nui galway students' union impact report 2010 - 2011

Find out what the SU has done for you

2Presidents Foreword

Education is the empowering

force that holds the key to our

success both as individuals an

d collectively. It is only

through education that we can

reach our potential and create

the ideas that will fuel our eco

nomic recovery and

improve the lives of people eve

rywhere. The opportunity to ac

cess third level education cam

e under serious threat

over the past year. There was a

threat that the registration fee

would double, the maintenan

ce grant would be

slashed, supports like the Stud

ent Assistance Fund would be

gutted and pay for student nu

rses and midwives

would be lost.

In crisis there is opportunity a

nd this crisis offered the chanc

e for students to mobilise in a

way that hasnt

been seen for decades. 1,000

NUI Galway students took to th

e streets of Dublin on Novemb

er 3rd, 2,000

students marched to the Span

ish Arch on November 18

th and hundreds registered to

vote for the first time.

Class Reps from NUI Galway de

vised and spearheading the Te

llYourTD campaign which was a

dopted

nationally and resulted in ove

r 50,000 letters being sent to

TDs. Student nurses and midw

ives also took

to the streets in Galway and in

Dublin to make their case.

Though no increase in cost or

cut in support for students is

acceptable many of the most

drastic cuts

to education and student supp

orts were avoided. An active a

nd united student movement w

as taken

seriously and showed it was a

force to be reckoned with.

Our nations challenges wont

be overcome only by taking to

the streets. We must all play o

ur

part in creating the solutions o

f tomorrow. In order to ignite th

at entrepreneurial spirit amon

g

students at NUI Galway we cre

ated the NUI Galway Student

Enterprise Awards which rewa

rds the

exceptional initiative and crea

tivity of students in social and

business enterprise.

Though the campaign for acces

s to education was often at th

e forefront this year there was

a

wealth of active campaigns du

ring the year. College Week ra

ised over 22,000 for Ability W

est and

the Alan Kerins Projects. SHAG

Week, Mental Health Week an

d Healthy Living Week all prom

oted highlighted

the health issues that student

s are faced with on a daily basi

s. Freshers Fortnight and Post

grad Week helped

welcome the different coho

rts of students to NUI Galw

ay for the first time. The Equ

ality campaign forcefully hig

hlighted

important issues around disab

ility access to campus. Seacht

ain na Gaeilge again celebrate

d the love many students have

for

the Irish language.

Improving the standard of e

ducation is the essential wo

rk of any Students Union. T

his year we have led the figh

t for:

anonymous marking; improved

student feedback mechanisms

; the eradication of lecture the

atre overcrowding and provide

d a

student perspective in qual

ity reviews of the University

and individual schools.

Over 500 Class Representative

s were elected this year and th

ey formed the backbone of the

SU. They brought ideas, proble

ms

and solutions to every meetin

g and provided the energy beh

ind each of our campaigns.

Great credit is due to the Stud

ents Union Executive for their

tireless efforts all year. A spec

ial thanks is also due to Natas

ha,

Joanna, Claire and Chris for co

nstantly going above and beyon

d the call of duty.

We have witnessed the immen

se power of the student movem

ent. We have seen thousands t

ake on the challenge of protec

ting

education that once seemed i

mpossible. We must continue

to play our role in creating a m

ore just and prosperous society

.

It has been an honour to play

a small part in the Students U

nion. I look forward to watching

the next generations of stude

nts

take on the challenges of now

and continue to build a stronge

r Students Union in years to c

ome.

Beir Bua, Peter Mannion

Peter Mannion

Uachtarn

Comhaltas na Mac Linn,

O Gaillimh

Impact Report 2010 - 2011

Message from USI PresidentThe last year has been momentous. Our response to the previous Governments attempts to reintroduce tuition fees, cut student supports and their failure to tackle the graduate emigration crisis will go down in the history books. In November over 40,000 students from across the country, including over 2,000 students from NUI Galway SU marched on Government buildings. In February over 15,000 students registered to vote and young people turned out in unprecedented numbers to have their say in Irelands future. Weve kick started a new wave of student action and shaped the public debate on education in a manner never before seen in this country.The achievements of the last year would not have been possible without the dedication and determination of Students Unions across the country. The contribution of NUI Galway SU has been immeasurable. On behalf of USI, I wish to congratulate and thank Peter and his team for their unrelenting persistence and creativity. That being said, the new Government brings with it a new political landscape. The challenges over the next twelve months will be great. It is up to both NUI Galway SU and USI to build on the strong foundations laid this year and to continue to campaign on behalf of our members in the turbulent times ahead.

Gary RedmondUachtarnUnion of Students in Ireland (USI)

Mission StatementMission"to represent its members and promote, defend and vindicate the rights of its members at all

levels of society"

This report is designed to give some idea of the work the Students Union does to improve

the lives of students at NUI Galway. Here are some of the highlights of the year so far:TellYourTD.com launched 50,000 letters sent to TDsNew SU Constitution approvedNUI Galway Student Enterprise Awards launchedStudent Support Act signed into law

22,000 raised during College WeekLife Skills Programme expandedFreshers Fortnight 3000 new students welcomed to GalwayOvercrowding in lecture halls tackled1,000 NUI Galway students at National Demonstration2,000 attend Galway March

Largest ever turnout in SU ElectionsAnonymous marking agreedImproved Student Feedback Policy passedMature Students Officer introduced

Class Rep system overhauledStudent Assistance Fund protectedCentralised grant authorityCorrib Village rent reduction

3Impact Report 2010 - 2011

*

Mission StatementMission"to represent its members and promote, defend and vindicate the rights of its members at all

levels of society"

This report is designed to give some idea of the work the Students Union does to improve

the lives of students at NUI Galway. Here are some of the highlights of the year so far:TellYourTD.com launched 50,000 letters sent to TDsNew SU Constitution approvedNUI Galway Student Enterprise Awards launchedStudent Support Act signed into law

22,000 raised during College WeekLife Skills Programme expandedFreshers Fortnight 3000 new students welcomed to GalwayOvercrowding in lecture halls tackled1,000 NUI Galway students at National Demonstration2,000 attend Galway March

Largest ever turnout in SU ElectionsAnonymous marking agreedImproved Student Feedback Policy passedMature Students Officer introduced

Class Rep system overhauledStudent Assistance Fund protectedCentralised grant authorityCorrib Village rent reduction

4 Impact Report 2010 - 2011

* Lobbied TDs includin

g Eamonn OCuiv, Michae

l Kitt, Frank Fahy, Noel

Grealish, and the new

Minister for Education,

Ruair Quinn.

* Organised for 1,000

NUI Galway students to

participate in the Natio

nal Demonstration.

* Organised the Galwa

y March with over 2000

students.

* Created www.telly

ourtd.com which result

ed in over 50,000 lette

rs being sent to TDs.

* Met with candidates

for the 2011 General E

lection.

* Worked with USI on

the USI Election Pledge

which was signed by th

e Labour Party.

* Organised a voter re

gistration drive on cam

pus.

General Election

The General Election on February 25th presented an opportunity for

students to directly influence the policies that would be pursued in

Ireland for years to come. The Students Union campaign focused on

three main issues: the proposed introduction of fees for third level

education; cuts and change to the adjacency criteria for student

grants; and the proposed cuts to student nurses payment for

clinical placement.Lobby of the candidates

We met with candidates running in local constituencies to

discuss their views on education. Among those we met and

lobbied were: Derek Nolan TD, Sen. Fidelma Healy-Eames, Paul

Connaughton Jnr. TD, Lorraine Higgins, and Colm Keaveney TD,

and the newly-appointed Minister for Education, Ruair Quinn

TD. We spoke to Mr. Quinn about our common concerns for

trying to protect students and education if the Labour Party

were to form part of a new government after the general

election.

Voter Registration DriveWith the support of n Garda Sochana we held a voter

registration day and more than 300 students were

registered to vote in less than ninety minutes. By

registering our members to vote, we are strengthening our

voice when it comes to lobbying politicians.Election GuideThe SU prepared a guide for students detailing some of

the big issues at stake in the election.

