Calls for University in the South-East

**Macy** · 15/04/2008, 7:35 AM

Originally Posted by pete

Staff would strike as no long summer holidays.

Bored pete?

**rambler14** · 15/04/2008, 8:40 AM

All the IT'S can become is Technological University's. So the like of CIT, DIT AND WIT will all become CTU, DTU AND WTU. No real difference.
The only problem I can see is that the Leaving Cert standards will go up. If you need 300points to get in 2008, it could easily mean that in 2009 you'll need 320 or 350. College numbers will drop and there'll be a shortage of Engineers, Accountants, etc........

**pete** · 15/04/2008, 9:20 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

Bored pete?

More of a reflex

Seriously though I think there would be problems. I know University staff only work nominally in the summer (ever tried to find University staff in the summer months?) but afaik Institute of technology staff have secondary school type holidays. I have relatives in both a University & IT.

**Macy** · 15/04/2008, 9:52 AM

Originally Posted by pete

More of a reflex

Seriously though I think there would be problems. I know University staff only work nominally in the summer (ever tried to find University staff in the summer months?) but afaik Institute of technology staff have secondary school type holidays. I have relatives in both a University & IT.

I wouldn't have thought there was that much difference, and if there was it'd be something that'd have to be negtiated. I don't think there's too much clamour from people to move from Universities to IT's because of the difference in working conditions tbh.

**John83** · 15/04/2008, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by rambler14

The only problem I can see is that the Leaving Cert standards will go up. If you need 300points to get in 2008, it could easily mean that in 2009 you'll need 320 or 350. College numbers will drop and there'll be a shortage of Engineers, Accountants, etc........

What? You are aware that the CAO works on supply and demand? Where are all these extra students coming from?

**pete** · 15/04/2008, 3:39 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

I don't think there's too much clamour from people to move from Universities to IT's because of the difference in working conditions tbh.

True, I would assume wages higher at Universities simply by the fact that certain high level positions do not exist in ITs.

**S�C** · 15/04/2008, 7:24 PM

Originally Posted by pete

True, I would assume wages higher at Universities simply by the fact that certain high level positions do not exist in ITs.

Lecturers starting out at least earn a good deal more in Universities than ITs

I actually think Waterford does deserve Uni status but only Waterford. Not DIT, not CIT or any of the others. Draw a line in the sand and say no more.

I'd say that for geographical reasons as much as any other reason. Funding and development of other courses etc should be provided over time. The Government is committed to the idea of 4th level Ireland and securing international investment on that basis, they realise that funding will have to be provided for this

**OneRedArmy** · 15/04/2008, 8:22 PM

I can't help but think the vast majority of this thread misses the whole point about what differentiates a university and an IT and has got bogged down in pariochial politics/industrial relations discussions.

Until someone can demonstrate that WIT being granted university status will be a zero sum gain vis a vis the existing Irish universities it "should" be a non-runner (pork barrel politics means that such rationale analysis is frequently ignored).