CD1
Motions Submitted
Errors and Omissions to be notified by close of amendments.
Issued 25/02/2015
(4 motions from CITSU submitted on time but not included in document)
Contents
Priority Ballot Sheet Return
Constitutional Amendments
CA 1 Implementation of Part-time Mature Student Officer to Officerboard
Proposed by: AITSU
CA2 Responsibility For Union Development Brief
Proposed by: VP Campaigns
CA 3 Equality at USI Congress
Proposed by: USI President
CA4 Removal of Equality Officer Special Focus on LGBTQ Rights
Proposed by: IT Tralee SU
Union Organisation
UO1 Eastern Area Officer
Proposed by: the VP BMW (of behalf of the BMW Region)
UO2 Regional Events to National Campaigns
Proposed by: the VP BMW (of behalf of the BMW Region)
UO3 USI Election Process
Proposed by: TCDSU
UO4 Supporting Student Media
Proposed by: USI President
UO5 Promotional Packs
Proposed by: UCCSU
UO6 DUBLIN STUDENT BALL
Proposed by: Dublin Regional Working Group
UO7 Legislation working group
Proposed by: VP AAQA
UO8 Students’ union staff training
Proposed by: STACS SU
UO9 Part time officer training
Proposed by: DITSU
UO10 Student summit
Proposed by: VP AAQA
UO11 Mature student supports
Proposed by: USI VP Southern Region
UO12 International Students participation:
NUIG SU & VP Welfare
UO13 Environmental awareness
Proposed by: the VP Equality and Citizenship
UO14 Campaigning for student nurses
Proposed by: Campaigns Working Group
UO15 Supporting a coalition of staff and students in third level
Proposed by: Campaigns Working Group
UO16 Student manifesto ahead of the next general election
Proposed by: Campaigns Working Group
UO17 Casework Recording Best Practice Policy
Proposed by: the VP BMW
UO18 Comparative Research
Proposed by: Presidents’ WG
UO19 National Council Decentralisation
Proposed by: Presidents’ WG
UO20 STRATEGIC PLANNING
Proposed by: Presidents’ WG
UO21 Regional Issues
Proposed by: UCCSU
UO22 SUT
Proposed by: UCCSU
UO23 Part Time Officer Training
Proposed by: UCCSU
UO24 The Provision of alternatives to the ASIST course.
Proposed by: DKITSU
UO25 Motion to change the SUSI representative
Proposed by: GMITSU
UO26 Casework Records
Proposed by: GMITSU
UO27 3rd Party Providers
Proposed by: QUBSU
UO28 Campaign to encourage participation in full time Students’ Union elections
Proposed by GMIT Students’ Union
UO 29 USI Transparency and Engagement:
Proposed by Ents & Marketing working group
UO 30 Utilising Student Expertise within the Union
Proposed by Ents & Marketing working group
UO 31 National Charity
Proposed by Ents & Marketing working group
Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance
AAQA1 Investment in Education
Proposed by: Education Working Group
AAQA2 Financial concerns
Proposed by: Education Working Group
AAQA3 Students outside the grant threshold:
Proposed by: NUIG SU
AAQA4 Universal fee payment dates
Proposed by: VP AAQA
AAQA5 Irish water & the grant
Proposed by: DCUSU
AAQA6 Technological university supports
Proposed by: USI VP Southern Region
AAQA 7 Student Governance
Proposed by: NUIG SU
AAQA8 Lateral Violence
Proposed by: the Education Working Group
Welfare
WE1 Student Housing Associations
Proposed by: USI President
WE2 Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance Week
Proposed by the USI Vice President Welfare
WE3 DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Proposed by Welfare Working Group
WE4 Update USI Physical Health Strategy
Proposed by Welfare Working Group
WE5 FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME
Proposed by Welfare Working Group
WE6 Motion to provide training and contacts to deal with issues regarding BTEA
Proposed by: GMITSU
WE7 Mental Health Awareness
Proposed by: NUIG SU
WE8 Barrier Free Access to Support Services
Proposed by: NUIG SU
WE9 Accommodation crisis
Proposed by: DITSU
WEL10 Sexual Consent Awareness and Training
Proposed by: the VP Equality and Citizenship
WE11 Minimum Wage for Student Nurses
Proposed by: DCUSU
WE12 Student assistance fund
Proposed by: DITSU
WE13 Students with Learning Disabilities
Proposed by: DITSU
WEL 14 Consent
Proposed by: IT Tralee SU
