Policies Due to Expire 2025

Prioritised

Policies have a lifetime of three years. At the third Comhdháil after the passage of a motion into policy, the motion may be renewed. A policy priority ballot is circulated to Member Organisations and they allocate ‘seeds’ to the ten policies they would like to see renewed.  The policies with the most seeds are debated first.  Policies with the least seeds are debated later.

Policies receiving no seeds are expired and will cease to be the policy of the organisation at the close of Comhdháil. They will not be debated.

 

2022 UO 1: SU Autonomy

Proposed by Presidents’ Working Group

Comhdháil Notes

That Students’ Union autonomy has been compromised by higher education institutions for a number of years. It is unacceptable that some Students’ Unions have had their funding withdrawn by their HEI which in turn has prevented many unions from operating to the best of their ability.

Comhdháil Notes with concern

The attempts of higher education institutions to censor some students’ unions, and encroach on their freedom of association.

Comhdháil strongly believes

That Students’ Unions should have the right to fully self-govern and self-direct union finances and governance structures and be free from interference from outside bodies.

Comhdháil Mandates

The USI President to ensure the continuity of the recently established Students’ Union Autonomy working group with member organisations. The President should also collate information on the national picture of Students’ Unions around the country which can be used to share best practices including, but not limited to funding allocations, internal and external governance structures, Students’ Union composition, number of union staff, relationship with HEIs etc

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The USI President and Coiste Gnó to devise a guidance document on the pillars of Students’ Union autonomy in consultation with member organisations and key stakeholders. In addition, the Coiste Gnó should work with and lobby the Minister for FHERIS to implement legislation defining Students’ Unions.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The USI President to lobby the Minister for FHERIS and HEA to agree on an oversight body that monitors funding allocations from higher education institutions to Students’ Unions and has a procedure in place to deal with any disputes.

Repeals 17 UO 1

 

2022 EQ 5: T Fund

Proposed by TU Dublin Students’ Union

Congress Notes With Concern

That according to TENI, 78% of trans people in the UK and Ireland have thought about ending their lives and 40% have attempted suicide. For many people, beginning and continuing social transition brings significant relief, however college is filled with financial stresses and for many transgender students, name changes and other transition expenses are not an option, even though they are life-saving.

Congress Commends

NUI Galway and other MOs for the introduction of the ‘T fund’ for social transition, aiding

students financially with elements of social transition which may include gender affirming items, such as makeup, and dysphoria relieving items like chest binders.

Congress Also Notes

That the USI has a proud history of fundraising for various causes, but more recently does not fundraise annually for charity.

Congress Therefore Mandates

The VP Equality & Citizenship to develop a guidance strategy, based on best practice models, on how to establish a local fund, which USI will then circulate to all member organisations.

Congress Further Mandates

The VP Equality & Citizenship to run a yearly campaign and work with relevant departments and ministers to introduce funding for all HEI’s to be able to provide a T Fund for their trans students.

Repeals 2020 EQ (NC) 2

 

2022 EQ 8: EMpower

Proposed by the USI Vice President for Equality & Citizenship

Comhdháil Notes

The importance of recognising and celebrating voices from ethnically diverse communities in Ireland. Over several decades, Irish institutions have witnessed an increase in people of colour and those from Ethnic Minority background enrolling in institutions across the country. This will continue to rise.

Comhdháil Notes with concern

That students from ethnic minority backgrounds can be underrepresented in positions of leadership and representation. This can include, students’ union positions, class

representatives, clubs, and societies committee positions etc.

Comhdháil Recognises

The importance of safe spaces for students of colour and ethnic minority students within their journey through third level education in predominantly white and settled institutions. These spaces allow for them to organise, create, and come together as a community in what can sometimes be an isolating environment.

Comhdháil applauds

The success of Pink Training, Women Lead, the conference for students with disabilities, and similar events in the promoting of minority students running for leadership positions. These events have shaped future leaders of Ireland.

Comhdháil Therefore Mandates

The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship to organise an event called EMPower. The aim of this event will be to encourage students of colour and ethnic minorities to take up leadership positions in their institutions, community, and professional lives. The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship should endeavour, that the event;

Provides a safe space closed to ethnic minority students, where possible.

Incorporates aspects of culture and social life for ethnic minority students to engage in.

Is organised in partnership with people of colour and ethnic minorities to ensure the event is tailored to its respective target audience.

 

2022 WEL 8: Creation of a workshop to identify domestic abuse and red flags

Proposed by UCC Students’ Union

Comhdháil Notes with concern

That domestic violence cases are rising at an alarming rate since the beginning of the pandemic with Ireland reporting a 24% increase since 2020 alone.

Comhdháil Further Notes

That the creation of a workshop based off the model of the SafeTalk model could be beneficial in helping people recognize the signs of abuse in their own relationship while also providing tools on how to start a conversation with someone you are concerned about, how to start a conversation with someone to ask for help as well as providing information on how to seek help and get out of the relationship safely.

Comhdháil recognizes

The work USI, Students’ Unions, Rape Crisis Centers and Networks have been doing over the decades to drive forward cultural change through sexual health awareness campaigns, consent education via consent workshops, offering disclosure training, coordinating rallies and protests to stand in solidarity with survivors and lobbying for policy development, both on a local and national level.

Comhdháil Therefore Mandates

The Vice President for Welfare and the Vice President for Equality and Citizenship to coordinate a workshop like the SafeTalk workshops in conjunction with any relevant organisations to roll out nationwide.”

