What’s a referendum? 

A referendum is a general vote by the electorate (in this case, the members of UCDSU) on a question that has been referred to them for a direct decision. There are four categories of referendums set out in the UCDSU Constitution: Constitutional, Impeachment, Policy, and Consultative. 

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The Students’ Union is calling three referendums, which will take place alongside the Executive Elections. 

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1. A Constitutional Referendum to decide whether to adopt a new UCD Students’ Union Constitution. 

2. A Policy Referendum to decide whether UCDSU should affiliate to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). 

3. A Consultative Referendum to gauge students’ opinions on drugs policy.

 

Referendum 1: UCDSU Constitutional Referendum 

Union Council established a Constitutional Review Group to consider the suitability of the current Constitution. It has recommended a number of changes that can only be made through a constitutional referendum. You will be asked to decide upon a version of the Constitution that you feel best meets the needs of all of the UCD students and the organisation as a whole. 

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UCD Students’ Union Constitution is a binding document passed by referendum of the students of UCD which outlines the core values, functions and objectives of the organisation. It is the de-facto rule book of the students’ union and covers all aspects of how the organisation is governed. 

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You can read the current 2019 Constitution here: (current constitution) 

You can read the Executive Summary of proposed changes here: (executive summary) 

You can read the new proposed 2023 Constitution in full here: (proposed constitution) 

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What are the changes? 

There are a variety of changes, so please check out the executive summary and the document in full! 

 

What is the question I’m being asked? 

"Are you in favour of the amendments to the UCD Students' Union Constitution as proposed by Union Council?”

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What happens if I vote YES? 

If the referendum passes, with a minimum of 12.5% of registered students voting, the proposed amendments will be adopted and the new UCD Students’ Union Constitution and it will come into effect on the 7 April 2023. 

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What happens if I vote NO? 

If the referendum does not pass the proposed amendments to the Constitution will not be adopted and the Constitution of UCD Students’ Union will remain the same. 

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Referendum 2: To decide if UCDSU should affiliate to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). 

USI is the national representative body for approximately 374,000 students in third level education on the Island of Ireland. USI members are affiliated Students’ Unions around Ireland, North and South. UCD students voted to disaffiliate from USI in 2013. 

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For more information, visit: https://usi.ie/ 

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What is the question I’m being asked? 

“Do you support the affiliation of UCD Students' Union to the Union of Students in Ireland, funded by an additional €5/€2.50 (full-time/part-time) student levy during membership?" 

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What happens if I vote YES? 

If the referendum passes, with a minimum of 10% of registered students voting, UCDSU will become a member organisation of the Union of Students in Ireland 

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What happens if I vote NO? 

If the referendum does not pass, UCDSU will remain unaffiliated to the Union of Students in Ireland. 

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Keep an eye out for the campaigns for ‘Vote Yes to USI’ and ‘Vote No to USI’ for perspectives from both of the campaign teams. 

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Referendum 3: Consultative Referendum on Drugs Policy 

The UCDSU Executive voted to trigger a Consultative Referendum to gauge students’ opinions on drugs policy, following on from the recent announcement of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use. This is purely consultative and the results are non-binding. 

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For context, UCDSU’s current policy is to campaign for the legalisation of all drugs. It was formerly to campaign for the legalisation of cannabis and the decriminalisation of all other drugs for personal usage. 

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What is the question I’m being asked? 

“UCDSU should advocate the policy of the “X” in Ireland: 

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A) “Legalisation of all drugs”

B) “Decriminalisation of all drugs and the legalisation of cannabis” C) “Decriminalisation of all drugs” 

D) “Criminalisation of all drugs” 

E) None of the above”