2024 UO CN 1 Motion on Cessation of Cooperation with Funders that do not pay Liveable Stipends
Comhdháil Notes:
The USI has collaborated with the Irish Research Council (IRC) since 2020 to run the “Why Research Matters” campaign, asking postgraduate researchers to submit posters and videos of their research for prizes up to €1,600.
Comhairle Náisúinta Further Notes:
The IRC currently pays their funded PhDs 22 percent below the minimum wage.
Comhairle Náisúinta Believes:
It is disheartening for struggling postgraduate researchers to see their union collaborating with funders that pay them less than a minimum wage.
Comhairle Náisúinta Mandates:
USI should only collaborate with research funding agencies or other research funding bodies for competitions if that research funding agency or body pays their postgraduate researchers at a level equal or higher than the prevailing living wage and provide sick leave and parental leave to their PhD Researchers.
2024 UO CN 2 Motion on Electoral Reform
Comhdháil welcomes:
The increase in the number of non-sabbatical officers running for election in the last USI election season.
Comhdháil regrets:
The failure of the elections subcommittee to fulfil their duties to produce election regulations [D1.8, USI constitution]. As a result of this, there has been difficulty in ensuring equity in the running of the USI elections, particularly related to the running of unofficial hustings, campaign expenses and the resources available to candidates in contesting elections.
Comhdháil regrets
That these barriers and lack of clarity can prove difficult to overcome for sabbatical officers and students alike, and can be exacerbated by the cost of living crisis, and the access (or lack thereof) to MO resources.
Comhdháil also remarks
That the USI voting system is fragmented. Some unions have a free vote, whereas others have class rep mandates or student body vote mandates. However, the pre-mandated unions often have low turnout, calling into question the democratic legitimacy of the mandates.Similarly, it is clear from election results, that these mandated votes are sometimes not honoured by delegates.
Comhdháil notes:
“Ordinary students” running for election would benefit more from students like themselves getting to directly elect officers, rather than student union officers and class reps and PTOs, and this would also increase democratic participation in the USI and therefore mobilising capacity.
Comhdháil therefore mandates
The USI President to commission a report into the running of the USI elections, including on hustings, equity and “ordinary” student participation and any financial barriers to the latter. The report should include recommendations related to how to ensure the fair and equitable running of elections. The Coisto Gno, as part of this, should also look into the feasibility of adopting universal direct election, specifically by considering the options listed within the strategy document presented to National Council on the 8th and Friday the 9th of December 2022, and any options outside of that it deems suitable.
2024 UO CN 3 Motion on Black History Month
Comhdháil notes
Black History Month began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African and Caribbean diaspora, and is now globally celebrating Black excellence, the importance of remembering, uplifting and empowering an entire group of young activists.
Comhdháil further notes
The importance of recognising and celebrating Black History Month, given the significant lack of participation within student politics of black students, which invariably results in them feeling underrepresented.
Comhdháil applauds
The success of Pink Training, Women Lead and EMPower, amongst others, in encouraging and promoting a diverse range of students to run for leadership and representation roles.
Comhdháil therefore mandates
The VP for Equality And Citizenship to run an annual Black History Month campaign during the month of February, with the dual goal of celebrating African culture, as well as encouraging black students to take up leadership roles in their institutions, community & professional lives.
Comhdháil further mandates:
The VP for Equality And Citizenship to ensure that the campaign is organised in partnership with black students and Officers, that it includes various external speakers/bodies, and is tailored to its respective target audience.
2024 UO CN 4 Motion on PTO engagement
Comhdháil notes:
That part-time officers form an integral part of the work done by member organisations and by USI.
Comhdháil acknowledges:
That USI have a number of channels used to communicate with Union sabbatical officers such as mailing lists, working groups, newsletters and direct communication from the Coiste Gnó. This communication is necessary to ensure cooperation between USI and MOs, and subsequently proper connection with the wider student populations and members of USI.
Comhdháil believes:
That efforts to engage the student population should first start with ensuring engagement, communication and interaction with Union Executive officers, and that for training to be useful and enriching for part-time officers there has to be acknowledgement of the difference in roles and responsibilities for different PTOs where for example an academic affairs convenor and a sustainability officer have completely different responsibilities and experiences and would subsequently solely benefit from more specialized training.
Comhdháil therefore mandates:
The USI regional officers to work to create and regularly update email list for PTOs across regions that could be used to communicate information about USI campaigns, Comhairle Náisúnta and provide a way for the USI Coiste Gnó to engage with PTOs separate to the more detailed and extensive communication that would be sent to full-time officers.
Comhdháil further mandates:
That the regional officers work to facilitate training for PTO officers that is remit and role-based rather than region based prior to the start of the academic year in September, this would include working with other members of the Coiste Gnó to deliver sessions across a number of areas as well as general introductory session(s) that PTOs could pick and choose which to attend based on their role.
