2024 CA 1 Vice-President for Postgraduate Affairs
TUS Students’ Union
Comhdháil replaces Article 5.12.1
‘5.12.1 The Vice President for Postgraduate Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the VP/Postgraduate) shall have responsibility, in a part-time capacity on the Union’s Executive Team, for the Union’s work on policy and engagement with postgraduate students.’
With
‘5.12.1 The Vice President for Postgraduate Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the VP/Postgraduate) shall have responsibility for the Union’s work on policy and engagement with postgraduate students.’
Comhdháil replaces Article 5.12.2
‘5.12.2 The VP/Postgraduate shall assist the VP/Campaigns with campaigns in relation to postgraduate issues.’
With
‘5.12.2 The VP/Postgraduate shall assist all other Vice Presidents in relation to postgraduate affairs.’
Comhdháil inserts Article 5.12.4
‘5.12.4 The VP/Postgraduate shall also be responsible for supporting Member Organisations regarding postgraduate affairs within their own institutions and shall produce research and develop support structures, as required by the Member Organisations.’
Comhdháil replaces Article 5.14.3
‘5.14.3 Members of the Executive Team (except for the VP/Postgraduate) shall have their salary matched to a grade in the Irish Civil Service, to be decided upon by Governance Committee. The starting salary of all officers (except for the VP/Postgraduate) shall be matched to the same level except for the President which shall be one grade higher.’
With
‘5.14.3 Members of the Executive Team shall have their salary matched to a grade in the Irish Civil Service, to be decided upon by Governance Committee. The starting salary of all officers shall be matched to the same level except for the President which shall be one grade higher.’
2024 CA 2 Constitutional Amendment: Removal Of Regional Vice Presidents
Proposed by: TU Dublin Students’ Union
Delete 5.16, “The Vice President for the Border, Midlands and Western Region”
Delete 5.17, “The Vice President for the Southern Region”
Delete 5.18, “The Vice President for the Dublin Region”
Delete 5.8, “The Vice President for the Border, Midlands and Western Region” and all its subsections.
Delete 5.9, “The Vice President for the Southern Region” and all its subsections.
Delete 5.10, “The Vice President for the Dublin Region” and all its subsections.
7.1.3 add;
“In the case of the regional committees, the President shall nominate a member of the Executive Team or a member of Comhairle Náisiúnta to serve as chair during the period of office.”
Further, in the event that this motion were to be carried-
Delete all references to the elections of these positions.
2024 CA 3 Merging The VP for Welfare and The VP for Equality and Citizenship
Proposed by: TU Dublin Students’ Union
Delete 5.5, “The Vice President for Welfare”.
Change 5.7, “The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship” to “The Vice President for Welfare, Equality and Citizenship”
Change 5.7.1,
“The Vice President for Equality and Citizenship (hereinafter referred as to as VP/Equality) shall have responsibility for implementation and development of all Union policy in relation to issues of discrimination on the grounds specified in S.75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the grounds of the Equal Status Acts 2000-2004.”
to
“The Vice President for Welfare, Equality and Citizenship (hereinafter referred as to as VP/WEC) shall have responsibility for implementation and development of Union’s welfare policy and all Union policy in relation to issues of discrimination on the grounds specified in S.75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the grounds of the Equal Status Acts 2000-2004.”
Change 5.7.2,
“The VP/Equality shall assist the VP/Campaigns in relation to campaigns for the defence and promotion of students’ rights in areas of equality and citizenship.” to
“The VP/WEC shall assist the VP/Campaigns in relation to campaigns for the defence and promotion of students rights in areas of student welfare, equality and citizenship.”
Change 5.7.3, “The VP/Equality shall have overall responsibility for the running of Equality, Citizenship and LGBTQ training events such as Pink Training.” to “The VP/WEC shall have overall responsibility for the running of Welfare, Equality, Citizenship and LGBTQ training events such as Pink Training
Change 5.7.4, “The VP/Equality shall be the chairperson of the Equality & Citizenship Committee.” to “The VP/WEC shall be the chairperson of the Welfare, Equality & Citizenship Committee.”
Change 5.7.5, “The VP/Equality shall assist VP/Campaigns in relation to campaigns on, and shall be responsible for; running events and campaigns relating to citizenship in areas such as environmental and civic, social and political participation, with particular emphasis on voter registration; working with community and voluntary groups etc.” to “The VP/WEC shall assist VP/Campaigns in relation to campaigns on, and shall be responsible for; running events and campaigns relating to citizenship in areas such as environmental and civic, social and political participation, with particular emphasis on voter registration; working with community and voluntary groups etc.”
Add 5.7.6, “The VP/WEC also shall have special responsibility for the provisions of welfare publications and material.”
