So there has been some tensions in Dublin and in the School of Drama in the last couple weeks over changes to an existing program that was leaked to The Irish Times. (They require a subscription at present to access articles so I can't link to it. Sorry.)
Having read the five or so items published in Dublin newspapers and had a couple discussions with individuals involved/affected, it seems to largely be a financial decision. The University is evidently running at quite a deficit and is in the midst of a huge restructuring. The School of Drama decided to stop admitting students to a three-year program specifically devoted to acting and for which admission is based on audition (rather than Leaving Certificate scores...i.e. merit beyond academic success). The adjustments throughout the department's offerings would be expanding one of the other undergraduate drama programs to have a specific actor-training element/option and to introduce at least one M.Phil. in acting. Unlike the three-year acting program, the M.Phil. will not be free to Irish citizens.
So there's lots of inflammatory comments and carefully phrased rhetoric flying around the town. Having served in a position as an undergraduate in administrative meetings, I imagine there are some stressed out students wrestling with the burden of responsibility despite not actually having power to do much besides report information back and forth. Of course, I don't know the details within Trinity; this is just me talking from a place of limited experience and knowledge. Hopefully folks will start listening to each other and speaking clearly. The tensions aren't good for anyone.
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