On October 9th a group of DCU students protested the rise of accommodation service fees.
According to official sources, the service fee in one undergraduate residence was raised from 52 euros to 116 euros, with other areas facing similar price increases.
Student Union VP for Community and Citizenship Emily Cathcart helped to organise the protest stating that along with general rental increases, “DCU has almost increased rent by 7%, it is absolutely unacceptable for a university to increase the cost of rent like this.”
A 2nd year Law student expressed outrage claiming that the university was “trying to use loopholes to get around the maximum rent increase of 2% annually.” “it spits in the face of justice and they need to hear that we won’t lie down and take it.”
One Computing Student stated that “The sudden increase without any notification for any of us is definitely debatable”. “I don’t think it’s necessary since there’s not really any maintenance for our apartment.”
Also joining the protest was the SU postgraduate officer. Though not a resident nor affected by the fees, “obviously I’m going to be here and support the protest,” he said, recalling the “big stressor” that paying fees was every September.
The group of protestors marched from the U to the residential area, making their voice against this unexplained price increase heard. At one point, they stood outside the accommodation reception, shouting, “Campus res, cut the charges!” in a call and response.
Daniel Walsh from the national Union of Students (AMLE), expressed his solidarity with the protesters assuring them that they are “calling on the DCU president to write to the minister of housing and higher education seeking clarification on these grey areas in the law and looking to close those loopholes in the statute.”
According to Cathcart the protest was a “great start” in the “ongoing campaign since September”. “Students are powerful, and their voice can change the world,” telling protestors that even in spite of opposition, they would continue to speak.
Cathcart encourages other students to join in on the campaign, whether through signing a petition or by keeping up with the Student Union on Instagram.
VP of Wellbeing Lauren Joyce assured that “It’s only going to get bigger from here and the Students Union is ready for it and is ready to keep fighting for these charges to decrease again.”
