UCD Rowing Captain Max Murphy, of the 'Yes' campaign, has confirmed that a referendum will be held on the continuation of the student centre levy after 2023. The referendum will coincide with the executive elections, with voting take place on the 1st and 2nd April.
The petition, which "gained over a thousand signatures" according to Murphy, was presented and accepted by the Returning Officer on Wednesday 6th March. According to the SU constitution, petitions containing signatures from 3.5% of the total registered membership of the Union are required to call a referendum.
Speaking to the University Observer, Murphy said that "every student I chatted with was keen to support the campaign and continue the development of UCD’s already top class facilities. I think all of the students gathering signatures encountered a similar attitude/response."
On the 1st and 2nd April, students will be asked to vote 'yes' or 'no' on the following: “Are you in favour of the proposed extension of the Student Centre levy to fund the Student Centre Extension?”
The University Observer approached the UCDSU Returning Officer, Michael Foley, for comment on whether members from a 'Yes' or 'No' campaign will be given time to speak at the Hustings event for the executive elections, to which he clarified:
"A nominated speaker from each side of each referendum will be given an opportunity to speak and be questioned at hustings."
The policy referendum will be the second referenda voted on by students alongside the executive elections, with the other being a referendum to ratify the amendments made to the SU constitution which was passed on at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday 4th March.
Foley asked that anyone who wishes to lead the 'Yes' or 'No' campaign in either referendum, to contact UCD SU Returning Office as a matter of urgency.