Hello,

The good news is that after one unsuccessfull attempt at sending me the sample exam (..he mailed me two files, each of 0 bytes...), Alex Monaghan has now come good and sent me the paper, and the solutions, which I'll attatch to this post. Be sure to let me know if anything goes wrong with the attatchments, 'cause I'm not entirely sure that I've attatched them correctly.

Also, for those who may not have heard there is are questions to be done as part of the so-called 'continuous assesment' in Algorithms. MoH. handed them out last week, and we have until the first day of the exams to get them done. In what way, handing us out questions a few days before the end of term, qualifies as 'continuous assesment' is beyond me. But however, just to let eveyone know that they have to be done and handed up.

Now, down to business.... The last Union Council meeting of the year took place tonight.

Items on the agenda were :

The Election of the Constitutional Review Committee.

The SU operates under a constitution which is bigger than Bunreacht na hÉireann. It's a somewhat awkward and clumsy document, and so we've decided to update it. The committee set up for this purpose consists of 2 exec. members, namely Dermot Lohan, the SU president, and whoever else they decide on, as well as three reps from Union Council who were elected tonight. A CA4, an AS1 and a CF2 if anyone's interested.

Canteen Boycott. The boycott happens this Thursday. The SU are asking students not to go into the Canteen at all on that day. Food wise, you can bring a lunch, or go hungry, or go to Londis in the morning or at lunch time, or go over to the chippers.

I should also point out, that only the canteen in being boycotted. There is no SU boycott on Megabytes or the Bar.

However, Megabytes is run by the same people who run the Canteen. So, I think it's a good idea to stay away from Megabytes, it's up to you. Personally I can't see the point in eating in Megabytes, 'cause your money will go to Management Catering, just the same as if you'd eaten in the canteen.

Recent non-election of the Clubs and Socs Officer.

The returning officer reported, stating that the total no. of votes cast only came to 385, which is well below the 10% of the student population which is required under the constitution. As such there was no valid election, and no one was elected. However, under the constitution, the Council has the power to temporarily appoint exec members. So we appointed the guy who got the highest number of votes in the election.

Christmas Ball.

The Christmas ball will take place in the Temple Theatre, this Thursday. Wonderwall, an Oasis cover band will be playing, as well as some group called loony-m (I think), though I've never heard of them. Tickets cost £7.

BTW, I have _one_ spare ticket, so if you want it just ask me tomorrow.

Academic Council.

We've negotiated with the University, and they've agreed to give us another two or maybe even three seats on this body, which is quite important, in that they take care of all the academic issues in the University. This brings the student representation up to 12, out of 104. This is execllent considering that some colleges around the country don't have even half that.

The Union Of Students in Ireland (USI).

Tara, a first year rep, raised a question about the USI. There's an article in the current edition of the Bullsheet about the USI and our SU, as well as a poll asking students opinions. She'd never heard that people wanted to leave USI, and was curious to see if it had been discussed in Council. It hasn't. Dermot Lohan, SU Pres, said in reply that it was a private poll conducted by the bullsheet people, and not Union policy to seek to leave USI. BTW, for those interested in the topic, he was once in favour of leaving USI, but since becoming SU president he's changed his position.

Well, that's it. The next meeting of Council will take place on Tuesday, 17th of Feburary.

All that remains is for me to wish everyone a Happy Christmas, and here's hoping that your new year will be as full of wonder and delight as you could possibly wish for it to be.

Jonathan.