WE15 RENT CONTROLS
Proposed by: Dublin Regional Working Group
WE16 OPPOSITION TO THE PRIVITISATION OF BUS ROUTES
Proposed by: Dublin Regional Working Group
WE17 Student Bereavement
WE18 USI Grant Reform Policy
Proposed by: the VP BMW
WE 19 Higher Education Authority Core Access Grant
Proposed By Southern Area Working Group
WE 20 Emergency Accommodation
Proposed by: Dublin Regional Working Group
WE 21 Liaison with Student Accommodation Staff
Proposed by Leas Uachtarán na Gaeilge
Equality
EQ1 Dignity and Respect
Proposed by: Equality and Citizenship Working Group
EQ 2 Women in Leadership
Proposed by: IT Tralee SU
EQ3 MSM Blood Ban in Northern Ireland
Proposed by: QUBSU
EQ4 Reproductive rights and gender identity
Proposed by: the Equality and Citizenship Working Group
EQ 5 LGBTQ Friendly Campus:
Proposed by The Southern Area Working Group
Citizenship
CZN1 Championing Equality and Inclusion
Proposed by: STACS SU
CZN2 General election hustings
Proposed by: the VP Equality and Citizenship
CZN3 Lobby for 3rd Level Education Centre Polling Stations
Proposed by: STACS SU
CZN4 Automatic voter registration
Proposed by: USI VP Southern Region
CZN5 Voter registration
Proposed by: DCUSU
CZN 6 Election Information
Proposed by: IT Tralee SU
CZN7 General Election Campaign
Proposed by: the VP BMW
CZN8 VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM REFORM
Proposed By Southern Area Working Group
International Affairs
IA1 Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Proposed by: VP Campaigns
Proposed by VP Campaigns
Accounts and Finances
AF1 USI Financial Transparency
Proposed by: UCCSU
National Affairs
NA1 Relationships with Trades Unions
Proposed by: DCUSU
NA2 Student Supports for Prisoners
Proposed by: Education Working Group
NA3 NMBI Registration Fee
Proposed by: DCUSU
NA4 Review of Best Practice with Regard to MSM Blood Donation
Proposed by: DITSU & Equality and Citizenship Working Group.
NA5 Traveller ethnicity
Proposed by: the Equality and Citizenship Working Group
NA6 DEBT WRITE-DOWN FOR IRELAND
Proposed by: VP Campaigns
NA7 Alcohol Advertising in Sport
Proposed by USI Vice President Welfare
Irish Language
GA 1 Seimineár Gaeilge/ Irish Language Seminar
Molta ag Leas Uachtarán na Gaeilge
GA 2 Comhdháil na Mic Léinn Ceilteach/ Celtic Students Conference
Molta ag Leas Uachtarán na Gaeilge
GA 3 Gaeltacht Fees
Proposed by Gaeilge working group
GA 4 Seachtain na Gaeilge
Proposed by Gaeilge working group
UO XX 1916 Commemoration
Proposed by Gaeilge Working Group
Priority Ballot Sheet Return
Motions at USI Congress are prioritised by Member Organisations. Each Member Organisation has 10 equally weighted votes to prioritise motions for debate in their sections at Congress. This results in them being renumbered in the Congress Document CD1.
To prioritise a motion, simply list the motions you wish to see debated closest to the start of each debate. This is not a rank – one motion listed here will be counted as one vote towards debating that motion first.
To fill in the form, go to:
And use the password: watershipdown
Filling in the form like this:
Motion to be PrioritisedWE 2 Importance of Milk before Sugar in Tea preparation
CA 4 Expanding the Scope of Narrowness
NA 6 Making sure there are roads
Is correct – each motion receives one vote to be sent to the top of its section, and has a good chance of being debated towards the start of the section
Filling in the form like this:
Motion to be PrioritisedWE 3 Being hit with a cricket bat training
WE 4 Slapstick Comedy in motions documents
WE 7 Owls for Everybody
Is incorrect – each motion here has simply received a vote for promotion – all other things being equal, if nobody else voted, these would simply become WE1, WE2 and WE3.
You can only prioritise one motion once – simply writing it in ten times will waste nine of your priorities.
Constitutional Amendments
CA 1 Implementation of Part-time Mature Student Officer to Officerboard
Proposed by: AITSU
Congress notes:
The excellent work carried out by the VP for Equality and Citizenship since the inception of the role.