Student Support Act - signed into law

January 2011 saw a major step forward for making third-level education accessible to all, with the signing of the Student Support Act into law by President McAleese. The Act completely reforms the existing student grants system making it more efficient, easy-to-use and responsive for students.NUI Galway SU has been pushing our local TDs on this issue for several years now, and working with the USI, we managed to secure the passage of this Bill in the last days of the outgoing

government. Among the key changes to the grants system that the Student Support Act will bring are:

* A single, centralised grants agency, with one set of regulations (compared to the 60+ agencies and sets of regulations at the moment * Electronic monthly bank transfer payments (compared to students waiting

for cheques each semester)

* Guaranteed payment dates for students (compared to some students waiting up to four months for a first payment)

* Students will know by 1st September whether or not they will be getting a student grant for that academic year (compared to some students having to wait several weeks into the academic year now)

* A single appeals process and a single set of guidelines and regulations, as well as electronic application forms

Protecting Education


* The increase in the new Student Contribution to Higher Education was limited to 500.

* There was no increase in the student contribution for second and subsequent children.

* The Student Assistance Fund and Disability funding were protected.

* The cut to the student maintenance grant was limited to 4.

* The Student Support Act became law

FIGHT LIKE APES

Can you afford another

cut in the student grant?

Can you afford a 3,000

Registration Fee?

National MarchWednesday November 3rd, Parnell Square, Dublin @ 12:30

Bus leaving NUIG at 9:00, 4. Tickets from the Students Union Office

Petition your TDs on our website: www.su.nuigalway.ie/tellyourtd

Galway March,Thursday November 18th,

Eyre Square , Galway @ 12:30

Leaving ras Na Mac Linn

NUIG at 12:00

WWW.SU.NUIGALWAY.IE | WWW.EDUCATIONNOTEMIGRATION.IE

National Demonstration

Wednesday 3rd NovemberBuses Departing NUI Galway

(The Quadrangle) 9:00am

Returning to NUI Galway approx 6:30pmTickets: 4

No.12345No.12345

No.12345

EducationNOT EMIGRATION

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

FIGHT LIKE APES

National MarchWednesday November 3rd, Parnell Square, Dublin @ 12:30

Bus leaving NUIG at 9:00, 4. Tickets from the Students Union Office

Petition your TDs on our website: www.su.nuigalway.ie/tellyourtd

WWW.SU.NUIGALWAY.IE | WWW.EDUCATIONNOTEMIGRATION.IE

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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149 SU Grant Protest Advert.pdf 5 27/10/2010 18:48

Budget 2011

Budget 2011 posed a very serious th

reat for third level education with th

e government planning to double the

Registration Fee from 1,500 to

3,000 and to cut all student grants

by 10%.

The NUI Galway Students Union

joined with the Union of Studen

ts in Ireland (USI) and students

unions across the country to put

together a year-

long campaign to defend students

rights and protect access to educat

ion

Lobby of TDsThroughout the

first semester SU Officers met wit

h TDs from the Galway West and

Galway East constituencies to m

ake the case for protecting

education. We showed them how inc

reasing the Registration Fee or cutti

ng the grant would mean that many o

rdinary families would struggle to

send their children to college and so

me would inevitably be forced out of

education. By coordinating our effor

ts with other students unions we

ensured that a student representativ

e met with every government TD in t

he lead up to the budget.

National Demonstration - 1,000 N

UI Galway students join the larges

t student protest in Irish history

Meeting with TDs was never going to

be enough to stop drastic cuts to ed

ucation so students took to the stre

ets in unprecedented numbers.

On November 3rd students from all

over the country showed that the da

ys of mass student protests are not

over, and that the students of this

country will make their voices heard

. Over 40,000 students took to the

streets of the capital, making it the

biggest student protest in Irish histo

ry.

1,000 NUI Galway students mar

ched alongside students from 22

other colleges from all over the

country from Parnell Square to G

overnment

Buildings on Merrion Square. Th

is demonstration showed the stre

ngth and solidarity of the studen

t movement and certainly influen

ced the Fianna

Fil/Green coalition to abandon thei

r plan to double the registration fee

and cut the student grant by 10%.

This was not a victory as the incre

ase is still 500 too much but in th

e midst of the biggest recession sinc

e the 1980s we have shown politici

ans

that students can and will mobili

se in order to protect third-level e

ducation.

Galway March to the Spanish Arch

The direct approach didnt stop on t

he streets of Dublin. Students need

ed to make sure that TDs werent a

llowed to forget

the message sent on November 3

rd. On November 18th students from NU

I Galway and GMIT marched from ea

ch campus

to the Spanish Arch. Over 2,000 stud

ents joined in the demonstration. Th

e message was that students want t

o help

solve the countrys economic proble

ms but we can only play our role if g

iven the necessary skills through ed

ucation.

TellYourTD.com - over 50,000 lette

rs sent to TDs

NUI Galway Students Union set u

p the tellyourTD.com. This webs

ite was subsequently adopted by

USI and students

unions around the country in order t

o lobby TDs in the lead up to Budge

t 2011. Over 50,000 letters were se

nt to TDs

demanding they cap the registration

fee, protect the student grant and d

evelop a graduate internship progra

mme.

General Election

The General Election on February 25th presented an opportunity for

students to directly influence the policies that would be pursued in

Ireland for years to come. The Students Union campaign focused on

three main issues: the proposed introduction of fees for third level

education; cuts and change to the adjacency criteria for student

grants; and the proposed cuts to student nurses payment for

clinical placement.Lobby of the candidates

We met with candidates running in local constituencies to

discuss their views on education. Among those we met and

lobbied were: Derek Nolan TD, Sen. Fidelma Healy-Eames, Paul

Connaughton Jnr. TD, Lorraine Higgins, and Colm Keaveney TD,

and the newly-appointed Minister for Education, Ruair Quinn

TD. We spoke to Mr. Quinn about our common concerns for

trying to protect students and education if the Labour Party

were to form part of a new government after the general

election.

Voter Registration DriveWith the support of n Garda Sochana we held a voter

registration day and more than 300 students were

registered to vote in less than ninety minutes. By

registering our members to vote, we are strengthening our

voice when it comes to lobbying politicians.Election GuideThe SU prepared a guide for students detailing some of

the big issues at stake in the election.

Student GrantAs part of Budget 2011 the government proposed to radically alter the criteria for receiving a non-adjacent student grant, which is much higher than the adjacent rate. Previously, students living 24km or more from NUI Galway would qualify for the non-adjacent level of the grant. Under the new proposals that limit would almost double to 45km. If implement this change will come into affect from September 2011 and would hit both current and new students who live between 24 and 45kms from Galway. This includes students from large feeder towns for NUI Galway such as Tuam, Headford, Gort and Kinvara.

The SU intends to focus on this issue throughout the rest of the year.

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn signs the USI Election Pledge in the lead up to the general election


* Held a meeting with all student nurses and the INMO.

* Organised a lunchtime protest on February 9th.

* Organised over 100 NUI Galway students to participate in a national demonstration on February 16th.

* Used tellyourtd.com to highlight the issue in the lead up to the General Election.

* The HSE Director of Human Resources and the former Minister for Health both came out in favour of retaining pay for final year students.

In the days before Christmas the Health Service Executive proposed a new payment plan for student nurses that would see their payment for clinical placement reduced over the next four years, at which point it would be eliminated

Students from NUI Galway cross OConnell Bridge during the 4,000-strong nurses protesStudent nurses march d

own

OConnell Street, Dublin

Student nurses take to the streets to protect their pay for clinical placement

completely. These students are an integral part of a hospitals workforce providing essential, direct and immediate bedside care.

NUI Galway SU, alongside the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), began a campaign of action against the outgoing governments proposals to seriously reduce and eventually eliminate payment for student nurses during their clinical placement. This is obviously an attack on the rights of our SU members

The Students Union and the INMO began the campaign by lobbying politicians and general election candidates about the issue and why they should not introduce these proposals. We organised a lunch-time protest outside University College Hospital Galway on the same day that nurses protested outside hospitals across the country. On a national level, we were involved in organising the National Student Nurses Demonstration, which took place in Dublin early in semester two, and organised over 100 student nurses from NUI Galway to attend that protest, in which 4,000 student nurses marched from Parnell Square to the Department of Healths headquarters in Hawkins House. We have already won the support of the HSEs Director of Human Resources in calling for these proposals to be scrapped. Over the summer we must work with the INMO, the other students unions, and the

USI to ensure the new government are lobbied hard on this and other issues that are of grave importance to the students concerned.