Further, in the event that this motion were to be carried-
Delete all references to “The Welfare Committee”
Delete all references to the election of “The VP for Welfare”
Change “The VP for Equality & Citizenship” to “The VP for Welfare, Equality & Citizenship” where “The VP for Equality & Citizenship” is mentioned.
Change “The VP/Equality” to “The VP/WEC” where “The VP/Equality” is mentioned.
Change “The Equality & Citizenship Committee” to “The Welfare, Equality & Citizenship Committee” where “The Equality & Citizenship Committee” is mentioned.
2024 CA 4 Changes to Regional VPs 1
Proposed by USI President
Replace 5.8 The Vice President for The Border, Midlands and Western Region with the following:
“5.8 The Vice President for Western Region:
5.8.1 The Vice President for the Western Region, (hereinafter referred to as the VP/Western) shall be responsible for Union development and liaison in their region. They shall also be responsible for the overall direction of the work of their region in conjunction with and reporting to the Coiste Gnó.
5.8.2 The VP/Western shall communicate the message of the Union to ordinary members, Member Organisations, external organisations and the general public through various means including, but not exclusively, social media, traditional media, meetings, conference events, updates to Councils, campaigns and training events. When conducting campus visits, a minimum of one week’s notice, where possible, is to be given to MOs by the VP/Western. The VP/BMW must conduct a minimum of one contact to each MO in between Comhairle Náisiúntas.
5.8.3 The VP/Western shall communicate regional and Member Organisation’s issues to the Coiste Gnó and support MOs with internal issues relating to but not limited to, team disputes, relationship with their HEI, and student engagement.
5.8.4 The VP/Western shall work with all Colleges in the Western Region to develop their Unions focusing on Unions who have been suspended or where a College does not have a functional Union, to assist the students of that College to establish one.
5.8.5 The VP/Western shall be responsible for the implementation of Union campaigns within their region and will assist MOs when requested in the run-up to or during campaigns, events, projects, initiatives, within reason when available to improve the student experience and promote the Union.
Support MOs in their region with matters relating to local government such as planning objections, engaging with city & county councils, transportation and applying for grants.
-Assist with Union Organisation ensuring best practise in union democracy and structure
To assist Member organisations with affiliations and partnership agreements
– Will be responsible for support and training of part time officers .
5.8.6 The VP/Western will chair the Western Regional Working Group.”
Replace 5.9 The Vice President for the Southern Region with the following:
“5.9 The Vice President for The Eastern Region:
5.9.1 The Vice President for the Eastern Region, (hereinafter referred to as the VP/Eastern) shall be responsible for Union development and liaison in their region. They shall also be responsible for the overall direction of the work of their region in conjunction with and reporting to the Coiste Gnó.
5.9.2 The VP/Eastern shall communicate the message of the Union to ordinary members, Member Organisations, external organisations and the general public through various means including, but not exclusively, social media, traditional media, meetings, conference events, updates to Councils, campaigns and training events. When conducting campus visits, a minimum of one week’s notice, where possible, is to be given to MOs by the VP/Eastern. The VP/BMW must conduct a minimum of one contact to each MO in between Comhairle Náisiúntas.
5.9.3 The VP/Eastern shall communicate regional and Member Organisation’s issues to the Coiste Gnó and support MOs with internal issues relating to but not limited to, team disputes, relationship with their HEI, and student engagement.
5.9.4 The VP/Eastern shall work with all Colleges in the Eastern Region to develop their Unions focusing on Unions who have been suspended or where a College does not have a functional Union, to assist the students of that College to establish one.
5.9.5 The VP/Eastern shall be responsible for the implementation of Union campaigns within their region and will assist MOs when requested in the run-up to or during campaigns, events, projects, initiatives, within reason when available to improve the student experience and promote the Union.
Support MOs in their region with matters relating to local government such as planning objections, engaging with city & county councils, transportation and applying for grants.
-Assist with Union Organisation ensuring best practise in union democracy and structure
To assist Member organisations with affiliations and partnership agreements
– Will be responsible for support and training of part time officers
5.9.6 The VP/Eastern will chair the Eastern Regional Working Group.”
Replace 5.10 The Vice President for the Dublin Region with the following:
“5.10 The Vice President for Student Engagement
5.10.1 The Vice President for Student Engagement, (hereinafter referred to as the VP/Engagement) shall be responsible for Union development and liaison with the VP/Western and the VP/Eastern on any support that they may need.
5.10.2 The VP/Engagement shall be responsible for in – person & on/off campus student engagement through various events/promotional campaigns.
