Patrick Lavelle | College Affairs Editor
The opening hours of GMB Computer Room have been reduced due to its use by Trinity Foundation, The University Times has learned.
Trinity Foundation are using the room for 17 hours on weekdays for their phone campaign, closing it to student use at affected times. The campaign formerly took place in Oriel House on Westland Row, but that location is now being used. The computer room, on the top floor of the GMB, has been run by Information Systems (IS) Services since the GMB agreement between College, The Phil and The Hist in 2003.
Speaking to The University Times, Alumni Director John Dillon said the room was selected for use due to the Foundation’s requirement for a larger space as a result of the expansion of its team of student callers. He stated: “Following an extensive search and analysis the GMB PAC room was selected as the best location based on size, usage and facilities. To minimise disruption to students, the timing of the room usage was restricted to hours of least usages. The availability and usage of other computer rooms was also taken into account”.
Dillon added that representatives from all relevant student groups, the Students’ Union, the Graduate Students’ Union, the Phil, the Hist and The Theological Society, “were contacted prior to the commencement of this phone campaign”. When asked for comment, then-President of the Phil, Sarah Mortell, stated that she communicated their dissatisfaction with the planned usage of the room and stated the Phil did not think it an appropriate use of the room when contacted by Trinity Foundation.
Then-Auditor of the Hist, Michael Coleman, stated that he expressed no objections when contacted, provided other relevant bodies also did not. He said, however, that it should be put on record that he works for the phone campaign.
In his comments, Dillon also stated that “on balance, having looked carefully at the usage stats, it was felt that the overall benefit to students, based on the funds raised and student employment opportunities provided, the GMB provided the best option for the campaign”. He stressed that the phone campaign provides employment to Trinity students, with more than 45 students currently employed part-time by the office. He further highlighted its success, noting, “Since 2011, student callers have helped to secure 11,000 donations” and pointing out that in 2013/14 alumni donated €6.1 million to the College, of which €2m million has been allocated to “Student Experience & Outreach” and €2.8 to “Studentships and Scholarships”.’
However, concerns have been raised to The University Times at the appropriateness of the use of a student space and the precedent such an action could set both for usage of the GMB and student spaces in general.
Photo by Andrew Murphy for The University Times