7

Student Nurses PayProtecting payment for clinical placement


Freshers Fortnight

Freshers Fortnight welcomed all of the new (and returning!) students to campus in style in September.

Things kicked off on Campus the day after Orientation with the second ever Failte Fest to help everyone get familiar with Campus and all of the fun that can be had with the SU, Clubs and Societies. A scavenger hunt, giant games, competitions and a massive launch party featuring i102-104FMs Barbara Nic Dhonnacha ensured everyone got to know where everything was whilst making some new friends along the way.

In the first week of the fortnight students had a chance to sample what the 100s of student societies at NUI Galway had to offer and pick which ones they wanted to get involved with over the year. The SU Sessions made a welcome return to the Bialann with an amazing gig from the ever-popular Keywest who have been entertaining the crowds on Shop Street each weekend. Later that evening the live band Starman turned the volume up a notch to play a fully plugged set in the College Bar. Also in week one the day long Freshers Fair saw the distribution of over 3,000 Freshers Packs, 12,000 free SU diaries and more freebies than you could shake a stick at! The giant inflatable games were back along with the traders from Galways famous St. Nicholas Market. There was also a chance to get sporty with the Clubs Day offering a wide range of clubs for all to join from athletics to windsurfing and everything in between. The inaugural Welfare Day brought a huge amount of helpful free advice and information on student issues such as accommodation and sexual health. Fight Like Apes rounded off week one with an electrifying free gig in the College Bar.

In week two Freshers Fortnight saw the return of the Treasure Hunt with a 200 cash prize for the winners. The ever popular Speed Dating gave everyone a chance to find their soul mate or just someone new to avoid study with! A sold out gig by award winning musical comedian David ODoherty rounded off Monday. Tuesday was all about the music with John, Shelly The Creatures playing a memorable SU Session followed by Tuams finest the legendary Sawdoctors playing a packed gig in the Black Box. The joint Clubs and Socs Fair on Wednesday gave everyone another chance to find a new interest or rekindle an old one. The Freshers Ball was a Traffic Light Party with everyone dressed as per their status: red for taken, yellow for maybe and of course green for young free and single! Arthurs Day rounded off the fortnight with all paying tribute to the great Irishman at 17.59 with a pint of the black stuff. Throughout the fortnight there was also a chance to just sit back and relax enjoying some quality box-set comedies with Fr. Ted, IT Crowd, Black Books and Mighty Boosh marathons.

Number of SU Free Diaries distributed: 12,000

Number of Freshers Packs distributed: 3,000

Number of orientation talks by SU Officers: 25

Events included: Saw Doctors, Fight Like Apes, David ODoherty and Traffic Light Party


Mental Health WeekMental Health Week was held on campus in October. Launched by the Rose of Tralee Claire Kambamettu, it is a week designed to highlight the

importance of your mental health and how we all need to look after it. Throughout the week there were health promotion information stands in

ras na Mac Linn and ras Moyola. There were also some self help books and comfortable chairs in the Library for anyone who wanted to unwind

and read a good book. Renowned artist Bobby Baker held a fascinating talk about her work and her pieces were displayed in ras na Mac Linn.

Psychology students gave talks and held quizzes about mental health. The guys from HeadsUp were on campus handing out pens, locks and

other treats to students.One of the highlights of the week was a sold out Neil Delamere gig playing to a packed out OFlaherty Theatre. For those needing to just have

a break and a laugh there was plenty to do, with movies like Dumb and Dumber and Super Troopers shown in lecture halls and comedy marathons like How I Met Your Mother and Arrested Development all on over the course of the week. Another highlight of the week was Comedy Socs Mad Hatter Tea Party in the Bank of Ireland Theatre. Hilarious comedian Danny Dowling was the Mad Hatter with tea and cakes provided by Nom Soc. If you wanted to unwind or

even thrash a bit of canvas, Mood Drawing classes were held in the Art Room. There was dancing and juggling classes for anyone who wished to take part. There was also an ASIST course on for students who wished to learn more about suicide prevention.

Welfare Campaigns

The Rose of Tralee,Clare Kambamettu, launching Mental Health Week

Healthy

Living WeekThis year Healthy Living Week was held in November. Its a campaign designed to encourage everyone on campus to shake off their old habits and develop a new healthier outlook on

life. There were classes for anyone who wanted to get involved with a new sport so there were beginners Archery Classes. For anyone brave enough to get their knee pads and skates on there

was Inline Hockey on in the Hall. There was also basketball on in the Hall so there was no excuse for anyone not getting up and getting active. The guys from Slinte Soc held their annual 50c Clinic

in The Hub. The 50c Clinic gave both staff and students a chance to have their blood pressure to be taken and their BMI read. There was also information on better eating and how to maintain a healthy

heart. Organ Donor cards were also handed out during the week.

The Market Fair made a welcomed return to the NUI Galway campus with stalls selling delicious falafel, mouth-watering crepes and delectable

sushi. There was also health food sampling in ras na Mac Linn for anyone who wanted to try it. As it

was the start of November we kicked off Movember with a massive movie marathon paying homage to the

cinematic moustache greats like Anchorman, Pulp Fiction and The Big Lebowski. There was also a big

Clean Shave party in the College Bar. There was music from Apartment 44 at the SU Sessions in the Bialann.

There was also a brilliant comedy gig with Foil Arms and Hog displaying their deliriously funny sketches and Tiernan

Douieb providing his own brand of comedy using cute and clever

Cupcakes for Mental Health Week

Neil Delamare was at NUI Galway as

part ofMental Health Week


puns.

Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance is one of the most important campaigns during the year. The week is designed to educate and inform students on sexual

health and offer practical advice and guidance on these matters. Each year we give out thousands of SHAG Packs to students all over campus and this year was no exception with volunteers handing out thousands of packs over the course of the week. This year the SHAG Pack contained a small plastic card with all the contact information for GUM clinics, a small leaflet on everything from abstinence to syphilis and of course the SHAG Pack contained a condom. There were loads to do during the week with information stands in ras na Mac Linn. Some lucky students won some goodie bags and hampers courtesy of Boots. There was sexual health screening in the Health Unit. Flirt FM held a nightly SHAG Week competition and there was a massive SHAG Week quiz in the College Bar. Ents and Music Soc created their own version of the popular TV show Take Me Out to the delight of so many single students on campus. Not only was there music at the SU Sessions but there was also an Interactive Rocky Horror Picture Show with GIGSoc. Comedy Soc brought the hilarious and informative Keith Farnans Sex Traffic Show to NUI Galway for one night only during SHAG Week. Sex and politics were disgusted along with a showing of the ridiculously fashionable TV show Mad Men during the week. Another highlight of the week was the Health Fair organised by the students from the Health Promotion class that was held in the Bailey Allen Hall.

SU volunteers hand out SHAG packs SU volunteers hand out SHAG packs

Equality Week Equality Week took place in October. The hightlights of the week included screenings of Milk, A Time to Kill and Rent. Live music came in the form of The Dead Flags and Cleere. Cadbury Spots vs.

Stripes were on College Green giving out thousands of chocolate bars. ShOUT! gave an LGBT Gender

Equality talk and DramSoc held a Transgender Acting Workshop. One of the

biggest highlights of the week was GigSocs Gay Marriage, which was held outside Aras na MacLeinn.

SHAG Week


This was a good year for the continued development of the class reps system. As well as reaching the highest ever number of class representatives on campus - with 532 reps registered - we also published a new and updated class reps handbook with lots of information for the class reps including how the SU operates and what their role is within it. Class reps approved a new Facebook ban for campus computers in September, which although controversial among the student body, has been seen to be a necessary and welcome move.

