MSU Constitution

1. Subject to this Constitution and the Student Senate, the Union Executive, hereinafter known as “the Executive”, shall meet and act as a collective authority, and shall be collectively responsible for the day to day operation of the Union, in addition to each officer’s own portfolio, and shall have powers to take necessary decisions in between meetings of the Student Senate. Any such decisions must be ratified at the next meeting of Student Senate and shall lapse and have no further effect if not so ratified.
2. The Executive shall consist of:

1. The Sabbatical Officers;

2. The Faculty Convenors;

3. The Postgraduate Representatives; and

4. The Oifigeach na Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer).

3. Details of the Executive members shall be set out in Article 10 of this Constitution.

4. All members of the Executive shall be directly elected in accordance with Article 14 and Schedule 24 of this Constitution.

5. No person shall simultaneously hold more than one position on the Executive.

6. The Executive shall meet as often as necessary and a minimum of once every two weeks during term time and a minimum of once every month outside of term time.

1. At least forty-eight hours notice shall be given for a normal meeting of the Executive.

7. Additional (Special) meetings of Executive shall be called by the President on the receipt of a written request from any of the following, namely: the President or onethirds of the membership of the Executive.

1. At least twenty-four hours notice shall be given for a special meeting of the Executive.

8. Decisions made by the Executive shall require:

1. A simple majority at an normal meeting of the Executive

2. A two-thirds majority at a special meeting of the Executive.

9. Quorum shall consist of:

1. 50% + 1 of the membership of the Executive during term time

2. Two-thirds of the membership of the Executive outside of term time.

10. In the case of an equality of votes on any matter the matter shall be deemed to not have been passed but may be re-submitted for consideration at a future meeting.

11. The President shall act as chairperson of all meetings of the Executive.

1. The President may designate another Sabbatical Officer to chair a meeting in their absence.

12. The Vice President Education shall act as secretary and convenor of all meetings of the Executive.

13. Attendance at Executive meetings shall be compulsory for all those entitled to attend and vote.

14. Apologies should be send in advance of the meeting and should be directed to the Secretary of the Executive.

1. Any member who misses more than two consecutive meetings, any four meetings in a single semester, or any eight meetings of the Executive without apologies being accepted shall be deemed to have resigned.

2. The member in question may be reinstated on appeal by agreement of the President, where such absence is caused by justifiable circumstances which have been explained to and accepted by the President.

15. Each member of the Executive must produce an annual report which must include a continuity section. The continuity section must outline areas of their responsibility which they believe are in need of further development.

16. The Executive shall have the right to defer the implementation of any decisions made by the Student Senate, where they believe in their absolute discretion, that the decision is contrary to the Constitution or Union policy. The President will refer any such decision in writing within 24 hours of it being made, to the Speaker of the Student Senate, who shall place the matter for priority discussion at the next scheduled meeting of the Student Senate.

17. All of the members of the Executive are obliged to act in accordance with policies or mandates enacted by a Policy Referendum or the Student Senate, save as otherwise subject to this Constitution and the law.

18. No individual may serve for more than two terms in any one part-time officer position and no more than three terms in any combination of part-time officer positions.

19. No individual may serve for more than two terms in any one sabbatical position and no more than three terms in any combination of sabbatical positions.

20. Except where otherwise explicitly stated in this Constitution, nominations and appointments, except where the positions are ex officio, to all University boards, council, faculties, committees, and other groups shall be made by the Executive, on the recommendation of the President, and be noted by the Student Senate.

1. Warrants of appointment shall be issued to the nominee by the President specifying the terms and conditions of service.

21. Except where otherwise explicitly stated in this Constitution, nominations and appointments, except where the positions are ex officio, to all Union boards; assemblies; councils; forums; committees; and other groups; as well as to external bodies, shall be made by the Executive, on the recommendation of the President, and be noted by the Student Senate.

1. Warrants of appointment shall be issued to the nominee by the President specifying the terms and conditions of service.

22. Such appointments must recognise that they are the representatives of the Students’ Union and within the terms of confidentiality required by any such body they are subject to the Constitution and policy of the Union.

23. Subject to this Constitution and the Student Senate, the Executive shall determine its own procedures and shall be bound by their Standing Orders contained in Article 9 and Schedule 26 of the Constitution.
 

1. There shall be four sabbatical officers, who shall be directly elected by the ordinary members of the Union in accordance with Article 14 and Schedule 24 of this Constitution and who shall pursue their duties on a full-time basis. These shall be:
1. The President

2. The Vice President Education

3. The Vice President Welfare & Equality

4. The Vice President Student Life

2. There shall be three faculty convenors, who shall be directly elected by the ordinary members of their respective faculties in accordance with Article 14 and Schedule 24 of this Constitution and who shall pursue their duties on a part-time basis. These shall be:

1. The Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Convenor;

2. The Social Sciences Faculty Convenor; and

3. The Science & Engineering Faculty Convenor.

3. There shall be two Postgraduate Representative. These shall be:

1. The Postgraduate Representative; and

2. The Doctoral Postgraduate Representative

4. The Postgraduate Representative shall be directly elected by the postgraduate ordinary members of the Union in accordance with Article 14 and Schedule 24 of this Constitution and who shall pursue their duties on a part-time basis and the Doctoral Postgraduate Representative shall be directly elected by the doctoral postgraduate ordinary members of the Union in accordance with Article 14 and Schedule 24 of this Constitution and who shall pursue their duties on a part-time basis

5. There shall be an Oifigeach na Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer) who shall be directly elected by the ordinary members of the Union in accordance withArticle 14 and Schedule 24 of this Constitution and who shall pursue their duties on a part-time basis.

6. The President

1. The President shall be the CEO, First Officer & Chief Spokesperson of the Union and shall be ultimately responsible for the administration of the Union. All staff of the Union shall ultimately be responsible to the President.

2. They shall exercise and perform the powers and functions conferred on the President by this Constitution and any additional functions, duties or responsibilities conferred by the Student Senate.

3. In conjunction with the finance function of the Union they shall be responsible for preparing a master budget for the Union for approval by the Board of Trustees and ensuring strict adherence to that budget.

4. They shall be responsible for the strategic development and overall direction of the Union.

5. They shall be ultimately responsible for the financial affairs of the Union and establish regulations for the financial administration of the Union.

6. They shall be ultimately responsible for the provision of entertainments for members of there Union

7. They shall be ex officio chair of all meetings of the Union, except where otherwise explicitly stated in the Constitution but may delegate any of these positions to another officer.

8. They shall have plenary powers between meetings of the Executive to fulfil the aims and objectives of the Union, but shall be responsible to the Executive and the Student Senate for these actions.

9. They shall have the right of attendance and address at all meetings established within the terms of this Constitution.

10. They shall be, ex officio, a member of the University’s Governing Authority and Academic Council

(a) They shall endeavour to sit on relevant committees and sub-committees of the University.

11. The President shall maintain a record of all boards, committees and other bodies within the University, and the Union representation at each.

12. They shall be responsible for leading all national campaigns on behalf of the Union.

13. They shall be ultimately responsible for all Union publications.

14. They shall nominate one of the sabbatical officers to deputise and specify the order of succession amongst the Vice Presidents.

15. They shall maintain a record of all boards, committees and other bodies within the University, and the Union representation at each. They shall ensure that this record is included in any crossover document compiled for the training and reference of their successor.

16. They shall ensure that full crossover training is provided for all incoming officers of the Union and shall be ultimately responsible for ensuring that each sabbatical officer provides a cross-over manual and abides by HR policies implemented by the Union.

17. They shall ensure that all Executive members produce and publish officer reports six time per year and at least three times per semester.

18. They shall liaise between the Executive and the Board of Trustees between meetings of the Board of Trustees.

19. For the time that the Union is a member organisation of the Union of Students in Ireland, the President shall be the principal delegate and spokesperson to the National Council and Annual Congress of the Union of Students in Ireland.

7. Vice President Education

1. The Vice President Education shall be responsible for dealing with issues of academic interest and general academic advancement of the student body of the University.

2. Be responsible for dealing with all academic-related casework by:

(a) Acting as a point of peer-provided guidance

(b) Acting as a listening & referral service

3. They shall be responsible for updating members on changes in the education system or changes within the educational structure of the University which are relevant to students.

4. They shall be responsible for developing and enacting all Union educational policies and campaigns.

5. They shall be responsible for the maintenance of an effective Student Academic Representative system, Academic Assembly, and Faculty Assemblies, to include co-ordination of training and development for Academic Representatives.

6. They shall endeavour to attend all meetings of committees of which they are member and to coordinate and maximise student representation on other appropriate academic structures.

7. They shall endeavour to represent the needs of students by campaigning at both local and national level.

8. For the time that the Union is a member organisation of the Union of Students in Ireland, the Vice President Education shall be a delegate to the National Council and Annual Congress of the Union of Students in Ireland.

8. Vice President Welfare & Equality

1. The Vice President Welfare & Equality shall be responsible for issues that relate to student welfare, equality, and other issues of social significance.

2. Be responsible for dealing with all welfare-related casework by:

(a) Acting as a point of peer-provided guidance

(b) Acting as a listening & referral service

3. Ensure the dignity and defence of the rights of the membership of the Union and within the University.

4. Be responsible for the planning and implementation of at least three welfare campaigns and two equality campaigns per year.

5. Ensure that there are procedures in place, which are adhered to, for members discriminated against on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, political belief, age, nationality, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

6. Consult, in strict confidence with members in the event of discrimination by any member of the Union or University, and shall represent individuals when requested to the relevant body or authority.

7. Be responsible for formulating and having enacted the Union’s welfare and equality policies and procedures.

8. They shall endeavour to attend all meetings of committees of which they are member and shall use those committees to represent the best interests of students.

9. They shall endeavour to work with the University to ensure effective health promotion.

10. They shall endeavour to represent the needs of students by campaigning at both local and national level.

11. They shall undertake a programme of relevant training and shall complete a programme of such training in advance of the commencement of the first semester.

12. For the time that the Union is a member organisation of the Union of Students in Ireland, the Vice President Welfare & Equality shall be a delegate to the National Council and Annual Congress of the Union of Students in Ireland.

9. Vice President Student Life

1. The Vice President Student Life shall ensure that all Clubs and Societies produce a capitation application, a full list of assets and semester audits.

2. Be responsible for training and development of members of Clubs and Societies Executive committees.

3. Maintain a full and up-to-date list of all Clubs and Societies and their contact information.

4. Communicate all relevant matters from the Union to the Clubs and Societies and from Clubs and Societies to the Union.

5. Aid and advise Clubs and Societies on the organisation of events and other activities.

6. Promote Clubs and Societies participation and activities throughout the University.

7. Create a Clubs and Societies handbook available to all Clubs and Societies at the beginning of each Academic year.

8. Sit on all committees relevant to Student Life and Engagement at both Union and University level.

9. Ensure the Unions involvement in the management and running of relevant campus-wide events relating to student life

10. Liaise with the Executive on matters relating to the advertisement and promotion of Union activities and entertainments

11. Responsible, in conjunction with the Entertainments Committee, for the promotion of all Union activities and entertainments

12. They shall assist the Faculty Convenors and Student Academic Representatives in the organisation of the entertainments for their constituencies.

