UCDSU Council 5 Round-Up: UCD Strategy, Motion on Sunflower Disability Lanyards and Discussion About Delayed Grades Ring in The New Year

Image Credit: Oisín Gaffey

On Monday 27 January, members of the Students’ Union and non-elected students convened in the Fitzgerald Chamber for the fifth regular meeting of UCDSU Council; the first of the Spring semester, and indeed of 2025.

On Monday 27 January, members of the Students’ Union and non-elected students convened in the Fitzgerald Chamber for the fifth regular meeting of UCDSU Council; the first of the Spring semester, and indeed of 2025. 

Presentation by President Orla Feely and UCD Strategy to 2030

Attendance in the chamber was the highest level seen in recent years for a UCD Students’ Union meeting of council, surpassing the number of attendees at the first meeting of the year. The reason for this level of excitement and anticipation was the announcement made by Chairperson Niall Torris on Friday 24 January that UCD President Orla Feely and UCD Registrar/Deputy President Colin Scott would be attending in order to deliver a powerpoint presentation and answer questions relating to UCD Strategy to 2030.

The meeting of council commenced at 17:55, as Torris highlighted to the room the significance of the attendance of Professors Feely and Scott. He noted that this was the first time, from his memory, that he could ever recall a President or Deputy President attending a meeting of the council, and expressed his appreciation to the pair, as well as to UCDSU President Miranda Bauer, commending her “commitment to the principles of grassroots democracy that the union is built on” by arranging the presentation. 

Students were then given the opportunity to engage in direct discourse with the UCD President, posing questions on the rising costs of UCD accommodation, Strategy plans for a new ‘AI and Digital Technologies Institute’, accessibility on campus, delayed renovations of student buildings, and employment status for PhD candidates.

The UCD Strategy to 2030 was published in November 2024; it outlines the past achievements of UCD, and sets out a plan for what UCD wishes to achieve in the next five years. The core of the strategy is centered around six strategic initiatives:  Learning for Life, UCD Student Experience, Research with Ambition, Irish Roots - Global Reach, OneUCD, and Physical and Digital Campuses. President Feely claims the Strategy has a clear number of actions and commitments within it, which UCD are in the process of developing into an action plan to ensure the Strategy is effectively implemented. The full strategy can be found at ucd.ie/strategy/ 

Students were then given the opportunity to engage in direct discourse with the UCD President, posing questions on the rising costs of UCD accommodation, Strategy plans for a new ‘AI and Digital Technologies Institute’, accessibility on campus, delayed renovations of student buildings, and employment status for PhD candidates. A full recap by the University Observer on the questions posed by students, and the responses given by President Feely and Registrar Colin Scott, can be found here

After the conclusion of questions for the President and Registrar, Council proceeded with the rest of its agenda, beginning with ‘Motions on Notice’. 

Motion on Notice - Sunflower Lanyards Motion 

Shauna Young, The Disability Rights Coordinator, put forward a motion that the “union recognises and encourages sunflower lanyards on campus and beyond.” Young spoke about how sunflower lanyards are a useful form of identification for individuals with invisible disabilities to show they may require “a bit more care or attention.” The Disability Rights Coordinator noted that many students already wear the lanyards on campus, but they are not officially recognised by the university or the Irish government. 

The motion submitted by Young stated that “the union, UCD, and the government should be doing more to acknowledge the difficulties those with invisible disabilities face in relation to being recognised and received adequate care and representation.” 

The motion mandated that the Welfare Officer and the Campaigns Officer begin to supply sunflower lanyards to those who need them. It also mandated that the UCDSU sabbatical officers lobby the university and government to officially recognise sunflower lanyards. UCDSU Campaigns and Engagement Officer, Saskia McCormack-Eiffe, also spoke for the motion, before it was sent to a vote and overwhelmingly passed.

Items for Discussion

Delayed and Unusually Late Grades

Eoghan Ryder, the class representative for Stage Four Politics and International Relations, raised the issue of students receiving late grades. He mentioned that students have come to him with this issue regarding politics modules, along with other modules in the history department. Eoghan claims that students within his course have yet to receive grades from midterm assignments in certain modules, and asked the council if the issue was widespread. He invited any class reps who had similar experiences to share.

He stated that if students are expected to abide by strict deadlines to meet work, then lecturers and tutors should be held to these same standards.

Some class reps agreed with Eoghan’s sentiment, with one student mentioning that they are still awaiting grades for an assignment completed in October. Eoghan expanded upon how delayed grades may impact students - if they’re not receiving feedback on midterms, students don’t know how they’re progressing within the module or their degree. He stated that if students are expected to abide by strict deadlines to meet work, then lecturers and tutors should be held to these same standards.

At this point, Education Officer Tia Cullen stepped in to provide clarity on the grade approvals process. She highlighted the fact that module coordinators have the responsibility of entering grades into the university systems (such as Brightspace and SISweb) no later than 20 working days after the assessment is submitted. In exceptional circumstances where there is a delay, the module coordinator must contact students regarding the issue. Cullen invited students to reach out to her regarding any issues they may be having in gaining access to their grades. 

Students’ Union Action Group on Housing

UCDSU President Miranda Bauer spoke as part of a discussion on the Students’ Union Action Group on Housing (SUAGH). The group had been previously set up as a means for council members to discuss ideas for how the Students’ Union can campaign on issues related to housing, both within UCD and in external residences.

Bauer repeatedly asked the council what the group could do to encourage people to get more involved and attend the meetings.

Bauer noted that the group chat for the group now has seventy five members. Despite this, she went on to explain that the meetings for the group, which occur every second Thursday, get an average attendance of ten to fifteen people. Throughout the discussion, Bauer repeatedly asked the council what the group could do to encourage people to get more involved and attend the meetings. There was very little feedback from members of the council, with the only real piece of feedback being from one member who asked that all meetings of the group are available to attend online.

Eóghan Ryder, the class representative for Stage 4 Politics and International Relations, jokingly suggested picketing UCD President Orla Feely’s office, saying that her answer earlier in the meeting to a question relating to housing was inadequate.

Officer Reports

All reports submitted to council were clearly carried by the council floor. Items of particular interest arising from these reports was the announcement from Entertainments Officer Neo O’Herlihy that the Student Craft Market, a staple of Freshers and Re-Freshers weeks, is set to become a weekly event held in the student centre atrium.

Welfare Officer Ciara Donohue also announced that Re-Shag Week is due to take place the week of 10th-14th February, and that Rainbow Week is to be held the following week, 17th-21st.

Items for Approval

Independent Appeals & Disciplinary Board (IADB) Nominees

Towards the end of council, there was a vote on three nominees to be elected to the Independent Appeals and Disciplinary Board (IADB). The IADB is an “independent tribunal which resolves appeals under the UCDSU constitution.” Council Chair Niall Torris noted that the IADB is the best way that any UCDSU officers can be held accountable to their constitution, and when complaints are made against members of the Students’ Union, the IADB’s decision is final and they have the right to decide the punishment.

Three nominees were voted on. The first was Joanna Siewierska, who is a previous UCDSU President, having been in the top role at the Students’ Union just before Covid. The second nominee was Matthew Carrol, who is currently a practicing solicitor and previously acted as Vice-Secretary of the SU council, around a decade ago. The third nominee was Sarah Michalek, who recently served two terms as the UCDSU Ents officer. All three nominees were approved unanimously.

The sixth meeting of UCDSU Council is due to take place on Monday 10 February in The Fitzgerald Chamber at 6pm. 

Contributing Authors: Orla Mahon, Adam Schmitz, Oisín Gaffey, Lucy Warmington