Overall, we held 38 class rep meetings during the year as well as two training sessions in which speakers included Gary Redmond, President of the USI, and Michael D. Higgins T.D., candidate for President of Ireland and former NUI Galway SU President.

This year saw a major shake-up of the class reps system when new proposals were approved by the students as part of a referendum held on March 10th. Among the changes which will come into effect in time for the 2011/12 academic year is the election of a class rep as Chairperson of the Students Union Council who will also be a part-time SU executive officer, and thus be able to sit on the SU executive and help draft policies and run campaigns with the other officers.We will also elect a class rep to the positions of College Convenor for the five colleges of NUI Galway. They will sit on the SU executive as part-

time officers bringing the number of class reps on the executive to six and will have responsibility of ensuring class reps are elected in each

class and each year in their relevant College. They will also work with their Deans, Heads of Schools and College Offices to represent their

students and class reps on matters that can be resolved at that level.Overall, these changes will allow the class reps system to be both more independent of the sabbatical officers - who until now would basically

run the system - but also more involved in decision-making in the SU by having six class reps on the new, 16-person SU executive. These changes

should in turn lead to the class reps becoming more involved in the SU generally and also in helping initiate and manage new campaigns,

protests, policies, awareness weeks and so on.Another major benefit of the new Students Union Council is that it will be open to all students and not just class reps as the current Full Class

Reps Council is at the moment. This will allow any student with issues to speak at any of the three meetings each semester, while only

class reps will be able to vote on motions. This creates a balance between better participation from all students while maintaining the importance of the role of being a class rep by ensuring they are the decision-makers in the Students Union.

Number of

Class Reps 532

Number of Class Reps

Meetings 38

Class Reps

Michael D Higgins refreshes his knowledge of SU structures


Anonymous Marking

The SU successfully advocated

for a new system whereby all w

ritten undergraduate exams w

ill be

marked anonymously. This will

ensure that all students are ju

dged solely on the merits of th

eir exam,

as well as facilitating honest fe

edback from students on their

courses and lecturers. This ch

ange will

come in to effect in 2011-2

012.

Student Feedback

This year we got an agreemen

t from the university managem

ent that student feedback wou

ld become

a crucial criteria for academic

staff wishing to go for promotio

n, take a sabbatical year, or co

mplete

their probationary employmen

t period. This is part of a wide

r reform of the way student fee

dback is

gathered, analysed and acted

upon.

Institutional Review

SU representatives met with n

ational and international deleg

ates who came to campus as p

art of the

NUI Galway institutional review

. We discussed issues of conc

ern to students here and point

ed out

areas that the university need

s to work harder on in deliverin

g for students. These reviews

, which are

carried out independently by ex

perts from outside the univers

ity, contribute to the university

s strategic

management plans.

ReviewsSU representat

ives sat on two School Review

s this year; the School of Geog

raphy and Archaeology

and the School of Health Scien

ces. Again, we represented st

udents concerns during the re

views and

contributed to the Schools pla

ns for how to help students.

Reading Room Opening Hour

s and renovation

A big development for student

s this year was our successful

lobbying of the university to ex

tend the

Reading Room opening hours

from 11pm to 1.30am each n

ight. This provides students w

ith valuable

extra study time in a safe envi

ronment. We are currently wo

rking with management to com

pletely

renovate the Reading Room in

time for September 2011. This

will provide a more pleasant st

udy area

for students as well as better a

ccess to power sockets.

3 Hour Loan Collection

Early in the year the library wit

hdrew desk reserve services to

students, however we were ab

le to

secure the introduction of a

3 Hour Loan Collection for

the most high-demand boo

ks in the library. The

vast majority of high-deman

d books are now available t

hrough this scheme and mo

re can be added if

demand increases for other bo

oks.

Protecting the library

This year has seen severe bud

get cuts in many college librari

es across the country. Togeth

er with NUI

Galways library management

, we were able to protect the li

brarys budget for buying new

books as

well as increasing opening

times during the run-up to e

xams, at a time when such

services are being

cut in other colleges.

Grant info evenings

In August we launched our gra

nts information evening in Gal

way. We met with secondary s

chool

students, mature students and

parents and showed them how

to apply for student grants and

answered their questions a

bout how the grants system

works.

Improving your education


For 2010/11 the Students Union officers nominated two charities as the beneficiaries of the College Week fundraising events. These charities were Ability West and Alan Kerins Projects. Ability West pro-vides high quality, community based services and support to children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families throughout Galway City and County. Alan Kerins Projects work in Zambia with vul-nerable children and isolated families to alleviate poverty by improving basic standards of living. The College Week fundraising got off to an early start with collection boxes placed in all of the Students Union commercial outlets encourag-ing customers to donate their loose change early on in the year. In the lead up to College Week a series of inter-school table quizzes were held to determine which school had the biggest brains on Campus with the Science students emerging victorious after a hard fought battle of wit and intellect. College Week offered students a chance to take part in fun, non-alcoholic events on Campus all with the aim of raising money for two very worthy charities. There was a sold out gig by chart topping Limerick comedy duo, The Rubberbandits, along with performances from 90s cover band Smash Hits and The Savage Eye star, comedian David McSavage. Fundraising events such as the mini triathlon, the sponsored Croagh Patrick Climb and the 5 A Side Competition proved popular as ever with students looking for a challenge. University staff also played their part in the fundraising efforts by taking part in the 4th annual auction for staff. New fundraising events this year included the sponsored Skydive, the World Record Attempt and the PhD in a box. 47 students jumped from 10,000 feet in a tandem skydive at Galway Airport raising a staggering 10,000 for charity in the process. 907 students played their part in breaking the Guinness World Record for the Largest Rock the Boat. PhD student and SU Postgrad Officer, Ciara Staunton, sacrificed her College Week to live in a box during College Week raising almost 1,000 for charity in the process. Altogether the weeks

events raised a staggering 22,000 for charity with a lot of fun be-ing had in the process!

November: Movember Campaign

80 Moustaches

3,000 raised for the Irish Cancer SocietyThis years Healthy Living week in November saw the start of the biggest Mo-vember campaign ever held on Campus with almost 3,000 raised for the Irish Cancer Societys Action Prostate Cancer Programme throughout the month. Almost 80 student Mo Bros donated their faces for the month of November and grew some very impressive facial hair whilst raising money for a great cause in the process. They all started the month with a level playing field following the Clean Shave event on November 1st. A series of moustache themed movies were also shown to provide encouragement and inspiration for the Mo Brothers during the month until the eventual Man of Movember was crowned at the end of the campaign.

College Week


Comedians:

Over the year NUI Galway students had a chance to see award winning comedians on Campus at a fraction of their usual ticket price. Perrier Award winning comedian David ODoherty brought his off beat musical humour to a packed out gig during Freshers Fortnight in Sep-tember. The star of TVs The Panel Neil Delamere played another sold out gig during the Mental Health Week campaign in October. Emerging Irish comic act Foil Arms & Hog entertained the crowds dur-ing Healthy Living Week as laughter is, of course, the best medicine! During College Week the star of The Savage Eye David McSavage entertained a packed theatre of comedy fans. Also during College Week chart topping musical comedy duo The Rubberbandits played a sold out gig in the Black Box.

All Year: The SU Sessions

Number of SU Sessions held 25The SU Sessions are a free weekly music event hosted by the Students Un-ion in An Bialann (the Canteen) every Tuesday evening. The third year of SU Sessions again saw the cream of unsigned musical talent from across the country performing on Campus in an intimate, alcohol-free setting. Bands that played the sessions over the year included Royseven who are currently topping the charts with their single We Should Be Lovers. Bipolar Empire also played the SU Sessions ahead of their spot at Oxygen this summer. Galways favourite buskers Keywest played two packed out SU Sessions with over 100 enthusiastic fans turning out to listen and join in with their mix of popular cover versions and original songs. John Shelly & the Crea-tures travelled down from Belfast to play the SU Sessions in September to a delighted crowd familiar with their song Long May You Reign which features on the Visit Northern Ireland ads. Other acts to grace the stage

in the Bialann during the year included: At

Last an Atlas, The Dead Flags, Ugly Beauti-ful, Windings, Palko, Apart-ment 44, Pearse McLoughlin, Kowal-ski, Bobby Noonan, Red Brick House, Spy-Fu, Arms That Fit Like Legs, Lost Chord, Simon Fagan, El Hom-bre Jokes, Niall Teague & The Fast Company, 21 Outs, Von Shakes and Storyfold - all bands destined to become household names in the not too distant future!


