On Monday 24 February, members of the UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) convened in the Fitzgerald Chamber for the seventh regular meeting of Council.
Attendance was noticeably lower than any other meeting of council so far this academic year, and was opened by Deputy Chair Cillian Murphy (though Chair Niall Torris would return shortly after 6:20pm).
With no minutes or matters arising from the previous meeting of council, Murphy opened proceedings on motions.
UCD Trans Handbook Motion
Nick Haynes, UCDSU LGBTQIA+ Rights Coordinator, submitted a motion to work with the Student Desk to create an updated ‘Trans Handbook’ for the union. Speaking on the motion, Nick said that finding “trans information can be really annoying to find through UCD’s website.” The motion states that “having one consolidated document for information and resources would greatly improve accessibility.”
The motion mandates that the LGBTQIA+ Rights Coordinator and the Welfare Officer, work with the UCD Student Desk to ensure that a trans handbook is "reviewed or created each year.” The motion emphasises the importance of the handbook being kept up to date and that it should be promoted and easily accessible to all students.
The motion, which was seconded by Law College Officer Aisling Maloney, mentions a number of things that the handbook should include. Some of the items on the list include "information on SU trans supplies, such as binders and trans tape,” information on how to change your name and gender markers in the UCD system, guidelines on how to report discrimination or harassment, and information on “local and national trans organizations, support groups, and online communities.”
Haynes mentioned that the idea was inspired by Donohue’s manifesto. The motion received no speakers against it and passed overwhelmingly.
Holding the University Accountable for the Palestine Encampment Agreement motion
A motion was presented to council to ‘Mandate the Union on Holding the University Accountable for the Palestine Encampment Agreement’. The motion noted that since the month-long UCDSU/BDS encampment in May 2024, UCD management continues to hold up to their side of the agreement, but this motion would be necessary in order to keep pressure on the university, noting, “without consistent pressure from the Union, the University may not follow through on their side of the agreement.”
The motion mandates the UCDSU President and Campaigns & Engagements Officer “to monitor the implementation of the Encampment Agreement by the University, in line with the principles of the BDS movement.” The motion further mandated that “future Executive Officers follow in the footsteps of this academic year’s Officers” in applying pressure to the university “to complete both the letter and spirit of the Agreement in its entirety, and continue to do so until the agreement has been entirely completed.”
The proposer of the motion, Éabha Hughes, acknowledged that the working groups provided for in the BDS agreement are underway and the university is keeping up its side of the deal, but argued the case for the necessity of the mandate to "continue to keep the pressure on them.”
With no speakers against the motion it was put to a vote, which clearly passed.
Item for Discussion - Policy on Social Class
A Students’ Union Policy on Social Class was brought forward as an item for discussion by SU President Miranda Bauer, which would recognise “the systematic issues of financial inequality, the barriers faced by students from low-income backgrounds, and the need for a cultural shift within UCD.” The policy outlines the national and UCD- based contexts that the policy is addressing, as well as key objectives and commitments that the Union would strive for. The policy is still in the draft stages, and the discussion was opened to the floor for feedback and recommendations.
Social Science College Officer Peter Falvey told council that the €5 meals across campus had not proven to be a success, and a need for affordable meal options should be directly mentioned in the policy. Promotions Officer Marc Matouc affirmed the need for the policy, but added that currently the policy seemed too abstract, and should have more actionable points added to it. Architecture College Officer Stephen Mullen argued that the policy should use a provision in the SU constitution to create a Social Equality Campaigns Coordinator as a part-time role which could be committed to escalating SU campaigns on this issue.
Environmental Campaigns Coordinator Erin Hoare shared that, predominantly, her experiences of classism in UCD has come from her peers, and the policy should have actionable points which address the culture of classism amongst fellow students specifically. Class representative Hazen E. Griffin stated that although this policy is a great initiative, the “square solution” to classism is essentially getting more people from a lower socioeconomic background into UCD in the first place, and providing better economic support to enable this.
Disability Rights Coordinator Shauna Young advocated for an inclusion of sources and data throughout the policy that University Management would have to take seriously, before adding that she had run the new SU Policy on Social Class through an AI-checker, and it came back as ‘100% AI-generated.’ She stated that UCD would do these same checks, and the instance should be noted. SU President Miranda Bauer replied that she handwrote the entire policy, dismissing the claim it may have been AI-generated. The University Observer ran the SU Policy on Social Class through multiple AI-checkers, with 8 out of 10 sites clearing it for any traces of AI generation.
The discussion in council will now be used to inform the finalised draft of the Students’ Union Policy on Social Class.
Officer Reports
Campaigns & Engagement Officer Saskia McCormack-Eiffe highlighted in her report that Seachtain na Gaeilge is taking place this week, and that Black History Week would be taking place next week (March 3rd-7th).
Entertainments Officer Neo O’Herlihy revealed that an ENTS Survey which he has been working on for the past few months will be unveiled on Monday 3 March, and that the UCD fashion show, in conjunction with UCD Fair Fashion Society, will be taking place on March 31st.
President Miranda Bauer told council to keep their eyes peeled tomorrow morning for some “Good News” regarding transport, and highlighted the Teach-In in collaboration with UCD BDS this Friday, February 28, featuring talks, workshops, lunch and market stands. Free tickets available here.
Graduate Officer Kylie McCardel revealed that the annual Smurfit Survey is due to be unveiled in a few weeks, roughly around the midterm period.
The next regular meeting of Council is due to take place on Monday 24 March, with Executive Election season well underway. Attendees of this council will also be greeted by the limited edition ‘Election Special’ issue of The University Observer; featuring interviews with all of this year’s candidates, analysis, and of course, bingo!