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{{Short description|Representative and social body in Limerick, Ireland}}
]
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
⚫ The '''University of Limerick Students' Union''' (Aontas na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil Luimnigh) is the representative body for all students at the ], situated in ], ]
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox Students Union
⚫ |name = University of Limerick Students' Union
|image = Ulsu logo.png
|motto =
|established = 1972
⚫ |institution = ]
|affiliated = none
|location = Students' Union Building
⚫ |homepage =
}}
⚫ The '''University of Limerick Students' Union''' ({{langx|ga|Aontas na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil Luimnigh}}) is the representative body for students at the ] (UL), situated primarily in ], ]. The union also organises social activities, and supports a range of clubs and societies.


==History== ==History==
The ] (NIHE) was founded in Limerick in 1972. The 113 students who started in NIHEL, that year, founded the Students' Union, which was later to become the University of Limerick Students' Union. The ] (NIHE) was founded in Limerick in 1972. The 113 students who started in NIHEL that year founded the Students' Union, which was later to become the University of Limerick Students' Union.{{fact|date=January 2022}}


In its early years, all officers served in a voluntary capacity. The first officers elected included John Redington (President), John Kerr (Vice-president), Fionnuala Lyddy (Secretary) and Eric Duhan (Treasurer). Pat Carroll was elected in 1975 as the first full-time President. The National College of Physical Eductation (NCPE), subsequently ], had a separate students' union also founded in 1972 until its amalgamation with the University of Limerick. Its first President was Brendan Lillis. In its early years, all officers served in a voluntary capacity. The first full-time president was elected in 1975. The National College of Physical Eductation (NCPE), subsequently ], had a separate students' union, also founded in 1972, until its amalgamation with the university.{{fact|date=January 2022}}


===Union of Students in Ireland===
From its inception in 1972, the union had been involved with ]. ULSU withdrew in 1991 from USI after it decided that the national union was no longer doing what it should be doing for ordinary students on the ground. ULSU has never reaffiliated to USI, although an inquorate referendum held in 2001 on the issue indicated some support among students for such a move. The votes cast in this referendum were counted and showed that just under 55% of students who voted were in favour of rejoining. From its inception in 1972, the union had been involved with the ] (USI). In 1991, ULSU withdrew from USI after it decided that the national union was no longer doing what it should be doing for ordinary students on the ground. ULSU has never reaffiliated to USI, although an inquorate referendum held in 2001 on the issue indicated some support among students for such a move. The votes cast in that referendum showed that just under 55 percent of students who voted were in favour of rejoining, but 66 percent in favour would have been needed to pass the referendum, and the referendum anyway did not have enough votes cast to be valid (only 700 against a requirement of 20 percent, changed to 15 percent in 2006).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ulsu.ie/pdfs/ULSUConstitution.pdf |title=ULSU Constitution |access-date=2007-08-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927062501/http://www.ulsu.ie/pdfs/ULSUConstitution.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Three things must be noted here: <br />
1- 66% in favour would have been needed to pass the referendum (ref: http://www.ulsu.ie/pdfs/ULSUConstitution.pdf, 6.3 and definitions 19) <br />
2- the referendum did not have enough votes (only 700, ref: http://www.ulsu.ie/pdfs/ULSUConstitution.pdf, article 6.2 (changed from 20% to 15% in 2006) and schedule five) to be deemed valid and <br />
3- the "no" campaign was essentially, "don't bother voting", to ensure an inquorate (and therefore invalid) referendum. This may indicate that a number of those who would have voted "no" just didn't bother.<br /><br />


=== Re-branding ===
However it has, on occasion, supported campaigns organised by USI. Following moves by USI to welcome non-affiliates 'back into the fold', ULSU instituted (in 2006/07) a process of review of the non-affiliation. This was reacted to with great hostility by the union's main decision-making body, Class Representatives' Council, in early 2007, and so a proposed referendum never happened. However, sabbatical officers will continue to attend USI training as it has fostered a greater relationship of cooperation with the national union.
In July 2018, the union underwent a re-brand to "UL Student Life". This re-brand was spearheaded by the 2017/2018 executive with a view to increasing student participation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://trinitynews.ie/ul-students-union-rebrands-itself-as-ul-student-life/|title=UL Students' Union rebrands itself as UL Student Life|date=2018-07-18|work=Trinity News {{!}} Ireland's Oldest Student Paper|access-date=2018-08-20|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/325513/students-in-uproar-over-20k-union-rebrand-at-university-of-limerick.html|title=Students in uproar over €20K union rebrand at University of Limerick|access-date=2018-08-20}}</ref>


