Trinity College hosted a town hall meeting yesterday, Wednesday, October 15, to address growing concerns about racism and xenophobia across the city. The event, organised by the Office of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Human Resources, Trinity Global, and Student Counselling Services, drew a near-full crowd inside Regent House. Most attendees were non-students, highlighting that the conversation has extended beyond College.
Although the town hall was not convened in response to a single incident, organisers noted that concerns have been heightened in recent weeks. Two weeks ago, for instance, a Trinity student was assaulted outside Kavanagh Court. The organisers emphasised that yesterday’s meeting would not be the last of its kind, and they described its purpose as “to air concerns, keep people safe, and listen.”
While Trinity’s authority spans only as far as the college walls reach, organisers said College is taking steps to engage more actively with the wider city. “We can’t always solve the problem”, one organiser said, “but we can hear and help where we can”, often through referrals to the proper support. Campus security continues to coordinate with the Gardaí, neighbouring colleges, and Dublin City Council to expand the impact of its work.
As the meeting progressed, audience members were given the opportunity to speak. Several people expressed their desire for better training—not just for those who already care, but specifically for those who choose not to go to meetings like the one being held.
One attendee questioned whether Trinity’s current approach places too much responsibility on victims to respond after discrimination has already happened. “Can we be more proactive as staff?” she asked. The organisers agreed that prevention is as crucial as support, describing the creation of inclusive environments as “as fundamental as education”.
A student raised concerns about discrimination within student societies, which are run by committees that often lack the necessary training to handle such issues. They asked how the new action plan would support those spaces. Organisers responded that the Central Societies Committee (CSC) will receive new resources and training—particularly for society equity officers—to help close that gap.
Another attendee said many students stay silent when faced with racism—whether from fear of causing a scene or from a repeatedly reinforced belief that speaking up won’t change anything. He added that students are not conflict-resolution experts, and they shouldn’t have to be. In response, organisers announced that from this academic year onward, each school in Trinity will have its own EDI directory aimed at providing clearer accountability and support.
Across all contributions, one theme persisted: the need for change is in demand. People are calling for meaningful action to create a safer and more inclusive campus environment.
To close, organisers reiterated that there is still work to be done. The college’s new strategic plan, running until 2030, outlines a set of behavioural values, with “respect and caring” placed first on the list—the first time such a section has been formally included. The plan builds on ongoing work by the EDI office and other departments across the university, with more initiatives to come in the months ahead.
The meeting concluded with a reminder of the resources available to staff and students, and where to find more information.