The Students Union provides many services to help you in through your time in college.

Its important to remember that all services are owned by you, the students, and we try to deliver a quality service to make things better for you.

Here are some of the things that have been keeping us busy:

The College Bar continued to grow from strength to strength this year. SU Card offers, Class Parties, charity fundraising events, signature pizzas, 3 Wednesday, Super Tuesday, Open Micthe list goes on. Last year your feedback told us there wasnt enough space in the College Bar, so over the summer months we invested in brand new seating increasing the number of seats by 50%.

The College Bar was the most popular venue for events this year. Over 18 weeks of term we hosted the following:

* Charity Fundraising Events: 29

* Class Parties: 122

* Club Parties: 89

* Departmental Postgrad Staff Parties: 126

* Society Parties: 153

* Students Union Event: 39

* Live Sport on the Big Screen: 35College Bar Catering proved successful again this year. Super Tuesday sold thousands of 5 dinners and the pizza service has been a welcome addition on campus especially in evening times. We also diversified our menu and offered you a different cuisine every Thursday.

The Students Union Shop continued to provide discounted newspapers, cheap water & fruit and all of your stationary needs again this year.

For the second year in a row the Students Union Sop picked up a national award for its stationary offering at the Annual Shelflife C-Store Awards. The awards were set up to recognise retailers and retail outlets that set the highest standards in the retail industry.

Smokeys is still the top spot to relax over coffee between lectures. Weve been constantly updating the product line in Smokeys Caf and we use any opportunity to offer something different. Christmas pudding, Pancake Tuesday... and dont forget St. Patricks Day green milkshakes!

Smokeys Caf made it to the final three of the Galways Best Awards which were held in September.

SU Services


Students Union Lockers

The Students Union rented 949 lockers this year. Of course we couldnt offer everybody a locker right beside the Reading Room, but well be planning how to develop the locker service before you get back next year.

Second-hand Bookshop

More and more students are using the Students Union Second-hand Bookstore. Anybody can drop their books into the SU office with the price they want to charge and we do the rest. Your books are listed on our website and when they sell, we pass on the money to you. If youre looking for books, you can browse the up to date stock on the SU website. This year we sold 1,488 books on your behalf.

SU Card

The SU Card which was launched in 2009 is now part of campus life. Its a great way to get better value and its our way to thank you for supporting us.

In November, we launched the SU Card top-up service.

The top-up service means that, instead of just earning teas or coffees, carvery dinners or a cash balance, you can now pre-pay for these services. We see the key advantages in topping up your SU Card:

* Pay for your dinners or teas/coffees at the start of the week and get better value on your purchases.

* By prepaying, you can budget better, ensuring that you have dinners on your account come the end of the week.

* Top-up the cash balance on your SU Card. If a friend, parent or sibling wants to give you some cash for use on food, coffee or stationary they can do online and instantly top-up your SU Card account. Your balance cannot be spent on alcoholic products.

Every year the profits earned from services supported by you are reinvested in the Students Union to further develop and expand what we do. What makes the Students Union services unique is the money you spend on campus stays on campus.

In addition to the profits, The College Bar contributes 30,000 to the Projects Fund every year making it the biggest single contributor. The College Bar also contributes 30,000 directly to the Students Union.

Every year, we re-invest in our businesses based on your feedback. We get look for your feedback on a regular basis and act on that feedback. In 2010 we changed the furniture in the College Bar, in 2009 we made the SU Shop bigger, and in 2008 we built a new Smokeys Cafe.

Did you know:

Student employed/student hoursOver 50% of our staff are students. In the College Bar, over 85% of College Bar staff are students.

Waste ReductionThe Students Union is leading the way in waste reduction:

* Sales of travel mugs with a 100/0 discount every time you refill. Available at SU Shop, Smokeys Cafe, The Wall Cafe and The College Bar.

* Composting of all organic waste from Colleg Bar Catering, Smokeys Cafe and The Wall CafE.

* Recycling of cooking oil.

* Introduction of crockery in The College Bar to reduce the usage of paper cups.

* Introduction of recycling bins in the College Bar and Smokeys CaFE.

Sponsorship of student eventsOver the course of the year, we support the many of the good causes run by the different charities, clubs and society parties and class parties.

Some of the bigger events we sponsored during 2010 / 2011:

Dramsocs ISDA Festival, Athletics Club 24 Hour Challenge, Whos Got The Biggest Brain, Witless 2011, GOAL X-Factor Night, BizSoc Business Review, College Week Triathlon.

SU Card 2010 - 2011

* 1,940,000 points awarded.

* 1,700 free dinners.

* 10,800 free teas/coffees

* 9,000 active accounts in 2010/11

* Over 600 donated to the SU Charities by students at the end of their time at NUI Galway. This campaign will run again at the end of the 2010/11 academic year.

SU Services


Life Skills Programme

The Life Skills Programme, partially funded by the Student Projects Fund, entered its second year. This initiative saw the Students Union running courses throughout the year to allow students the opportunity to enhance their life skills away from their academic studies and also improve their employability.

The programme was expanded this year through partnership with the Irish Red Cross to include: Occupational First Aid, Heartsaver AED and Emergency First Aid courses. These classes gave students vital life saving skills to allow them to deal with emergency situations.

* Number of students trained up in Heartsaver AED 60

* Number of students trained in Emergency First Aid 60

* Number of students trained in Occupational First Aid 60

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) courses were again run on Campus in conjunction with the HSE to equip students with the skills to recognise the danger signs for someone who is a suicide risk.

* Number of students receiving Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training 60

A series of sign language courses were held during the year which gave students the basic skills needed to converse in sign language with deaf people. This year a more intensive year long sign language course was also provided to meet student demand.

* Number of students trained in Basic sign language 30

* Number of student trained to Level 1 Sign Language 15

SU Enterprise Awards

Few sectors of Irish society have seen and felt the impact of the changed economic climate in this country more than young college graduates in recent years. Colossal unemployment rates and a lack of investment in new opportunities mean that highly educated and skilled young students are faced with bleak prospects upon graduation. Nonetheless, it should be acknowledged that the innovations and initiatives that will spur our economy and our communities to growth again will come from the students who are on our college campuses today. To help set this in motion, the NUI Galway Students Union have this year launched the NUI Galway Student Enterprise Awards.

The goal of the competition is to make students aware of the opportunities they can create for themselves, simply by utilising their own talents and abilities. To help achieve this goal, the competition offers the winning entry an investment of 15,000 into the winning project, with two runners up prizes of 2,000. The prize money has been made available by the SU Businesses and NUI Galway.

To distinguish this competition from other enterprise competitions, and to encourage students from the whole spectrum of academic backgrounds in NUI Galway to utilise their skills and abilities, students are encouraged and rewarded for teaming up with students from a variety of different courses and academic disciplines. The competition focuses on three separate areas of enterprise; business enterprises, social enterprises or artistic initiatives.

Our six finalists will be given an investment of 500 in their project, and are also given the benefit of the advice of our highly skilled panel of mentors, comprised of members of the local business community and the academic staff of NUI Galway.

Not every idea is going to be successful on the first attempt, but to encourage students to take the risk and to put develop their ideas, every entry submitted to the competition will have the benefit of specialised feedback from our distinguished panel of judges, so that even the ideas that may be a bit raw and undeveloped have still taken the crucial first steps and can progress from there

The true measure of success for this competition will be the success of the ideas that come from it. Interest amongst students has been robust, and many members of the local and national business community have been tremendous in their support of the competition in this its inaugural year. We hope it is a competition that will go from strength to strength in continuing to develop the creative and enterprising abilities of the students of NUI Galway.