13. Find suitable charitable candidates and through a vote of MSU Student Senate determine the Annual MSU Charity.

14. Act as a spokesperson for the Union on matters regarding the development of student entrepreneurship and volunteering.

15. Be responsible for all Union fundraising towards charitable purposes and goals, and shall arrange one major event for this purpose in each semester

16. For the time that the Union is a member organisation of the Union of Students in Ireland, the Vice President Student Life shall be a delegate to the National Council and Annual Congress of the Union of Students in Ireland.

10. Faculty Convenors

1. The Faculty Convenors shall be the primary means of communications between the students and student academic representatives in their faculty and the Executive. In particular the Faculty Convenors shall be responsible for raising awareness of issues specific to their respective faculties in all appropriate fora including the Student Senate and Executive meetings.

(a) They shall be responsible for the distribution of information and for the implementation of the campaigns of the Union within their faculties.

(b) Recognising the non-sabbatical nature of the Faculty Convenor positions, the sabbatical officers and the Union generally shall endeavour to provide support to the Faculty Convenors in the discharge of their roles.

2. They shall be responsible for the recruitment of Student Academic Representatives within their own faculty.

(a) They shall be responsible for organising the election of the Student Academic Representatives for the constituencies within their faculties.

3. Each Faculty Convenor shall arrange for a Faculty Assembly meetings to occur in their respective faculties normally six times per academic year, normally with three meetings per semester.

4. The Faculty Convenor shall be the Chairperson of their respective Faculty Assemblies.

(a) A deputy chairperson and Secretary shall be elected from the Faculty Assembly at the first meeting of the year.

5. They shall, where practicable, undergo training during the summer months as organised by the Union.

11. Postgraduate Representative

1. The Postgraduate Representative shall be responsible for dealing with issues relating to the education, welfare and student experience of postgraduate members of the Union.

2. They shall endeavour to attend all meetings of committees of which they are a member, and to coordinate and maximise student representation on other appropriate academic structures.

3. They shall assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality and Vice President Education with such duties of those officers as relate to postgraduate students.

4. They shall be responsible, along with the Vice President Education and relevant Faculty Convenor, for the recruitment of postgraduate Student Academic Representatives.

5. They shall convene a meeting of postgraduate Student Academic Representatives at least one per semester.

6. They shall, insofar as may be practical, endeavour to make themselves known to postgraduate members of the Union

7. They shall be responsible for informing and encouraging the career development of all members of the Union and shall:

(a) liaise with the University careers office on an ongoing basis;

(b) provide information on graduate employment opportunities and postgraduate studies; and

(c) encourage student engagement with relevant careers and education fairs. 8. They shall be liaise with the Executive on matters relating to postgraduate members of the Union.

9. They shall be responsible for ensuring effective communication between the Union and postgraduate members of the Union.

10. They shall aim to ensure that postgraduate members of the Union are aware of their responsibilities in relation to University procedures.

11. They shall run at least two events for postgraduate students each semester

12. They shall take a leading role in all national campaigns with a particular relevance to postgraduate members of the Union

13. Postgraduate Representative shall be ex officio members of the Governing Authority, Academic Council, and Postgraduate Feedback Council.

12. Doctoral Postgraduate Representative

1. The Doctoral Postgraduate Representative shall be responsible for dealing with issues relating to the education, welfare and student experience of doctoral postgraduate members of the Union.

2. They shall endeavour to attend all meetings of committees of which they are a member, and to coordinate and maximise student representation on other appropriate academic structures.

3. They shall assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality and Vice President Education with such duties of those officers as relate to doctoral postgraduate students.

4. They shall, insofar as may be practical, endeavour to make themselves known to doctoral postgraduate members of the Union

5. They shall be responsible for informing and encouraging the career development of all members of the Union and shall:

(a) liaise with the University careers office on an ongoing basis;

(b) provide information on graduate employment opportunities and postgraduate studies; and

(c) encourage student engagement with relevant careers and education fairs.

6. They shall be liaise with the Executive on matters relating to doctoral postgraduate members of the Union.

7. They shall be responsible for ensuring effective communication between the Union and doctoral postgraduate members of the Union.

8. They shall aim to ensure that doctoral postgraduate members of the Union are aware of their responsibilities in relation to University procedures.

9. They shall run at least one event for doctoral postgraduate students each semester

10. They shall take a leading role in all national campaigns with a particular relevance to doctoral postgraduate members of the Union

11. The Doctoral Postgraduate Representative shall be an ex officio member of the Academic Council and Postgraduate Feedback Council.

13. Oifigeach na Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer)

1. The Oifigeach na Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer) shall promote the use of the Irish language within the Union and to foster the development of a bi-lingual culture within the University.

2. Represent the interests of relevant Irish linguistic and cultural groups to the Executive and in the University at various University committees as appropriate, including Coiste na Gaeilge.

3. In conjunction with the Vice President Student Life and relevant student groups organise and co-ordinate cultural activities including, but not limited to, Seachtain na Gaeilge.

4. Be responsible for the promotion of the Irish language in the Union, through social and other activities, including but not limited to Seachtain na Gaeilge.

5. Be responsible for maintaining good relations with societies promoting the Irish language within the University.

6. Liaise with the University and residents of campus accommodation in Irish language schemes

7. Strive to have bi-lingual signage displayed across the campus.
 

1. There shall be Student Academic Representatives who shall act as the official representative of a class/module/programme/course. Student Academic Representatives will be responsible for giving regular feedback to their constituents.
2. Provision shall be made by the Electoral Commission (the Commission), on the advice of the Vice President Education, to determine class/module/programme/ course groups for the purpose of determining the number of Student Academic Representatives positions and establishing electoral constituencies to elect Student Academic Representatives at undergraduate and postgraduate or other levels within the University. The Electoral Commission (the Commission), on the advice of the Vice President Education, may provide for the amalgamation and the division of class/module/programme/course groups in circumstances where, in its opinion, such a course of action is required to achieve equitable representation, to ensure that sub-groups or streams of a class/module/programme/course are represented by a Student Academic representative.

3. Subject to this Constitution and the Student Senate, Student Academic Representatives shall have the following duties, roles, and responsibilities;

1. making themselves known to their constituents

2. liaising with lecturers, tutors & demonstrators on behalf of their constituents;

3. fostering a sense of community within their constituents;

4. attend meetings of their relevant Faculty Assembly, and Academic Assembly if applicable, or if unable to do so, forward apologies to the Secretary of the relevant Assembly.

5. attend meetings of committees of which they are members and use those committees to represent the best interests of students in accordance with Union policy and the views of their constituents.

6. Regularly inform their constituents of the deliberations of the relevant Faculty Assembly, and Academic Assembly if applicable, and act on behalf of their constituents at the relevant Faculty Assembly, and Academic Assembly if applicable

7. Attend Student Academic Representative training and other trainings provided to Student Academic Representatives.

8. Insofar as may be practical, make themselves known, as the elected Student Academic Representative and department liaison, to both their constituents and all relevant academics for the purposes of carrying out the duties of a Student Academic Representative.

9. To organise social activities for their constituents and work to create a positive social environment for their class

4. There shall be Faculty Assemblies to provide a forum for discussion on all issues of particular relevance to a particular faculty, including, but not limited to: academic programmes; all areas of teaching and learning; facilities; and all matters relating to the education, welfare and student experience of students in the relevant faculty.

1. Faculty Assemblies shall be created and stand dissolved inline with the creation and dissolution of faculties within the University’s structures.

2. The structure and membership of Faculty Assemblies shall consist of members of the Executive and Student Academic Representatives from their respective faculties and will be set out in Schedule 4, Schedule 7, Schedule 9, and Schedule 11 of this Constitution.

3. The meetings of Faculty Assemblies shall be open to the elected Student Academic Representative to that faculty; however, no person other than an members of the Student Senate, members of the Executive, or other persons so invited, may address or be heard at a Faculty Assembly Meeting.

4. Each Faculty Assembly, as set out in Schedule 4, shall, at their first meeting, elect their representatives to be members of the Student Senate. Faculty Assembly members elected to Student Senate must attend the Faculty Assembly meetings from which they were elected and meetings of the Student Senate.

5. Subject to this Constitution and the Student Senate, Faculty Assemblies shall determine its own procedures and shall be bound by their Standing Orders contained in Schedule 8, Schedule 10, and Schedule 12 of this Constitution.

5. There shall be Academic Assembly to provide a forum to discuss issues related to academic affairs, teaching and learning, and quality assurance, as well as areas that influence student learning, as they affect all students across the University so as to be in a position to advise the Vice President Education and the Union where necessary.

1. Membership of Academic Assemblies shall consist of members of the Executive and all Student Academic Representatives and will be set out in Schedule 4 of this Constitution.

2. The Academic Assembly shall convene as and when required.

(a) Meetings of the Academic Assembly may be convened on the receipt of a written request from any of the following, namely: the VP Education, all faculty convenors, or one-third of the membership of Academic Assembly.

(b) At least seventy-two hours notice shall be given for a meeting of the Academic Assembly.

6. The Academic Assembly shall have the following standing committees, namely:

1. Student Academic Representation Review Committee

2. Student Engagement & Feedback Committee

7. The Academic Assembly shall have as many other committees as it deems necessary, set out in Schedule 6, to assist the conduct of its business.

8. Subject to this Constitution and Student Senate, Academic Assembly shall determine its own procedures and shall be bound by their Standing Orders contained in Schedule 5 of this Constitution.
 

1. There shall be a Welfare & Equality Forum to provide a forum of discussion on welfare, equality, and campaign related issues.
1. Membership of Welfare & Equality Forum shall consist of the the VP Welfare & Equality (chair) and be open to all ordinary members of the Union.

2. The Welfare & Equality Forum shall meet as and when required.

3. Quorum shall consist of one third of the Welfare & Equality Forum membership

4. The VP Welfare & Equality shall appoint a Secretary to Welfare & Equality Forum, and it's working groups, to provide such technical and administrative supports as the Welfare & Equality Forum may determine.

5. Attendance at meetings of the Welfare & Equality Forum shall be open to all current members of the Union.

6. The Welfare & Equality Forum shall have the following working groups, namely:

(a) Welfare Working Group

(b) Equality Working Group

(c) Campaigns Working Group

7. The Welfare & Equality Forum working groups shall normally meet six times per academic year, normally with three meetings per semester.

