Council 8 Recap
On Monday 24 March, members of the UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) convened in the Fitzgerald Chamber for the eighth and penultimate regular meeting of Council.
Shortly after the conclusion of the Executive Election poster race, it seems that most students opted for a pint at sunset in the UCD clubhouse, as council was once again poorly attended when compared to previous meetings.
Nonetheless, Chair Niall Torris deemed Council quorate, delivered an introduction as Gaeilge, and proceedings got underway shortly after 6pm.
Motion to Adopt Policy on Social Class
The first item on council’s agenda was a motion on the adoption of UCDSU’s Social Class Policy. The motion, which was put forward by UCDSU President Miranda Bauer, and seconded by presidential candidate and current Education Officer Tia Cullen, acknowledges socioeconomic inequality as “one of the most pressing forms of systemic discrimination in Ireland and in Higher Education Institutes”.
Prior to council, the submitters had sent the new policy to council members. The policy states that “UCDSU must remain committed to the eradication of all barriers to education, both financial and structural”. The policy looks at socioeconomic issues within UCD and on a wider basis, including issues in relation to employment opportunities and housing.
The policy specifically mentions seven separate commitments that the council will be mandated to work towards, though speaking on the motion, Bauer admits “it’s more of a general statement and commitment from the union” rather than a list of specific tasks. Amongst these seven commitments include the union acting as a “provocative watchdog, continuously monitoring UCD’s policies”, the union playing a “collaborative role in national efforts to address the systemic class barriers to education” and creating a more inclusive campus.
The motion was met with no debate and passed overwhelmingly.
Motion on Ongoing Student Protests in Serbia
Stephen Mullen (Architecture College Officer) proposed a motion regarding the ongoing student protests in Serbia. Mullen stated that the issue was brought to his attention by a Serbian student within the School of Architecture, Planning, and Environmental Policy. Mullen proposed that the Union recognise the demands of students in Serbia as reasonable, and aid in raising awareness of the issue.
Since November, there has been student protests in Serbia following the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. The student-led protests call for justice for the victims and accountability from the Serbian government for its negligence. Following an excessive use of force from the police, the student protests have escalated to non-violent direct action, including blockades of educational institutions.
The motion recognises that non-violent direct action, including that of “a disruptive and even unlawful nature,” can be justified in cases of “sufficiently important situations.” Mullen notes that the Union, and students generally, can learn from the student protestors in Serbia and their willingness to take direct action.
Mullen drew attention to other instances where the Union has expressed solidarity with international movements, such as in its support for Palestine. He believes that the Union should support the student protests in Serbia to maintain consistent international solidarity. He also drew attention to the role that international movements can have in raising awareness.
The motion would mandate the Union to raise awareness of the situation through any means available, such as social media. The motion also mandates that the President of the Union and the Campaigns and Engagement Officer work with student organisations to lobby policymakers to address concerns related to ongoing events in Serbia.
There were no speakers against the motion. The motion was put forward to a vote and was passed.
Officer Reports
When it came time for members of the Executive and Sabbatical Officers to present their reports, President Miranda Bauer noted that an official request was submitted on behalf of UCDSU to the University Management Team (UMT) regarding lowering the price of rent on UCD campus. Bauer noted the request asked UCD to lower rents paid on UCD campus to the national average of €900. She noted that the union were still waiting to receive an official response from UMT, and urged council to keep their eyes peeled on the Student Union Action Group for Housing (SUAGH).
Also to note from Officer Reports was the announcement from Oifigeach Na Gaeilge Cáit Ní Leathlobhair that Rás UCD, an event that had been in the works for a number of months and was set to be the first Rás in UCD post-COVID, has been cancelled. Ní Leathlobhair did not provide any further information on why the event was cancelled, with Bauer noting that an investigation had been launched in response.
Education Officer Tia Cullen also noted that she had sent off a submission to UMT for a Graduate Entry Fee Freeze.