Peter Mannion, SU President and Damien Cogrove, CEO of Students Union Commercial Services, launch the Student Enterprise Awards


Graduate Employment Policy

In August 2010 90,800 people under the age of 25 signed on the live register compared to 51,300 for the same period in 2008. Only 45% of students who graduated in 2009 are employed. We risk loosing an entire generation of graduates to long-term unemployment or emigration.

Working with USI the SU campaigned for a graduate internship programme which would give young graduates a chance to work while retaining job seekers benefit. This idea gained huge support and was acted upon as part of Budget 2011. 15,000 internships were created for young graduates allowing them the opportunity to develop their skills and increase their chance of future employment.

New SU Constitution

On Thursday 10th March the students adopted a new SU Constitution. The constitution changes the SU Exec, Class Reps System and introduces a Board of Trustees to hold the assets of the Union in trust for students.

Board of TrusteesA Board of Trustees has been created to hold all the assets of the Union - including the commercial assets like Smokeys Caf, the College Bar, the SU Shop and The Wall Caf - in trust for the students of NUI Galway. These trustees will be from outside the SU and will ensure everything financial is above-board and accounted for.

Finance CommitteeA Finance Committee will oversee the SU finances and ensure annual budgets are sensible. They will have a say in big expenses and if the Executive Officers wanted to take out a loan in the name of the SU.

Students Union Executive

* Mature Students Officer: A new part-time position on the SU Executive of Mature Students Officer was created to help respond to the needs of Mature Students.

* College Convenors: College Convenors were created to represent the students in their particular College on the SU Executive. They will also oversee the election of class reps in each class in their College and liaise with the Dean and College Office on student issues.

* Students Union Council Chairperson: The SU Council Chairperson will be part of the SU Executive and will run the class reps system independently of the other SU officers, in order to allow greater scrutiny of what work officers have been doing or not doing as the case may be.

Students Union CouncilFull Class Reps Council has been replaced with the Students Union Council, which will be open to all students and will decide on Union policy and mandate SU campaigns.

Facilities on campus

The SU is always working to improve the facilities for students on campus. Here are some of the new facilities students can enjoy:

* Upgraded Muslim Prayer Room

* New furniture in the College Bar

* New benches on the library podium

* Ramp to the library podium

* Refurbished SU Office

Over the coming months there will be more development:

* The Library Reading Rom will undergo a serious upgrade over the summer months

* We are working to provide a bike compound on campus to help reduce the instances of bike theft

Corrib Village

Following concerns raised by students at the beginning of the academic year the Students Union worked hard to make some changes to Corrib Village. As a result:

* The price of accommodation was reduced by between 3 and 5

* The payment options have been amended to allow payment in two instalments, as opposed to demanding the entire sum before the

academic year begins

* There was a significant upgrade of Wifi throughout Corrib Village

* Work has commenced on a significant upgrade of accommodation


A Year in Sin

Sin is Galways only student newspaper.

Founded in 2001, this is Sins 11th year covering the news, sport, features and reviews around NUI Galway. Sin is funded by the Students Union, yet remains

editorially independent. The newspaper is full-colour and runs to 32 pages in length. Sin will continue to inform and entertain NUI Galway students and, in doing so, present students with the opportunity to get involved in journalism.

* 145 contributors, a record (up from 90)

* 12 issues, with specials on Freshers Fortnight, General Election, SU Election

* 72,000 copies distributed across campus

* Formed the Sin Charter adopting the Press Council of Ireland Code of Practice (available on www.sin.ie)

* Major news stories included: Construction on campus, Corrib Village payments, lecture overcrowding, disabled access, return of tuition fees, graduate unemployment, DERI private jets scandal, anti-fees marches, club closures and College Week

* Other stories included: Sins 10th anniversary, Sin Style section, Desk Reserve, Leathanach Gaeilge, Hunger Strike 30th anniversary and the Japan earthquake

* 22 writers were awarded the ALIVE cert i Ficate for volunteering


Vice-President/Education, Emmet Connolly

This year has seen major challenges to Irish students on two main fronts: firstly, we had the threatened doubling of the Registration Fee from 1,500 to 3,000 by the outgoing Fianna Fil/Green government as part of Budget 2011, and secondly, weve had a reduction in student grant rates alongside proposals given to the new government that would increase the qualification limit for non-adjacent student grants from 24km to 45km, which would cut students incomes from 3,200 to 1,200 overnight.

Vice-President/Welfare, Emma Conway

Since July, the amount of casework Emma has received has increased. This casework has included financial issues, accommodation, health and there has been a considerable increase in those asking for advice on emigrating. As for campaigns, September saw the first Welfare Day taking place during Freshers Fortnight, with different groups offering help and advice to students. Mental Health and Healthy Living Week took place in the first semester, with loads of different ents, freebies and other events providing loads of different information on all sorts of issues. The second semester saw a fantastic SHAG Week. As Welfare Officer, Emma sits on a number of different university committees and throughout the year a lot of things done to make NUI Galway a better place for its students. Campaigns are nothing without those who help out, to all the societies, clubs, class reps and crew who helped Emma out with the Welfare Campaigns, she wants to express her sincerest thanks.

Oifigeach na Gaeilge, Melissa Mannion

This years Oifigeach na Gaeilge played a part in many Student Union campaigns and worked hard to ensure fair representation of Irish students on campus and on the Union. She did not engage an tAcadamh students as much as preferred, but was in steady contact with them throughout the year. Melissa was successful in other areas, however, organising a Seachtain na Gaeilge in the first semester for the first time for example. She worked on translations for the Union and took part in many Union-led initiatives like Tell Your TD, College Week and the Fees campaign. Admittedly she did not achieve all she set out to do in her role, but certainly performed well as a more general member of the Exec.

Ghlac Oifigeach na Gaeilge pirt i bhfeachtais Chomhaltas na Mac Linn i mbliana agus doibrigh s go chrua ionadaocht cothram a thabhairt do phobal an Ghaeilge ar an champis agus laistigh den Chomhaltas. Nor gabh s mran le mac linn an tAcadamh c go raibh s ag iarraidh, ach bh s i teagmhil leo i rith na bliana. Bh s rathil i rims eile an rl, fach. Mar shampla, bhunaigh s Seachtain na Gaeilge sa chad seimestear don chad uair riamh. Rinne s aistrichin don Chomhaltas agus ghlac s phirt i dtionscnaimh irithe in aghaidh an bhlian cosil le Abair le do TD, Seachtain na Mac Linn agus an feachtas Tille. Chaithfear admhil nr dirigh li gach rud a dhanamh leis an rl is a bh s ag iarraidh, ach doibrigh s go maith mar bhonn den choiste gn.

Equality Officer, Robin Allen

After a slow start early in the year, Robin quickly adapted to the role, contacting departments and the people in charge of the various systems relating to disability and access. After this he engaged in meetings, sat on several committees relating to drugs policy and other areas. Beyond this he engaged in various protests around the campus and brought about several positive changes to the access around campus. Robin went to various conferences including USI Pink Training in Cork and USI Equality Standing Conference in Castlebar. As well as this he worked out a system for streamlining casework and took part in all the different students union weeks such as Mental Health Week, College Week and SHAG Week. Overall, he was an effective and attentive officer.

Student Development Off icer, Darragh OConnor

Soon after taking office, the SDO joined the We Volunteer steering committee for organising a volunteering photo exhibition for the EU Year of Volunteering 2011. The SDO travelled to Limerick and Dublin for these meetings. September was a busy time with Freshers Fortnight and the events that accompanied it including the Traffic Light disco in the College bar and The Saw Doctors in the Black Box. Working closely with ALIVE, the SDO helped out with the Volunteering Fair during Volunteering Week. This was a fantastic opportunity to encourage both new and returning students to get involved with volunteering in NUIG this year. The SDO also sat on the ALIVE steering committee, where plans for the year ahead were discussed. The SDO was also part of the NUIG delegations to USI Pink Training which took place in Cork, and USI Congress which was in Meath this year. Help was given to various SU events such as College Week at Smash Hits and the Rubberbandits. The ALIVE awards ceremony took place at the end of March and had guest speakers from the staff and student faculties plus the Mayor of Galway. The SDO was the host and MC for the event.