2. Subject to this Constitution and Student Senate, Welfare & Equality Forum, and it's working groups, shall determine its own procedures and shall be bound by their Standing Orders contained in Schedule 14 of this Constitution.
 

1. There shall be a Clubs Council to provide a forum to discuss, and offer opinion on, issues relating to the University’s Clubs. The Clubs Council shall advise the Union on club matters and advises and informs clubs’ policy
1. Membership of the Clubs Council shall consist of the VP Student Life (chair) and the President (or nominee) of every recognised Club.

2. Members may only represent one Club at Clubs Council.

3. Clubs Council shall normally meet six times per academic year, normally with three meetings per semester.

4. Additional (Special) meetings of Clubs Council shall be called by the VP Student Life on the receipt of a written request from the VP Student Life or one-third of Clubs Council members.

5. Quorum shall consist of one third of the Clubs Council membership

6. The VP Student Life shall appoint a Secretary to Clubs Council to provide such technical and administrative supports as Clubs Council may determine.

7. The Clubs Council shall have working groups, as set out in Schedule 18, to assist the conduct of its business.

(a) Club membership to working groups may be revised at or before the second meeting of the Student Senate each session.

8. Attendance at meetings of the Clubs Council shall be open to all current members of the Union. Individuals other than members (President, or nominee, of every recognised Club) of the Clubs Council may be permitted to speak at any meeting with the agreement of the majority of the members of the Clubs Council

9. Subject to this Constitution and Student Senate, the Clubs Council shall determine its own procedures and shall be bound by their Standing Orders contained in Schedule 17 of the Constitution.

2. There shall be a Societies Council to provide a forum to discuss, and offer opinion on, issues relating to the University’s Societies. The Societies Council shall advise the Union on Societies matters and advises and informs Societies’ policy

1. Membership of the Societies Council shall consist of the VP Student Life (chair) and the President (or nominee) of every recognised Society.

2. Members may only represent one Society at Societies Council.

3. Societies Council shall normally meet six times per academic year, normally with three meetings per semester.

4. Additional (Special) meetings of Societies Council shall be called by the VP Student Life on the receipt of a written request from the VP Student Life or one third of Societies Council members.

5. Quorum shall consist of one third of the Societies Council membership

6. The VP Student Life shall appoint a Secretary to Societies Council to provide such technical and administrative supports as Societies Council may determine.

7. The Societies Council shall have working groups, as set out in Schedule 21, to assist the conduct of its business.

(a) Society membership to working groups may be revised at or before the second meeting of the Student Senate each session.

8. Attendance at meetings of the Societies Council shall be open to all current members of the Union. Individuals other than members (President, or nominee, of every Society Club) of the Societies Council may be permitted to speak at any meeting with the agreement of the majority of the members of the Societies Council

9. Subject to this Constitution and Student Senate, the Societies Council shall determine its own procedures and shall be bound by their Standing Orders contained in Schedule 20 of this Constitution.
 

1. There shall be an Electoral Commission and Returning Officer Team which shall manage and implement all Union elections and referendums.
2. The Electoral Commission shall regulate the conduct of elections by producing electoral regulations, which shall form an Electoral Regulation Manual, which shall be presented to the Student Senate for noting on an annual basis

1. Membership of the Electoral Commission shall be comprised of not less than five and not more than nine members.

2. The Electoral Commission shall meet as often as it considers appropriate but at least once per semester.

3. Attendance by non members of the Electoral Commission to meetings of the Electoral Commission shall be by invitation of the Electoral Commission only

4. A Secretary shall be appointed by the President to provide such technical and administrative supports to the Electoral Commission as it may determine.

5. The Electoral Commission shall put in place regulations governing the conduct of candidates and campaigners in respect of elections and referendums, which shall include regulations requiring candidates or campaigners not to breach University regulations or the law.

(a) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Electoral Commission having consulted the President, may make such regulations as they deem appropriate to control expenditure in elections & referendums.

(b) In a referendum or election in respect of which there is a spending limit, all electoralspending shall be administered through the Returning Officers. The content of electoral materials shall be at the discretion of individual candidates, so long as such content is not deemed by the Returning Officers to be in breach of the relevant election or referendum rules or unlawful.

(c) Any breach of regulations made under this Article may be acted upon by the Returning Officers in such manner as they see fit. In cases where the Returning Officers determine that there has been a material breach of electoral conduct they may impose such penalties as they see fit, such penalties to include the elimination of a candidate from the election in question.

6. The Electoral Commission may, having considered any recommendation made by the Executive, direct that a specified amount of each candidate’s election expenses be refunded by the Union. To qualify for such a refund, an unsuccessful candidate must have secured a certain minimum percentage, set by the Electoral Commission, of the total valid poll in the count in which they were eliminated. The minimum percentage in question set by the Electoral Commission may be variable to reflect the number of candidates in each election.

3. There shall be a Returning Officer Team which shall execute and implement the regulations of the Electoral Commission in conducting and supervising the process of all Union elections and referendums.

1. The Chief Returning Officer and the Deputy Returning Officer shall be appointed by the Election Ratification & Appeals Committee.

2. The Chief Returning Officer shall

(a) Hold no officership or staff position in any of the Union; Maynooth University; or Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth; and all their associated campuses, enterprises, and companies; and shall not be a member of the Union’s Board of Trustees

(b) Be appointed for a three-year term. There shall be no limit to the number of terms for which an individual may be appointed as Chief Returning Officer.

3. The Deputy Returning Officer shall

(a) Jointly with the Chief Returning Officer supervise all elections and referendums, and who shall be primarily responsible for the administration of said elections and referendums. In the event of a disagreement, the Chief Returning Officer’s decision shall be taken.

(b) Be appointed for a one-year term. There shall be no limit to the number of terms for which an individual may be appointed as Chief Returning Officer.

4. The Chief Returning Officer and the Deputy Returning Officer, to be known jointly as “the Returning Officers”, shall appoint such Presiding Officers, polling clerks and other personnel as they consider necessary and shall make all arrangements as they consider necessary in the discharge of their duties subject to the provisions of this Constitution and, in as far as they consider to be reasonably practicable, in accordance with the Electoral Acts as amended.

(a) The joint powers of the Returning Officers may be exercised by either of them acting alone, subject to the right of the Chief Returning Officer to overturn or countermand any decision or action of the Deputy Returning Officer. Any power reserved exclusively to the Chief Returning Officer may only be exercised by the Chief Returning Officer.

4. Election procedures, as established by the Electoral Commission, shall be decided in the first instance by the Returning Officers subject to any appeal to the Election Ratification & Appeals Committee of the Board of Trustees, while the following provisions, and the provisions of Schedule 23 and Schedule 24 of this Constitution, shall be mandatory:

1. The members of the Executive and Student Senate shall be elected annually at elections held within 50 days of the commencement of the second semester.

(a) With the exception of the First Year Senator who shall be elected annually at elections held within 30 days of the commencement of the first semester.

2. Student Academic Representative elections shall take place before the first meeting of the Student Academic Assembly.

3. Notice of elections shall be given at least 20 days prior to the opening of polls.

4. Nominations shall be open for the first 10 of these days, during which time no canvassing shall take place.

5. Each member of the Union who seeks nominates a candidate for election shall sign the relevant nomination form published by the Returning Officers and provide their name and student number, and such other information as the Returning Officers shall direct.

(a) The powers of the Returning Officers shall include the power to reject any nomination or referendum petition which does not fulfil any requirement of this Constitution.

6. Nominations shall close at 12 noon on the tenth day of notice.

(a) Nominations shall be put in the hands of the Returning Officer or their designated agent.

7. In all elections to the Executive and the Student Senate where there are one or more nominations, ballot papers shall include as an option the statement “Reopen Nominations”. For the purpose of counting votes, the “Re-open Nominations” option shall be treated as a candidate. If the “Re-open Nominations” candidate is elected, the Returning Officers shall declare the position unfilled and hold a by-election and the procedures set out in Article 14.4.9 and Article 14.4.10 of this Constitution shall be followed.

8. A full list of nominations received shall be published and displayed publicly by 5pm on the day following the close of nominations.

9. Where an Executive or Student Senate position being elected in the semester two elections remains unfilled, it shall be filled by the holding of a by-election before the end of the first semester of the following academic year.

10. Where a semester one position is unfilled, it shall be filled by the holding of a byelection held before the end of semester one.

11. In the event that a member of the Executive vacates or is removed from their

position before the end of the first semester, a by-election shall be held to fill that position, and the Executive shall put in place such measures as it sees fit in the interim.

12. In the event that a member of the Executive vacates or is removed from their position after the end of the first semester, the Executive shall put in place such measures as it sees fit for the remainder of the relevant term of office.

13. All hustings or public debates organised by the Union with or between candidates or interested parties in an election or referendum taken by the Union shall be convened and chaired by the Deputy Returning Officer or their nominee.

14. Polling shall take place at such times and at such locations as the Returning Officers shall determine, having consulted with the President.

15. Instructions to voters, as decided by the Returning Officers, subject to any appeal to the Elections & Appeals Committee, shall be displayed clearly at all polling stations at every election.

16. Within 24 hours of the close of polling in an election or referendum the Returning Officers shall supervise the counting of votes.

17. The Returning Officers shall publish and display publicly the results of the election by 5pm on the day following the count.

18. The Returning Officer shall without delay submit the declaration of results to the Elections & Appeals Committee which shall meet within five days of receiving the declaration of the results to discuss any matters arising from the conduct of the election.

19. Any person who has a reason to believe that there was any irregularity of any kind regarding the conduct of an election shall have the right to put in the hands of the Returning Officers, or their designated agent, a written letter of complaint which shall contain all the details relevant to the complaint and the contact information of one person willing to speak in support of the complaint.

(a) This complaint shall be lodged within a three day period from the declaration of the results of the election.

(b) On receipt of a complaint the Returning Officers shall present it to the Chairperson of the Election Ratification & Appeals Committee, who shall add the complaint to the agenda of the meeting of the committee described at Article 14.4.18 above.

(c) The Election Ratification & Appeals Committee shall have the right to summon the person detailed in the complaint and any other person to assist in their ruling.

(d) The ruling of the Election Ratification & Appeals Committee may be further appealed to the Board of Trustees, whose decision shall be final.

20. Nothing in this Constitution shall prevent the possibility of online or electronic voting.Where the Returning Officers propose to use online or electronic voting in an election or referendum, they may only do so with the consent of both the Electoral Commission, acting by a two-thirds majority. The Election Ratification & Appeals Committee may overturn a decision to use online or electronic voting at least two weeks prior to the primary polling date of the relevant election or referendum if the Election Ratification & Appeals Committee has a significant concern in relation to the security, integrity or accuracy of the proposed online or electronic voting.