 

WEL 19 – 4: Undetectable = Untransmittable

Proposed By Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union

Congress notes

That there has been a significant increase in HIV diagnoses within Ireland in recent years. The level of new HIV diagnoses is the highest on record to date with at least one diagnosis being issued every 18 hours on average. The stigma surrounding HIV in Ireland prevents us from tackling the epidemic and lowering HIV diagnoses.

Congress further notes

The “PARTNER 1” and “PARTNER 2” studies showed that if someone living with HIV, who are virally suppressed from antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication, cannot transmit HIV to a sexual partner. This is known as “Undetectable = Untransmittable,” or “U=U”.

Congress mandates

The VP for Welfare to organise a national campaign, which would be brought to every MO, to highlight and educate students on the term “U=U,” or “Undetectable = Untransmittable.” This campaign should emphasise the increasing diagnoses of HIV in Ireland and highlight the benefits of knowing your HIV status.

Congress further mandates

The VP for Welfare to produce a document containing information about STI checks, including, but not limited to, information regarding STI’s, how, where and when to get STI checks, and how much they cost.

 

 

EQ 19 – 2: Students in Direct Provision

Proposed by Equality and Citizenship Working Group

Congress commends

The work done to date by the Union of Students in Ireland and students’ unions across the country towards ending the inhumane system of Direct Provision and working to protect and support students living in Direct Provision in their institutions.

Congress notes

More and more asylum seekers are entering third level education, whether through access routes or Institution of Sanctuary scholarships. It is of great concern that College of Sanctuary scholarship students can be faced with deportation orders when they are in the middle of their studies.

Congress applauds

The work done by DCUSU in particular around the Save our Shepherd campaign, and the incredible success of that campaign.

Congress mandates

The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship to lobby the Department of Justice to take a person’s student status into special consideration when in the asylum process.

Congress also mandates

The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship to devise a national strategy on what to do in the case of a student being faced with a deportation order, and to develop materials and resources around this for Students’ Union officers.

Congress further mandates

The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship to lobby the Minister for Education to extend domestic fee status to students who are asylum seekers across all third level institutions.

 

2022 CZN 4: Third Level Eco-Action Forum

Proposed by the Equality & Citizenship Working Group

Comhdháil Recognises

The important role young people and students have played in the fight against global warming. Climate change is here. As the impact of climate change intensifies over the coming few years, it is the children and young people of today who will face the worst effects. Young people across the globe have taken to the streets to protest the lack of action on the climate crisis by Governments across the globe. This sparked a global movement of school-age students demanding greater action from governments to fight climate change. Now millions are marching to demonstrate their support.

Comhdháil Notes

Governments across the globe are not taking action to fulfil the Paris agreement. Across the island of Ireland, the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly continue to ignore their obligations and role in combating climate change. The Climate Action (Amendment) Bill 2020 aims to pursue climate neutrality by 2050 but does not have to achieve it, and the carbon budgets do not have to be consistent with the 2050 objective. In February 2020, the Northern Ireland Assembly declared a climate emergency. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that does not have its own climate legislation, although it does contribute to wider UK targets on emissions reductions and has a Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019-2024.

Comhdháil Further Notes with disappointment

The environmental/sustainability movement is largely made up of white, middle to upper class people. Much of the mainstream messaging around fighting climate change focuses entirely on personal responsibility. While this is an important element of societal change it often leads to elitism. The most necessary and effective changes (e.g., insulating a house for energy efficiency), are out of the reach of many, particularly those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Working class voices are under-represented, their needs unaddressed, and often feel unwelcome in the movement. BIPOC activists have repeatedly expressed discomfort within the sustainability movement. Racism and colonialism’s contribution to climate change has long been ignored. The “third world” nations already feeling the effects have contributed very little to climate change, and their plight is ignored by international media.

Additionally, the sustainability movement often doesn’t understand the needs of BIPOC activists and fails to make a welcoming space for these voices. People with disabilities have a particularly high stake in fighting climate change. Rising temperatures and biodiversity loss mean increased natural disasters, in which disabled persons are more vulnerable. Furthermore, these changes are linked to pandemics. The UK Office of National Statistics revealed 60% of their Covid deaths were people with disabilities. The concerns of disabled activists need to enter the mainstream.

Comhdháil Therefore Mandates

The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship and Vice President for Campaigns to develop a forum to centralise third level sustainability activism. The forum’s purpose is to unite Students Union, Green Campus, environmental societies and third level institutions in pursuing systemic change. It will be an opportunity to coordinate efforts, strengthen a national movement, share knowledge and network.

The forum should launch in the first semester of the 2022/23 academic year. Prior to the launch of the forum, careful planning must be done to consult possible partner organisations (e.g. Eco-UNESCO) and to ensure that BIPOC, disabled and socio-economically disadvantaged activists are central.

 

2022 UO 25: Progress Reports on Mandates

Proposed by National College Of Ireland Students’ Union

Comhdháil notes

USI Coiste Gnó can be mandated to take on a large number of motions and it is not realistic to complete all of these mandates in one year.

Comhdháil recognizes

The hard work being put in by the Coiste Gnó to complete a large number of motions and progress a multitude of these at any given time.

Comhdháil further recognizes

The need for an efficient and clear way of tracking the current status of all mandates.

Comhdháil mandates

That the Coiste Gnó submit a policy tracker as part of their reports to Comhairle Náisiúnta so MO’s can see the current status of all mandates currently on the policy handbook.

Repeals 2021 CZN 4 (REPEALED)

 

2022 WEL 6: Night-Time Safety

Proposed by the USI VP Welfare

Congress Notes

The night-time industry is an integral part of the student experience. Unfortunately, the night-time industry in Ireland is in need of urgent reform at a governmental level to ensure that those engaging and participating in the industry are safe and are able to enjoy themselves.

