RAG Week, which stands for "Raise And Give" is organised annually by the Students' Union with the proceeds of all events going to the RAG Charities.

The date for this year's Raise & Give (RAG) Week is...Monday, March 5th to Thursday, March 8th 2012.

Again, this year we have done our best to work with dates that accommodate students that go on placement in the 2nd semester. As a result, we'll have the largest number of students on campus to attend the various activities, fundraisers & events.

We've already been working away on various elements of the week, however it is your week, so we want to hear from you about what you want!
What entertainment do you want to see on-campus and in the town?
What do you think could be improved on from last year?
Who would you like to see at it?

Please send all suggestions to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Please be realistic...although we're gonna have one of the biggest Rag-Weeks in the country, unfortunately we can't attract or afford acts such as Michael Mcintyre, David Guetta or One Direction.

For many, Raise & Give Week is the social highlight of the year, but there is a lot more to Rag Week than laughing at comedians & getting tipsy!
Remember to RAISE & GIVE!

We are giving you, the students of DkIT the chance to nominate a charity or two to benefit from RAG Week 2012.
If you are involved with, or have an affinity to a particular charity or cause, then nominate them as the RAG Charity. This is a chance for all the students to raise lots of money for some very deserving organisations.
Please email David ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) before the 1st of February with your nominations.

DkIT Students' Union present...

DkIT's X-MAS BALL

+ The Republic of Telly's Damo

+ Huge Snow Party

+ Santa's Grotto

+ DJ Graham Coleman in the Club

+ DJ Will Rokitt & Charged DJs on the Terrace

+ All Drinks €2

Date: Thursday, 15th December

Venue: Silence Nightclub, Dundalk

Time: 11pm - Late

Tickets: €10 on sale from DkIT Students' Union

Over 18's | Gov or DkIT ID Essential | R.O.A.R.

The bottom line for students from this week's budget is this - grant cut by 3%, Undergrad fees increase by €250 and no support for new postgrads. This means the grant has now been cut a whopping 13% in the last 3 years!

Altogether, Brendan Howlin announced cuts to public expenditure amounting to €2.2 billion as part of the budget announcement yesterday. We've dug out the issues that effect students particularly so you may read them yourself:

Today I am announcing that the public service pay bill will fall by €400 million in 2012. By the end of this year, the numbers employed in the Public Service will be below 300,000. Next year, the Government plans to reduce the size of Public Service by a further 6,000.

As everyone who works in the college is a public servant, this can only effect students sooner or later. Less staff will be available is several key areas eventually.

We have had to make the difficult decision to increase student contributions in order to protect the higher education sector from what would otherwise have been greater cuts in that area. While we have had to make savings by abolishing student support for some new post-graduate students, we will make a contribution towards the fees of the post-graduate students from the lowest income backgrounds. Substantial allocations will also continue to be made to assist students from lower income backgrounds to achieve an under-graduate qualification.

The lower income background means families who earn less than 20,000 a year. So if your parents are on minimum wage and bringing in only 20 or 30k between them, no post-graduate support for you.

The document attached containing the full details of public expenditure cuts is attached to this article.

If you have anything to say on these cuts and how they will effect you, please use the forums and make yourself heard! We are still awaiting an official announcement from the USI.

Attachments:

Comprehensive-Expenditure-Report-2012-2014.pdf

06/12/11 22:42

DkIT Students' Union present DkIT's first ever MYSTERY TOUR!

On Wednesday, the 7th of December, 14 coaches holding 700 students will depart DkIT to visit 2 unknown venues.

Tickets are just €12 and will be on sale at the New Black Box Ticket Office from 11am on Tuesday, 29th November 2011. Tickets are limited to 4 per person. This is a limited capacity, ticket-only event, so please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Buses depart from the College Bar at 5pm and return late.

Check out the Facebook Event Page.

Dont miss the Annual Horseware Student Sale. You can get great value deals on jackets, waterproofs, kids clothing and lots more quality items at a great price. It runs from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Thursday on 24th Nov 2011.

DkIT Student's Union are delighted to accounce the launch of a new monthly comedy club in the college bar featuring the best of Irish comedy. The first gig will be headlined by Pat McDonnell aka Eoin McLove from Father Ted and also star of Naked Camera and Savage Eye.