21. All elections shall be by means of proportional representation with a single transferable vote with the exception of Student Academic Representative and elections, which shall operate in a manner as decided by the Electoral Commission.

22. Candidates for elections to the Executive, shall be required upon acceptance of nomination to agree to be bound by such Terms and Conditions of Officership as shall be set from time- to-time by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the advice of the legal advisor to the Union. The Terms and Conditions of Officership shall be provided prior to the elections and shall be discarded in respect of unsuccessful candidates.

(a) The Terms and Conditions of Officership of the four sabbatical full-time paid officerships shall include provisions relating to general conduct of the officer to be enforced by the Board of Trustees including, but not limited to, stipend rates, office hours, non-compliance and discipline, loss of stipend for noncompliance etcetera.

23. The Returning Officers shall report to the Student Senate. These reports shall be in the form of Aide Memoirs
 

1. The term of office for members of the Union who hold a position in the Union shall be as follows:
1. As members of the Executive

(a) All member of the Executive will be elected to a term of one year from 1st July to 30th June of the following year.

2. As members of Student Senate

(a) All members of the Student Senate directly elected to the Student Senate will be elected to a term of one year from 1st July to 30th June. i. All members of the Student Senate directly elected to the Student Senate elected in a by-election will be elected to a term of one year from the date of their election to 30th June of the following year.

(b) All other members of the Student Senate will be elected to a term of one year from the date of their election to the Student Senate to 30th June of the following year.

3. As Student Academic Representatives

(a) All Student Academic Representatives will be elected to a term of one year from the date of their election in the first semester to 30th June of the following year.

4. As members of Committees / Working Groups

(a) Membership of committees and working groups shall be co-terminous with their relative term of office on the Executive, Students Senate, or as a Student Academic Representatives.

5. As members of the Electoral Commission

(a) The Chief Returning Officer will serve a term of three years that will cease on 30th June three years from the date of their appointment

(b) The Deputy Returning Officer will serve a term of one year from the date of their election to 30th June of the following year.

(c) The remaining member of the Electoral Commission shall serve a term of one year from the date of their election to 30th June of the following year.
 

1. The resignation or removal from position of any member of the Union who holds a position in the Union shall be as follows:
1. As members of the Executive

(a) The resignation of any Vice President or Part Time Officer of the Executive shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the President. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(b) The resignation of the President shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the Chief Returning Officer. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(c) Article 7.5 of this Constitution provides that other than death, resignation, or permanent incapacity, an Impeachment Referendum shall be the only means for the vacation of the office of any member of the Executive.

2. As members of the Student Senate

(a) The resignation of any member of Student Senate, other than members of the Executive Panel, from their position on the Student Senate, shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the Speaker of the Student Senate. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(b) Any member of the Student Senate, other than members of the Executive Panel, may be removed from office by the passing of a Motion to Remove approved by a two thirds majority of the membership of the Student Senate present at the meeting at which the motion was tabled. i. A motion to Remove any member of the Student Senate must consist of the reasons for proposing to remove the member of the Student Senate. 3. As members of the Student Academic Assembly

(a) The resignation of any Student Academic Representative as a member of the Student Academic Assembly shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the Vice President Education. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(b) Any member of the Student Academic Assembly may be removed from office by the passing of a Motion to Remove approved by a two thirds majority of the membership of the Student Senate present at the meeting at which the motion was tabled. i. A motion to Remove any member of a Student Academic Assembly must consist of the reasons for proposing to remove the member of the Student Academic Assembly

4. As Student Academic Representatives

(a) The resignation of any Student Academic Representative shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the relevant faculty convenor. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(b) Any Student Academic Representative may be removed from office by the passing of a Motion to Remove approved by a two thirds majority of the membership of the Student Senate present at the meeting at which the motion was tabled. i. A petition of one third of the members of the constituency must be submitted to the Faculty Assembly giving the reasons for seeking impeachment. ii. A motion to Remove any Student Academic Representative must consist of the reasons for proposing to remove the Student Academic Representative.

5. As members of Committees / Working Groups

(a) The resignation of any member of a Committee or Working Group shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the relevant Committee or Working Group chairperson. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(b) Any member of a Committee or Working Group may be removed from office by the passing of a Motion to Remove approved by a two thirds majority of the membership of the Student Senate present at the meeting at which the motion was tabled. i. A motion to Remove any member of a Committee or Working Group must consist of the reasons for proposing to remove the member of a Committee or Working Group.

(c) A member of an ad hoc body or subcommittee of the Student Senate, or other Union forum may be removed by a two thirds majority of those present at any meeting of that body.

6. As members of the Electoral Commission

(a) The resignation of any member Electoral Commission as a member of the Electoral Commission shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the Speaker of the Student Senate, who shall in turn notify the Board of Trustees. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(b) Any member of the Electoral Commission, with the exception of the Chief Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer, may be removed from office by the passing of a Motion to Remove approved by a two thirds majority of the membership of the Student Senate present at the meeting at which the motion was tabled. i. A motion to Remove any member of the Electoral Commission must consist of the reasons for proposing to remove the member of the Electoral Commission. ii. The Chief Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer may only be removed from office by the Board of Trustees

7. As members of the Board of Trustees

(a) The resignation of any member of the Board of Trustees shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(b) The resignation of the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall take effect upon notification of same in writing to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. The notification of resignation must be in writing and acceptance of the resignation shall not be required.

(c) Any member of the Board of Trustees may be removed from office by the passing of a Motion to Remove approved by a two thirds majority of the membership of the Student Senate and two thirds majority of the membership of the Executive present at the respective meetings at which the motion was tabled. i. A Motion to Remove any member of the Board of Trustees must consist of the reasons for proposing to remove the member of the Board of Trustees.
 

1. There shall be a Board of Trustees to defend the long-term interests of the Union and oversight and responsibility in relation to the Union’s financial, commercial, budgetary and corporate governance matters and shall oversee the following aspects of the Union’s:
1. finances, financial management and financial planning;

2. commercial activities and commercial development;

3. expenditure and financial controls;

4. corporate governance;

5. implementing a conflict of interest policy which shall be binding on all officers of the Union;

6. policies, procedures and costs in relation to expense payments to Union officers and staff and all comparable expenditure; and

7. employment and management of staff.

2. The Board of Trustees shall:

1. Before final approval by the Board of Trustees, review, comment upon, and amend the Union’s annual budget, in consultation with the President and the finance function of the Union

2. Present the Union’s approved annual budget to the Executive and the Student Senate annually;

3. Monitor compliance with the Union’s annual budget on a regular basis

4. Make appropriate proposals to the President to rectify any negative deviation from the budget

5. Ensure that annual accounts are prepared and audited and appoint the Union’s auditors

6. Present the audited annual accounts to the Executive and the Student Senate annually

7. Assist the President in developing the Union’s strategic plan

8. Approve the Union’s strategic plan

9. Safeguard the Unions’ assets

10. Determine annually, at least six weeks before the election of the Sabbatical Officers for the following academic year, the Terms & Conditions of Officership for the Sabbatical Officers for the following academic year

3. All property, assets, liabilities and investments of the Union shall be held in trust for the members of the Union by the Board of Trustees. At no stage will the trustees be personally at risk for claims against the Union or the liabilities of the Union. The Union and its members shall indemnify and hold harmless the trustees from all claims, cost, risk and expense arising from their position as trustees.

4. The Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible to the Students’ Union in respect of all matters that come under its control.

1. The Board of Trustees shall not become involved in Union policy that does not concern the general operations, finances, and/or commercial services of the Union, and in the event of a conflict, the decision of Student Senate shall be final.

5. Membership of the Board of Trustees shall consist of the following:

1. President

2. most immediate past President of the Union

3. not less than five other external members who have demonstrated considerable commercial and administrative skills

6. The members of the Board of Trustees, other than the President may not be current ordinary members of the Union.

7. Quorum for meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be the presence (including incorporeal presence) of four members of the Board of Trustees, one of which must be the President.

8. The Board of Trustees shall select a chairperson of the Board of Trustees from among the external members of the Board of Trustees.

9. The Board of Trustees shall select a Secretary of the Board of Trustees from among the staff compliment of the Union.

10. The Board of Trustees shall meet as often as it considers appropriate but at least once per quarter and not less than six times per financial year.

11. The Board of Trustees shall be entitled to invite any officer and employee of the Union, or a third party, to attend a specified meeting of the Board of Trustees or a part thereof.

1. All members of staff employed at senior management level and higher shall report to the Board of Trustees on matters that fall within their remit to each meeting of the Board of Trustees, unless excused from doing so by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

12. The members of the Board of Trustees (other than the President) shall be appointed by the Executive, but only the President shall be entitled to nominate an individual for appointment to the Board of Trustees.

13. The Board of Trustees is empowered to create a company limited by guarantee to supervise the commercial activities of the Union, and to create its Board of Directors, subject to the following preconditions.

1. Any company created by the board shall remain entirely owned by the Union, and will be responsible to the Union in respect of all matters which come under the control of the company.

2. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Constitution, any company formed by the Board of Trustees shall be formed and operated in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Acts.

14. The Union shall maintain a governance manual including procurement procedures and internal financial procedures which shall be put in place by the Board of Trustees and reviewed by the Board of Trustees at least once each academic year.

15. In carrying out its functions the then President and the then Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall be delegated and empowered to sign and execute any documentation on behalf of the entire Board of Trustees and/or the Union and they shall be the persons entitled to bind the Board of Trustees and/or the Union in any agreement. While the then President and the then Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall not hold this power unilaterally but instead within the context of the internal approval structures of the Union, any third party without knowledge of any failures of internal approval shall be entitled to rely on the presumption that when acting under this power, the then President and the then Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, are entitled so to do.

16. Any officer or employee of the Union and any member of the Board of Trustees who has a conflict of interest in relation to any deliberation, decision or other process relating to a financial or commercial matter shall absent themselves from the deliberation, decision or process in question and notify the Board of Trustees of the conflict of interest.

17. Board of Trustees shall have the following standing committees:

1. Election Ratification & Appeals Committee

2. Disciplinary Committee

3. Audit & Risk Committee

4. Finance, Human Resources, & Capital Development Committee

18. The Finance, Human Resources, and Capital Development Committee of the Board of Trustees shall have the following standing Sub-Committees:

1. Commercial Activities Sub-Committee

2. Services & Facilities Sub-Committee

19. Subject to this Constitution, the committees and sub-committees of the Board of Trustees shall determine its own procedures and shall be bound by their Standing Orders contained in Schedule 22 of the Constitution.
 

