Students at University College Cork angry over new charge to graduate

There is a growing sense of anger in University College Cork over the €65 graduation fee which was imposed on students last week.

With over 3,000 students graduating from the college every year, this will raise over €200,000 annually for the university.

The fee is vigorously opposed by students and was described as exorbitant by Eoin Hayes, president of the UCC Students’ Union.

College authorities state that the fee is necessary to cover the cost of catering, security, hall rental and printing materials over the ten day conferring period.

They say that staging the graduation ceremonies cost over €200,000 last year, which is unsustainable in the current economic climate.

The €65 fee covers the graduating student and two guests, but doesn’t include the graduating gown, which costs €50, or photography, which costs a further €30.

If a student chooses not to attend the ceremony they will not be charged the €65 fee. They will graduate ‘in abstentia’, and receive their certificate in the post.

A Facebook group opposing the conferring fee has reached over 2,000 members.

Fourth year student Seán Ó Luasa has set up another Facebook group, for students who plan to attend their conferring ceremony without paying the fee.

He believes the gradation ceremony is a student service, and as such it should be covered by the college registration fee.

Incoming Students’ Union president Keith O’Brien has pledged to join students in this action on graduation day.

He has also proposed that the Students’ Union would organise an alternative graduation for students, which would cost €50.

An online poll carried out by the Cork Student News website found that 78% would support this alternative ceremony, although it could not be verified how many of these were actual students.

Students at Trinity College are charged €114 for their conferring ceremony, regardless of whether they actually attend or not.

DCU doesn’t charge students a separate graduation fee, as the cost is covered by the €1538 registration fee paid by students annually.