In response to the recent decision by Trinity College Dublin to raise the supplemental examination fees to a flat rate of €450, a protest has been held by students of the college focused on a number of the tourist attractions around the college, including the Long Room and the Front Arch. The anger at the College Authorities has been significant in recent days as the new fee system was introduced after 82% of students voted against the implementation of any supplemental fees.
This is the latest cost paid by students to be increased by Trinity College this year, with postgraduate fees and the fees for international students set to be increased by 5% for the next academic year. Additionally the college has proposed that the cost of on campus accommodation should also increase.
The protests against these increases have thus far been focused on blocking access to key tourist attractions in the College, a noted source of revenue for the College. Trinity College maintain that the fee increases are necessary due to the deficit that the College currently has, and has called on the government to address this funding shortfall.
Students of the College believe that they have been unfairly targeted as a source of additional revenue, and have expressed concerns that with the ever rising cost of living in Dublin, that these increases could block prospective students from entering 3rd level education.
In an email to the Tribune and other news publications, the organisers of the current protests said that they would reject all increases on student fees and rents and if needed would continue their protests and escalate them as needed in order to achieve a change in policy.