1. Policy of the Union shall fall under the following headings, namely:
1. Mandates

2. Recommendations

3. Regulations

2. Mandates

1. Mandates can be issued at Student Senate level and higher in the government of the union hierarchy

2. A mandate is a binding decision on the Union and only on those areas within the scope of the originating organ’s duties

3. Recommendation

1. Recommendations can be issued at Student Senate level and lower in the government of the Union hierarchy

2. A recommendation is a non binding decision that must be within the scope of the originating organ’s duties

4. Regulations

1. Regulations can be issued at all levels in the government of the Union hierarchy

2. A regulation is a binding requirement on all members of the originating organ only and only relates and regulates the duties and affairs within the scope of the originating organ

5. Policy shall not supersede any provision of this constitution.
 

1. The Union affirms its support to the ideal of co-operation among organisations whose aims and objectives are in broad agreement with the Union’s, in matters relating to higher education, training and the advancement of knowledge.
2. The power of the Union in connection with its external relations shall, in accordance with this Constitution, be exercised by or on the authority of the Executive.

3. A referendum on the Union’s affiliation, as a member organisation, of the Union of Students in Ireland must take place every third academic year.

4. Notwithstanding Article 8.2 of this Constitution, all Union delegates to the Annual Congress of the Union of Students in Ireland shall be selected to attend by the Executive, and noted by Student Senate, save where otherwise prescribed by Article 10.6.19, Article 10.7.8, Article 10.8.12, and Article 10.9.14. of this Constitution. The Executive, shall regulate the terms and conditions pertaining to all Union delegates attending.
 

1. This Constitution shall surpass all previous constitutions and all previous constitutions are hereby revoked.
2. The first interpreter of the Constitution shall be the President of the Union.

3. Any interpretation made by the President may be appealed to the Board of Trustees.

4. The Board of Trustees shall be the final tribunal of appeal within the Union and the final interpreter of the Constitution.

5. The Articles of the Constitution may only be amended by a Constitutional Referendum called in accordance with this Constitution.

1. Any changes to the Articles of this Constitution shall require a simple majority in a quorate Constitutional Referendum and shall come into effect at 1am on the morning following the day upon which the result of the relevant Constitutional Referendum is declared, or such other time as specified in the relevant referendum.

6. Any changes to the Schedules of this Constitution may be at a validly called and quorate meeting of the Student Senate.

1. Any changes to the Schedules of this Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority in a quorate meeting of the Student Senate and shall come into effect at 1am on the morning following the day upon which the result of motion is declared, or such other time as specified in the relevant motion.

7. On amendment of this Constitution, the Returning Officers shall make such alterations as are necessary and shall cause to be prepared a full version of this Constitution containing all amendments.

8. Such alterations shall be confirmed at a meeting of the Election Ratification & Appeals Committee, to take place as soon as practicable after the passing of the limitation periods for appeals against the result of the Referendum. The Election Ratification & Appeals Committee shall certify the amended version of this Constitution.

9. A certified Constitution shall be kept by the President as the Official Constitution of the Union

10. Where a conflict occurs between a Schedule and an Article of the Constitution, the Articles of the Constitution shall take precedence.
 

1. Membership of the Student Senate shall consist of the following:
1. Executive Members

(a) President, ex officio
(b) Vice President Education, ex officio
(c) Vice President Welfare and Equality, ex officio
(d) Vice President Student Life, ex officio
(e) Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy Faculty Convenor, ex officio
(f) Social Sciences Faculty Convenor, ex officio
(g) Science and Engineering Faculty Convenor, ex officio
(h) Oifigeach na Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer), ex officio
(i) Postgraduate Representative, ex officio
(j) Doctoral Postgraduate Representative, ex officio
2. Faculty Council Members

(a) Three Academic Representatives from the Arts, Celtic Studies & Philosophy Faculty Assembly
(b) Three Academic Representatives from the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly
(c) Three Academic Representatives from the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly

3. Postgraduate Academic Representatives

(a) Three Postgraduate Academic Representatives elected from the Postgraduate Academic Representatives

4. Clubs Council & Societies Council Panel

(a) Two Presidents of a Clubs
(b) Two Presidents of a Societies
5. Interest Group Members

(a) Accommodation Senator
(b) Campus Life Senator
(c) Charity Senator
(d) Community Senator
(e) Commuter Senator
(f) DARE Senator
(g) Ethnic Diversity Senator
(h) First Year Senator
(i) Gender Equality Senator
(j) Green Campus Senator
(k) HEAR Senator
(l) LGBT+ Senator
(m) Mature Student Senator
(n) Mental Health Senator
(o) Part-Time Course Senator
(p) St Patrick’s College Senator
(q) Study Abroad & Erasmus + Senator

6. Independent Members

(a) Four Independent Senators

2. Additional duties, roles, and responsibilities of members of the Student Senate

1. Accommodation Senator

(a) The Accommodation Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality and the Vice President Student Life:

i. Representing and addressing the rights and issues faced by students renting on campus and off campus accommodation
ii. Liaising with the University Accommodation / Residences Office to support members of the Union in their engagement in the Union and University, organising events for such students
iii. Encouraging the involvement of students living off campus accommodation in all aspects of Union activity
iv. Advertising the services of the Union to their constituents
v. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events

2. Campus Life Senator

(a) The Campus Life Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Student Life:

i. Ensuring the Unions involvement in the management and running of relevant campus-wide events relating to student life
ii. Liaising with the Executive on matters relating to the advertisement and promotion of Union activities and entertainments
iii. Promoting of all Union activities and entertainments
iv. Encouraging the involvement of students in all aspects of Union activity
v. Advertising the services of the Union to their constituents
vi. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
3. Charity Senator

(a) The Charity Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Student Life:

i. Encouraging members of the Union to engaging in charity activities and initiatives organised by the Union and the University
ii. Maintaining good relations with societies promoting charitable work
iii. Promoting all Union actives relating to charity fundraising
iv. Advertising the charitable services of the Union to constituents
v. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events

4. Community Senator

(a) The Community Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Student Life:

i. Encouraging members of the Union to engaging in community activities and initiatives organised by the Union and the University
ii. Maintaining good relations with organisation and societies promoting community spirit and values
iii. Advertising the services of the Union to constituents
iv. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
5. Commuter Senator

(a) The Commuter Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality and the Vice President Student Life:

i. Representing and addressing the needs of commuting students in relation to education, welfare and student experience
ii. Encouraging the involvement of commuting students in all aspects of Union activity
iii. Advertising the services of the Union to commuting students
iv. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
6. DARE Senator

(a) The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) Senator shall work with the Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Matters pertaining to students with disabilities
ii. Promoting the integration of students with disabilities into all aspects of the University environment
iii. Ensuring that all Union events are wheelchair accessible, as far as is practicable
iv. Maintaining good relations with societies promoting disability rights within the University
v. Assisting in the organisation of publicity events to promote disability rights and awareness
vi. Maintaining a good working relationship with the University with regard to access programmes for students with disabilities
vii. Advertising the services of the Union to constituents
viii. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
7. Ethnic Diversity Senator

(a) The Ethnic Diversity Senator shall work with the Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Raising awareness of the diversity of all students in the Union and University. This diversity includes, inter alia: race, ethnicity, culture and religion
ii. Increasing the participation of cultural and ethnic minorities in the Union and university life
iii. Advertising the services of the Union to constituents
iv. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
8. First Year Senator

(a) The Fist Year Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Student Life:

i. Representing and addressing the needs of first year students in relation to education, welfare and student experience
ii. Encouraging the involvement of first year students in all aspects of Union activity
iii. Advertising the services of the Union to their constituents
iv. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
9. Gender Equality Senator

(a) The Gender Equality Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Campaigning and lobbying on gender equality issues
ii. Organising events pertaining to gender equality rights issues
iii. Encouraging the equal involvement of students of all genders and none in all aspects of Union activity, in particular at the Student Senate and the Executive
iv. Lobbying for equality of opportunity and gender equality within the University environment
v. Advertising the services of the Union to constituents
vi. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
10. Environmental Sustainability Senator

(a) The Environmental Sustainability Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Student Life:

i. Promoting environmental awareness and issues within the Union and the University
ii. Working with the Union and University to promote engagement in campus environmental projects.
iii. Promoting recycling on campus and ensure such facilities are maintained
iv. Engaging with counterparts in other students’ unions and organisations to campaign on a national level for environmental action
v. Advertising the services of the Union to constituents
vi. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
11. HEAR Senator

(a) The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Education and Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Representing and addressing the needs of HEAR students in relation to education, welfare and student experience
ii. Advertising the services of the Union to constituents
iii. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events

12. LGBT+ Senator

(a) The LGBT+ Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. On any matter pertaining to LGBT+ rights and issues
ii. Maintaining good relations with the LGBT+ community within the University
iii. Organising campaigns in relation to LGBT+ rights and issues
iv. Promoting and defending the rights of LGBT+ members of the Union
v. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events

13. Mature Student Senator

(a) The Mature Student Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Education and Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Representing and addressing the needs of mature students in relation to education, welfare and student experience
ii. Encouraging the involvement of mature students in all aspects of Union activity
iii. Advertising the services of the Union to mature students
iv. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
14. The Mental Health Senator

(a) The Mental Health Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Campaigning and lobbying in relation to mental health issues
ii. Promoting positive mental health awareness through event
iii. Promoting awareness of issues that may affect the mental health of members of the Union
iv. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
15. Part-Time Course Senator

(a) The Part-Time Course Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Education and Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Representing and addressing the needs of students engaging in part time study in relation to education, welfare and student experience
ii. Encouraging the involvement of students engaging in part time study in all aspects of Union activity
iii. Advertising the services of the Union to students engaging in part time study
iv. Collaborating with the University and any appropriate student societies to help induct and engage students engaging in part time study in all aspects of Union and University life
16. St Patrick’s College Senator

(a) The St Patrick’s College Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Education and Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Representing and addressing the needs of students of St Patrick’s College in relation to education, welfare and student experience
ii. Encouraging the involvement of students of St Patrick’s College in all aspects of Union activity
iii. Advertising the services of the Union to students of St Patrick’s College
iv. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
17. Study Abroad & Erasmus + Senator

(a) The Study Abroad & Erasmus + Senator shall be to assist the Vice President Education and Vice President Welfare & Equality:

i. Fostering links with all organisations representing international students within the University
ii. Liaising with the University International Office to support international members of the Union in their engagement in the Union and University, organising events for such students
iii. Ensuring that all International Students are made aware of the supports and services provided to them by the Union and the University
iv. Assisting in the organisation and publicity of events to promote cultural diversity within the University
v. Working with the University and the Student Residences Office to improve the sense of community and support for international students living on campus
vi. Liaising with relevant societies, including by collaborating on events
3. All of the members of the Student Senate are obliged to act in accordance with policies or mandates enacted by a policy referendum, the Student Senate, or the Executive, subject to this Constitution and the law.

1. Rules of Order of the Student Senate
1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR, 11ed) shall govern the Student Senate in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution and any special rules of order the Student Senate may adopt.