However this re-brand faced criticism from both past and present students and raised questions about the democratic process within the union. Under the union's constitution, name changes must be approved by a college-wide referendum or an AGM, where the quorum is 100 students. 25 members were in attendance when the name change was proposed with only 3 voting against the proposed re-brand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.universitytimes.ie/2018/07/justifiable-criticism-for-a-brazen-e20000-ulsu-rebrand/|title=Justifiable Criticism for a Brazen €20,000 ULSU Rebrand|website=www.universitytimes.ie|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-20}}</ref> The re-brand also attracted controversy due to the high costs involved. A former vice-president of the Postgraduate Students' Union cited costs of between €20,000 and €25,000 for development of the brand by an outside company alone. As of 2018, additional costs associated with the re-brand were not known.<ref name="backlash">{{Cite web|url=http://www.universitytimes.ie/2018/07/ulsu-faces-backlash-over-e20k-rebrand-to-ul-student-life/|title=ULSU Faces Backlash Over €20k 'Rebrand' to UL Student Life|website=www.universitytimes.ie|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-20}}</ref>
ULSU is also one of the more active members of FUSU (Forum of University Students' Unions). FUSU recently welcomed Dublin Institute of Technology into the group in recognition of the Institute's size and similarity to a university. FUSU is not a competitor organisation for USI, rather it is more of a discussion forum and information exchange. This is particular useful for ULSU.


==Current issues== ==Publications==
2006/07 saw many more campaigns than previous years, due in part to the split in the position of Communications and Campaigns officer. These included:
* Road safety campaign. This received national
* Car parking campaign. This petered out after students lost interest.
* Fees and grants march. This received national coverage as the only protest on the issue this year.
* Anti-nuclear campaign which many students failed to see the relevancy of; the question of the actual relevence of campaigns such as this made the executive (or some members thereof) subject to much criticism.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}


The organisation produces a newspaper, ''An Focal''. The production of ''An Focal'' was formerly the responsibility of the vice-president/communications officer. Following the abolition of this office in 2012, a full-time student editor was appointed. The editor is assisted by an editorial team of student volunteers as well as student contributors. The paper's print schedule was up until December 2017 fortnightly before the union decided to change it to monthly, without consulting the editor. A spokesperson for the union cited that the paper had "deteriorated considerably in terms of layout, spelling, grammar, use of colour and overall design".<ref name="backlash"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/286259/university-of-limerick-students-union-s-war-of-words-with-editor-over-paper-s-future.html|title=University of Limerick Students' Union's war of words with editor over paper's future|access-date=2018-07-20}}</ref>
⚫ ==Organisation and Services==
The Union represents UL Students at many fora within and external to the university. There are currently five full time sabbatical officers (President, Deputy President/Welfare Officer, Vice-President/Education Officer, Vice-President/Campaigns & Services Officer and Vice President/Publications and Publicity Officer), combined with a number of voluntary non-sabbatical positions, which are elected each year by the students. Until 06/07, ULSU had only four full time officers - the Vice-President/Communications & Campaigns Officer position was discontinued and a new Vice-President/Publicity & Publications Officer and a Vice-President/Campaigns & Services Officer took office. The Union employs six other full time members of staff and owns a company, ULSU Services Ltd., which run both Students' Union Shops on campus. The Union also provides other services to students - graphics, Nitelink bus service, education advice, welfare advice, second-hand bookshop, etc.


⚫ ==Organisation and services==
The Students' Union has two publications, a fortnightly newspaper, An Focal, and a monthly arts magazine, Review. These are edited by the Publications and Publicity Officer.


The Students' Union in UL has two main differences from other Students' Unions. The Students' Union in UL has two main differences from some other Students' Unions:{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
* It runs its own clubs and societies - these are administered through the union by and for the students.


# There is a separate Postgraduate Students Union to represent postgraduate students on postgraduate issues only. Postgraduate students elect a full-time sabbatical President and a part-time Vice-President/Treasurer for the PSU.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://ulpsu.wordpress.com/about/ |website=UL Postgraduate Students' Union blog |date=29 June 2014 |access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>
** University of Limerick St.Vincent de Paul Society
# It supports the running of a range of clubs and societies through the UL Wolves brand and administrative superstructure, with a separate executive committee, and two elected reps delegated to the Union Executive. These bodies are administered through the union by and for the students. As of 2018, ULSU supported 37 clubs and 45 societies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ulsu.ie/clubssocs |title=ULSU &#124; Clubs & Societies |access-date=16 February 2018 |archive-date=16 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216085208/https://ulsu.ie/clubssocs |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫ **]
**
⚫ **]
**
**
** ], the first University based skydiving club in the Republic of Ireland


==References==
* It has a Postgraduate Students Association - to represent all Postgraduate Students on postgraduate issues only. The Postgraduate students elect a full-time sabbatical president for the PSA.
<references/>


== Officers == ==External links==
*
2004/05<br />
President Timmy Hennessy<br />
Deputy President / Welfare Officer Rosie Healy<br />
Vice President / Education Officer Fintan Breen<br />
Vice President / Campaigns and Communications Officer Sandra Gannon<br />
<br />


