The second council meeting of the semester took place today, October 13th, in the Fitzgerald Chamber. Elections were held for various positions within the council, a motion to form a Graduate Crew was passed, and UCDSU President Michael Roche noted that plans for UCD Christmas Day are underway.
Council Elections
Elections were held for the roles of First Year Promotions Officer, Business (Smurfit) College Officer, Engineering College Officer, and Student Residence Coordinator. Aba Wuddah was elected for First Year Promotions Officer, Habeeb Masood was elected for Business (Smurfit) College Officer, Kathleen Campbell was elected for Engineering College Officer, and Yatharth was elected for Student Residence Coordinator.
Uncontested positions that received nominations were Agriculture, Food & Vet College Officer, Non-alcoholic events officer, and Promotions Officer, which meant these positions were elected without going to a vote. Fizza Muskan Aboobakar was elected for Agriculture, Food & Vet College Officer, Alexandru Petrovici was elected for Non-alcoholic Events Officer, and Siddhesh Khutwad was elected for Promotions Officer.
Graduate Crew
The motion to create a Graduate Crew, a team of volunteer graduate students to share ideas on how best to support graduate students, was easily passed. Graduate Officer Shreyansh Jagtap, who proposed the motion, hopes to “work with a number of people” of different perspectives to “build a stronger and more connected graduate community”. The motion mandates that Mr. Jagtap report to Council each semester about the “ideas and activities” of the Crew.
Christmas Day
President Michael Roche referenced the return of UCD Christmas Day. The event, which occurs on the final Thursday of each Autumn semester, came under scrutiny from students last year due to the high volume of security personnel on campus. Mr. Roche, who promised to “bring back” Christmas Day in his election manifesto, noted that he has been engaging with relevant UCD stakeholders, including the UCD Estate Services, to plan an event on campus. Despite this, he said that he was unable to divulge specifics thus far, as it is still in the planning phase.
Palestine
Numerous questions were put to President Michael Roche relating to Palestine. Roche stated that the Union “cautiously welcome the ceasefire” but noted that they plan to continue to work with Palestinian students not just on the ground in Gaza, but those who have been displaced in countries such as Egypt. Roche noted that UCDSU is endorsing the planned walkout for Gaza, set to take place this Thursday 16th at 1pm, and encouraged everyone to take part.
When asked further about the support Palestinian students are receiving, Roche mentioned that the University offers scholarships, individual colleges within the University are also offering scholarships, UCD Global handles the initial contact and ensuring that they integrate into university life, and mentioned UCDSU initiatives such as the Great Donate, which was opened early for Palestinain students.
When asked about the mechanisms the Union has to evacuate students from Palestine, Roche stated that there has been work done with the University, government ministers and UCD Global, and that while the issue is sensitive there has been an “awful lot” done. Roche commended Welfare Officer Emilia O'Hagan on the work that she has carried out regarding Palestinian students, noting that she has worked "exceptionally hard".
AMLÉ
Education Officer Matt Mion highlighted that AMLÉ’s President and Dublin Officer have been invited to submit a report for the third meeting of council. They will be invited to report on what they do for UCD students. At the last council meeting, the role AMLÉ plays in supporting the Union, and the cost of membership of AMLÉ, came under question. Mion noted that AMLÉ’s presence at the next council meeting will mean that AMLÉ can respond to such questions directly.
Budget
President Michael Roche noted that the Union’s budget has yet to be presented at council due to the uncertainty regarding filling the two sabbatical roles that are currently vacant. However, as there have been nominations received for both sabbatical officer roles, the budget can now progress. Roche thanks council for their patience in this matter.
Contributing writers for this article: Alice Keegan, Ben Sweeney, Orla Mahon