5.10.3 The VP/Engagement shall be responsible for supporting MO’s in securing sponsorship and affiliations with local businesses.
5.10.4 The VP/Engagement shall work with the National Student Engagement Programme (NSTEP).
5.10.5 The VP/Engagement shall be responsible for training, development and empowering of student activism.
5.10.6 The VP/Engagement shall foster collaboration and partnerships between MO’s and other organizations to strengthen the collective voice of students and address common challenges related to student engagement, well-being and rights.
5.10.7 The VP/Engagement shall be responsible for student consultation and bringing meaningful feedback to the Coiste Gnó in ways to proper engage the student population.
5.10.8 The VP/Engagement will chair the Events, Marketing & Commercialization Working Group. “
Replace Schedule G4 with:
‘The Western Region’ is defined as the counties of which an institution resides in Kerry, Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Longford, Leitrim, Donegal.’
Replace Schedule G5 with
‘The Eastern Region’ is defined as the counties which an institution resides in of Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Laois, Kildare, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath, Westmeath, Louth, Offaly, Cavan, Monaghan.’
Replace Schedule G7 with
‘The region governed by the Trilateral agreement is defined as the Counties of Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone.’
Delete G6 and renumber as appropriate.
If passed VP Eastern will replace VP South and VP Dublin and VP Western will replace VP BMW.
2024 CA 5 Changes to Regional VPs 2
Proposed by Presidents Working Group
Replace 5.8 The Vice President for The Border, Midlands and Western Region with the following:
“5.8 The Vice President for The Border, Midlands and Western Region:
5.8.1 The Vice President for the Border, Midlands and Western Region, (hereinafter referred to as the VP/BMW) shall be responsible for Union development and liaison in their region. They shall also be responsible for the overall direction of the work of their region in conjunction with and reporting to the Coiste Gnó.
5.8.2 The VP/BMW shall communicate the message of the Union to ordinary members, Member Organisations, external organisations and the general public through various means including, but not exclusively, social media, traditional media, meetings, conference events, updates to Councils, campaigns and training events. When conducting campus visits, a minimum of one week’s notice, where possible, is to be given to MOs by the VP/BMW. The VP/BMW must conduct a minimum of one contact to each MO in between Comhairle Náisiúntas.
5.8.3 The VP/BMW shall communicate regional and Member Organisation’s issues to the Coiste Gnó and support MOs with internal issues relating to but not limited to, team disputes, relationship with their HEI, and student engagement.
5.8.4 The VP/BMW shall work with all Colleges in the Border, Midlands and Western Region to develop their Unions, focusing on Unions who have been suspended or where a College does not have a functional Union, to assist the students of that College to establish one.
5.8.5 The VP/BMW shall be responsible for:
The implementation of Union campaigns within their region,
Will assist MOs when requested in the run-up to or during campaigns, events, projects, initiatives, to enhance the student experience and promote the Union.
Support MOs in their region with matters relating to local government such as planning proposals, engaging with local organisations and city & county councils, transportation and applying for grants.
Assist with Union Organisation ensuring best practise in union democracy and structure
To assist Member organisations with affiliations and partnership agreements
Will be responsible for support and training of part time officers
5.8.6 The VP/BMW will chair the BMW Regional Working Group. ”
Replace 5.9 the Vice President for the Southern Region with the following:
“5.9 The Vice President for the Southern Region:
5.9.1 The Vice President for the Southern Region, (hereinafter referred to as the VP/Southern) shall be responsible for Union development and liaison in their region. They shall also be responsible for the overall direction of the work of their region in conjunction with and reporting to the Coiste Gnó.
5.9.2. The VP/Southern shall communicate the message of the Union to ordinary members, Member Organisations, external organisations and the general public through various means including, but not exclusively, social media, traditional media, meetings, conference events, campaigns and training events. When conducting campus visits, a minimum of one week’s notice, where possible, is to be given to MOs by the VP/Southern. The VP/Southern must conduct a minimum of one contact to each MO in between Comhairle Náisiúntas.
5.9.3 The VP/Southern shall communicate regional and Member Organisation’s issues to the Coiste Gnó and support MOs with internal issues relating to but not limited to, team disputes, relationship with their HEI, and student engagement.
5.9.4 The VP/Southern shall work with all Colleges in the Southern Region to develop their Unions focusing on Unions who have been suspended or where a College does not have a functional Union, to assist the students of that College to establish one.
5.9.5 The VP/Southern shall be responsible for:
The implementation of Union campaigns within their region,
Will assist MOs when requested in the run-up to or during campaigns, events, projects, initiatives, to improve the student experience and promote the Union.
Support MOs in their region with matters relating to local government such as planning objections, engaging with city & county councils, transportation and applying for grants.