A fantastic support line-up includes Gerry McBride, former winner of the Father Ted Tedfest Best Act and ComedyDublin Best Act competitions, and Padser Murray, fresh from a succesful debut at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival . Louth Village man Alan Gernon from RTE Radio 1 and RTE tv's "Monday Night Soccer" will be resident MC.

Tickets are €5 from the Student's Union or online at www.eventelephant.com/dkitlaughs

Doors open at 7pm and gig kicks off at 7:45pm

Here's the lowdown on the acts...

PAT MCDONNELL!

-Father Ted (as the legenday Eoin McLove)

-Naked Camera (RTE)

-Savage Eye (RTE)

-Stew (RTE)

-Tubridy Tonight (RTE)

-Don't Feed the Gondolas (RTE)

-Val Falvey TD (RTE)

-The Eejits (Channel 4)

-"Splendidly original and a bit bizarre, he is the business" Sunday Times

-"Plenty of fun" Chortle.co.uk

GERRY MCBRIDE!

- ComedyDublin Comedian of the Year 2009

-Father Ted Tedfest Best New Act Winner 2010

-Bulmers Nuthin’ Butt Funny Best Newcomer finalist 2009

-Electric Picnic

-Hardy Har Bray Comedian of the Year 2009

PADSER MURRAY!

-Laughter Lounge

-Craic Attack Finalist 2011

-Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011

MC ALAN GERNON!

-Monday Night Soccer (RTE)

-Pat Kenny Show (RTE)

-“A future comedy star” 2FM

-“Some great lines” Joe Duffy, RTE

-“One of the stars of the performance” Hot Press

-“A hotly tipped talent” Drogheda Independent

-“Brilliant one-liners” Meath Chronicle

-ComedyDublin Comedian of the Year Finalist 2008

-98FM Dublin’s Best Comedian Finalist

Parties Must Honour Pre-election Promises on Third Level Fees & Student Supports

Tens of thousands of students, parents and families from around Ireland are expected to descend upon Dublin city centre tomorrow for a protest march, organised by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and students’ unions across the country.

People will begin gathering for the demonstration at 12.30pm tomorrow (November 16th) in Parnell Square and the protest will proceed from there to Government buildings at 2.30 pm.

Almost 200 buses will carry students from college campuses nationwide to the USI march, where they will protest against further increases in college fees.

In addition to Fee hikes, the students will also protest against additional cuts to the student maintenance grant in the looming Budget.

On February 21st, during the final week of campaigning in Election 2011 then Labour Party Spokesperson on Education and current Education Minister Ruairí Quinn publically signed a USI pledge on behalf of the Labour Party stating

“I, Ruairi Quinn, Education Spokesperson for the Labour Party hereby pledge that if elected, we will oppose and campaign against any new form of third level fees including student loans, graduate taxes and any further increase in the Student Contribution.

Furthermore, we pledge to use our position in Dáil Éireann to protect the Higher Education Maintenance Grant from any and all cuts. This Grant is often the only source of funding students have to support their studies.

If the State and the Government are to truly cherish all the children of the country equally, then this Grant must be supported and we will not support any Government that fails in this regard.”

The following day (February 22nd) party leader and current Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD also signed the pledge, publically re-affirming the Labour Party’s commitment on 3rd level fees.

Fine Gael also made a strong commitment on education in its election manifesto, stating that the party would not increase 3rd level fees further.

“We will not increase the student registration fee further. Instead, we will pursue greater pay and non-pay efficiencies in the third level system through greater flexibility in working arrangements, in line with the Croke Park Agreement.’ (Fine Gael Election Manifesto)”

Ensuring access to education should be the corner stone of Ireland’s economic recovery plan.

USI President, Gary Redmond, said:

“During election 2011, USI registered over 15,000 students to vote and young people turned out in unprecedented numbers to vote. Many of these young people and their families were influenced in their decision by the Labour Party’s commitment, championed by Ruairí Quinn and party leader Eamon Gilmore, not to increase third level fees in any form. Ireland is tragically losing the future drivers of our Smart Economy, with thousands of valuable graduates having already left Irish shores and many thousands more preparing to follow suit.

There are currently 3 choices for young Irish people – college, emigration or the dole. Any increase in college fees or additional cuts to student supports will ensure that a 3rd level education is not an option for thousands of young people across the country.