Congress further notes:
The vast array of work that is included in the remit of the VP for Equality and Citizenship under the areas of age, disability, family status, gender identity, marital status, membership of the Traveller community, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, and/or socio economic circumstance.
Congress stresses:
The importance of engagement and inclusion with mature students across the 3rd level community. Mature students account for 15% of the overall student population
In Article 5: The Officerboard
Insert -5.1.9The Vice President for Mature Students
And renumber accordingly.
------
5.12 The Vice President for Mature Students
5.12.1 The Vice President for Mature Students shall have the responsibility for the implementation and development of all Union policy in relation to issues of mature students.
5.12.2The Vice President for Mature Students shall assist the VP/Campaigns in relation to campaigns for the defence and promotions of mature students’ rights in areas of equality.
5.12.3The Vice President for Mature Students shall sit on the Equality and Citizenship Committee.
5.12.4The Vice President for Mature Students shall assist the VP/Equality and VP/Campaigns in relation to campaigns on areas specific to mature students.
CA2 Responsibility For Union Development Brief
Proposed by: VP Campaigns
Insert new sub-article 5.6.5:
The VP/Campaigns shall have overall responsibility for the coordination of Union Development, in liaison with the President and in accordance with Schedule M.
CA 3 Equality at USI Congress
Proposed by: USI President
Replace Article 4.1.4 with:
4.1.4 Delegates for Congress shall be composed of the members of the Officerboard and members elected by and from each Member Organisation in accordance with Schedule C. All delegates shall have speaking rights.
Replace ScheduleC.2.2 with:
“2.2: Each delegation comprising more than eight delegates shall be comprised of no fewer than 40% of both:
a) delegates who identify as women, and;
b) delegates who identify as men.
Delegates shall be elected in a manner prescribed by each MO.”
Add: C2.2.1:
Delegation lists will be checked for compliance with Schedule 2.2 prior to the commencement of Congress. Any MO unable to comply with the requirements of Schedule 2.2 may make an application for exemption for the rule to a National Council meeting prior to the Congress, but not a meeting held in conjunction with congress, and National Council may decide whether to:
a)Accept the application for exemption and seat a non-compliant delegation
b)Reject the application for exemption and allow only a delegation which complies with the schedule to be seated
CA4 Removal of Equality Officer Special Focus on LGBTQ Rights
Proposed by: IT Tralee SU
Article 5.7.2 Remove:
“with special focus on LGBTQ rights including carrying out the Union’s policy on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer rights, encouraging the participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students in the Union and working to eliminate prejudice against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.”
-Constitutional Amendment Ends-
Proviso:
This constitutional amendment will come into force only upon the successful carriage of the Marriage Equality bill into law in Ireland.
Union Organisation
UO1 Eastern Area Officer
Proposed by: the VP BMW (of behalf of the BMW Region)
Congress Notes
USI Officerboard is structured in such a way that allows regional and local support through their regional officer first and foremost.
Congress also notes
That the Dublin Regional Officer being a combined role for an officer allows the region to not have regional support as their only focus.
Congress further notes
It’s USI’s intention to see all colleges be represented by the national union and should be the Dublin Region grow in membership, it’ll be an even tougher task for a Dublin Regional Officer to provide sufficient support.
Congress mandates
The USI President to investigate the financial viability of bringing back the position of Eastern Area officer and report these findings to a National Council held before May 2016.
UO2 Regional Events to National Campaigns
Proposed by: the VP BMW (of behalf of the BMW Region)
Congress Notes
Many USI Campaigns and their launches are located in Dublin due to its accessibility for MOs, Media and Politicians.
Congress also notes
This can remove a regional and local focus from national campaigns
Congress therefore mandates
The USI VP Campaigns, VP BMW and VP for Southern Region to co-ordinate local and regional campaigns events to compliment national campaigns, where appropriate.
UO3 USI Election Process
Proposed by: TCDSU
Congress Notes
That information in relation to procedures around running for a position on Officer Board is not readily available to Member Organisations and that ambiguity around the regulations and election procedure could discourage potential candidates from running.
Congress Further Notes
That currently there is no limitation on spending for Officer Board campaigns. This may create uncertainty around the financial implications of running for an Officer Board position and work to further discourage potential candidates.
Congress therefore mandates
USI Officer Board to make regulations and procedures relating to Officer Board elections readily available to Member Organisations before commencement of the 2015/2016 Academic Year.
