Paul KeenanLack of numbers voids ballot
An attempt by student activists in Dublin City University (DCU) to scupper plans for a campus meditative labyrinth on anti-religious grounds has failed after a low referendum turn-out on the issue.
Students had been asked to cast votes on April 23 and 24 towards challenging what opponents viewed as a religious dimension to the labyrinth, based on the fact that the proposed design is a copy of an existing labyrinth in France’s Chartres Cathedral, itself based on labyrinth designs long pre-dating world religions.
The challenge was mounted despite earlier assurances by the labyrinth organising committee, which were reiterated to The Irish Catholic by a DCU spokesperson this week that “the proposed design does not contain any religious imagery and is intended to appeal to all students, regardless of tradition or belief”.
In the vote last week, although 546 students backed a proposal for the Students’ Union to oppose the construction, with 531 against, a quorum of 1,231 (10% of total student numbers) was not reached, immediately invalidating the result.
Plans for the completion of the DCU labyrinth continue, with over half of the projected €45,000 cost already met through fundraisers and donations.
A proposed donation of €10,000 by the DCU Students’ Union was vetoed in a 2012 students’ referendum based on objections from the DCU Sinn Féin cumann.