The UCD Students’ Union Constitution sat in 1975, a successor to the Student Representative Council. Doireann de Courcy Mac Donnell has created a quick need-to-know guide to your UCDSU Constitution.
The Objectives of the Students’ Union:
To act as a representative body for its members and other persons registered as students of the University
To act as the recognised means of communication between the members of the Union and the University
To promote the welfare of students and to adapt to their evolving needs, to enhance their university experience
To promote the practise of democratisation at all levels of higher education through collective and individual participation of the members of the Union
To provide and manage social, recreational and commercial services for the benefit of its members
To promote discussion and research on all matters of interest to the Union, and particularly on matters pertaining to the education and welfare of the members and other persons registered as students of the University.
To assist clubs, societies and other student organisations within the University where possible
To seek to promote the objectives of the Union through developing and maintaining good relations with students and student bodies in other higher education institutions, both within Ireland and elsewhere
To develop and maintain good relations with the University where consistent with the best interests of the members of the Union
To secure and defend the fundamental rights of its members set out in Article 4 of this Constitution
To promote the Irish language among its members, and throughout the University
The Members of the Union:
All persons registered as students with University College Dublin who are pursuing recognised degree or diploma courses of the University at its Dublin campuses
All members of the Union Executive
All persons who are registered as a student with the University who are pursuing recognised degree or diploma courses of the University who ordinarily do so at its Dublin campuses but who are temporarily studying elsewhere
The IADB may grant membership of the Union for the current academic year to any person who has previously been registered as a student with the University and a member of the Union, but who has taken from their specific programme of study during the current academic year
The Fundamental Rights of Membership
Every Union member is entitled to all the rights and freedoms as set out in this Article without distinction
Every Union member shall have as far as is practicable, the right to equal access to facilities and services of the Union
Every Union member shall have the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Every Union member shall have the right to freedom of peaceful association
Every Union member or officer shall have the right to appeal decisions of the Union, or any officer or organ of the Union, in such manner as is laid out in this Constitution. The foregoing is without prejudice to the right of any other officer or individual to appeal a matter through similar means.
The President
CEO and chief spokesperson of the Union
Conor Anderson
Union Executive
Welfare Officer
Ruairí Power
Education Officer
Hannah Bryson
Campaigns and Engagements Officer
Leighton Gray
Graduate Officer
Carla Gummerson
Entertainment Officer
Sarah Michalek
Oifigeach na Gaeilge Irish Language Officer
Tadgh Ó Maoldhomhnaigh
Law College Officer
Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich
Arts, Humanities & Social Science College Officers
Lauren Maunsell
Sophie O’ Leary
Health Science College Officer
Marta Geszczak
Engineering & Architecture College Officer
Corey Power de Jong
Science College Officer
Emily Moore
Business College Officer
Liam Coyle
Ag, Food & Vet College Officer
Lucy Reid
Campaigns Forum
The Gender Equality Coordinator
The Environmental Coordinator
The Mature Students Coordinator
The LGBTQ+ Coordinator
The Disability Rights Coordinator
The International Students Coordinator
The Students Residences Coordinator
The Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator
The Mental Health Coordinator
The Entertainments Forum
The Production Officer
The Promotions Officer
The First Year Promotions Officer
The Non-Alcoholic Events Officer
The Entertainments Rep Coordinator
The RAG Committee Coordinator
Class Representatives
UCD students have elected 146 class reps to represent them for 2020/2021.
Referendum
Referenda of all members of the Union are used as “the supreme authority” on all matters relating to the governance of the Union and can be held under four categories: Constitutional Referendum, Policy Referendum, Consultative Referendum and Impeachment Referendum
The Independent Appeals & Disciplinary Board
There is an Independent Appeals & Disciplinary Board (IADB) which acts as the final tribunal appeal within the Union and “the ultimate judiciary authority of the Union”. It is the “final interpreter” of the Constitution and is made up of two former UCDSU sabbatical officers, including at least one former President, a practising solicitor or barrister independent of the Union and two former members of the Union who have not been members for at least three years.
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides advice to the President and Executive Council on all financial matters, commercial activities, employment and management, and corporate governance.
The University Observer
As part of the UCDSU Constitution, there should be a newspaper published at least once every four weeks during the ordinary teaching term of the University, and should publish news online consistently throughout the year. Importantly, the newspaper shall be guaranteed full editorial independence.