Class Rep of The Year Award
Cullen then informed council of the ‘Class Rep Of The Year’ Award, in which students can nominate their Class Rep for the award, to be presented at the SU’s Union Awards Night on Monday 14th April. Nominations are now live, and will close at 5pm on Monday 7th April.
‘Best Contribution of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Member of Council’ will also be awards presented on April 14th, as well as a number of “special secret” awards.
Question on Notice - Access and Lifelong Learning laptop scheme
A ‘Question on Notice’ was asked regarding the UCD Access and Lifelong Learning (ALL) laptop lending scheme, and if the financial burden for students associated with laptop malfunctions could be addressed. The student who asked the question raised the point that these laptops are provided to students by ALL, and certain issues (such as battery malfunctions) are outside of the laptop warranty, putting the burden for fixing it on the student. The student stated that this can cost as much as €200, and that cost should be covered by ALL.
UCDSU President Miranda Bauer responded, describing it as one of the “hidden costs” facing UCD students, and said she would create a discourse with ALL on the issue. Both Bauer and Education Officer Tia Cullen praised the work that ALL does for students, and stated that the union has a strong working relationship with ALL which should make addressing the issue more feasible.
Issue of Discriminatory Language in Module Feedback Raised
A ‘Item for Discussion not on notice’ was raised, stemming from a conversation between a class representative and lecturers. The class rep stated that lecturers had reported bias, discriminatory, racist, and sexist comments made by students through anonymous module feedback. The class rep who raised the issue called on council to make it clear to their constituents that this type of feedback was unacceptable, and should be strongly discouraged by the union. The rep said “It’s a wide spread issue and it’s mostly sexist comments. We cannot police what people actually write in their anonymous feedback, but we can say to our fellow students that this is not okay.” The point was repeatedly raised that the anonymity is in place to protect students who have genuine criticisms and concerns regarding modules, but should not be used for discriminatory purposes.
Multiple avenues were discussed for how best to address this issue, such as mandatory dignity and respect modules for all students, or removing the anonymity element of module feedback, but ultimately the immediate solution council settled on was to raise this issue in all class group chats, and make students aware that this “breaks the rules of UCD” and is unacceptable. The students who raised the issue summated the issue by saying “Just don't be racist, I don’t think it’s that hard.”
Any Other Business:
President Bauer Claims “No Hidden Secrets” Surrounding SU finances to Council
With Council drawing to a close, Welfare Officer Ciara Donoghue reminded council of the SU’s ongoing campaign outside the James Joyce Library this week, whereby they have launched a petition to lower the rent in student accommodation in UCD.
Graduate Officer Kylie McCardel also noted that the SU are accepting volunteer applicants for MOJO Fest, which is due to take place at the end of April.
Closing, President Miranda Bauer broached the topic of ‘SU Finances’ with Council, stating ‘There is no hidden secret about how these things work’. She pointed to ‘transparency that actually does happen’ and noted that this year was the first time a member of board attended Council.
It is worth noting that the Students’ Union budget was overwhelmingly rejected when it was first proposed in October. At the time, The University Observer reported that the budget had been rejected due to ‘lack of clarity and specificity in terms of its allocated spending.’ Student representatives at that council spent more than thirty minutes debating the proposed budget and submitted a host of questions to be sent to the Board of Directors.
As reported by the University Observer, at Council 3 Chair Niall Torris ‘expressed his deep concern over the budget matter pertaining to the lack of communication from the Board of Directors.’ Speaking at the time he stated, ‘I’m very uncomfortable with this [...] I have a disconcerting feeling about this.’
At the following Council in November 2024 the SU Budget was finally approved after a lengthy presentation and Q&A with C.O.O David Fitzsimons and Board Member Conor Anderson, the former submitting a six-page document addressing Council’s previous concerns over the budget.
The next ordinary meeting of council is due to take place on Monday 7th April, and will be the last meeting of Council of the academic year.
Contributing Writers: Oisín Gaffey, Lucy Warmington, Adam Schmitz, Orla Mahon