Congress also notes

In late 2021, there was a clear rise in the number of cases relating to spiking, including the worrying trend of ‘needle spiking’ within the Irish night-time industry.

Congress also notes

The slow return of the Nitelink services in Dublin following the easing of restrictions (and a lack of services all together elsewhere), a service which many students rely on to get home after standard public transport options have ceased. This has resulted in an increased demand on the taxi industry, and an increased number of people attempting to get home at the same time, a clear barrier to keeping our population safe.

Congress Acknowledges

The incredible work done by MOs and external organisations to ensure that students engaging with the night-time industry in any capacity are safe.

Congress Mandates

The VP for Welfare to engage with relevant stakeholders in the night-time industry nationally (inc. N.Ire) working to ensure the safety of patrons, and to continuously explore potential partnerships with new organisations.

Congress also Mandates

The USI Coiste Gnó to lobby the Government to introduce further supports to protect students engaging with the night-time industry, including but not limited to: further public transport supports outside of traditional hours, a review of legislation surrounding opening hours, further protection for students working in the night time industry.

 

2022 WEL 7: Drug Harm Reduction and the Decriminalisation of Drugs

Proposed by the USI Vice President for Welfare

Congress Notes

In July 2015, USI National Council formally adopted a stance that called for USI to support a call for decriminalisation of drugs, with a view to taking a similar approach to the one in place in Portugal. Following the adoption of this stance, the VP Equality and Citizenship made a submission to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality as part of their Drugs Policy Review process. In 2016, USI Congress mandated the Coiste Gnó to lobby for decriminalisation, and in 2018, Coiste Gnó had developed connections with external expert groups to promote and produce information surrounding the use of drugs with a harm reduction focus and to promote decriminalisation models. Since 2018, the VP for Welfare has continued to engage with relevant stakeholders and endeavoured to ensure that any work being carried out by the Coiste Gnó referencing drugs has a harm reduction centred approach.

Congress Notes

College is a time when many students are exposed to drugs. For many students, this exposure can happen at an even younger age. There is currently very little information being given to students at second or third level about drug consumption or risks. There is a culture of fear amongst wider society around talking about drugs in an informed and responsible manner.

Congress Also Notes

That if a student gets a conviction for personal use, this can have lifelong implications. It can prevent a student from accessing a visa to certain countries, a job which requires Garda vetting, certain types of insurance, and can impede them from availing of further education or training. A criminal conviction also limits an individual’s chances of social mobility, which results in them becoming dependent on the state.

Congress Further Notes

On July 1st 2001, Portugal decriminalised drug use, acquisition and possession of illicit drugs when conducted for personal use as part of a comprehensive new policy. This quantity of personal use amounted to up to 10 days’ supply for personal use. The policy also included a significant expansion in drug treatment, including methadone maintenance, to help dependent users get away from injecting heroin.

Congress Believes

There is a need for health professionals, parents and educators to acknowledge the fact that young people often engage in drug use, and at the very least will be exposed to drug use at some point in their lives. Drug use cannot be tackled by policy measures which are only aimed at controlling the supply of drugs. It is futile to only have supply reduction strategies in place of more cost-effective and evidence based investments in harm- reduction and education.

Congress Mandates

The Coiste Gnó to lobby for the decriminalisation of drugs in line with the Portuguese Model. USI Coiste Gnó should also lobby for investment into treatment and health facilities along with education about drug use and risk for young adults and those of school age.

Congress Further Mandates

The VP Welfare, and VP Campaigns (with the aid of the Coiste Gnó), to run information campaigns for students to educate them of the need for this reform and on safe drug use.

Congress Further Mandates

The VP Welfare to provide appropriate information and supports to MOs to best understand these issues, and to promote such campaigns in their own unions, and to appropriate bodies in their own institutions.

 

2022 EQ 2: SUSI Proof of Estrangement

Proposed by Southern Region Working Group

Comhdháil Notes

Student Universal Support Ireland is a grant system that aims to help bridge the barriers to

education for students from a lower socio-economic background. The SUSI maintenance grant has helped thousands of students access education, however there are still some barriers.

Comhdháil Recognises

Currently to prove estrangement students are required to have/provide documentation that can include a court order, a letter from a social worker or from TUSLA. This documentation has proven to be difficult to secure from students across the country, leaving them ineligible to apply for SUSI without submitting records from their parents/guardians.

Comhdháil Therefore Mandates

The VP Equality and Citizenship and VP Welfare in conjunction with the VP Academic Affairs to work with SUSI and TUSLA to investigate other avenues to prove estrangement for students.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The Coiste Gnó members working on this should aim to begin lobbying prior to the commencement of semester one.

 

2022 EQ 6: Reproductive Justice & Abortion Rights

Proposed by the Equality & Citizenship Working Group

Comhdháil Acknowledges with pride

That on 25th May 2018, the Irish Electorate voted by a landslide in favour of removing the 8th Amendment (Ireland’s constitutional ban on abortion). Following this, on 22nd October 2019, abortion was decriminalized in Northern Ireland. These are both historical moments in Irish history that many students and young people across Ireland played a role in.

Comhdháil Notes

That even after the recent victories of the repeal of the 8th Amendment in the Republic and

decriminalization in the North, there is continued opposition to abortion access by many anti-choice groups throughout Ireland.

