The first students’ union council of the academic year took place today, 29th September, in the Fitzgerald chamber. The proceedings included an announcement regarding the election of new sabbatical officers, following the resignation of two sabbatical officers announced earlier today, along with a debate on a motion for the Union to endorse Catherine Connolly - a motion that ultimately failed to pass
The first students’ union council of the academic year took place today, 29th September, in the Fitzgerald chamber. The proceedings included an announcement regarding the election of new sabbatical officers, following the resignation of two sabbatical officers announced earlier today, along with a debate on a motion for the Union to endorse Catherine Connolly - a motion that ultimately failed to pass.
Cillian Murphy, a former Class Rep and former Engineering and Architecture College Officer, was voted in as the new chair of council. Former chair Niall Torris was voted in as deputy chair.
Returning Officer Eoin Heffernan noted that by-elections will be held for two sabbatical officer roles, those being Entertainment Officer and Campaigns and Engagement Officer. This follows the statement released by UCDSU earlier today, announcing that the two sabbatical officers who previously occupied these roles have resigned, due to difficulties with visas. The elections will be held before the end of October, with the Returning Officer noting that the date will be confirmed tomorrow, but that it will most likely be during the week of the 20th of October. This will mean that the sabbatical officer elections will occur in the same week as the national presidential elections, which are to take place on October 24th.
It was also raised that elections will be run for the positions of campaigns co-ordinators, along with roles on the Ents forum. Elections will also be run for vacant College Officer positions, including Agriculture and Food, Vet, and Engineering. Elections for College Officer positions will be limited to council members.
UCDSU President Michael Roche adds that the two sabbatical officers who have resigned were both American students, and in Stage Two of their studies, entering Stage Three. Roche points to this as a difficult factor in gaining working visas, as the remainder of their degree could have been “put into jeopardy” were they to continue on their roles in the Union. Roche encourages all present to run for the roles, for a “real opportunity to make a difference within the Union.”
AMLÉ
Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (AMLÉ), formerly known as the Union of Students’ in Ireland (USI), was a topic of conversation in many of the sabbatical officers’ reports to council. UCDSU President Michael Roche noted that AMLÉ has had a “lack of presence” in campaigns for students, and that he feels the training provided was repetitive, and a “waste of time”.
Roche also noted the cost of the training, stating that it often involves costs for transport and hotel stays, saying that the sabbatical team “were uncomfortable” with money being spent in this way. In order to address this, the team are now attending the majority of AMLÉ training remotely to reduce the cost.
Constitutional Review
UCDSU President Michael Roche has confirmed that the UCDSU constitution will be reviewed. While delivering his report in tonight’s SU Council Meeting, Mr. Roche noted that the review will be commencing over the coming weeks, and that the submissions process for new provisions will close on November 15th.
Roche called “a lot” of the current constitution “completely impractical”, and that the review would improve "constitutional hygiene”, and would make systems “better”. An independent chair will be appointed to the review and a “range of interest groups” and “stakeholders” will be consulted in the Union’s altering the 2019 document.
Motion for the Union to Endorse Catherine Connolly Fails to Pass
A motion to endorse presidential candidate Catherine Connolly was presented at council. Mental Health Coordinator Ciara Donohue presented her motion this Monday in support of the candidate. Donohue stated in her opening speech, “I believe it is important the Union has a strong stance on this,” and further stating that she believes, “Catherine Connolly is the candidate in the election who embodies” the values of the Union. Donohue closes with the statement that, “the Union is inherently political."
Among the supporters of this endorsement were those who advocated for Connolly’s support of university students, the Irish language, Palestine, and battling homelessness. Her political independence separate from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil was also raised in support, unlike both Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys who align with both respective parties. One such speaker said, “It’s important to remember she is not a Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael backed candidate who has fought for issues such as housing or Palestine.” Another speaker added, “No one has a clean slate, but she is the best candidate for students.”
A speaker for the endorsement stated that “Catherine Connolly is the only candidate that speaks Irish which I think is an important thing for our President to do as it is our national language” and also noted that Heather Humphreys, another Presidential candidate, by comparison did not learn the language despite holding the position of Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (2014-2016) and Minister for Arts Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (2016-2017)
There was however, fierce opposition to the motion, with several speakers highlighting Connolly’s controversial history. Among criticisms, some class representatives spoke of Connolly’s trip to Syria during the regime of Bashar Al-Assad, and her nomination of “far-right, conspiracy theorist” Gemma O’Doherty for the Irish presidency. Connolly has since called her meeting with an Assad supporter a “mistake”, and spoke of how she did not support O’Doherty despite the nomination.
Additionally, some members of the Union asserted that presidential candidates may use student unions as a "source of PR”, and that students should be able to “speak on our own without needing to endorse someone”. Notably, while stating that Connolly is the most pro-student candidate on the ballot, UCDSU President Michael Roche remarked upon the importance "apoliticism within the union” and that an endorsement may prove "divisive" among students.
Education Officer Matt Mion proposed an amendment to the motion that the voter registration campaign that the SU shall undertake “should remain independent” from the endorsement of Catherine Connolly. This amendment was passed.
The motion to endorse Catherine Connolly ultimately failed to pass in spite of the amendment to the motion.
Council will resume on October 13th.
Contributing writers: Orla Mahon, John O’Connor, Ben Sweeney, Mary O’Leary.