A recent survey conducted by the DIT Office of Campus life put the cost of a 4 year degree at €30,764 for a student living away from home. On top of this students must pay fees of €2,000 per annum in addition to local college levies for sports and student facilities resulting in the total cost of a year degree approaching €40,000.

The credibility of the Coalition Government and its political parties is under the spotlight on this issue and the USI is vigorously campaigning to ensure that pre-election pledges are honoured.

USI has organised this protest march to ensure that students and Higher Education are not seen as easy targets for Budget 2012.

The students of Ireland are the future of the nation. The students of today are the tax payers of tomorrow.

By protecting education we will continue produce graduates of international caliber and give our generation a fighting chance of repaying Ireland’s massive debts.

USI understands the current the state of the public finances and the students of Ireland recognise that tough decisions are necessary. However, we are calling on the Government to protect education in the upcoming Budget and that they keep their pre-election promise.

Ireland must continue to produce world class graduates who will reignite the smart economy. Thousands of concerned people will take to the streets of the capital city tomorrow to demonstrate just how vital Higher Education is for the prosperity of Ireland.

Education is central to the recovery of the Irish economy and it must not be compromised”

DkIT Students Union is calling on students, parents and all members of the community to attend USI's National Protest on Wednesday 16th November at 1.30 in Parnell Square when tens of thousands of people from right across the country will converge on the capital to demand that the Government commit to protecting education and therefore Ireland’s future.

James Clarke, President, and David Branagan, Vice-President of the Students' Union, are encouraging all students to sign-up in the SU Office, so as to avail of the free transport to Dublin on Wednesday. The buses depart from outside reception at DkIT from 12 noon and will return for 6pm approx.

USI believes that our education system has served us extremely well and does accept that, in the current economic climate, we must achieve more with fewer resources. However, investing in education is vital to build long term sustainable economic development.

Prior to the election, Ruairi Quinn, the then education spokesperson for the Labour Party, signed a pledge written by the USI that if the Labour Party was elected to Government, there would be no increase in College fees or Cuts to the Maintenance Grant.

On Wednesday, protesters in Dublin will demand that the Government stick by their promise and protect education in the upcoming budget.

This year, we're looking for students to join the SU CREW! As a member of the SU CREW, you will work closely with the SU team, with opportunities to learn about all aspects of PR campaigns & event management. You do not need to be skilled in any of these areas. The only skill we demand is enthusiasm!

We're looking for...

Promotional staff | Management staff | Gig techs | Artist liaison | Photographers | Videographers | Video editors | Graphic designers | Musicians | DJ's | Lighting & VJ's | Performers

There are also some perks to helping out...
This experience is a great way to bulk up your CV, while still in the college + we can also supply the SU CREW members with different freebies throughout the year; from guestlist places at college events to tickets for some of the summer's most popular festivals.

If you want to get involved you can sign up here.

DkIT Students' Union present... "THE DkIT HALLOWEEN BALL w/ GURU JOSH PROJECT" Thursday, 27th October 2011 @ Silence Nightclub, Dundalk. Get your costumes ready for the biggest Halloween party around! On the night there'll also be Zombie Dancers, Fire Breathers, Stilt Walkers, Spooky Mists, Jugglers, Laser Show, Halloween Bodyart & Creepy Cocktails!

Tickets (€10) on sale in the Students' Union

Doors: 11pm | R.O.A.R

Each year the Students’ Union organises a Graduation Ball that coincides with the conferring. This year’s Graduation Ball will be held on Saturday, November 5^th in Silks Suite in Dundalk Stadium.

ISPCC are currently looking for volunteers to join their dedicated team of mentors to support young people and parents throughout Louth.

They are looking for volunteers to give 4 hours of their time a week for a minimum of two years. In return ISPCC will provide comprehensive training and monthly support and supervision. A Volunteer information Evening will be held Tuesday 8th November in DkIT between 6.30 and 8pm and on Wednesday 9th November in St Brigids Complex Ardee at 6.30pm-8pm

Please Contact ISPCC offices if you are interested in attending this information evening. Telephone 041-9833406 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please see also the attached files about volunteers for mentoring work with parents & young people in Monaghan and volunteers for the ISPCC Drogheda Childline Service.

Attachments:

ISPCC Drogheda.pdf	13/10/11 15:57
ISPCC Monaghan.pdf	13/10/11 15:57

While you were all away over the summer there was a major upgrade to the DkIT Wireless Network. These are the instructions for how to connect. Computer Services have warned that you will NOT be able to connect if you do not carry out these instructions precisely!

