An insider's guide to education:A new era begins at UCC later this week when Michael Murphy takes over from Gerry Wrixon in the president's office. The university will hope that the retirement of Wrixon and the impending departure of his chief critic Prof Des Clarke will end the civil war on the campus. So far, the signs are encouraging. The clubby Murphy has somehow managed to steer a course between the rival camps; all sides appear determined to give him a fair wind.
There is one piece of unresolved business - the report commissioned by the UCC governing authority on foot of complaints made by Clarke and others about the Wrixon era. The report, conducted by John Malone, a former secretary general at the Department of Agriculture, will go to the new governing body on February 19th.
Broadly, the report will be welcomed by the Wrixonites. There is some mild criticism of the manner in which the governing authority was by-passed on some decisions. Wrixon, meanwhile, will retire to enjoy the millions he secured from a business deal some years ago. He has no shortage of critics but he has left an indelible impression. He brought a restless, reforming zeal to the sleepy Irish university sector. And he has cast a long shadow over university life in Ireland.
•That's an interesting interview with former NUI Galway student Martin Sheen in the current issue of The Word, the trendy culture bible for the thirtysomethings.
Sheen describes his time in Galway as the adventure of his life. But he also laments the lack of a radical soul among today's students. He couldn't be talking about the Class of 2007 in Galway - could he ?
•Speaking of radical students- not! An editorial in Trinity Newssays 'Do not allow college to be treated as a public thoroughfare.' The writer argues for a tranquil centre for student endeavours, a place where one can be assured of safety from the danger of a modern city. So much for TCD reaching out to its local community!
•The great and the good came out last week to bid adieu to Joyce O'Connor who has retired from the the National College of Ireland (NCI). She will be missed.
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