UCDSU may have a vaccine mandate for in-person gatherings and “normal” student life events, including UCDSU council meetings.
The current health guidelines state that third-level colleges do not require students and staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to gain access to campus and classes for the academic year. However, Students Union’s Council meetings do not qualify as academic gatherings.
When asked whether proof of vaccination will be required for class representatives wishing to
attend Students' Union Council, UCDSU President Ruairí Power said that “we are
mandated under public health legislation to check for vaccination in advance of holding any
nonacademic events on campus. We’re still working out specifics and are mindful of GDPR
requirements, but it is the current intent to obtain proof of vaccinations on a standalone basis
prior to class representatives training for in-person attendance”.
Speaking to the University Observer, UCDSU Returning Office Stephen Crosby stated that “at present the only criteria for nomination to a valid constituency is to be a valid UCD student and be endorsed by five coursemates via a nomination form”. Power stated that “nobody will be prohibited from running for class representative, but we are required to check for vaccinations for in person events in line with the current legislation”. He also stated that, in the event of a student not having a vaccine due to medical reasons, the SU is “in the process of sorting an appropriate venue for council that accommodates provisions for students who cannot attend in person to attend virtually”.
Class Representative Elections will be held on October 6 th and 7 th . These will be ran online via the MSL voting system the Students Union has employed for the past year. Holding elections during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic might be tricky, as the Student Union is required to follow public health legislation.