DCU should have a city "campus"

Mr Pseudonym

In truth, DCU isn't especially well-named: it's comfortably in the suburbs. And I think its distance from the city is something of a deterrent to those applying - especially those from outside of Dublin.

The solution: a building in the centre of the city which would give the university some presence there.

The building could have socialising spaces (with sofas, pool tables, etc), study rooms, computer rooms, tutorial rooms, cafeteria, roof garden, gym, or whatever. I don't know whether this has been an issue, but being able to host guest speakers in the centre of town may make them more willing to accept an invite. With that in mind, a medium-sized lecture hall may also be appropriate.

Were it to come to fruition, I think there should be a regular bus service. According to Google, depending on traffic, it takes 10-20 mins to drive from O'Connell Bridge to DCU. At off-peak times, with two buses and allowing for a five minute turnaround, there could be a bus leaving each stop every fifteen minutes.

What does anyone think? Would it improve your uni experience?

SantryRed

do not see the point whatsoever.

EricPraline

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

In truth, DCU isn't especially well-named: it's comfortably in the suburbs. And I think its distance from the city is something of a deterrent to those applying - especially those from outside of Dublin.

Emm, DCU is certainly well within the bounds of Dublin city. You make it sound like it's in Balbriggan!

DCU is just under 5km from Dublin city centre. Belfield is 4km from Dublin city centre. UL is 5km from Limerick city centre. All are comfortably located in the suburbs. By your rationale, the location of all of these universities should be a deterrent for students and speakers. The only complaint I've heard about the location of any of these universities is the lack of pubs in the vicinity, hardly the end of the world.

One of the benefits of DCU is that it has sports facilities and green space adjacent to the campus. It has also benefited greatly from the space available to expand in recent years, something which has been a real problem for TCD. Visit the cramped claustrophobic science end of the TCD city centre campus to get a feel for this problem. And then try to get from there to the awkwardly located TCD student residences in the suburb of Dartry.

Splitting the university into several campuses ends up with the exact problem that DIT are trying to solve with their move to Grangegorman - a divided university without a cohesive centre. No reason for DCU, UCD etc to go in the reverse direction.

Mr Pseudonym

SantryRed wrote: »

do not see the point whatsoever.

You can see no reason? Really? None? No conceivable reason, however small?

Mr Pseudonym

EricPraline wrote: »

Emm, DCU is certainly well within the bounds of Dublin city. You make it sound like it's in Balbriggan!

DCU is just under 5km from Dublin city centre. Belfield is 4km from Dublin city centre. UL is 5km from Limerick city centre. All are comfortably located in the suburbs. By your rationale, the location of all of these universities should be a deterrent for students and speakers. The only complaint I've heard about the location of any of these universities is the lack of pubs in the vicinity, hardly the end of the world.

Splitting the university into several campuses ends up with the exact problem that DIT are trying to solve with their move to Grangegorman - a divided university without a cohesive centre. No reason for DCU, UCD etc to go in the reverse direction.

First, thank you for taking the time to give such a thorough response. I'll respond in order.

I'm aware that it is technically within the bounds of the city. But, few would argue that Ballymun is any more part of Dublin City than Blanchardstown.

As well as having a more complete campus (bar, cinema, etc), UCD has good transport links. If I worked in Dublin and were invited to speak at both TCD and DCU, I'd sooner walk to College Green than drive North.

TCD is irrelevant to this discussion, but I'm inclined to agree with you.

Certainly, a downside of this proposal (find me a proposal that has none!) is that it splits the social activity of the university. But, you greatly exaggerate when you mention "several" campuses. There would be only one additional one, and for that reason, as well as the fact that teaching wouldn't take place there, the proposal is not comparable to the fragmented DIT.

I'm surprised you can see no up-sides. What if you had to get an inter-city bus from Dublin. Rather than having to kill time in the city, you could relax in familiar surroundings, eat cheaply, study.

EricPraline

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

I'm aware that it is technically within the bounds of the city. But, few would argue that Ballymun is any more part of Dublin City than Blanchardstown.

I'd argue it. DCU is built around Albert College, which was part of Glasnevin, one of the older suburbs of Dublin. Both geographically and historically it's closer to the city than Blanchardstown. But both areas are clearly within Dublin city. I think you're using quite a different definition of "Dublin city". Do you actually mean "Dublin city centre"?

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

As well as having a more complete campus (bar, cinema, etc), UCD has good transport links. If I worked in Dublin and were invited to speak at both TCD and DCU, I'd sooner walk to College Green than drive North.

The bar and cinema in UCD only just opened. For a number of recent years it had neither. As for transport links, DCU is pretty well serviced compared to most parts of the city. I'd agree that it doesn't have a 46A/145 style corridor, but then equally traffic on the Southside of Dublin is far worse than the Northside, so it's not exactly ideal for anyone off the N11. Try getting to UCD via public transport from places like Terenure, Templeogue or Rathfarnham.

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

TCD is irrelevant to this discussion, but I'm inclined to agree with you.

If you're proposing a city centre campus area, then it's very relevant. The same issues regarding lack of available land are going to apply.

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

I'm surprised you can see no up-sides. What if you had to get an inter-city bus from Dublin. Rather than having to kill time in the city, you could relax in familiar surroundings, eat cheaply, study.