Off icer Reports


Societies Chairperson, Tadhg Tynan

The role of Societies chairperson was in the beginning of the first semester of the year a confusing and vague position from the perspective of an individual who had dealt with committee positions in societies for two years previously. The Students Union dealt with events and issues that affected every NUI Galway Student which was an experience for the society person.

But the vagueness was interesting as it allowed the Societies chairperson to literally be in two places at once. One would be the Students Union representing the Societies of NUI Galway informing them on important issues which occurred on and off campus such as the March against the rising of registration fees in November.

And secondly being involved in the Socbox helping societies with anything and everything they needed, whether it was letting them know how to create a new society, acting as a returning officer for committee elections, dealing with issues that affected them internally or externally related.

This made the role of societies chairperson not vague anymore but a greater horizon than any other executive officer position in the Students Union (except for clubs captain) a strength that gave a role purpose that would assist, instruct and coordinate societies into a new direction than in previous years, a direction which is still going strong.

Postgraduate Off icer, Ciara Staunton

Upon taking office, 50,000 was secured from the Students Projects Fund to promote community life among postgrads on campus. To date some of the money has been spent recruiting and training postgrad reps as well as aiding many of the events of the Postgrad Research Society. The third aspect of the project (which seeks to improve the skills of postgrad students) will come on stream during the summer.

October 2011 witnessed the inaugural Postgrad Week which welcomed postgraduate students to campus. Activities during the week included orientation, tours, mini clubs and socs day as well as gigs on campus to encourage the new postgrad students to become familiar with others in NUI Galway.

During the winter the Postgrad Officer was involved in the Constitutional Review of the Students Union. Out of this Ciara lead a group which reviewed all aspects of the elections. As well as examining the procedures Students Unions across the country use for their elections, this group discussed the role of the elections committee and returning officer, a spending cap, promotion of the elections and methods to encourage students to run. From this group it was decided to hold the first Look Before You Leap information evening for all potential candidates.

This year also saw the first NUI Seanad Meet the Candidates on campus where all NUI candidates were invited to attend so that postgrad students as well as alumni could question the candidates. This event was a unique event and had not occurred in NUI Galway, nor in any NUI campus previously.

Clubs Captain, Eric Coleman-Brockie

Eric was heavily involved with the Clubs Days, held in September and January. He attempted to restructure the Club Grants formula to encourage development in smaller clubs. He was also involved with increasing participation in sports through avenues such as the Leadership Program. He assisted in the process of making club finances more transparent

and open to potential audits. This was achieved with the introduction of log-in kiosks for club training and an online finance logging system. Eric

generally solved individual club logistical issues. He also was involved with the promotion of Fees March as well as attending the march. He met with various people to discuss the Corrib Village cages. Eric attempted to solve the issues that both club members and the wider student body have with the Kingfisher Sports Complex by drafting a proposal for the introduction

of a Universal Gym Membership. He went down to UCCs Mardyke Arena to assist in his research for the proposal. This issue was brought to an appropriate student forum for discussion and provided clubs with sustained momentum for moving forward. Eric also attended the Sports Awards. Most importantly Eric stood on plenty of toes and would like to thank all the clubs for their support throughout the year.

Off icer Reports


The 224.00 Student Levy, where your money goes

The Student Levy is paid annually by every student in addition to the Student Contribution to Higher Education (Registration Fee).

The levy was introduced by a referendum of all students and has been increased over the past number of years. All increases have been agreed by students by referenda. The Levy is adjusted with inflation every year (with the exception of the contribution to the University Sports Centre which is fixed at 100).

The most recent referendum was passed on 22nd February 2006 and increased the levy by 40 to increase funding for Clubs, Societies, the Students Union and the Student Health Centre. Further information on referenda concerning the Student Levy can be found on the Students Union website: www.su.nuigalway.ie.

University Sports Centre 100.00

Students Union 25.14

Societies 19.28

Clubs 19.28

Student Projects Fund 19.69

Health Unit 18.46

Flirt FM 4.92

ras na Mac Linn 17.23

Total 224.00

1 0 0 .00 University Sports Centre

2 5 .14 Students' Union

1 9 .28 Societies

1 9 .28 Clubs

1 9 .69 Projects Fund

1 8 .46 Hea lth Unit

4 .92 Flirt FM

1 7 .23 ras na Mac Linn

4 5 %

1 1 %

8 %

9 %

9 %

8 %

2 %8 %

Fees

University Sports CentreA referendum in November 2003 agreed to increase the Student Levy by 100 to fund the construction of a University Sports Centre, Societies Centre and ancillary developments. The levy will remain in place for eighteen years. The Sports Centre was also funded by the University and Atlantic Philanthropies.

Students UnionThe portion of the student levy paid to the Students Union is the largest source of income for the Students Union. Details on how the Students Union allocates this money are outlined below.

SocietiesThis portion of the levy is paid to the University Societies Committee which allocates funding for University Societies.

ClubsThis portion of the levy is paid to the Sport & Recreation Union which allocates funding for University Clubs.

Student Projects FundThe purpose of the Students Projects Fund is to support projects in the general student services domain that are either:

* Capital including Building Projects

or * Non-capital/Specific Student Services projects

The Student Projects Fund is administered by the Student Projects Fund Committee which has equal allocation of University staff and students.

Health UnitThe Student Health Unit is managed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Students Union President which approved the finances of the Health Unit.

Flirt FMThe portion of the levy paid to FlirtFM is managed by the Board of Directors of FlirtFM which includes representatives fro the Students Union and the student body.

ras na Mac LinnThis portion funds the running and upkeep of ras na Mac Linn.


Students Union Funding 2010 / 2011

The Students Union is funded by a variety of sources:

Students Union Funding 2010 / 2011

368,686.00 Student Levy 368,686.00

38,676.00 USI Levy (Non Tuition Fee) 38,676.00

72,301.00 Non Tuition Fee 80,000.00

30,000.00 Contribution from College Bar 30,000.00

4,300.00 Travelcards 4,300.00

21,191.00 Lockers 21,191.00

2,976.00 Second-hand Bookstore 2,976.00

36,000.00 Contribution from Students Union owned services 36,000.00

Total 581,829.00

Students' Union Funding 2010/2011

Campaigns

Class Representative

Expenses

Website & I.T.Printing Postage & Stationary

Freshers' Week

College Week Expenses

Bank Fees

Professional Fees - Lega l

& Accounting

Campaigns

Class Representative Expenses

Website & I.T.

Printing Postage & Stationary

Freshers' Week


Bank Fees

Professional Fees - Lega l & Accounting

Student LevyThe main funding for the Students Union is the Student Levy. 25.14 of the 224 levy students paid this year was paid to the Students Union. This year, that amounted to: 368,686.00.

USI LevyNUI Galway Students Union is affiliated to the Union of Students in Ireland. In March 2005, USI affiliation fees increased from 2.86 and 1.43 per full- and part-time student per annum respectively to 5.00 and 2.50 per full- and part-time student per annum respectively. Fees at the old rate are paid from the Non Tuition Fee. The increase in the affiliation fees, and costs of attending USI events etc, are paid from the Student Levy as agreed by a referendum in March 2005.

The USI Levy, from the Non Tuition Fee was 38,676.00. Details on USI expenditure are outlined in Expenditure.

Non Tuition FeeThe contribution from the Non Tuition Charge (1,500 per student) paid to the Students Union amounted to 82,301 which is approximately .3% of the charge.

Contribution from the College BarThe College Bar pays an annual rent to the University. 30,000 of that fee is paid directly to the Students Union. The payment is ring fenced for the Students Union and is paid regardless of the profitability of the College Bar.

TravelcardsThe Students Union are agents for Student Travelcards and earn a small commission on each sale. This year that has amounted to 4,300.00.

LockersThe Students Union operates the locker booking service on campus. The income contributes to staff time, administration and maintaining the IT infrastructure.

Second-hand BookstoreA 2 administration charge is deducted from the sale of all books in the second-hand bookstore. The income contributes to staff time, administration and maintaining the IT infrastructure.

