means both Irish and international students - not necessarily the "best" academically. "Students have become very sophisticated in terms of what they are looking for and explore those things. We are very conscious of offering them the things they want."

UCD has long been associated with southside Dublin students and, for some, it evokes an image of an academic elite. Clayton is quick to reject these allegations. "If you actually look at where students are coming from, they're from all over the country. We have 2,000 international students. We have a lot of students commuting from Swords, from the northside, and it's an image that needs to be corrected."

But the fact remains, however unintentional, that UCD has a predominantly southside Dublin appeal. "We're doing a lot, but we can do more," Clayton admits.

It is the sense of alienation that some students experience when they arrive at college that leads to a small number of people each year leaving their course.

According to the university's most recent study, Staying the Course: A study of Student Retention - UCD entrants 1999-2001, there has been a slight improvement in retention rates in recent years. Most often, "wrong course choice" is cited as a student's reason for leaving, but a large proportion of students who drop out of courses in first year go on to register in a different course for the following year. It was estimated that over 95 per cent of those who left UCD during the period of the 1999-2001 study had already re-entered UCD or another third-level institution or intended to do so.

The common mistake students make in course choice can be addressed, says Clayton. It involves student-to-student feedback at second level, so students are made aware of what to expect from life at third-level.

So why is there a need for a vice-president for students when an active Students' Union already exists at UCD? Mary explains her position is in partnership with students and she can draw on her breadth of experience of working closely with some 1,200 undergraduate students in the English department. "Students can be a very effective lobby for the same objectives that we're trying to advance," she says, "which is the UCD experience."

Ultimately, Clayton's job is helping to make the "UCD experience" the best it can be for all students, both in academic terms, and in the non-academic sense, through sport, recreation and through all informal interactions which contribute to university life.

Clayton's appointment to this new position shows UCD is serious about making university a positive experience for students. "It's not just about a choice between the pub or the library," says Clayton. "There are hundreds of clubs and societies, large and small, that students can get involved in and it's important that it shouldn't be restricted."

In the short term, Clayton sees the library as a priority area. Recent protests on campus from students reversed a decision to cut opening hours. "I think students were right to protest. The library is the heart of the institution and while the library hours have been restored, we're looking to go way beyond that to have 24/7 access," she says. She hopes to have 24-hour reading rooms in place by the next academic year.

An application is also in place for a second crèche. At present, the campus crèche can take only 50 babies. With 22,000 students, Clayton is anxious to see better facilities "with priority access for students".

The problems Clayton faces will not be resolved without funding - an issue she has strong opinions on.

"We're hoping the funding crisis at third level will be resolved. It is impinging on all universities and it is most unfortunate that you have a system where it seems first, second- and third level are competing with each other. I have a daughter in primary level, my husband is in secondary and I'm in third level. It shouldn't be the case that we're in competition for funding. It is an issue of urgency, that needs to be addressed. Education adds value and society as a whole will benefit."