But you can already relax and eat in the city centre. Why would it be the preserve of DCU or UCD? And what happens when you have to actually travel to DCU for lectures?

Stanlex

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

In truth, DCU isn't especially well-named: it's comfortably in the suburbs. And I think its distance from the city is something of a deterrent to those applying - especially those from outside of Dublin.

The solution: a building in the centre of the city which would give the university some presence there.

The building could have socialising spaces (with sofas, pool tables, etc), study rooms, computer rooms, tutorial rooms, cafeteria, roof garden, gym, or whatever. I don't know whether this has been an issue, but being able to host guest speakers in the centre of town may make them more willing to accept an invite. With that in mind, a medium-sized lecture hall may also be appropriate.

Were it to come to fruition, I think there should be a regular bus service. According to Google, depending on traffic, it takes 10-20 mins to drive from O'Connell Bridge to DCU. At off-peak times, with two buses and allowing for a five minute turnaround, there could be a bus leaving each stop every fifteen minutes.

What does anyone think? Would it improve your uni experience?

There is absolutely no point to this thread. DCU is 5km from the city centre with frequent buses. No sense at all.

CatFromHue

D9U

Dublin 9 University :P]

GVU

Glasnevin Village University

Mr Pseudonym

CatFromHue wrote: »

D9U

Dublin 9 University :P]

GVU

Glasnevin Village University

I suspect your post won't be getting any Likes!

Mr Pseudonym

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

I suspect your post won't be getting any Likes!

It appears I was wrong

petronius

Maybe there should be a new "Dublin City Centre University" for you.

Mr Pseudonym

petronius wrote: »

Maybe there should be a new "Dublin City Centre University" for you.

Is that directed at me?

petronius

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

Is that directed at me?

It was in a way - i was joking
But a City is not just its centre it is also its suburbs.

I would have liked the NIHE to have stuck with its name or use some unique name, but for marketing and transferability they chose a bland one.
Soon DIT may have to rebrand as something such Technical University of Dublin? TUD?

And I see TCD are getting possessive of the name University of Dublin once again!

Mr Pseudonym

petronius wrote: »

It was in a way - i was joking
But a City is not just its centre it is also its suburbs.

I would have liked the NIHE to have stuck with its name or use some unique name, but for marketing and transferability they chose a bland one.
Soon DIT may have to rebrand as something such Technical University of Dublin? TUD?

And I see TCD are getting possessive of the name University of Dublin once again!

I wasn't being prickly, or anything.

Perhaps I was wrong to find fault in DCU's having "City" in its name.

petronius

I think with TCD so possessive of its University of Dublin name now, and UCD Dublin as it seems to be on its logo. Any other institution had to differentiate itself some way.
Way back Donagh O'Malley suggested a merger of UCD and TCD under a UoD banner and it nearly caused a civil war.
Maybe it is now TCD Dublin City Centre University, UCD Dublin South East University and DCU Dublin North City University lord knows what DIT will rebrand itself as but i hope it keeps its name.

petronius

I also believe DCU have bought land between it and griffith avenue so its getting a bit more closer to the city centre for you, actually its new Innovation Centre on the old finglas road (opposite the met office) is closer to the city centre as well..

Mr Pseudonym

petronius wrote: »

I think with TCD so possessive of its University of Dublin name now, and UCD Dublin as it seems to be on its logo. Any other institution had to differentiate itself some way.
Way back Donagh O'Malley suggested a merger of UCD and TCD under a UoD banner and it nearly caused a civil war.
Maybe it is now TCD Dublin City Centre University, UCD Dublin South East University and DCU Dublin North City University lord knows what DIT will rebrand itself as but i hope it keeps its name.

You say it's possessive of UoD, but that is what it's called.

You misrepresent the merger: both were very much in favour (albeit, with each having a different idea of what the new university would resemble), but a number of factors led to the proposal not being carried out.

petronius

I think TCD is rebranding TCUD? I read about it somewhere..

Mr Pseudonym

petronius wrote: »

I think TCD is rebranding TCUD? I read about it somewhere..

As I'm sure you know, Trinity College is the one and only constituent college of the University of Dublin - ie: Trinity College, University of Dublin. Whether you call it "rebranding" or not, they have decided to emphasise the UoD part.

It seems that, as a compromise, it will be known as TCDUD - Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

Greenmachine

Mr Pseudonym wrote: »

As I'm sure you know, Trinity College is the one and only constituent college of the University of Dublin - ie: Trinity College, University of Dublin. Whether you call it "rebranding" or not, they have decided to emphasise the UoD part.

It seems that, as a compromise, it will be known as TCDUD - Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

So here in an example of a city centre university and all it's inherent problems and you still would prefer if DCU relocated to the city.

petronius

DCU is in a fine Location.
It has land to expand south to Griffith Ave.
It can be accessed easily from the city centre.
Eventually the Metro will serve it?... we live in hope.

Greenmachine

petronius wrote: »

DCU is in a fine Location.
It has land to expand south to Griffith Ave.
It can be accessed easily from the city centre.
Eventually the Metro will serve it?... we live in hope.

Yup probably after I have finished my studies there. But it will be good for future students.

partay pooper

http://www.rpa.ie/en/projects/metro_north/stops/Pages/DCUStop.aspx I really wish this was going ahead...imagine 11 minutes from St stephens Green to DCU. Then it really would bea city university.