Assist with Union Organisation ensuring best practise in union democracy and structure
To assist Member organisations with affiliations and partnership agreements
Will be responsible for support and training of part time officers
5.9.6 The VP/Southern will chair the Southern Regional Working Group.
5.9.7 VP/Southern to organise a regional bonding event throughout the year. “
Replace 5.10 The Vice President for the Dublin Region with the following:
“5.10 The Vice President for the Dublin Region
5.10.1 The Vice President for the Dublin Region, (hereinafter referred to as the VP/Dublin) shall be responsible for Union development and liaison in their region. They shall also be responsible for the overall direction of the work of their region in conjunction with and reporting to the Executive Team.Coiste Gnó.
5.10.2 The VP/Dublin shall communicate the message of the Union to ordinary members, Member Organisations, external organisations and the general public through various means including, but not exclusively, social media, traditional media, meetings, conference events, updates to Councils, campaigns and training events. When conducting campus visits, a minimum of one week’s notice, where possible, is to be given to MOs by the VP/Dublin. The VP/Dublin must conduct a minimum of one contact to each MO in between National CouncilsComhairle Náisiúntas.
5.10.3 The VP/Dublin shall communicate regional and Member Organisation’s issues to the Executive TeamCoiste Gnó and support MOs with internal issues relating to but not limited to, team disputes, relationship with their HEI, and student engagement.
5.10.4 The VP/ Dublin shall work with all Colleges in the Dublin Region to develop their Unions focusing on Unions who have been suspended or where a College does not have a functional Union, to assist the students of that College to establish one.
5.10.5 The VP/Dublin shall be responsible for
The implementation of Union campaigns within their region ,
Will assist MOs when requested in the run-up to or during campaigns, events, projects, initiatives, to improve the student experience and promote the Union.
Support MOs in their region with matters relating to local government such as planning objections, engaging with city & county councils, transportation and applying for grants.
Assist with Union Organisation ensuring best practise in union democracy and structure
To assist Member organisations with affiliations and partnership agreements
Will be responsible for support and training of part time officers
5.10.6 The VP/Dublin will chair the Dublin Regional Working Group. ”
2024 CA 6 Elections Subcommittee
Proposed by: Presidents Working Group
To replace 6.2 The Elections Subcommittee with the following:
6.2 The Elections Subcommittee
6.2.1 Steering Committee shall have an Elections Subcommittee to which four members of Steering Committee shall be elected by the whole of Steering Committee.
6.2.2 Quorum for Elections Subcommittee shall be half plus one of the total memberships of that subcommittee.
6.2.3 From their number, Elections Subcommittee shall elect a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. The Chairperson of Steering Committee may not also chair Elections Subcommittee. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Elections Subcommittee shall be the Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer, respectively, of the Union.
6.2.4 Elections Subcommittee shall be responsible for the running of all Union elections including inter alia setting deadlines for submission of nominations, receiving nominations, determining the validity of nominations and of candidates, organising hustings at Comhdháil or Comhairle Náisiúnta, organising polling, counting votes, and declaring results in accordance with the terms of this Constitution.
6.2.4.1 Elections Subcommittee shall, no later than 21 December in each year, publish regulations for the conduct of elections. These regulations will contain at least:
- a) any spending limits to be imposed on candidates for election to a role on the Coiste Gnó.
- b) any regulations relating to the conduct of elections
In the absence of newly published regulations, the regulations previously in force shall remain in force. In considering new regulations, the Elections Subcommittee shall have due regard to the need not to impose unnecessary regulations.
6.2.5 Elections Subcommittee shall receive, investigate, and adjudicate on all complaints relating to the running of Union elections; organise and chair Comhdháil elections, make regular reports to Comhdháil and Comhairle Náisiúnta regarding Union elections, and act as a credentials vetting Committee for delegates to Comhdháil.
6.2.6 Appeals relating to the conduct of Elections Subcomittee in elections may be forwarded to the Chair of Governance for consideration.
2024 CA 7 Grammar, Numerical and Irish Language Changes
Proposed by Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge
To replace all references of ‘ The Organisation’ or ‘USI’ with ‘The Union’
To replace all references to ‘Executive’ with ‘Coiste Gnó’
To replace all references to ‘Comhdháil’ with ‘Comhdháil’
To replace all references to ‘Policy Manual’ with ‘Policy File’
To replace all references any mention of ‘Committee’ with ‘Working Group’ except mentions to the Campaign Strategy Committee
Replace
“5.1.9 The Vice President for the Irish Language, who shall present themself as An Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge (LU/Gaeilge) in the daily conduct of their office;”
With
“ 5.1.9 An Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge”