MEP calls for more Protestant Students at Magee
16 May 2008
Having raised concerns about the low intake of Protestant students at Ulster University’s Magee Campus, Jim Allister recently accepted an invitation to visit the campus in Londonderry and discuss the situation with the Vice-Chancellor Prof Richard Barnett and the Provost, Prof Jim Allen.
Speaking after what he described as a profitable meeting, Jim Allister said:-
“I am grateful for the opportunity to explore with the key personnel in Magee the problem of Protestant under-representation. Some years ago only 10% of the student body was Protestant. Whereas this has now reached 17%, it is still far below par for a campus drawing students from across the Province. The reasons for this deficit lay at the heart of my discussions. I was keen to understand what pro-active steps Magee is taking to dissipate its “cold house” perception.
I welcome moves to promote the campus more widely among State schools and the agreement of a “political protocol” with the Student’s Union to ban the use of Irish tricolours at stalls etc on Fresher’s Day. Such had been a problem with Sinn Fein activists and had created a distinct chill factor for non-republican students. I trust the university will be vigorous in implementing this protocol.
Recognising my own responsibility as an elected representative and spokesman for unionism, I would take this opportunity to encourage Protestant school leavers to actively consider Magee. It is a campus with a rich academic history, which offers a wide range of courses, none of which should be thought off-limits for Unionist students. The opportunities which it offers should be grasped and, therefore, I would encourage more Protestant students to apply. I want to see the present 17% uptake radically increased till a truly cross-community mix is attained, both in students and staff.
As a lawyer I was particularly interested to hear of the opening of an arm of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies on campus in the autumn, where trainee solicitors will be trained. This is a considerable advance for Magee, which I have no doubt will add to its reputation.
In terms of securing its future and academic achievement, I did express to the Vice-Chancellor my reservations about the suggested link-up with Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Not only must the impact on Magee’s attempt to attract more unionist students be considered, but any perceived down-grading of academic pursuit could be detrimental.”
ENDS
