Sir, - I refer to the article "Are Colleges Doing Enough to Fight Disadvantage?" (June 10th). Those of us charged with this responsibility at UCD were heartened to note the interest of The Irish Times in highlighting the challenge to make higher education more representative of society at large than is the case at present, whereby participation is dominated by the more privileged sectors. However, we were dismayed to note a complete omission of any reference to the efforts of UCD to counter this inequality, while all other initiatives in the Dublin area were rehearsed.
Lest your readers be misled into concluding that the university is remiss in this important project, we would welcome the opportunity to state the following facts: In 1994 UCD set in train a process to address this issue. A college-wide scheme was designed and agreed for the admission of additional students across all faculties under direct entry arrangements. In consultation with the Department of Education 20 schools in the southwest and west of Dublin, in North Wicklow and in Co Wexford, which are designated disadvantaged, were invited to participates. This scheme - New Era (Equal Rights Access) - has been operational since April 1997, as a result of which students have already been admitted to degree courses in Arts, Social Science, Commerce, Business and Legal, Science and Medicine.
The target figure is 70 students annually. In the forthcoming year - its first full year - we expect to see over 40 other students entering UCD - including the Faculties of Law and Engineering/ Architecture - who would otherwise find it difficult to surmount the barriers to such access. In advance of entry, these students will participate in a summer school designed to augment their confidence and skills in coping with the transition to university. Following entry they will receive pastoral and academic support, in addition to that normally available. As it has been established that finance is a major obstacle, UCD has undertaken to generate funds to augment the available grants, which we have no hesitation in describing as inadequate.
This scheme is evolving, in the knowledge that it is but one component in the wider strategy being urged. Further development will entail outreach activity and networking with schools and communities. As has been established by research conducted at UCD, the challenge is large and the barriers will not be eliminated easily. However, the work underway in the various institutions, combined with the tangible determination within schools and communities augurs for significant shift.
If any of your readers wish to have further information, enquiries will be welcomed by Ms Aine Galvin, Co-ordinator New Era Programme, John Henry Newman Building, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 (Tel 706 8606, Email Aine.e.Galvin@ucd.ie).-Yours, etc., Kevin Hurley,
Chairperson, on behalf of the Registrar's
Committee on Equality in participation in Higher Education.
University College Dublin,
Belfield,
Dublin 4.