Note: Verify your login details (username, password) are working correctly via moodle or another service first. The wireless will not give a bad password error message.

Windows XP, Vista, 7 users - see here for instructions. Vista users MUST install this file. Note that Vista is not officially supported by Computer Services. Upgrading to Windows 7 is recommended in all instances. XP users should ensure they have Service Pack 3 installed.

Mac OS X users - see here for instructions. On Mac OS X Lion (v10.7), the “+” button for 802.1X profiles has been removed. You can use the mobile configuration profile to import the 802.1X settings on Lion laptops.

iPhone/iPad users - users of these devices should first connect to the internet via a 3G connection or use the guest network in DkIT (your login from last term should still work). Then, download this file to your device. It will install all the correct settings, you just need to enter the username and password. Disconnect and connect to wireless.dkit.ie

Android users - users of Android powered phones (HTC, Samsung etc) and tablets have it easiest of all. All you need to do is make sure you enter the below details (PEAP, MsCHAPV2) as well as your username and password. Certificate fields can be skipped to make a quick connection and the Anonymous Identity field is also optional and can be left blank.

If you have any difficulty connecting, and you are sure you followed the instructions correctly, then chances are your password is incorrect. Go to the IT Helpdesk in the North Building and have it reset. Also, note that all first years now use their D Number as a username (eg. D00353021). However, returning student still use the same format as before (eg. bloggsj09).

One last important piece of information. There is a big difference between username and email when logging into services. The username bloggsj09 is NOT the same as This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You ONLY use the full email format for logging in to the new Microsoft powered webmail and if travelling and using the eduroam wireless network. This is becuase both these services are OFF campus and they need to figure out your home institute from your login.

For all other services which are ON campus (Wireless Network, Moodle, Old Webmail, Desktop access etc etc) use the short format eg. D00353021 for first years, bloggsj09 for returning students. Hope this is clear!

See http://www.dkit.ie/compserv for all IT related issues and further information.

It's a fact that there is nowhere near enough car parking facilities at DkIT and this has been a recurring issue between the Union and the college. However, no solution is in place yet and more and more students are coming each year.

However, as part of the 'Green Campus' Project at DkIT, there is now a new Car Sharing website available for anyone coming to the campus. Sign up at http://www.carsharing.ie/dkit and find someone who is travelling your route to college! This way you don't need a parking space and you won't get wet on your bike ;)

Read more about the Green Campus Project here.

We have recently set up an excel spreadsheet using Google docs that will be available for DkIT students to view. The idea behind this is so you guys can sell your unwanted text books to incoming students and and also maybe save a few quid on text book costs by buying 2nd hand books.

The spreadsheet will be available to view here.

So if anyone has any books to sell could they please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the following information:

1) Course
2) Book title (full name and edition)
3) Author(s)
4) Description
5) Module book was used for
6) Subject area covered
7) Price
8) Contact details (name, mobile/email)

If like many of us you have had your student password reset over the summer due to the "migration" currently happening on campus (ie. can't access webmail, moodle or any other service) you need to contact Computer Services in the college, NOT reception or anyone else. The best way to do this is to phone 042 9370300 between 9am and 4pm, or to email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The required document on How To Connect can be found here, and the new policy is here.The configuration can be entered now, even if you are off campus, so that when you come to college in September your laptop will "just work".

For all information regarding wireless at DkIT, see http://www.dkit.ie/wireless before seeking support from Computer Services - they'll be busy enough as is with registration, new email accounts et etc in September! We've tested the new network with Windows 7, Android and iPhone, all worked fine once the correct settings were entered. Fast too :)

Just to let you know the new Student Maintenance Grant Scheme was released last week. I would urge you all to have a look at the scheme and see if you are entitled to a grant.

If you are entitled it is best to apply early. This year a lot of you willbe able to apply on-line which rules out the possibility of filling out the form incorrectly as the on-line system is intelligent to the info being input.

For details on the scheme or to see if you can apply on-line visit www.studentfinance.ie.

CHANGES FOR 11/12 Grant Scheme

• Reduction of 4% in overall grants. This has been implemented from January 2011 and will continue.
• The qualifying distance for the non-adjacent rate of the grant has moved from 24km to 45 km.
• Mature students will not automatically receive the non-adjacent rate of the grant.