{{Students' Unions in Ireland}}
2005/06<br />
President Fintan Breen<br />
Deputy President / Welfare Officer Frank Fogarty<br />
Vice President / Education Officer Paddy Pratt<br />
Vice President / Campaigns and Communications Officer Anne Sheridan<br />
<br />
2006/07<br />
President St John Ó Donnabháin<br />
Deputy President / Welfare Officer Sinead Hickey<br />
Vice President / Education Officer Alan Higgins<br />
Vice President / Campaigns and Services Officer Alannah Turner<br />
Vice President / Publications and Publicity Officer Deirdre O' Shaughnessy<br />
<br />
2007/08<br />
President St. John Ó Donnabháin<br />
Deputy President / Welfare Officer Judith Lynch<br />
Vice President / Education Officer Alan Higgins<br />
Vice President / Campaigns and Services Officer Patrick McHugh<br />
Vice President / Publications and Publicity Officer Seamus Ryan<br />
<br />

==Notable officers==

Diarmuid Scully (SU President 1992-93) is a ] Councillor and became ] of Limerick in 2005.

==External links==
⚫ * &mdash; the ULSU website


] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 17:24, 5 November 2024

Representative and social body in Limerick, Ireland

University of Limerick Students' Union
InstitutionUniversity of Limerick
LocationStudents' Union Building
Established1972
Affiliationsnone
WebsiteUniversity of Limerick Students' Union

The University of Limerick Students' Union (Irish: Aontas na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil Luimnigh) is the representative body for students at the University of Limerick (UL), situated primarily in Limerick, Ireland. The union also organises social activities, and supports a range of clubs and societies.

History

The National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) was founded in Limerick in 1972. The 113 students who started in NIHEL that year founded the Students' Union, which was later to become the University of Limerick Students' Union.

In its early years, all officers served in a voluntary capacity. The first full-time president was elected in 1975. The National College of Physical Eductation (NCPE), subsequently Thomond College of Education, had a separate students' union, also founded in 1972, until its amalgamation with the university.

Union of Students in Ireland

From its inception in 1972, the union had been involved with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). In 1991, ULSU withdrew from USI after it decided that the national union was no longer doing what it should be doing for ordinary students on the ground. ULSU has never reaffiliated to USI, although an inquorate referendum held in 2001 on the issue indicated some support among students for such a move. The votes cast in that referendum showed that just under 55 percent of students who voted were in favour of rejoining, but 66 percent in favour would have been needed to pass the referendum, and the referendum anyway did not have enough votes cast to be valid (only 700 against a requirement of 20 percent, changed to 15 percent in 2006).

Re-branding

In July 2018, the union underwent a re-brand to "UL Student Life". This re-brand was spearheaded by the 2017/2018 executive with a view to increasing student participation.

However this re-brand faced criticism from both past and present students and raised questions about the democratic process within the union. Under the union's constitution, name changes must be approved by a college-wide referendum or an AGM, where the quorum is 100 students. 25 members were in attendance when the name change was proposed with only 3 voting against the proposed re-brand. The re-brand also attracted controversy due to the high costs involved. A former vice-president of the Postgraduate Students' Union cited costs of between €20,000 and €25,000 for development of the brand by an outside company alone. As of 2018, additional costs associated with the re-brand were not known.

Publications

The organisation produces a newspaper, An Focal. The production of An Focal was formerly the responsibility of the vice-president/communications officer. Following the abolition of this office in 2012, a full-time student editor was appointed. The editor is assisted by an editorial team of student volunteers as well as student contributors. The paper's print schedule was up until December 2017 fortnightly before the union decided to change it to monthly, without consulting the editor. A spokesperson for the union cited that the paper had "deteriorated considerably in terms of layout, spelling, grammar, use of colour and overall design".

Organisation and services

The Students' Union in UL has two main differences from some other Students' Unions:

  1. There is a separate Postgraduate Students Union to represent postgraduate students on postgraduate issues only. Postgraduate students elect a full-time sabbatical President and a part-time Vice-President/Treasurer for the PSU.
  2. It supports the running of a range of clubs and societies through the UL Wolves brand and administrative superstructure, with a separate executive committee, and two elected reps delegated to the Union Executive. These bodies are administered through the union by and for the students. As of 2018, ULSU supported 37 clubs and 45 societies.

References

  1. "ULSU Constitution" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2007.
  2. "UL Students' Union rebrands itself as UL Student Life". Trinity News | Ireland's Oldest Student Paper. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  3. "Students in uproar over €20K union rebrand at University of Limerick". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  4. "Justifiable Criticism for a Brazen €20,000 ULSU Rebrand". www.universitytimes.ie. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  5. ^ "ULSU Faces Backlash Over €20k 'Rebrand' to UL Student Life". www.universitytimes.ie. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  6. "University of Limerick Students' Union's war of words with editor over paper's future". Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  7. "About Us". UL Postgraduate Students' Union blog. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  8. "ULSU | Clubs & Societies". Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.

External links

Students' unions in Ireland
Universities (Republic of Ireland)
Universities (Northern Ireland)
National unions
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