2009/2010: Where We Stand

Tuition Fees & Student Loans
The SU’s campaign against Government proposals to introduce tuition fees or student loans came to a welcome – and successful – end in October. The Green Party, in its revised Programme for Government, secured free third-level education for the lifetime of this Government. This pivotal commitment came after a sustained period of lobbying politicians by the SU during the summer. One of the high points of the campaign was the full-page ad published by UCD Students’ Union, in conjunction with other SU’s around the country, which appeared in The Irish Times on 17 August, the day on which the CAO issued its first round offers. This ad publicly ‘named and shamed’ politicians who supported fees or student loans, and led to the Green Party re-enforcing its stance on free third-level education.

Grants
For an update on the SU’s grants campaign, click here

Student Services Charge/Registration Fee
For an update on the Student Services Charge/Registration Fee campaign, click here

Financial Assistance
SU Welfare launched a number of financial assistance initiatives this year. Weekly financial advice clinics were hosted by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), allowing students to manage their money better. Additionally, three new assistance funds have been established – the Emergency Fund (in conjunction with UCD Saint Vincent de Paul Society), the Student Health Assistance Fund and the SU Bookstore Assisted Purchase Scheme. The Welfare Officer has also been active in supporting students who have applied to the Student Assistance and Student Welfare Funds. For more information on financial assistance, email welfare@ucdsu.ie.

Student Health Service
After a two-year battle, the SU secured the best deal possible under the current circumstances, for the future of the Student Health Service. Within the Quality Review of UCD Student Services completed last semester (commissioned by the Universities Act 1997 and drawn up by external experts from both Irish and international universities), it recommended that the Student Health Service charge per visit to secure its future. The money generated will be ring-fenced within the Student Health Service, and will initially be used to cover holes in its services, before being used to provide extra staff and facilities, particularly with the move to the bigger suite in the Student Centre extension.

Student Centre Levy
The SU successfully managed to lobby the university to refund approximately €180,000 to the students after in incorrectly charged an additional €7.50 per student in the Student Centre Levy in September. The refund was distributed to the students via the societies, sports clubs, Student Welfare Fund, Student Club and SU shops. Going forward, new measures are in place to ensure the levy is correctly charged each September.

Class Reps
This year�s Class Rep elections were a huge success with over 300 nominations, an increase of about 65 per cent on 2008/2009. A huge recruitment campaign was mounted, resulting in only 26 vacant seats on Council. If your constituency has no representative, and you’re interested in running, contact the SU Returning Office. All information is available at www.ucdsu.ie/elections.

STI Screening
The SU’s subsidised STI screening service found a new home in the UCD Student Health Service this year, after a successful two years in Dr O’Grady’s clinic in Donnybrook. Bringing the service closer to home makes it easier for UCD students to attend. To make an appointment, just phone the Student Health Service on (01) 716 3133.

Dublin Bus
Following the cancellation last year of the number 10 bus from Belfield after 10pm, the SU participated in several rounds of negotiations with UCD, Dublin Bus and drivers’ trade unions to re-instate the service, which eventually occurred. It is under constant threat of being removed again, however, unless student anti-social behaviour is curbed.

Out-of-Hours Study Area
Following several months of negotiations with the Registrar’s Office, a committee was established to implement a late night study area. Located in ‘The Rendezvous’ in the Restaurant Building, it operated from 11pm-3am on weeknights, and 9pm-1am on weekends, in the run-up to exams. A decision will be made shortly by the committee on whether to maintain the service. This decision will take into account the number of students that used the service last semester.

SU Nitebus
Following the cancellation of a regular service in 2006, the SU re-introduced the Nitebus to bring UCD students home safely and cheaply on a Wednesday and Thursday night from the city centre. The service has been hugely popular, and will continue for the remainder of this semester.

Exam Support
The SU provided a free exam shuttle bus during the two-week exam period, to help students get to the RDS for each of their exams. A stand was manned by SU officers in the RDS, providing nourishment and help to any who wished to avail of it. A handy Exam Guide was also produced to give some tips and advice.

Ents
Ents had a successful first semester, with one of the world’s top DJs, Deadmau5, taking the stage in the Student Bar in November. Other highlights include the Halloween Ball, the Christmas Week festivities and the excellent line-ups in the Thursday Night Live series.

‘How To’ Talks
In conjunction with the UCD Student Counselling Service, the SU ran a number of ‘How To’ talks to help students cope with mental health issues. Following their success, the SU is organising a second round of talks for this semester.

UCD Ball
Set for 23 April, the UCD Ball will double in size this year to a capacity of 8,000. The SU has been working since last summer on its organisation, which will intensify in the weeks and months ahead. More information will be available soon.

Themed Weeks & Days
The SU maintained its tradition of hosting themed weeks and days tackling prevailing campus issues. Last semester saw Know Your Rights Week, Welfare Week, Road Safety Week, Pink Day, International Week and Disability Awareness Week. Plenty more are planned for the remainder of the semester!