Students' Union blame college authorities for UCD Ball cancellation

The UCD Ball has been cancelled due to a disagreement between the Students' Union and college authorities, The University Observer has learned.A press statement by UCDSU read: “UCD Student’s Union [sic] regrets to announce that the UCD Ball due to take place on April 21st 2011 has been cancelled as a result of a failure by UCD authorities to honour agreements made with the Union."A spokesperson for the Union added that they had been left with "no choice" other than making the decision, adding: "University authorities reneged on the commitment, given to the Students’ Union to close campus as per the stipulations laid down."The argument relates to a prior agreement made between the Students' Union and UCD authorities, which stated the following: “UCD Campus will close to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic except emergency services and event related transport from 13.00 on Thursday, April 21st.’Students' Union President, Paul Lynam, claimed the college authorities were solely to blame, saying that the student body feel "let down" by them.UCD Entertainments Vice-President, Jonny Cosgrove, added: "The UCD ball was due to be the highlight of our students’ calendar and I cannot begin to express the deep sense of frustration and anger following the last couple of weeks.”The Union say they will be holding an emergency meeting of the Students' Union executive "to discuss in detail the next steps".College authorities were unavailable to comment at the time this article was published.More to follow on this story.