2. Special Rules of Order of the Student Senate

1. Members of the Executive shall not be entitled to vote on the approval of officer reports submitted to the Student Senate, or to the Student Senate through its Executive Oversight & Accountability Committee.
 

1. Article 8.23 provides for the following standing committees of the Student Senate, namely: Constitutional & Representative Review Committee; Executive Oversight & Accountability Committee; Search Committee; Selection Committee; and Rules & Procedures Committee.
1. The Constitutional & Representative Review Committee is established by the Constitution and the Student Senate to examine the Constitution so as to be in a position to advise the Student Senate of the need for any changes it deems necessary, and to review and develop the representative structures of the Union.

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. President
ii. Deputy President
iii. One past President or Vice President of the Union
iv. One past Speaker of the Student Senate
v. Two Part Time Officer members of the Executive
vi. Two members of the Student Senate (other than ex officio members) elected by the Student Senate
vii. Two members of the Student Academic Assembly elected by the Student Academic Assembly
viii. One member of the Clubs Council elected by the Clubs Council
ix. One member of the Societies Council elected by the Societies Council
(b) The President shall be the chairperson of the Committee but may delegate responsibility to another member of the Committee.
(c) The Committee shall meet at least twice per academic year, usually once per academic term, and then as often as required to carry out its function

2. The Executive Oversight & Accountability Committee is established by this Constitution and the Student Senate to have a major oversight and monitoring role in relation to the activities of the members of the Executive and in scrutinising the priorities and performance of members of the Executive in relation to their manifesto pledges, annual plan of work, and mandates.

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. Two members of the Student Senate who were directly elected to the Student Senate
ii. One member of the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly who is also a member of the Student Senate
iii. One member of the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly who is also a member of the Student Senate
iv. One member of the Sciences & Engineering Faculty Assembly who is also a member of the Student Senate
v. One member of the Clubs Council who is also a member of the Student Senate
vi. One member of the Societies Council who is also a member of the Student Senate
vii. One member of the Welfare & Equality who is also a member of the Student Senate
viii. One member of the Postgraduate Panel of the Student Senate
(b) The Speaker of MSU Student Senate shall be the chairperson of the Committee but may delegate responsibility to another member of the Committee.

(c) The Committee shall meet six times in regular session (academic year), normally with three meetings per session (semester), and then as often as required to carry out its function

3. The Search Committee is established by this Constitution and the Student Senate to to participate in the manner set out below in the procedure for an appointment to the post of Speaker of the Student Senate.

(a) The function of the Search Committee shall be to take such steps as will in its opinion best ensure participation in the selection process by high quality candidates for the post of Speaker of the Student Senate. It shall arrange for the post to be advertised in such form and in such publications as the Search Committee may consider to be appropriate. The Search Committee may retain on behalf of Maynooth Students’ Union any one or more providers of such professional services as it considers to be appropriate.

(b) The Search Committee shall carry out its function subject to any directions of the Student Senate from time to time provided that, unless and save to the extent that the Student Senate otherwise directs, the acts of the Search Committee shall not be subject to confirmation by the Student Senate.

(c) Membership of the Search Committee and Selection Committee shall be mutually exclusive. Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. One past Speaker of the Student Senate
ii. Two members of the Student Senate elected by the Student Senate
(d) The past Speaker of the Student Senate shall be the chairperson of the Committee but may delegate responsibility to another member of the Committee.

(e) The Committee shall meet at least once per academic year, and then as often as required to carry out its function

4. The Selection Committee is established by this Constitution and the Student Senate to participate in the manner set out below in the procedure for an appointment to the post of Speaker of the Student Senate.

(a) The function of the Selection Committee shall be to make a report in writing to the Student Senate proposing to the Student Senate the candidate (if any) for the post of Speaker of Student Senate that the Selection Committee considers to be the most suitable for such post or, if the Selection Committee is of the opinion that an offer of appointment should not be made to any candidate, stating such opinion. Before making any such proposal the Selection Committee shall obtain the consent of the candidate to his or her being proposed as a candidate for the post of Speaker of MSU Student Senate as aforesaid. For the purposes of carrying out its function the Selection Committee shall:

i. consider all applications received for the post of Speaker of the Student Senate;
ii. shall shortlist candidate(s) for interview; and
iii. carry out one or more interviews of the shortlisted candidate(s) if deemed necessary and may engage in such other selection procedures as it shall consider appropriate.

(b) The Selection Committee shall carry out its function subject to any directions of the MSU Student Senate from time to time provided that, unless and save to the extent that the MSU Student Senate otherwise directs, the acts of the Selection Committee shall not be subject to confirmation by the MSU Student Senate.

(c) The Chairperson of the Selection Committee shall have a casting vote in the event of an equality of votes on any issue before the Selection Committee.

(d) Membership of the Search Committee and Selection Committee shall be mutually exclusive. Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. Four members of the Student Senate elected by the Student Senate
ii. Secretary to MSU Student Senate
(e) The Secretary to Student Senate shall be the chairperson of the Committee but may delegate responsibility to another member of the Committee. The Chairperson shall act in an independent capacity.

(f) The Committee shall meet at least once per academic year, and then as often as required to carry out its function

5. The Rules & Procedures Committee is established by this Constitution and the Student Senate to consider matters of procedure generally and to recommend any additions or amendments to Standing Orders that may be deemed necessary and to oversee the procedure in Standing, Select and Special Committees (as the case may be), whether by request from the relevant Committee or otherwise, and to examine, where appropriate, the role of Committees as they evolve.

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. President
ii. Secretary to the Executive
iii. Speaker of the Student Senate
iv. Secretary to the Student Senate
v. Secretary to the Constitutional & Representative Review Committee
vi. Chairperson of the Student Academic Assembly
vii. Chairperson of the Clubs Council & Societies Council
viii. Two other members of the Student Senate elected by the Student Senate
(b) The Committee shall appoint from its number a Chairperson.

(c) The Committee shall meet as and when necessary.

2. Article 8.24 provides for the establishment of as many committees as it deems necessary to conduct its business.

1. The Student Senate establishes the following committees of the Student Senate, namely:

(a) Levy Projects Committee

(b) Commercial Activities Feedback Committee

(c) Facilities & Services Feedback Committee

(d) Entertainments Committee

2. The Levy Projects Committee is established by the Student Senate to monitor the progress and development of projects funded through the student levy.

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. President
ii. Two members of senior staff management of the Union nominated by the President
iii. Four members of the Student Senate elected by the Student Senate

(b) The President shall be the chairperson of the Committee but may delegate responsibility to another member of the Committee.

(c) The Committee shall meet on at least four occasions per academic year, normally two meetings per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function.

3. The Commercial Activities Feedback Committee is established by the Student Senate to advise and provide student feedback in relation to the Unions commercial activities.

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. President
ii. Two members of senior staff management of the Union nominated by the President
iii. Four members of the Student Senate elected by the Student Senate

(b) The President shall be the chairperson of the Committee but may delegate responsibility to another member of the Committee.

(c) The Committee shall meet on at least four occasions per academic year, normally two meetings per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function.

4. The Facilities & Services Feedback Committee is established by the Student Senate to advise and provide student feedback in relation to the Unions facilities and services.

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. President
ii. Two members of senior staff management of the Union nominated by the President
iii. Four members of the Student Senate elected by the Student Senate

(b) The President shall be the chairperson of the Committee but may delegate responsibility to another member of the Committee.

(c) The Committee shall meet on at least four occasions per academic year, normally two meetings per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function.

5. The Entertainments Committee is established by the Student Senate to plan, promote, and assist with and at all Union social and entertainment events.

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. President (Chairperson)
ii. Vice President Student Life
iii. Two members of the Student Senate, elected by the Student Senate
iv. Two members of the Student Academic Assembly, elected by the Academic Assembly
v. One member of the Clubs Council, elected by the Clubs Council
vi. One member of the Societies Council, elected by the Societies Council
(b) The Committee shall meet as often as necessary and a minimum of every three weeks during term time.

(c) The Committee shall report back to the Student Senate at least twice per year, normally once per semester.

3. The Committees of the Student Senate shall be bound by the following provisions:

1. Each Committee shall appoint from one of its number no later than at its second meeting a Deputy Chairperson. The Deputy Chairperson shall act if the Chairperson is temporarily incapacitated and shall not receive any renumeration.

2. A Secretary shall be appointed by each Committee to provide such technical and administrative supports as it may determine.

3. Each Committee shall appoint from one of its number no later than at its second meeting a Vice-Secretary. The Vice-Secretary shall act if the Secretary is temporarily incapacitated and shall not receive any renumeration.

4. Staff of the Union may, at the invitation of a Committee, attend for all or part of a meeting of the Committee. In additional external independent experts may be asked by a Committee to attend all or part of a Committee meeting

5. Any member of a Committee shall be deemed to have resigned if they fail to attend two consecutive meetings of the Committee, without submission of their apologies in advance of the meeting to the Secretary.

(a) The member in question may be reinstated on appeal by agreement of the Speaker of the Student Senate and the President, where such absence is caused by justifiable circumstances which have been explained to and accepted by the Speaker of the Student Senate and the President.

6. Except where otherwise explicitly stated, each Committee shall report back to the Student Senate after each meeting and at least once per semester.

7. Quorum for each committees shall be no less than 50% of those entitled to attend and vote

8. Decisions shall be made by consensus in the first instance, but where necessary may be made by a simple majority vote of a quorate meeting.
 

1. The Student Academic Assembly shall have the following Faculty Assemblies, namely:
(a) Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly

(b) Social Sciences Faculty Assembly

(c) Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly

2. Membership of the Student Academic Assembly shall consist of the following:

1. Executive Members

(a) Vice President Education

(b) Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Convenor

(c) Social Sciences Faculty Convenor

(d) Science & Engineering Faculty Convenor

2. Faculty Assembly

(a) Membership of the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly

(b) Membership of the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly

(c) Membership of the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly
 

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. Article 11.6 provides for the following standing committees of the Student Academic Assembly, namely: Academic Representation Review Committee, Student Engagement & Feedback Committee.
1. The Academic Representation Review Committee is established by this Constitution and the Student Academic Assembly to review and advise the Vice President Education on the effectiveness and development needs of student academic representation in the Union and University

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. Vice President Education (Chairperson)
ii. Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Convenor
iii. Social Sciences Faculty Convenor
iv. Science & Engineering Faculty Convenor
v. Two members of the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly, elected by the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly,
vi. Two members of the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly, elected by the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly
vii. Two members of the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly, elected by the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly

(b) The Committee shall meet on at least four occasions per academic year, normally with two meetings per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function

2. The Student Engagement & Feedback Committee is established by this Constitution and the Student Academic Assembly to review the mechanisms for students to provide feedback on the quality of their teaching and learning as well as the teaching and learning environment within the University

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. Vice President Education (Chairperson)
ii. Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Convenor
iii. Social Sciences Faculty Convenor
iv. Science & Engineering Faculty Convenor
v. Two members of the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly, elected by the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly,
vi. Two members of the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly, elected by the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly
vii. Two members of the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly, elected by the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly

(b) The Committee shall meet on at least four occasions per academic year, normally with two meetings per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function

2. Article 11.7 provides for the establishment of as many committees as it deems necessary to conduct its business.

1. The Student Academic Assembly establishes the following committees of the Student Academic Assembly, namely:

(a) Student Charter Committee

2. The Student Charter Committee is established by the Student Academic Assembly to review and develop the Student Charter.