Comhdháil Further Notes with Concern

That despite these monumental changes in legislation, abortion access is still heavily limited across Ireland. 371 people travelled from the North and 194 travelled from the Republic of Ireland to England for abortion care during the height of the pandemic. Due to a lack of commissioned abortion services in the North, abortion access is only currently provided for up to 10 weeks’, through early medical abortion (EMA). Therefore, many pregnant people are still being forced to travel to Great Britain for Healthcare. If Northern Irish residents wish to access abortion services in the Republic of Ireland, they are required to pay to access care privately and must comply with the mandatory three-day waiting period. In the Republic of Ireland, only 1/10 GPs and 10/19 Maternity Hospitals currently provide abortion care. Combined with the medically unnecessary 3 day waiting period and strict 12-week limit, the small number of providers across the country also results in people from the Republic of Ireland travelling for abortion care.

Comhdháil Believes

Individuals who make the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be supported and cared for in their local healthcare system, rather than disempowered and isolated by having to travel elsewhere to do so. Access to reproductive healthcare is a student welfare issue. The lack of access to abortion services across the island of Ireland can significantly impact the personal and academic lives of students with crisis pregnancies. The inaccessibility of safe and legal abortion in Northern Ireland places an undue burden on students in an already stressful situation. Abortion should be governed by the same robust regulatory and ethical frameworks as all other medical procedures. Abortion reform should be designed in a manner which is inclusive of women, trans men, non-binary, and gender fluid people.

Comhdháil Therefore Mandates

The Vice President for Equality & Citizenship, in solidarity with NUS-USI, to continue to campaign for accessible reproductive healthcare and the removal of barriers to abortion access across the island of Ireland. The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship should support relevant campaigns and organisations in the fight to ‘Free, Safe, Legal and Local’ abortion care.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

That the Vice President for Equality & Citizenship endeavours to support the decriminalisation of abortion across the island of Ireland and actively engage with NUS-USI to ensure our solidarity in the North is as effective as possible.

 

EQ 19 – 7: Gender Equality

Proposed By IT Carlow Students’ Union

Congress Notes

The lack of policy in relation to transgender, non-binary and intersex students, and gender identity/expression inclusivity within higher education. Research from LGBTI Ireland Report (2016) found that transgender, non-binary and intersex people face additional challenges in their day-to-day lives such as being referred to/as by the wrong pronoun or gender and this can have an immensely negative impact on a person’s mental health.

Congress Believes

We need to lead the way in supporting transgender, non-binary and intersex students within higher and further education.

Congress Mandates

VP Equality and Citizenship to develop a campaign in conjunction with relevant organisations such as ShoutOut, BeLonG To and TENI to support Students’ Union Officers in running a transgender, non-binary and intersex inclusivity campaign on campus for both staff and students which should include information packs, posters, workshop materials and leads to further resources.

Congress Further Mandates

USI VP for Equality & Citizenship to gather and circulate all relevant HEI and SU policy relating to transgender, non-binary and intersex gender identity and expression policies.

 

2022 CZN 2: HEI Divestment from Fossil Fuel Industry

Proposed by the Vice President for the Dublin Region

Comhdháil Notes

Fossil fuel companies were responsible for 71% of global carbon emissions between 1988 and 2017. Since 2010 climate-related disasters across the world have displaced 21.5 million people annually.

Comhdháil Believes

The fossil fuel industry, by extracting, processing, promoting, and facilitating the use of, selling, and profiting from fossil fuels, as well as by having a major influence on government policy, is driving climate change and its catastrophic impacts. That university commitments to tackling climate change – such as carbon  neutral / net zero strategies – should extend to their investment portfolios and policies.

Therefore, Comhdháil Mandates

The USI President and USI Vice President for Equality & Citizenship to undertake research into Higher Education Institute’s (HEI) existing investment portfolios and investments in the fossil fuel industry.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The Vice President for Campaigns, in conjunction with Regional Vice Presidents, to develop a strategy for a campaign highlighting the extent of the links between existing HEI investment portfolios and the fossil fuel industry, as well the potential benefit of divestment.

Comhdháil Also Mandates

The USI Coiste Gnó to liaise closely with special interest groups in the development of this campaign.

 

2022 UO 9: International World Days Standardised Calendar

Proposed by TU Dublin Students’ Union

Congress Notes

That there are certain dates that USI & MO’s mark or celebrate each year. Such as World Mental Health Day, Trans Day of Remembrance, and International Women’s

Day.

Congress Further Notes

That it would be beneficial to both USI and MO’s if there was a standardised calendar for all to work from on a yearly basis.

Congress Mandates

The VP Equality & Citizenship and VP Welfare to compile a calendar of such days to be circulated to MO’s before August 31st each year.

 

2022 UO 12: Training Days

Proposed by the Presidents’ Working Group

Comhdháil Notes

That the role of Students’ Union Presidents and Deputy Presidents is incredibly vast, dynamic and reactive. USI must ensure that Presidents and Deputy Presidents are as best equipped and supported as they can be to lead their Students’ Unions as effectively as possible.

Comhdháil Further Notes

That many merged Students’ Unions and Students’ Unions with satellite campuses have officers with specific or portfolio responsibilities on their campuses that may be additional to all other officers.

Comhdháil Mandates

The USI President and Deputy President to organise Presidents’ & Deputies day no later than August 31st each year.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The USI President and Deputy President to consult with member organisations on the trainings they would like provided.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The USI President and Deputy President to include sessions for those officers with specific or portfolio responsibilities on their campuses.

Repeals 2021 UO NC 4

 

2022 UO 13:  USI Awareness Campaign

Proposed by TU Dublin Students’ Union

Congress Notes

That the student movement has been at the forefront of social change with significant involvement of USI.

Congress Regrets

That many students who are not directly involved with their union or USI are often unaware of who USI are and what they do for students. This is resulting in poor engagement from students with USI events and activities.

Congress Believes

That a widespread awareness campaign has the potential to increase awareness of USI and therefore increase the reach and engagement of campaigns and activities.

