Universities across Ireland have agreed to adopt a set of enhanced public health-protective measures, which previously were only applicable to Dublin-based universities. These protective measures are to be in place for “2-3 weeks” at minimum, however, The College Tribune understands that Maynooth University intends to use the “discretion” agreed upon by the IUA to host some classes in-person, despite the established guidelines.
In an email sent out to students of the university, obtained by The College Tribune, the university said it intends to move “most” (not all) lectures online, and that students will be “invited on-campus for practical classes, tutorials and for the teaching which requires a lot of interaction”. However, the wording of this email suggests that not everything Maynooth University intends to do will comply with IUA guidelines.
Students were told that unless there is “yet another directive from government to stop on-campus activities”, then they will continue as planned.
Furthermore, The College Tribune understands that all language classes will be proceeding on campus as planned. Lecturers have certain levels of discretion here, and some classes may be moved online anyway. However, as a whole, the University intends for language classes to continue as is. In a statement distributed to students by senior faculty in the Maynooth Department for German studies, students were told that unless there is “yet another directive from government to stop on-campus activities”, then they will continue as planned.
We have reached out to the USI and the President of Maynooth Student Union for comment and will update this article with their responses when we hear back.
Adam Conway – Reporter