Congress further mandates
All of Officer Board to introduce a spending limit of €350 for all campaign materials
UO4 Supporting Student Media
Proposed by: USI President
Congress recognises
The fantastic work being done by student journalists and student media in Ireland.
Congress notes
That USI brought back one edition of The Voice magazine which was distributed in Freshers’ packs in 2014.
Congress believes
That USI could do more to support student journalism and student media.
Congress mandates
The USI President to organise a meeting in a central location and invite all USI members working in student media and all USI members who are editors of student publications to attend. This meeting will serve as a networking event for student media and will allow USI officers to flag the timeline of national events for the year with student media. This meeting should take place before September 30th each year.
Congress also mandates
The USI President to develop an online version of ‘The Voice’. This will act as a centralised hub and showcase for student media and will allow student journalists to share articles, blogs, videos, and podcasts. The website will be maintained and updated by USI. The website will also contain information on media awards and media grants that students can apply for.
UO5 Promotional Packs
Proposed by: UCCSU
Congress Notes:
That the USI distribute thousands of promotional packs for campaigns including and not limited to SHAG Week , Mental Health Week , Fresher Packs etc.
Congress Further Notes:
That MO’s have no knowledge of the cost involved and the unit pricing of such packs.
Congress Believes:
That communication is vital in the deliverance and pricing of such packs onto MO campuses
Congress Mandates:
The USI President and related Officer board members to release itemised cost analysis of all materials distributed to MOs for Campaigns/SHAG Week/Mental Health Week etc .
UO6 DUBLIN STUDENT BALL
Proposed by: Dublin Regional Working Group
Congress notes:
That when done effectively, Students’ Union events can be a great social window for students and an introduction into the wider SU identity.
Congress also notes:
That there is great scope for collaboration among SUs that are in close proximity to one another, and that a common identity among students in Dublin could be useful.
Congress also notes:
The saturation of event promoters in Dublin and other built up areas can often make it tough for SUs to run cost-effective events.
Congress mandates:
The Officer Board member with responsibility for the Dublin Region to investigate the feasibility of arranging a USI student ball in support of the national charity in the Dublin region, making use of MO Events officers, event management students and student acts.
UO7 Legislation working group
Proposed by: VP AAQA
Congress notes
That a large number of mandates in the USI Policy manual require officer board to lobby on various issues, particularly in relation to government. These mandates can often require a change in legislation in order to be completed.
Congress further notes
Many organisations engage consistently with the legislative process to achieve their stated aims. USI has done this on an infrequent basis. Engaging with this process more frequently will allow USI to be more effective for its members.
Congress Recognises
That capacity of USI to engage with this may be limited without relevant expertise or training.
Congress Mandates
The USI President, or their nominee, to establish and chair a legislation working group with responsibility to provide training to interested members. Furthermore to provide information to national council on the process and direct them towards relevant legislation where appropriate.
Congress Further Mandates
The working group to update national council on the initiatives and activities it undertakes and, where necessary, to take instruction from national council.
UO8 Students’ union staff training
Proposed by: STACS SU
Congress notes:
The unique work that is done by Student Union staff on a daily basis in each Students’ Union in Ireland.
Congress further notes:
The high standard of training provided by USI for Students’ Union elected officers.
Congress mandates:
Officer Board provide a two day training programme for MO staff. The aim being to strive for best practice; enable networking; champion equality and inclusion; and create a platform for the staff to understand thus communicate the benefits and supports provided by USI.
UO9 Part time officer training
Proposed by: DITSU
USI Congress Notes:
Part time officers play an important role in every Student Union. These Officers are essential to the growth and development of the student movement.
USI Congress further Notes:
That there are numerous, similar, motions mandating USI to conduct various Part Time Officer training.
USI Congress Believes:
Training is key to the standard of work done by the Part Time Officers. Both the Union and campaigns run by USI and individual SU’s are strongest with unity and training.
USI Congress thereforeDeletes the Motions:
14 /Uo 14, 13/ Uo 13, 09/Uo 11
USI Congress Mandates:
All members of the USI Officer Board to provide appropriate training relevant to their area for all Part Time Officers throughout the country. To create unity, the Officer Board shall also create an online network for Part Time Officers throughout the country. Both mandates are to be completed by the end of the first semester each year.
Congress therefore mandates
the USI President to enter into negotiations with stakeholder trades unions in the primary, secondary and third level education system towards building a common platform on Education for the next General Election. Proposed USI Motions