Congress Mandates

The VP Campaigns and the Regional VP’s to develop an awareness campaign about USI with Member Organisations from each region.

Congress Therefore Mandates

That the awareness campaign be rolled out in person and online by USI in conjunction with all relevant MO’s in October of the academic year.

 

 

2022 UO 18: Election Supports

Proposed by the USI Vice President for Academic Affairs

Comhdháil Notes

Member organisations run two major sets of elections each year, for class representatives and sabbatical officership elections.

Comhdháil Believes

The transition to online elections has improved the accessibility of many elections, but has also resulted in officers having less hands-on experience in orchestrating elections, including counting votes.

Comhdháil Mandates

The USI Regional Vice Presidents to gather information on when, and how each member organisation conducts their elections each year and to coordinate with the Vice President for Academic Affairs in making best practice recommendations available to all member organisations.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The USI president with the support of the Regional Vice Presidents to collate a ‘Returning Officer database’ for those involved or previously involved in the student movement with a knowledge of voting systems to support member organisations with their elections.

Comhdháil Also Mandates

The USI President and Vice President for Academic Affairs to arrange Election Training prior to September of each year on including Electoral Commissions and election regulations, Referenda and Voting Systems and count procedure such as single transfer voting. This training should also include support for election process reviews, resolving issues such as tie-breaking and the re-open nominations.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The USI President and Vice President for Academic Affairs to create a glossary of key terms and explanations for member organisations based on their requirements and training each year, including but not limited to the following;

Constituency/Electorate

Ballots, Secret, Online/Paper

Quotas

Proportional Representation

 

2022 UO 24: USI Strategic Review and Strategic Plan 2023 – 2028

Proposed by National College Of Ireland Students’ Union

Comhdháil Notes

That as per UO 19-1, the cyclical nature of student representation often leads to an annual change in direction and shifts in priority as new Officers begin their term which is not conducive to long term organisational development or gathering momentum on key issues that the student movement contends with. Setting out a strategic plan which outlines a clear vision for the development of the USI as well as its Member Organisations is integral to the future growth and strength of our combined national voice.

Comhdháil Further Notes

As per UO 19-5, USI has not undertaken a strategic review of the organisation since 1999. In 2015, USI adopted a Union Development Strategy 2015 – 2020, which outlines a vision and strategy for developing not only Students’ Unions but also USI as an organisation but this is the last time such a plan was set out and a full strategic review is crucial to inform any strategic plan development.

Comhdháil Believes

That in order for the full potential of USI to be realised, we must adopt a long term vision for the organisation that future iterations of the Coiste Gnó and MO’s can use to help guide their actions and ensure that we build, year on year, on the incredible work done by Officers within USI.

Comhdháil Mandates

The USI President to carry out a comprehensive strategic review of USI encompassing all areas of the organisation including but not limited to governance, finance, democracy, political lobbying and campaigns to be brought before December Comhairle Náisiúnta 2022. This review should be carried out in conjunction with an external consultant and in consideration and consultation of the thoughts and views of USI Member Organisations.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

That upon the completion of this strategic review, it helps to form the basis of the development of a strategic plan for USI to be presented and ratified at Comhdháil 2023. The USI President should publish an annual report on the progress of this strategic plan at Comhdháil each year for the duration of the plan.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

A working group of Comhairle Náisiúnta be established to oversee and inform the full development and implementation of both the strategic review and strategic plan.

 

UO 19 – 17: Students’ Union Officer Handbook

Proposed by the USI Vice President for the Southern Region

Congress Recognises

The role of an Officer within a Students’ Union is a unique role. It is also very important to have a well-rounded understanding of how to approach your role as an Officer within a Students’ Union and that a well-developed crossover is extremely valuable for newly elected Officers.

Congress Understands

It can be helpful to have a source of information provided to Students’ Union Officers that cover areas they may find useful throughout their term in Office such as effective communication, event organisation, useful contacts and a jargon buster.

Congress Mandates

USI Officer Board to publish a Students’ Union Officer Handbook before SUT each year to

support newly elected officers.

 

2022 WEL 1: Sexual Harassment Policies in HEIs

Proposed by CMLOÉG

Congress Notes

That there are major downfalls in sexual harassment policy documents, as well as a high number of students reporting sexual harassment or violence (34% – over 1,100 students, according to a national survey). The USI must take a zero-tolerance approach to gender based violence, rape, sexual assault and intimate partner abuse.

Congress further understands

Students who are failed by their university policy have no course for appeal and often deal with the severe consequences of this failure in isolation. The disciplinary process for cases of sexual harassment should not be developed on an ad-hoc basis nor should cases of sexual harassment be assimilated into standard disciplinary process that deals with cases of plagiarism, drinking etc. Furthermore, there must be oversight and transparency regarding the implementation of sexual harassment policy.

Congress Therefore Mandates

That it shall be the position of USI to recommend the implementation of national standards

regarding sexual harassment policy, developed with the input of those working in the

fields of trauma informed care, sexual violence, women’s rights and minority rights. USI shall recommend that these standards should consider the following, amongst more in consultation with these groups:

 

Minimum standards of training for all parties involved in conducting disciplinary procedures including first contacts, investigators and disciplinary committee members.

Special accommodations must be outlined for students taking cases of sexual harassment which consider, how many times a complaining student must recount their experience of abuse, whether a complaining student can have someone speak on their behalf, whether the complaining student must face their accused, giving fair warning to the complaining student of exactly when the accused will be notified of the case against them and so on.

