Trinity did not apply a quota system for the Foundation Scholarship (Schols) examinations this year, after the Central Scholarship Committee decided that the number of candidates meeting the individual criteria was “within the historical range of awards given”.
The quota system – which was introduced this year to combat the risk of grade inflation – caused a stir in the Scholars community this year.
However, College decided to scrap the system – which would have limited the number of scholarships awarded this year to 60 – after months of controversy and a failed complaint to the Visitors, College’s most senior decision makers.
In an email statement to The University Times, Senior Lecturer Kevin Mitchell said that “given that the total number of candidates meeting the individual criteria was within the historical range of awards given (73 in 2018), and the percentage of attendees being proposed for Scholarship was similarly within the typical range, the Central Scholarship Committee considered that the valid concerns over possible grade inflation did not in fact materialise and that the academic integrity of the overall process had been maintained”.
“For this reason and also taking into consideration that candidates sat the scholarship exam under the additionally stressful conditions of the ongoing pandemic”, Mitchell added, “Board approved the proposal that the quota not be implemented and the full set of 73 candidates meeting the individual criteria be awarded Scholarship”.
In an email statement to The University Times, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union Education Officer Megan O’Connor said: “I am so delighted that 73 foundation scholarships were fairly awarded today, despite a quota of 60 being set by the college earlier this year.”
“Given there was no concerns in relation to grade inflation or the Academic Integrity of the Scholarship examinations, all 73 were approved by the Senior Lecturer and the Scholarship Committee. A huge congratulations to all students who put themselves forward for these exams.”
“Anyone who may be disappointed today, please always feel free to reach out to Leah at [email protected]”, she added.
The quota system has been a source of controversy since it was conditionally passed by College Board, Trinity’s most senior decision-making body, on November 18th.
Board sent the proposal to the Visitors – who decide on appeals against Board decisions – to determine whether or not it breached the College statutes.
The Visitors – Chancellor Mary McAleese and Judicial Visitor George Bermingham – decided that it did not breach the statutes, and that Trinity could implement the quota.
The proposal stirred up controversy among the Scholars community, many of whom considered it to be an attack on the academic integrity of the Foundation Scholarship.
The quota system was introduced in the wake of fears that online exams would cause grade inflation and by extension a spike in the number of scholarships awarded.