(a) Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

i. Vice President Education (Chairperson)
ii. Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Convenor
iii. Social Sciences Faculty Convenor
iv. Science & Engineering Faculty Convenor
v. Two members of the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly, elected by the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly,
vi. Two members of the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly, elected by the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly
vii. Two members of the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly, elected by the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly

(b) The Committee shall meet on at least four occasions per academic year, normally with two meetings per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function

3. The Committees of the Student Academic Assembly shall be bound by the following provisions:

1. Each Committee shall appoint from one of its number no later than at its second meeting a Deputy Chairperson. The Deputy Chairperson shall act if the Chairperson is temporarily incapacitated

2. A Secretary shall be appointed by each Committee to provide such technical and administrative supports as it may determine.

3. Each Committee shall appoint from one of its number no later than at its second meeting a Vice-Secretary. The Vice-Secretary shall act if the Secretary is temporarily incapacitated.

4. Staff of the Union may, at the invitation of a Committee, attend for all or part of a meeting of the Committee. In additional external independent experts may be asked by a Committee to attend all or part of a Committee meeting

5. Any member of a Committee shall be deemed to have resigned if they fail to attend two consecutive meetings of the Committee, without submission of their apologies in advance of the meeting to the Secretary.

6. Each Committee shall report back to the Student Academic Assembly at least twice per year, normally once per semester.

7. Quorum for each committees shall be no less than 50% of those entitled to attend and vote

8. Decisions shall be made by consensus in the first instance, but where necessary may be made by a simple majority vote of a quorate meeting.

9. With the exception of the Vice President Education; Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Convenor; Social Sciences Faculty Convenor; and Science & Engineering Faculty Convenor the membership of the Academic Representation Review Committee, Student Engagement & Feedback Committee, and Student Charter Committee shall be mutually exclusive.
 

1. Membership of the Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Assembly shall consist of the following:
1. Executive Members

(a) Arts, Celtic Studies, & Philosophy Faculty Convenor (Chair)

(b) Vice President Education

2. Student Academic Representatives

(a) 1st Year Undergraduate Ancient Classics

(b) 2nd Year Undergraduate Ancient Classics

(c) 3rd Year Undergraduate Ancient Classics

(d) 1st Year Undergraduate History (x4)

(e) 2nd Year Undergraduate History (x3)

(f) 3rd Year Undergraduate History (x3)

(g) 1st Year Undergraduate BA Music

(h) 2nd Year Undergraduate BA Music

(i) 3rd Year Undergraduate BA Music

(j) 1st Year Undergraduate BMus

(k) 2nd Year Undergraduate BMus

(l) 3rd Year Undergraduate BMus

(m) 1st Year Undergraduate BA Music Technology

(n) 2nd Year Undergraduate BA Music Technology

(o) 3rd Year Undergraduate 3rd Year Music Technology (BA)

(p) 1st Year Undergraduate Philosophy

(q) 2nd Year Undergraduate Philosophy

(r) 3rd Year Undergraduate Philosophy

(s) 1st Year Undergraduate Early Irish (Sean - Ghaeilge)

(t) 2nd Year Undergraduate Early Irish (Sean - Ghaeilge)

(u) 3rd Year Undergraduate Early Irish (Sean - Ghaeilge)

(v) 1st Year Undergraduate Nua - Ghaeilge (Modern Irish)

(w) 2nd Year Undergraduate Nua - Ghaeilge (Modern Irish)

(x) 3rd Year Undergraduate Nua - Ghaeilge (Modern Irish)

(y) 1st Year Undergraduate Chinese

(z) 2nd Year Undergraduate Chinese

(aa)3rd Year Undergraduate Chinese

(bb)1st Year Undergraduate French (x2)

(cc)2nd Year Undergraduate French (x2)

(dd)3rd Year Undergraduate French (x2)

(ee)1st Year Undergraduate German (Beginner)

(ff) 1st Year Undergraduate German (Non Beginner)

(gg)2nd Year Undergraduate German

(hh)3rd Year Undergraduate German

(ii) 1st Year Undergraduate Spanish (Beginners) (x4)

(jj) 1st Year Undergraduate Spanish (Non-Beginners) (x5)

(kk)2nd Year Undergraduate Spanish (x5)

(ll) 3rd Year Undergraduate Spanish (x4)

(mm)1st Year Undergraduate English (x3)

(nn)2nd Year Undergraduate English (x3)

(oo)3rd Year Undergraduate English (x3)

(pp)1st Year Undergraduate BA Media Studies

(qq)2nd Year Undergraduate BA Media Studies

(rr) 3rd Year Undergraduate BA Media Studies
 

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. Membership of the Social Sciences Faculty Assembly shall consist of the following:
1. Executive Members

(a) Social Sciences Faculty Convenor (Chair)

(b) Vice President Education

2. Student Academic Representatives

(a) 1st Year Undergraduate Adult and Community Education

(b) 2nd Year Undergraduate Adult and Community Education

(c) 3rd Year Undergraduate Adult and Community Education

(d) 1st Year Undergraduate Anthropology

(e) 2nd Year Undergraduate Anthropology

(f) 3rd Year Undergraduate Anthropology

(g) 1st Year Undergraduate Applied Social Studies (Community & Youth Work)

(h) 2nd Year Undergraduate Applied Social Studies (Community & Youth Work)

(i) 3rd Year Undergraduate Applied Social Studies (Community & Youth Work)

(j) 1st Year Undergraduate Applied Social Studies (Social Policy)

(k) 2nd Year Undergraduate Applied Social Studies (Social Policy)

(l) 3rd Year Undergraduate Applied Social Studies (Social Policy)

(m) 1st Year Undergraduate Design Innovation

(n) 2nd Year Undergraduate Design Innovation

(o) 3rd Year Undergraduate Design Innovation

(p) 4th Year Undergraduate Design Innovation

(q) 1st Year Undergraduate Accounting

(r) 2nd Year Undergraduate Accounting

(s) 3rd Year Undergraduate Accounting

(t) 4th Year Undergraduate Accounting

(u) 1st Year Undergraduate Economics

(v) 2nd Year Undergraduate Economics

(w) 3rd Year Undergraduate Economics

(x) 4th Year Undergraduate Economics

(y) 1st Year Undergraduate Finance

(z) 2nd Year Undergraduate Finance

(aa)3rd Year Undergraduate Finance

(bb)4th Year Undergraduate Finance

(cc)1st Year Undergraduate Education

(dd)2nd Year Undergraduate Education

(ee)3rd Year Undergraduate Education

(ff) 4th Year Undergraduate Education

(gg)1st Year Undergraduate Froebel (Department of Primary & Early Childhood Education)

(hh)2nd Year Undergraduate Froebel (Department of Primary & Early Childhood Education)

(ii) 3rd Year Undergraduate Froebel (Department of Primary & Early Childhood Education)

(jj) 4th Year Undergraduate Froebel (Department of Primary & Early Childhood Education)

(kk)1st Year Undergraduate Geography

(ll) 2nd Year Undergraduate Geography

(mm)3rd Year Undergraduate Geography

(nn)1st Year Undergraduate International Development

(oo)2nd Year Undergraduate International Development

(pp)3rd Year Undergraduate International Development

(qq)1st Year Undergraduate Law (LL.B.)

(rr) 2nd Year Undergraduate Law (LL.B.)

(ss)3rd Year Undergraduate Law (LL.B.)

(tt) 4th Year Undergraduate Law (LL.B.)

(uu)1st Year Undergraduate Law (BCL) - (Accounting / Arts / Business)

(vv)2nd Year Undergraduate Law (BCL) - (Accounting / Arts / Business)

(ww)3rd Year Undergraduate Law (BCL) - (Accounting / Arts / Business)

(xx)1st Year Undergraduate Law (Criminology/ Arts) - (BA / BCL)

(yy)2nd Year Undergraduate Law (Criminology/ Arts) - (BA / BCL)

(zz) 3rd Year Undergraduate Law (Criminology/ Arts) - (BA / BCL)

(aaa)1st Year Undergraduate International Business

(bbb)2nd Year Undergraduate International Business

(ccc)3rd Year Undergraduate International Business

(ddd)1st Year Undergraduate Business Arts

(eee)2nd Year Undergraduate Business Arts

(fff) 3rd Year Undergraduate Business Arts

(ggg)1st Year Undergraduate Business Management

(hhh)2nd Year Undergraduate Business Management

(iii) 3rd Year Undergraduate Business Management

(jjj) 1st Year Undergraduate Business Marketing

(kkk)2nd Year Undergraduate Business Marketing

(lll) 3rd Year Undergraduate Business Marketing

(mmm)1st Year Undergraduate Business Equine Business

(nnn)2nd Year Undergraduate Business Equine Business

(ooo)3rd Year Undergraduate Business Equine Business

(ppp)1st Year Undergraduate Business Double Denominated Entry Degrees

(qqq)2nd Year Undergraduate Business Double Denominated Entry Degrees

(rrr)3rd Year Undergraduate Business Double Denominated Entry Degree

(sss)1st Year Undergraduate Business Double Denominated Entry Degrees

(ttt) 2nd Year Undergraduate Business Double Denominated Entry Degrees

(uuu)3rd Year Undergraduate Business Double Denominated Entry Degree

(vvv)1st Year Undergraduate Sociology

(www)2nd Year Undergraduate Sociology

(xxx)3rd Year Undergraduate Sociology

(yyy)1st Year Undergraduate Politics

(zzz)2nd Year Undergraduate Politics

(aaaa)3rd Year Undergraduate Politics
 

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. Membership of the Science & Engineering Faculty Assembly shall consist of the following:
1. Executive Members

(a) Science & Engineering Faculty Convenor (Chair)

(b) Vice President Education

2. Student Academic Representatives

(a) 1st Year Undergraduate Bioscience (x2)

(b) 2nd Year Undergraduate Bioscience (x2)

(c) 3rd Year Undergraduate Bioscience (x2)

(d) 4th Year Undergraduate Bioscience (x2)