A support worker should be assigned to assist students who are taking a complaint through the disciplinary process. This role of the worker should include helping students to write and edit complaints and appeals; assisting students to compile supporting documentation; accompanying students to disciplinary hearings; assisting students in communicating with the disciplinary committee and appeals board; and keeping in touch with students to inform them of each step in the process. All support workers must receive adequate training.

Students making complaints of sexual and gender-based violence should be entitled to submit all relevant evidence for consideration. A lack of corroborating evidence is a  major reason for cases to fail, students who have witnesses of their assaults are not  allowed to have this evidence considered at any point in the disciplinary proceeding.

There should be no time limit on taking cases of sexual harassment/ violence beyond the requirement that all parties remain students/ staff of the university

Policy on sexual harassment should not contain sections on false complaints nor should they include a threat of retribution for complaints that lack evidence.

Complaining students must be kept informed of any and all updates to their case. The disciplinary committee should be in regular contact with the complainant, take on board any concerns regarding the handling of the case, make a genuine effort to provide any extra accommodation that is requested and reply to any communications from complainants in a timely manner.

The reasonable length of time that a case of sexual harassment should be dealt within must be outlined. Where there are delays, this should be justified by an objective reason and this reason should be clearly communicated to the complainant.

These standards should be made available to all complaining students as soon as they register a complaint.

A permanent member of staff, separate from the disciplinary committee, should be tasked with overseeing the implementation of policy and ensuring that standards are met.

Reports should be issued to a body external to the university.

Where the handling of a sexual harassment complaint falls below best practice, the complaining student should have an option to register a complaint regarding this to the university and/or a body external to the university.

Aggregate data regarding the number of cases taken in a university, the portion of successful/ unsuccessful cases, the time taken to conclude cases, the number of complaints made regarding the process, the number of cases taken by students against staff, the number of rejected appeals and so on should be made available to students.

 

2022 WEL 5: National Stalking Awareness Campaign

Proposed by IT Sligo Students’ Union

Congress Notes

The many victims of stalking in Ireland.

Congress Further Notes

Many studies suggest that most cases of stalking occur between the ages of 18 and 24 years old, directly coinciding with the typical age demographic of students of third level education.

Congress Recognises

The continuous work that many organisations, including Stalking Ireland and others are doing to create awareness and combat this area of concern within Ireland

Congress Further Recognises

Currently (March 2022), Stalking is not recognised in current legislation – the work of Senator Lisa Chambers, Eve McDowell, Una Ring and others to create the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Bill (Stalking Bill), will hopefully result in Stalking being recognised by law in the near future.

Congress Mandates

The Vice President for Welfare rolls out, in collaboration with the Campaigns Working Group, a national informational and awareness campaign for all students regarding Stalking. This campaign will collaborate with local and national campaigns where appropriate. This campaign will coincide with the 2018 WEL 12: Abusive Relationships, Sexual Violence & Harassment campaign if applicable.

 

2022 EM (EQ) 2: Improving Inclusion & Engagement of Ethnic Minorities in USI

Proposed by DCU Students’ Union

Congress notes

UCD’s recent anti-racist campaign reviewed on March 16th 2022. This campaign highlights the need for increased visibility, representation and, engagement of ethnic minorities in Further & Higher Education. It also calls for explicit anti-racist practices.

Congress further notes

That ethnic minorities at congress are under represented.They account for less than 10% of Congress when as a student body they account for 20% since the 2016 Census and has increased since.

Congress further notes

There are several benefits to increasing ethnic minority representation at Congress. Such as, allowing for ethnic minority students to share their lived experience.

Congress acknowledges

Much work has been done to improve the visibility , engagement, and representation of ethnic minorities since Congress began decades ago. However, campaigns must be created and task groups formed to bring representation in line with the population dynamics of the student population across our Island.

Congress mandates

The VP for Equality and Citizenship to build a strategy to inform ethnic minorities of their rights to be in attendance as a delegate and/or observer at USI Comhdháil.

Congress further mandates

The VP for Equality & Citizenship to coordinate with sabbatical officers on strategic plans to ensure ethnic minorities are prioritised as active members at USI events, especially USI Comhdháil.

 

2022 EQ 9: Use of Name on Third Level Certificates

Proposed by UCC Students’ Union

Comhdháil Notes

As per current policy of Higher Education Institutions in Ireland, certificates are awarded to students upon graduation with the students’ legal name.

Comhdháil Also Notes

This system of using the legal name may be particularly harmful for non-binary, trans, and

students with a gender beyond the binary of male and female. Particularly if a student is in/will be in the process of changing their name legally, and then after the change is made, the name on their certificate does not match their legal name.

Comhdháil Further Notes

This also extends to students who may have divorced parents, a name in Irish spelling, or a

non-western name, and the name that they wish to have may be on their Higher Education

Institution’s records as being misspelt or incorrect. This can be morally and emotionally

harmful if the student does not identify with their given name, or at least how it is spelled on the Higher Education Institution’s databases.

Comhdháil Believes

That while attending/upon graduating from a Higher Education Institutions, students should be given the choice on the name that is used on their graduating certificate. This includes (but not limited to); the spelling of the name (both forename and surname), the use of certain characters (eg. fadas on vowels), the use of non-english characters, etc.

Comhdháil Mandates

The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Vice President for Welfare work with all relevant parties in the Higher Education Sector with an aim towards this option being implemented across all Higher Education Institutions.

 

2022 CZN 1: Student Cyclist Initiative

Proposed by the USI Vice President for the Dublin Region

Comhdháil Notes

The merits of cycling as an alternative to other carbon intensive modes of transport. Cycling also promotes improved physical and mental well-being.

Comhdháil Celebrates

Improved cycling infrastructure nationwide making it safer and more attractive for citizens to commute via cycling.

