`We need libraries, canteens, entertainment, sports, space'

Although more than two-thirds of IT students say they have positive views of their institutions, there's plenty of room for improvement. Their strongest pleas are for improved general, library and canteen facilities. In a study of three ITs, students are critical of overcrowded and highly priced canteens, serving poor quality food. "We need a bigger canteen with proper food - not a glorified chip shop," is one student's comment.

When it comes to libraries, students want more study space, books and resources to meet their needs and longer opening hours, particularly at weekends. "The library is a joke," says a student. "It makes studying and researching in formation very hard. The place is just too small for the amount of people in it. I like the college, but find it very suffocating." Sports and social facilities also need upgrading and colleges should offer a wider choice of sporting activities - in some college, football is the only sporting activity available. Students would also like to see more student union-organised events. "The college is sadly lacking in providing entertaining events for students outside study," a student observes.

According to the report, "many students cite problems of overcrowding and the lack of facilities. The institutes need to provide more and better classrooms with adequate heating, air conditioning and seating to cater for the numbers of students; more up-to-date computer technology and other equipment comparable with those in other third-level institutions was deemed necessary." "The college needs to be tidied up," notes one student, "to have simple things like blinds on windows, painting the walls and have heating working in the portacabins." "Sometimes I'm ashamed to even say I'm studying there," is another comment. Most damningly, "My old secondary school was better set-up and has a lot more facilities."

Students also feel that college authorities fail to listen to students and that more dialogue with students is necessary. "The college has to recognise that we are the life in the college and without us there would be no college. I think they should listen to us more," opines a student.