Comhdháil further mandates:
The USI Coiste Gnó establishes each year a space for PTOs across regions to communicate with each other, this platform can vary from term to term but should be established with consultation from PTOs and what would suit them best.
2024 UO CN 5 Motion on Support of UCU and IFUT Industrial Action
Comhdháil notes
The effect the cost of living crisis is having on workers in the Higher Education sector in Ireland.
Comhdháil Further Notes
That working conditions in HE are the learning conditions for our members.
Comhdháil Further Notes
The steps teaching unions for third level have taken towards industrial action.
An Comhdháil Further Resolves
To publicly support industrial action taken by members of the UCU and IFUT in the Higher Education sector to improve their pay and conditions and engage with IFUT in how best USI can support their actions.
To this affect Comhdháil Mandates
That the Coiste Gnó release a public statement in support of the UCU Rising campaign and any industrial actions of theirs or IFUT’s members.
USI should also promote and encourage MOs to engage with their local IFUT branches and promote links in the common issues their respective members face.
2024 UO 1 4 Day Work Week **
Proposed by the Dublin Regional Officer
Comhdháil Notes
4 day working weeks have been implemented around the word including Panasonic, Bolt and Kickstarter and has seen massive improvements to employees mental and physical health.
Comhdháil Also Notes
The benefits of a 4 day work week could improve productivity and moral in the student movement and could see less officer burnout.
Comhdháil Further Notes
As a national representation and a union we should lead the charge on this issue and show the benefits of a 4 day work week and how it would effect the work of the national student movement.
Comhdháil Mandates
The USI President to formulate a feasibility report on the benefits of a 4 day work week and how it could be implemented for the Coiste Gnó at the December Comhairle Náisiúnta 2024.
Comhdháil Further Mandates
If the report is approved and has a positive reaction, and would show tangible results without effecting the work of the Coiste Gnó on a weekly basis, the 4 day work week shall be implemented on a trial basis beginning January 2025 leading up to Comhdháil 2025.
Comhdháil Also Mandates
The president to present a policy paper on the topic of a 4 day work week and how the trial went at Comhdháil 2025. If approved the USI shall adopt a 4 day work week permanently from July 2025.
2024 UO 2 USI Accountability and MO Satisfaction **
Maynooth Students’ Union
Comhdháil notes:
That accountability functions should be at the core of the work done by a Union, and that the opportunity for member organizations to hold officers accountable should extend beyond officer reports, which realistically serve solely as an overview of past work, to include more comprehensive reporting and questioning functions and include on-going feedback processes.
Comhdháil believes:
That USI should strive to question where there are areas for improvement and whether the Union is providing adequate representation, support and resources for member organisations and that MOs, alongside their members, are satisfied with the efforts of USI.
Comhdháil acknowledges:
Consistent Union accountability and high MO satisfaction can be difficult to maintain with different MO officers and different Coiste Gnó officers coming into office each year and consistent changes in campaigns, work and organizational culture. Despite this, USI should strive for a level of consistency in the quality of its work.
Comhdháil therefore mandates:
The USI President ensures an external review of USI’s accountability processes is carried out, this review should focus on whether or not the accountability structures of USI are comprehensive enough, whether they are adequate in ensuring that the USI Coiste Gnó’s is held to account on their work, and that there is an appropriate level of active participation in accountability processes from MO officers.
Comhdháil further mandates:
That the USI President holds a quarterly (twice per term of office) satisfaction consultation sitting of the Presidents’ Working Group that would allow the Presidents of member organisations to give feedback on and highlight areas for improvement on the Coiste Gnó’s projects, campaigns, and upcoming plans. Additionally, member organization Presidents can offer insights into their Union’s satisfaction levels concerning various aspects of the Union’s work, and express preferences regarding what should be prioritised in the Union’s future work.
Comhdháil further mandates:
That in conjunction, the Coiste Gnó create and disseminate an anonymized satisfaction and accountability survey (at the start of the academic year and the beginning of the new calendar year) to officers and student representatives from MOs, allowing them to give feedback across different areas of USI operations. This should give a broader idea of members’ perspectives and views that can give context to USI’s work going forward and develop the accountability function to go beyond work that has been done so far and look at what should be reformed, prioritized and focused on in the future.
Both the results of the survey and feedback from the consultation sitting should be consolidated and drawn up into summary reports that should be completed and presented to Comhairle Náisiúnta no later than the first Comhairle Náisiúnta in each academic term. The content of these reports should inform the Coiste Gnó’s on-going work and decisions for a given quarter.
2024 UO 3 Grassroots Communication and Direct Action ***
Proposed by the VP for Campaigns
Comhdháil commends
The invaluable work of grassroots-level organizing facilitated by various unions in Ireland and internationally to build strategic and strong campaigns.