Comhdháil Also Recognises

Government’s commitment to incentivising cycling through significant investment in the sector, e.g. National Cycle Policy Framework, Budget 2022, Climate Action Plan 2021.

Comhdháil Regrets

That no scheme exists for students to offset the expense of buying a bike and necessary accessories as it can deter students from cycling to college.

Comhdháil Therefore Mandates

The USI Coiste Gnó to lobby the government to target student cyclists in future initiatives via the establishment of “Cycle to College” scheme, subsidised City Bikes or otherwise.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The USI Coiste Gnó to continue lobbying for improved cycle networks, particularly in rural areas.

12 CZN 2: Students in the Workplace

Congress notes

That in order to help fund their education, many students take up a part time job.

Congress welcomes

The decision to reverse the cut to the minimum wage, which targeted students in part time jobs who are already struggling financially.

Congress notes with concern

That in many of these jobs, trade union membership is absent and in some places discouraged. Furthermore, many students are unaware of what their rights and entitlements are in relation to time off, payment and hours.

Congress mandates

The Vice President of Equality and Citizenship to better inform students of their rights in the workplace by providing information that is set out by the LRC, NERA and Employment legislation. This mandate should be completed within the first quarter of the Academic Year.

 

2022 NA NC 1: Conversion Therapy Ban

Proposed by the Vice President for Equality and Citizenship

Comhairle Náisiúnta recognises

That the practice of conversion therapy is the harmful practice of attempting to erase, suppress or change someone’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Conversion therapy includes medical, psychiatric, psychological, religious, cultural or any other interventions that seek to erase, repress or change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person.

Comhairle Náisiúnta notes

That conversion therapy is currently legal and is widely practiced in both jurisdictions on this island. In 1990, the WHO (World Health Organisation) removed homosexuality from the international classification of diseases. Yet, 31 years later attempts to ‘cure’ people who identify as LGBTQ+ continue across the island and globally.

Comhairle Náisiúnta further notes

The immense suffering experienced by, and lives lost within, the LGBT+ community due to this harmful practice. Conversion therapy has lifelong impacts on those who survive and for some who do not survive. The need for victim and survivor support is vital to support and protect the LGBTQ+ community across the island and globally.

Comhairle Náisiúnta acknowledges

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to legislate to ban conversion therapy, alongside officials at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth confirming that they have prepared a scoping paper on banning conversion therapy and are currently engaging with the Department of Health to forward proposals on banning conversation therapy. On April 20th, Stormont passed a motion by 59-24, calling on the Minister for Communities to commit to bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy in all its forms before the end of the current Assembly mandate. MLAs also voted to reject an amendment from the DUP to remove a section reading “it is fundamentally wrong to view our LGBTQ community as requiring a fix or cure”.

Comhairle Náisiúnta believes

That all forms of conversion therapy must be made illegal on an all-island basis and the Governments across the island must take action to ban this harmful practice. In order to support LGBTQ+ people across the island we need to introduce a full legislative ban, along with providing supports for victims and survivors and introduce public awareness, education and training.

Comhairle Náisiúnta therefore mandates

The President and the Vice President for Equality and Citizenship to support the NUS USI President in lobbying for the introduction of a full legislative ban to take place within the current Assembly mandate.

Comhairle Náisiúnta further mandates

The President and Vice President for Equality and Citizenship lobby and raise awareness of this issue nationally and lobby the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth ban conversation therapy in Ireland within the lifetime of this Government.

 

2022 NA 2: Parental Leave Implementation Review

Proposed by USI Vice President for Postgraduate Affairs

Comhdháil Notes

Many external PhD funding bodies allocate paid parental leave for their postgraduate researchers. However, issues may exist where the tax-exempt status of PhD researchers means allocated funding cannot be provided through Higher Education Institutions. This is due to the fact that Universities Higher Education Institutions are not legally allowed to pay a de-registered student under the current framework.

Comhdháil Further Notes

Local arrangements can be implemented, but crucially these remedies sidestep the existing issue. An effective payment release mechanism for postgraduate students on parental leave is urgently needed.

Comhdháil Therefore Mandates

VPPGA and the Coiste Gnó to lobby through governmental channels for a review of the payment allocation scheme for parental leave for postgraduate researchers per institution to ensure that provided funding can be released effectively.

 

2022 EM (IA) 4: Ukraine Aid

Proposed by the USI VP for the BMW Region

Congress Condemns

The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian federation. The attempt to colonise by Russia to overthrow a democratic government of a sovereign state.

Congress Recognises

The Ukrainians right to independence and self-governance. The huge generosity of the Irish community in donating to causes to help the Ukrainian population. That many people in Ukraine currently require and will require assistance from foreign governments and charitable organisations.

The USI position against war.

Congress notes with urgency

The increasing death toll in Ukraine particularly in areas such as Mariupol which is currently in the Tens of Thousands.

The reports from the Ukrainian Government on April 12th about the Russian usage of chemical warfare against Ukraine.

The needs civilians will urgently need to international aid.

On Sunday 10th April Minister for Equality and Integration Roderic O’Gorman said more than 20 thousand refugees have already arrived in Ireland.

Congress Notes

The calls from many different organisations for support in fundraising for non lethal supplies to assist people in Ukraine.

Congress Mandates

USI Coiste Gnó to provide resources to member organisations which wish to fundraise for non-lethal supplies to Ukrainian citizens.

The Coiste Gnó to lobby the Department of Higher and Further Education and Skills for students who were studying in Ukraine to be able to continue their studies in Ireland.

The Coiste Gnó to lobby the Department of Higher and Further Education and Skills for recognition to be given to students for prior learning prior to arriving in Ireland.

