“Not in Our UCD”: Students rally for justice and cultural change
Students rally for a culture shift at UCD
“Survivors deserve dignity and justice,” says UCDSU
Cross-campus solidarity highlights anger at institutional failures
(Dublin – Wednesday 4 March 2026) Students at University College Dublin (UCD) are holding a rally today calling for systemic change in how the university responds to sexual violence and gender-based harm, following recent revelations that have caused deep concern across the campus community.
The rally follows national political attention on the issue, which has intensified scrutiny of how universities respond to survivors. Organised by UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) in partnership with Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, Unite the Union, and Ruth Coppinger TD, the “Not in Our UCD” rally seeks to channel justified anger into a collective call for institutional accountability and cultural reform.
Student representatives say the demonstration is not focused on one incident alone, but on what they describe as deeper issues in institutional responses from classroom practices to senior decision-making structures. UCDSU Education Officer Matt Mion noted that, unfortunately, the issue has resonated with thousands of students in solidarity, and the Union thanks all those who have reached out in support.
He added: “What has brought students together today reflects something much deeper than one moment or one case. It has forced a wider conversation about how institutions respond when survivors come forward. From the classroom to senior leadership, cultural change is needed to ensure dignity, fairness, and accountability are at the heart of every process.”
UCDSU Welfare Officer Emilia O’Hagan added: “Students are angry because they expect better from their university. Survivors must never feel retraumatised by the very systems that are supposed to support them. This rally is about setting a clear expectation: UCD must lead on survivor-centred practice and demonstrate that institutional culture will change.”
UCDSU President Micchael Roche concluded: “We hope that this rally will serve as a catalyst for meaningful engagement with university leadership and tangible institutional reform. The Union has also published a set of demands and university leadership is engaging with us on that front”
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