Student Unions: Ready to handle whatever this first freedom-filled year throws at them

This time three years ago, students happily returned to campus with no clue of the dreaded C word. Student Officers had been newly elected and 2020 was to be a fun-filled year – but it wasn’t to be.

Flash forward to September 2022 and the memories of restrictions are disappearing in the rear-view mirror. Leaving Certificate results have just been issued, with thousands of young adults now ready to grab college life by the horns.

With all this built up anticipation – how are Student Unions handling it?

Well, first off, Freshers Week is back and better than ever.

“We are so excited for this year’s Freshers Week line-up, including Cabal, Belters Only and Shane Codd,” says Laura Corcoran, University of Limerick’s Student Life Communities Officer. “We also have a host of other events running throughout the semester, catering to a diverse range of students, alongside our awareness-raising initiatives.”

Mary O'Connell

University College Cork’s Entertainments Officer, Mary O’Connell, has planned a jam-packed week of events for ‘Sophomore Week’. Also in UCC’s arsenal is a fresher’s ball. “We want to see a full return to live music and entertaining acts for students,” UCC’s SU notes.

Speaking of first years, Trinity College Dublin’s SU President, Gabrielle Fullam, offers some friendly advice to new arrivals.

“Try get involved with societies,” she says. “It’s a great way to meet new people and get settled into the college community – but don’t stretch yourself too thin! Make sure you’re taking time to yourself, it’s a long year and you don’t want to get burnt out your first month in.

“Beyond that, student life can be incredibly difficult. We recommend joining your local tenants’ union, being informed on your rights, and engaging with your students’ union campaigns.”

As we enter another year of the student housing crisis, more and more students are forced to commute to college, which SUs are hyper-aware of. Instead of primarily evening events, most unions are planning to host a variety of day time events, allowing commuter students to feel included in college society. TCDSU also plans to announce events sooner, so these students have more time to plan.

Gabrielle Fullam

For some colleges, however, Student Unions are committed to guaranteeing commuter students adequate access to study material, insisting on a hybrid approach post-Covid.

“We will continue to offer blended/hybrid options to our commuter students,” says Atlantic Technological University Student President, Colin Kearney.

This is also promised by UCC, with disabled students also at the forefront of their concerns.

“The SU was involved in the passing of a new lecture recording policy in UCC,” says communications offer Sinead Roche. “It recognises the benefits of these resources for studying, as an aide to those registered with disability support services, and to enable those who are sick to catch up on their academics.

“We have written to every school and department head outlining the benefits of recordings and online materials, and have encouraged them to continue this practice. We’ll continue to work with academic staff to ensure that our students are supported.”

Finally, addressing the cost of living crisis, Molly Greenough, University College Dublin’s Student Union President, spoke about her frustration with the lack of governmental financial support for students.

“Unfortunately, there isn’t a huge number of financial supports,” says Molly, “aside from the SUSI Grant, which remains at an unacceptably low level and excludes scores of students who could make good use of it. The Student Support Fund and the Student Welfare Fund for unforeseen circumstances, are also available in UCD.

“There is a limit to these hardship funds and quite often once they’re gone, they’re gone. The criteria can be quite restrictive, too.

“Students deserve and need more in order to pursue their education, build their careers and eventually contribute to Irish society. That’s why UCDSU are members of the Cost of Living Coalition, which will hopefully bring these issues to the fore.”

Sex education and student safety are also high priority for Student Unions, with programmes like Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance (SHAG) week and consent workshops taking place all over the country.

Overall, it seems Student Unions across Ireland are caught up and ready to handle whatever this first freedom filled year throws at them.

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