USI to continue to work with stakeholders to expand our capacity in Higher level Education to incorporate as many refugee students as possible.

 

2022 IA 2:  Anti-War & Expansionism

Proposed by Maynooth Students’ Union

Congress Notes with Concern

The recent invasion of the sovereign, independent and democratic nation of Ukraine by Russia, a separate and distinct territory, political entity, and nation and the humanitarian crisis that has arisen as a result.

Congress Affirms

The statement made recently by the European Students’ Union (ESU) where they stated a clear position of “no to war and expansionism, yes to peace and the protection of the human and social right to study in a peaceful context”

Congress Believes

That while the world’s focus is currently on Ukraine, there are other humanitarian crises occurring including, but not limited to, events in both Palestine and Yemen and we have seen motions on such crises in the past.

Congress Further Believes

That if the Union of Students in Ireland formally adopted an Anti-War and Expansionism position, the Irish Student Movement (Local and National) will be able to effectively mobilise and stand in solidarity against current and future crises such as these, unified as one under the USI.

Congress Therefore Mandates

The Union of Students in Ireland to adopt an “Anti-War and Expansionism‚” position.

 

2022 UO 2: USI Mandated Training

Proposed by Dublin Region Working Group

Comhdháil Notes

Through training, sabbatical and part-time officers are equipped with crucial skills that enable them to best represent students.

Comhdháil Commends

The existence of current mandated trainings on the USI policy file.

However, Comhdháil Also Notes

That existing mandates are spread across the policy file and it is therefore difficult to hold relevant USI Officers to account.

Comhdháil Believes

Mandated trainings would be better consolidated into a single mandate.

Therefore, Comhdháil Mandates

Members of the USI Coiste Gnó (outlined in []) to provide training on the following issues to fully prepare officers for their work;

• Lobbying [VP for Equality and Citizenship]
• Casework [VP for Academic Affairs and VP for Welfare]
• Bystander Intervention [VP for Welfare]
• Governance [USI President]
• Media Training [VP for Campaigns]
• Part-Time Officer Training [USI Regional Officers]
• Postgraduate Affairs [VP for Postgraduate Affairs]
• Suicide Prevention [VP for Welfare]
• Anti-Racism Training [VP For Equality and Citizenship]
• Personal Development Training [USI Regional Officers]
• Students’ Union Staff Training [USI President]
• Comhdháil Further Mandates
• The USI Coiste Gnó to provide further training on the following;
• Disclosure Training [VP for Welfare]
• Union Finances [USI President]
• Freedom of Information Requests [USI President]
• Crisis Response Training [VP for Welfare]

Repeals 2021 NC 5, 2021 UO, 2021 UO 5, UO 19 2, UO 19 8, UO 19 16, 2021 AA NC, 20 AA 8, 20 WEL 8, 21 UO NC 1, 15 UO 3

 

2022 UO 11: Coiste Gnó Plans of Work

Proposed by the USI VP Campaigns

Comhdháil Notes that

The Coiste Gnó provides a plan of work to Comhairle Náisiúnta at the beginning of the first semester, outlining the work that the Coiste Gnó member hopes to achieve during their term.

Comhdháil Regrets that

These plans of work are often prepared without consultation with other USI officers and do not accurately reflect the cooperative nature of the work done within the organisation.

Comhdháil Believes that

The USI Coiste Gnó plans of work are a beneficial way of holding officers to account during their term and should be reflective of the collaborative work of the Coiste Gnó.

Comhdháil Mandates

The USI President to work with the Coiste Gnó to provide an overall team plan of work to be presented to Comhairle Náisiúnta, outlining any work that will take place across more than one remit.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The USI President to provide Plan of Work updates to each Comhairle Náisiúnta alongside updates provided in the Policy File Tracker.

 

2022 UO 15: Regional Officers

Proposed by the USI Vice President for the Dublin Region

Comhdháil Notes

The benefit of having Regional Officers on campus and the experience and direction Regional Officers can give to local member organisations.

Comhdháil Further Notes

Local Student Councillor/Class Rep Council meetings are the beating heart of local unions and attendees typically represent a cohort of the student population that are most engaged in union activity.

Comhdháil Therefore Mandates

Vice Presidents for the Regions be obligated to attend local union council meetings, provided they are given a minimum of 3 days’ notice, or otherwise send their apologies in advance.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

The Vice Presidents for the Regions to visit MO’s a minimum of four times per semester.

Repeals UO 19-7

 

2024 AF      1         USI Commercial Entities Engagement Strategy

Proposed by DCU Students’ Union

Comhdháil Notes

External commercial entities such as but not limited to event agencies, promoters, marketing agencies and brands often look to use Students’ Unions and the Union of Students Ireland as ways to engage with new customers.

Comhdháil Further Notes

That engaging with such companies can provide a benefit to students and provide students with new opportunities.

Comhdháil Believes

That it is of utmost importance that there is a fair, transparent and clear procedure that aligns with the USI Constitution is accessible to all Member Organisations outlining the criteria of what external commercial entities USI engage with.

Comhdháil Further Believes

Engagement with commercial entities should, where applicable, provide USI with financial benefits directly to the organisation.

Comhdháil Mandates

The USI President develops a clear procedure on the selection and vetting of external commercial entities that USI will consider working with in the future. This procedure shall be presented to the next Comhairle Náisúinta for discussion, and sent to the next Comhdháil for approval.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

Annually the USI President develops and reviews a costing rate guide for external commercial entities to engage with USI.

Comhdháil Further Mandates

That USI only works with commercial entities whose values align with stances approved by Comhdháil and the values of the USI Constitution.