If anybody needs assistance with their grant application forms email James on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Results for the May 2011 Examination Session will be e-mailed to your student e-mail account next Tuesday 14th June. Overall results will be put up on the notice boards outside the Whitaker Theatre. Please note, no results will be issued over the phone by the Examinations Office.

All students are now locked out from accessing results from the current academic year. Your results will only become available when you receive an e-mail from the Examinations Office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with your logon details. If you receive the mail with your logon details and still have difficulties, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Stay safe on the roads this bank holiday weekend, don’t become another young person that is needlessly killed on Irish roads.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Union of Students in Ireland are pleading with you to use the roads safely this June bank holiday weekend. As you are now on your Summer holidays, you will be using the roads more frequently. When out and about stay safe, slow down, and make it home.

Too many young people die on our roads. These people are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and students, just like you. As the bank holiday weekends approach, think about how you use the roads. Using the roads is the most dangerous thing we do every day. If there are changes you could make to be safer on the roads, make them. This could be the change that saves your life.

Seatbelts are proven life-savers. If you crash, and you are not wearing a seatbelt, you will be thrown around the car injuring or killing other passengers or could be thrown out of the car altogether. Without a seatbelt, it could be you that kills others in the car.

When out socialising this June bank holiday weekend, remember to never ever drive after you’ve been drinking. Leave your car at home if you are going drinking, get a taxi, bus or lift with a friend that has not been drinking or taking drugs.

If the Irish weather holds up, and you are out cycling walking this June bank holiday weekend make sure you can be seen. Don’t get caught out in the dark, wear something reflective. Remember, a car cannot avoid what they cannot see.

For further information on road safety visit www.rsa.ie

Comedian Joe Rooney (Killinaskully, Fr. Ted) brings his new show to the Black Box Theatre, DkIT tonight (Thursday May 26th) at 8pm sharp. Admission is free.

'Under government guidelines, the chair of AIB is not meant to be paid more than €276,000 per annum, but David Hodgkinson has been awarded almost double this because he is an EXECUTIVE chairman...'

In an effort to double his salary in 2011, Joe Rooney has decided to become an EXECUTIVE comedian, and the show consists of comments on the recent tumultuous events in our country both through stand up and song. A good laugh is guaranteed and in case you didn't hear the first time, admission is FREE.

Everyone is familiar with the Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the audience for the OpenOffice.org office suite continues to grow, but those programs are only the tip of the iceberg. Students can save an absolute fortune by acknowledging that free, worthy alternatives to nearly every piece of software exist - you just need ot know where to go.

For this reason we present a complete guide to open source alternatives you can use for college next year. You can also discuss this stuff in the forums, if you know of any packages not listed. Don't fork out for software that you don't need to buy! Remember, it's what it DOES that you need, not WHO produces it (eg. You need "Word Processing", not Microsoft Word). Think about it. 150 euro software license? Or free software and enough cash to last you the month?!

There's an iPad 2 up for grabs. It's pretty simple. We ask your opinion on your course, do you like, do you not? Is your department good enough? What do you wish you had known before choosing your course?

We want to know because we are going to use your feedback to help prospective students decide if the course is right for them or not. We also hope that the courses will improve for future students as a result of your feedback!

Simply complete the survey at this link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/yourcourseDKIT.

Whoever writes the most useful review, whether good or bad we will give you an iPad 2.

The USI is urging students around the country to sign up to become potential organ donors. The call coincides with Organ Donor Awareness Week 2011, which ran until April 9.

As part of the week, stands were set-up in colleges nationwide where students collected organ donor cards. Posters were also displayed and special talks were given on campuses nationwide to promote the benefits and importance of organ donation.

Students are now being encouraged to avail of the new organ donor ECard, which allows people to record their wishes via a smart phone application.

Last year saw a record fall in Irish organ donations, according to the Irish Kidney Association (IKA). Fifty-eight deceased organ donors led to 151 transplants. This represented a 35% fall in the number of donors compared with the previous year.

The IKA has voiced concerns that families of potential donors in hospital are not being approached because of staffing shortages and work pressures in the country's intensive care units.

In response to this, the USI said that it is focused on raising awareness about the ongoing and increasing demand for organ donation and transplantation and to encourage students nationwide to carry an organ donor card.

Click here to apply for a donor card.