Contribution from Students Union Owned ServicesThe Students Union Shop, The College Bar, Smokeys Caf and The Wall Caf are owned by the Students Union and operated by a Students Union owned company. A share of the profits of that company is paid to the Students Union each year. The remainder of the profits is reinvested to develop and expand the services. All profits stay on campus. This years contribution was 36,000.00.


Students Union Expenditure 2010 - 2011

ExpenditureSalaries & State Insurance 269,568.93Campaigns 29,003.05Class Representative Expenses 17,835.51Website & I.T. 5,143.59Printing Postage & Stationary 8,200.12Freshers Week 18,994.82College Week Expenses 9,508.96Bank Fees 1,225.28Professional Fees - Legal & Accounting 16,423.40Insurance 5,247.72Telephone 5,521.69Election & Referenda 8,577.50Officer and Staff Training, Development & Welfare 3,386.73Publications (levy portion) 29,334.00Union of Students in Ireland 86,449.19Officers & Staff Expenses 1,792.91Entertainments 6,816.13Total 523,029.53

52%

6%

3%1%

2%

4%2%

0%

3%1%

1%2%

1%

6%

17%

0% 1%

Expenditure

Salaries & State Insurance

Campaigns

Class Representative Expenses

Website & I.T.

Printing Postage & Stationary

Freshers' Week


Bank Fees

Professional Fees - Legal & Accounting

Insurance

Telephone

Election & Referenda

Ocer and Sta Training, Development & WelfarePublications (levy portion)

Union of Students in Ireland

Ocers & Sta Expenses

Entertainments

Salaries & State InsuranceThe Students Union employs three full-time staff, one part-time staff and three full-time officers.

CampaignsAll materials and resources necessary for campaigns. Includes 18 coaches to the National Fees Protest and coaches to the National Nurses Protest.

Class Representative ExpensesClass Rep Hoodies, Handbooks, Training, Christmas Party.

Freshers FortnightIncludes Freshers Fortnight entertainment, giant inflatables at the Freshers Fair and a contribution to the SU Freshers Packs.

College Week Expenses Entertainment costs, prizes for various activities, t-shirts etc.

Professional FeesAccounting fees and Legal fees.

Election & ReferendaTwo separate election campaigns take place every year: Full-time Officer and Part-time Officers. Each campaign requires clerks, Returning Officers and IT backup to manage the electronic register of electors.

Officer and Staff Training, Development & WelfareTraining needs of new officers and staff, Team Building and Christmas Party.

PublicationsThe increase in the student levy apportioned 2 of the increase to Students Union Publications. This money goes to the SU owned company which manages the publications: Students Union Publications and Promotions. The main publications are the annual Students Union Diary and Sin Newspaper. Both publications also require advertising to cover costs.

Union of Students in Ireland Includes annual affiliation fees, cost of training events and conferences. Income from the Student Levy and Non Tuition Charge are collected specifically to cover all costs associated with USI.

Officer & Staff ExpensesDay to day expenses such as travel incurred by officers and staff in the discharge of their duties.

EntertainmentsEntertainment costs outside of Freshers Week and College Week such as comedians and SU sessions.

At the time of going to print, a surplus of approximately 10% is estimated for 2010 / 2011. This money will be placed in a Sinking Fund to offset any unforeseen costs in the future.


MINI TRIATHLON

Students march past Galway Cathedral

Students sign up for the hugely popular SU

Cards during Freshers Fortnight

SU Sessions Pearse McLoughlin

Emma is kept on her toes during the Freshers Fortnight

A STUDENT Gets To Grip With College Life

Students learn first aid as part of the SU Life Skills workshops

Students enjoy the fine weather during Freshers Fair

Students on the march to Spanish Arch Peter Mannion, SU President and Damien Cogrove, CEO of Students Union Commercial Services, launch the Student Enterprise Awards

AT LAST AN ATLAS

Peter makes sure the megaphone is ready to go!

First year students have the cr

aic

with the giant inflatables

David McSavage Students learn first aid as part of the SU Life Skills workshops

Students make good use of the fine

weather during Freshers Fair


The 2011 Students Union Elections for full time officers set a new record for the amount of votes cast in an NUI Galway Students Union election. Almost 3,372 students cast their votes to elect the three full time officers for 2011 2012.

The race for the three positions was keenly contested by twelve candidates Four for President, three for Vice President / Education Officer and five for Vice President / Welfare Officer. Some familiar names appeared on the ballot paper which contributed to the high level of awareness across campus. The campaigns were colourful and resourceful with candidates doing everything possible to make an impression on the electorate.

This year students also had the opportunity to vote on North Campus in Friars Restaurant. This was in addition to the usual polling stations in An Bhialann and ras na Mac Linn, CSSI and Acadamh na hOllscoille, An Cheathr Rua.

Ben Archiblad, Returning Officer oversaw the count of the record number of votes on the following morning. Transfers were required in all three races to elect the eventual winners.

President: Emmet Connolly

Vice President / Welfare Officer: Brian Grant

Vice President / Education Officer: Conor Healy

The election of the Part- time Officers of the Students Union also recorded a record turnout. 789 students turned out to elect the Equality Officer, the Student Development Officer, the Postgraduate Officer and An tOifigeach na Gaeilge. On the same day, representatives from the Universitys Clubs and Societies elected the Clubs Captain and the Societies Chairperson. In total, thirteen candidates contested the six positions.

The counting of votes for Part Time Officers was supervised by Returning Officer, Ken Curtin. The successful candidates were:

Equality Officer: William OBrien

Student Development Officer: Cian Moran

Postgraduate Officer: Richal Burns

Oifigeach na Gaeilge: Senan MacAoidh

Clubs Captain: Eamon Flynn

Societies Chairperson: Paul OConnor

The ratification of a new Students Union Constitution sees the introduction of seven new positions on the Students Union Executive Committee. A Mature Students Officer (which will be elected in September 2011) and the Chairperson of the revised Students Union Council will be joined by five College Convenors elected by the class representatives of each college. The election of the Students Union Council Chairperson and the five Convenors took place on Thursday 31st March. The newly elected Chairperson and Convenors are:

Students Union Council Chairperson: Claire McCallion

Convenor of the College of Arts Social Sciences & Celtic Studies: Kevin ODonoghue

Convenor of the College of Science: Tadhg Tynan

Convenor of the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences: Mathew Sheridan

Convenor of the College of Engineering & Informatics: Alan Callery

Convenor of the College of Business, Public Policy & Law: Aoife Reaney

SU Elections


Its your Students Union!Over to you!

This report gives some idea of what the Students Union has achieved over the past year. The SU can only do its job well if students get involved and let us know what needs to be changed. Please let us know your ideas, complaints and suggestions so we can represent you for the rest of the year. Just email [email protected] with anything that comes to mind!

There are plenty of ways to get involved in the SU:

* Run for Class Rep

* Join the SU Crew

* Give us your ideas

* Just send us an email

Coming soon

* SU Office on North Campus

* Mature Student Officer

* Continued grants campaign

* National Discount Card

* SU Buses to Salthill Exams

* Bicycle sales and repair shop

* More students employed in SU Businesses

* Payment by instalments for Student Contribution to Higher Education (Registration Fee)

Grants Campaign

Over the coming weeks the SU will be campaigning to:

* Protect the student grant for those living between 24-45km from college, who will see grant cuts of 60

* Defend student nurses pay, who will be forced to work for nothing if the government gets their way

* Secure mature students grants so they can fully participate in third-level education and contribute to economic recovery

Students can get involved by:

* Signing the SUs Tell Your TD postcards (well send them off to all your local TDs)

* Telling your parents, your neighbours and your friends about the serious threats to a decent student grants system. We need to raise awareness of this issue!

* Follow the campaign on our Facebook page and talk about the issue on your own page

* Register to vote to strengthen the students voice at election time

For More Information Log o

nto

www.su.nuigalway.ie

NUI Galway Students Unio

n 2011

Phone: +353 (0)91 524810

Email: studentsunion@nuiga

lway.ie

nui galway students' union impact report 2010 - 2011

Documents

nui galway students

creativity of students

student supports

student nurses

students union executive

student perspective

different cohorts of

past year