UCC Students' Union
The UCC Students’ Union is a students' union in University College Cork, in Cork, Ireland. It is established in accordance with the charter, statutes and regulations of the Governing Body of the college as the sole representative body for UCC students. Each student is automatically a member by virtue of a student levy.
The Students' Union oversees the running of several constituent committees (the Media Executive, Societies Guild Executive and the Clubs Executive) that cover the running of a number of extra curricular activities for students in UCC. The Student Council of the Union also acts as the Student Parliament for UCC, and represents students on a number of committees including UCC's Governing Authority, Academic Council, and externally at national bodies such as the Union of Students' in Ireland (USI).
History
The UCC Students' Union was established in 1973, and replaced a body known as the Students' Representative Council. While varying in focus over the years, the core principle of the students' union is to represent and support their members within the university, and outside on at such levels as they deem necessary, and to help ensure that a quality education and social experience is provided for students throughout their university life.
Union records date from 1938, and, while the exact establishment date is unclear, the 'Students' Representative Council' (otherwise known in Irish as Comhairle Teachta na Mac Léinn CTM) was established around 1908, possibly in line with the 1908 Universities Act. In its early years, all officers served in a voluntary capacity. The first full-time officer of the Union came with the introduction of a paid President in 1940, and increased to 4 full-time officers in 2004.
The Union's centenary in June 2008, was marked with a visit from the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe who joined President Kris McElhinney and officers for the opening of the new Union offices at 54 College Road, and the launch of a Students' Union Common room on the site of the old stables in September 2008.
Publications
Union Publication records date from 1972 and include Students' Union Handbooks, the copies of the Union paper, and other Union publications including the current incarnation the "UCC Express". (Over the years, the paper has been known variously as: 'Aire', 'The Gazette', 'The University Examiner', 'The Campus Chronicle', and 'The University Xpress')
As well as the UCC Express, the union publishes Motley Magazine.
Organisation and services
As of 2015, there are six full-time sabbatical officers (President, Campaigns Officer/Deputy President, VP Education, VP Welfare, VP Commercial & Communications & Entertainment Officer) combined with a number of voluntary or non-sabbatical positions, which are elected each year by the students. These include an Equality Officer, Oifigeach Gaeilge, Post Graduate Officer, Chair of Council and a representative of each of the University's four colleges (Business and Law, Medicine and Health, Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences and Engineering, Food Science). The Union also includes six Rights Officers (LGBT*Q, Gender Equality, International, Mature Students, Suicide Awareness & Mental Health/SAMH and Disability) whose roles are to advise the Union on issues pertaining to students under their remit.
The Union employs 3 other full-time members of staff directly (an administrator, a secretary, and an entertainments/common room manager) and a number of part-time student helpers. The Union also provides other services to students - jobs portal, education advice & grinds, welfare advice & free condoms, a second-hand bookshop, etc.
The Union holds 2 directorships on Student Facilities & Services Ltd. (SFS Ltd.) as well as the Chair of its Board of Management. The President is also a director of Maradyke Arena Ltd. and UCC Accommodation Ltd.
The Students' Union has 2 publications; a fortnightly newspaper, The UCC Express, and a monthly magazine, Motley. The Express and Motley are editorially independent and are supported by the Media Executive.
Bodies
Within the Students' Union, the Media Executive, Societies Guild Executive and the Clubs Executive are the autonomous umbrella organisation of the 2 student publications, 91 student societies and 60 clubs, respectively, within UCC. These bodies are elected to act on their behalf and co-ordinate activities which includes administering funds. These bodies foster, co-ordinate and promote activities in UCC. The policy of the Students' Union in the matters of societies and sport are determined by the relevant subcommittee for the Executive officers to support and represent.
Honorary life membership
The UCC Students' Union Executive has awarded Honorary Life Memberships (HLM's) of the SU since 2010. HLM's are given to reward individuals that have demonstrated commitment to working in the best interests of students both within the University and externally. Honorary Life Members are entitled to speaking rights at all Student Councils.[1]
LGBT* Pride Flag
On December 5, 2014, UCC Students Union became the first third-level institution on the island of Ireland to install a permanent Pride flag on campus.[2][3]
Associations
UCCSU is an active member of Union of Students in Ireland - a body whom the students of UCC pay upward of €130,000 in membership and more in running costs to associate themselves with.
UCCSU was also one of the more active members of FUSU (Forum of University Students' Unions), however it has disbanded since 2009. It has since been replaced by an ad hoc group composed of the University Students' Union Presidents, known as 'USUP'.
Presidents
| Year | President |
|---|---|
| 1987/1988 | Michael Smyth |
| 1986/1987 | Michael Cosgrave |
| 1985/1986 | Nazli McDonnell (2nd Woman President) |
Notable ex-officers
- Micheál Martin, leader of Fianna Fáil, was on the UCC Student Union
- Fionnan Sheehan, editor of the Irish Independent, is a former Deputy President
External links
References
- ↑ "UCC SU Constitution".
|first1=missing|last1=in Authors list (help) - ↑ http://theoutmost.com/news/ucc-flies-first-ever-permanent-rainbow-flag-irish-campus/
- ↑ http://thecorknews.ie/articles/ucc-proud-blaze-trail-17106
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