Comhdháil further notes
That grassroots organizing within the context of the student movement refers to a bottom-up approach to mobilization and advocacy, where the initiative for change originates from individual students or small groups rather than being imposed by top-down structures such as university administrations or external political organizations.
Comhdháil believes
That this approach to organizing has the input of students at the center of it, provides an opportunity for students to be involved in the planning stages of campaigning, and is characterized by its flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Comhdháil therefore mandates
The VP for Campaigns, where practicable, facilitate town hall-style meetings, activist training, organizers’ assemblies and establish networks with students who wish to contribute to the organizing of the union on a certain issue.
Comhdháil further mandates
The VP for Campaigns to work with existing and up-and-coming grassroots groups such as Students4Change, BDS branches in HEIs, community action unions, and renters’ unions to support their work and mobilize students for their initiatives where in alignment with USI policy.
2024 UO 4 VP Regional Bonding trips *
Proposed by USI President
Comhdháil notes,
The removal of the Regional bonding days in the Constitution.
Comhdháil believes
Regional Bonding trips are a vital part of the networking system within USI and should still be implemented.
Comhdháil Mandates,
The Regional VPs to organize a bonding trip for the MO’s in their specific region once a year before the commencement of the academic year where possible.
2024 UO 5 USI Service Provision *
Proposed by USI President
Comhdháil notes,
USI has access to all affiliated MO’s throughout the country and can be utilized as an access point for national businesses across the country. This service could be provided to give students of affiliated colleges throughout the country potential deals, access to services they may not have known about otherwise.
Comhdháil Mandates
Coiste Gnó to look at specific partnerships and affiliations that can support local MO’s.
Amendment
Proposed by the USI President
Replace all clauses as below
Comhdháil notes,
USI has access to all affiliated MO’s throughout the country and USI can enable MO’s to avail of services that businesses across the country provide. This service could be provided to give students at affiliated colleges throughout the country potential deals, access to services they may not have known about otherwise.
Comhdháil Mandates
The Coiste Gnó to:
- Identify companies and organisations that align with the values of USI
- Establish strategic partnerships and affiliations with these companies to provide exclusive benefits, discounts, and resources to member organizations.
- Ensure transparency and accountability in all company affiliations, with clear guidelines in place to safeguard the interests of member organizations and uphold ethical standards.
- Promotion and Communication:
- Develop a comprehensive communication strategy to promote the newly expanded service provisions and company affiliations to member organizations.
- Utilize various channels, including social media, newsletters, and direct communication, to raise awareness and encourage member organizations to take advantage of these offerings.
- Evaluation and Feedback:
- Implement regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness and impact of the expanded service provisions and company affiliations.
- Solicit feedback from member organizations to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to better meet their needs.
2024 UO 6 Research and Data Collection Training at USI provided Students’ Union Training *
Proposed by the Vice President for Campaigns
Comhdháil recognizes
The value brought by modern research tools that could be incorporated into the campaigning and lobbying efforts of student representatives.
Comhdháil notes
That data collection is a skill that assists building strategic and targeted campaigns, and that there is a multitude of mechanism for collecting data to supplement campaigning efforts.
Comhdháil further notes
That modern democratic tools for data collection such as Freedom of Information requests and other means of requesting information are governed by laws and rules that require technical knowledge to be effectively used.
Comhdháil recognizes
The legal and ethical considerations that must be considered when conducting primary research including surveys, questionnaires, and other means of collecting direct accounts from participants.
Comhdháil therefore mandates
The President to ensure the provision of a session during Students’ Union Training, organized annually by USI, that covers direct data collection methodologies (e.g. FOI Requests) , for the purposes of campaigning and lobbying.
2024 UO 7 USI Website Review and Reform
Proposed by Maynooth Students’ Union
Comhdháil notes:
That the USI website currently has an unfriendly and inaccessible user interface, layout and design and isn’t mobile responsive. Containing a multitude of dead links, outdated information and articles and issues across different areas.
Comhdháil believes:
That communications and engagement systems are incredibly important in the work of USI, and that a website serves as a central location for members or people interested in the Union to go looking for necessary information, resources and reports.
Comhdháil acknowledges:
That there are many important things USI does, and a system such as the website might not traditionally be prioritized among other areas and aspects of the Union’s work – but despite this, the fact the website’s design, functionality and content actively impedes users engagement with USI as an organisation and stops them from accessing critical information or services is to the severe detriment of USIs functions across different areas.
Comhdháil therefore mandates:
The USI President ensures the consistent review and update of the USI website’s content, usability and interface is carried out quarterly. Review and updates should occur consistently across a given year, and a reporting feature independent of the site should be created and disseminated to member organisations to report issues and outdated aspects of the website.
Amendment
Proposed by Maynooth Students’ Union
To end of motion add:
Comhdháil Repeals:
UO 18 (NC) USI Accountability