UCC rethink on graduation fee charge

THE authorities at University College Cork (UCC) have agreed to reexamine their books to see if a proposed €65 graduation fee can be reduced.

The position was agreed yesterday after a meeting between UCC’s vice president for External Affairs, Eamon Sweeney, and members of the Students’ Union (SU) executive, including SU president Eoin Hayes, vice president Ian Power, and education officer, Shelly Conroy.

Mr Hayes had talks earlier with UCC President Dr Michael Murphy.

The controversial graduation fee was among the issues discussed but Mr Hayes declined to comment on the detail of the meeting.

He and his team met Mr Sweeney later. Mr Hayes described that meeting as “constructive”.

He said college authorities have agreed to enter into a process, which will include further talks and discussion, on the re-evaluation of the costs associated with UCC’s graduation ceremonies, which cost €200,000 last year.