(e) 1st Year Undergraduate Biotechnology

(f) 2nd Year Undergraduate Biotechnology

(g) 3rd Year Undergraduate Biotechnology

(h) 4th Year Undergraduate Biotechnology

(i) 1st Year Undergraduate Science (x2)

(j) 2nd Year Undergraduate Science (x2)

(k) 3rd Year Undergraduate Science (x2)

(l) 4th Year Undergraduate Biology Science (Single)

(m) 4th Year Undergraduate Biology Science (Double)

(n) 1st Year Undergraduate Biology (Science Education)

(o) 2nd Year Undergraduate Biology (Science Education)

(p) 3rd Year Undergraduate Biology (Science Education)

(q) 4th Year Undergraduate Biology (Science Education)

(r) 1st Year Undergraduate Biology (Pharmaceutical Chemistry)

(s) 2nd Year Undergraduate Biology (Pharmaceutical Chemistry)

(t) 1st Year Undergraduate Computer Science

(u) 2nd Year Undergraduate Computer Science

(v) 3rd Year Undergraduate Computer Science

(w) 4th Year Undergraduate Computer Science

(x) 1st Year Undergraduate BE Electronic Engineering

(y) 2nd Year Undergraduate BE Electronic Engineering

(z) 3rd Year Undergraduate BE Electronic Engineering

(aa)4th Year Undergraduate BE Electronic Engineering

(bb)1st Year Undergraduate BSc Robotics and Intelligent Devices

(cc)2nd Year Undergraduate BSc Robotics and Intelligent Devices

(dd)3rd Year Undergraduate BSc Robotics and Intelligent Devices

(ee)4th Year Undergraduate BSc Robotics and Intelligent Devices

(ff) 1st year undergraduate BA Mathematical Physics

(gg)2nd year undergraduate BA Mathematical Physics

(hh)3rd year undergraduate BA Mathematical Physics

(ii) 4th year undergraduate BA Mathematical Physics

(jj) 1st year undergraduate BSC Mathematical Physics

(kk)2nd year undergraduate BSC Mathematical Physics

(ll) 3rd year undergraduate BSC Mathematical Physics

(mm)4th year undergraduate BSC Mathematical Physics

(nn)1st year undergraduate Theoretical Physics and Mathematics

(oo)2nd year undergraduate Theoretical Physics and Mathematics

(pp)3rd year undergraduate Theoretical Physics and Mathematics

(qq)4th year undergraduate Theoretical Physics and Mathematics

(rr) 1st Year Undergraduate BA Psychology

(ss)2nd Year Undergraduate BA Psychology

(tt) 3rd Year Undergraduate BA Psychology

(uu)1st Year Undergraduate BSC Psychology

(vv)2nd Year Undergraduate BSC Psychology

(ww)3rd Year Undergraduate BSC Psychology

(xx)4th Year Undergraduate BSC Psychology

(yy)1st Year Undergraduate Psychological Studies

(zz) 2nd Year Undergraduate Psychological Studies

(aaa)3rd Year Undergraduate Psychological Studies

(bbb)1st Year Undergraduate (Mature) Any Psychology Course

(ccc)2nd Year Undergraduate (Mature) Any Psychology Course

(ddd)3rd Year Undergraduate (Mature) Any Psychology Course

(eee)1st Year Undergraduate Chemistry

(fff) 2nd Year Undergraduate Chemistry

(ggg)3rd Year Undergraduate Chemistry

(hhh)4th Year Undergraduate Chemistry
 

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. Membership of the Clubs Council shall consist of the following:
1. Executive Members

(a) Vice President Student Life (Chair)

2. Club Presidents, of the following Clubs

(a) Aikido

(b) Airsoft

(c) American Football

(d) Aquatics

(e) Archery

(f) Athletics

(g) Badminton

(h) Basketball

(i) Boxing

(j) Camogie

(k) Chess

(l) Equestrian

(m) Fencing

(n) GAA Handball

(o) Golf

(p) Hockey

(q) Hurling

(r) Judo

(s) Kenpo Karate

(t) Ladies GAA Football

(u) Ladies Soccer

(v) Mens GAA Football

(w) Mens Soccer

(x) MUCK

(y) Olympic Handball

(z) Powerlifting

(aa)Racquetball

(bb)Rock Climbing

(cc)Rovers

(dd)Rugby

(ee)Shotokan Karate

(ff) Snooker

(gg)Snowsports

(hh)Strength & Fitness

(ii) Surf

(jj) Table Tennis

(kk)TaekwonDo

(ll) Trampoline

(mm)Ultimate Frisbee

(nn)Volleyball
 

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. The Clubs Council shall have the following Working Groups, namely:
1. Water Based Working Group

2. Field Sports Working Group

3. Martial Arts Working Group

4. Court Sports Working Group

5. Development Sports Working Group

6. Other Clubs Working Group

2. Membership of the Water Based Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Clubs, namely:

1. Aquatics

2. Surf

3. MUCK

4. Rowing

3. Membership of the Field Sports Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Clubs, namely:

1. Australian rules

2. Hockey

3. American Football

4. Frisbee

4. Membership of the Martial Arts s Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Clubs, namely:

1. Aikido

2. Judo

3. Kickboxing

4. Taekwondo

5. Wrestling

6. Kemp Karate

5. Membership of the Court Sports Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Clubs, namely:

1. Badminton

2. Basketball

3. Fencing

4. Olympic Handball

5. GAA Handball

6. Trampoline

7. Archery

8. Volleyball

6. Membership of the Development Sports Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Clubs, namely:

1. Camogie

2. Hurling

3. Ladies GAA

4. Mens GAA

5. Ladies Rugby

6. Mens Rugby

7. Mens Soccer

8. Ladies Soccer

9. Golf

7. Membership of the Other Clubs Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Clubs, namely:

1. Athletics

2. Equestrian

3. Chess

4. Darts

5. Snooker

6. Rovers

7. Snow-sports

8. Strength & Fitnessv 9. Mountaineering
 

1. Membership of the Societies Council shall consist of the following:
1. Executive Members

(a) Vice President Student Life (Chair)

2. Society Presidents, of the following Societies

(a) Access

(b) Africa

(c) Amnesty

(d) Anthropology

(e) Arts Crafts and Design

(f) Astro 2

(g) Biology

(h) BLW Campus Ministry

(i) Bosco

(j) Business

(k) Cancer

(l) Cards

(m) Chemistry

(n) Chinese

(o) Christian Union

(p) Circus

(q) Computer Science

(r) Creative Writing

(s) Criminology

(t) Cuallacht na Gaeilge

(u) Dance

(v) Design Lab

(w) Deukuma

(x) Disney

(y) DJ

(z) Drama

(aa)Education

(bb)Electronics Eng.

(cc)ELSA

(dd)Enactus

(ee)Environmental Soc

(ff) Feminist

(gg)Finomics

(hh)FLAC

(ii) French

(jj) Froebel

(kk)Gaisce

(ll) Galway Cycle

(mm)Game of Thrones

(nn)Games

(oo)Geography

(pp)GradSoc

(qq)History

(rr) Hogwarts

(ss)IESN

(tt) Indian

(uu)Islamic

(vv)Israel

(ww)Japanese Culture

(xx)JP II

(yy)Justice in Palestine

(zz) Labour

(aaa)Languages

(bbb)Law

(ccc)Legion of Mary

(ddd)Literary & Debating

(eee)Mars FM

(fff) Maths

(ggg)Mature

(hhh)Media

(iii) Mental Health

(jjj) Mundo Latino

(kkk)Music

(lll) Musical

(mmm)Ogra Fianna Fail

(nnn)Omega

(ooo)Philosophy

(ppp)Pokemon

(qqq)Politics & Sociology

(rrr)Pride

(sss)Pro Life

(ttt) Pro-Choice

(uuu)Psychology

(vvv)Red Cross

(www)Sinn Fein

(xxx)Socialist Party

(yyy)SSDP

(zzz)St Catherines

(aaaa)STAND

(bbbb)SVP

(cccc)Tea

(dddd)The Purpose Movement

(eeee)Trad Music

(ffff)Yoga

(gggg)Young Fine Gael
 

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. The Societies Council shall have the following Working Groups, namely:
1. Academic Working Group

2. Political Working Group

3. Performance Working Group

4. Civic, Social, & Cultural Working Group

5. Faith Working Group

6. Interest & Hobbies Working Group

2. Membership of the Academic Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Societies, namely:

1. Anthropology

2. Biology

3. Chemistry

4. Chinese

5. Computer Science

6. Deukuma

7. Education

8. Electronic Engineering

9. Finomics

10. French

11. History

12. Froebel

13. Geography

14. Law

15. ELSA

16. Maths

17. Business

18. Media

19. Music

20. Mundo Latino

21. Grad Soc

22. Sociology & Politivcs

23. Astro 2

24. Psychology

25. Design Lab

26. Cuallacht Cholm Cille

3. Membership of the Political Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Societies, namely:

1. Ogra FF

2. Young Fine Gael

3. Sinn Fein

4. Labour

5. Socialist Party

4. Membership of the Performance Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Societies, namely:

1. Broadcasting

2. Circus

3. DJ

4. Drama

5. Music

6. Trad

7. Dance

8. Musical Sco

5. Membership of the Civic, Social, & Cultural Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Societies, namely:

1. SVP

2. Galway Cycle

3. Gaisce

4. Amnesty

5. St Catherines

6. The Purpose Movement

7. Cancer

8. FLAC

9. Mental Health

10. Pro Life

11. Red Cross

12. Enactus

13. Access

14. Africa

15. Mature

16. International

17. Pro Choice

18. Pride

19. Game of Thrones

20. Languages

21. Environmental Soc

6. Membership of the Faith Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Societies, namely:

1. JP II

2. Bosco

3. Christian Union

4. Islamic

5. Legion of Mary

6. BLW Campus Ministry

7. Israel

7. Membership of the Interest & Hobbies Working Group shall consist of the Executive Committee members of the following Societies, namely:

1. Cards

2. Creative Writing

3. Games

4. Hogwarts

5. Japanese Culture

6. Pokemon

7. Literary & Debating

8. Arts & Crafts

9. Tea

10. Yoga

11. Disney

12. Omega
 

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. Article 12.1.6 provides for the following committees of the Welfare & Equality Forum, namely: Welfare Working Group, Equality Working Group, Campaigns Working Group.
1. The Welfare Working Group is established by the Welfare & Equality Forum to advise and assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality on the welfare issues and needs facing the membership of the Union.

2. Equality Working Group is established by the Equality Working Group to advise and assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality on the equality issues and needs facing the membership of the Union.

3. Campaigns Working Groups established by the Campaigns Working Group to advise and assist the Vice President Welfare & Equality on the campaigns that the ice President Welfare & Equality plans and leads on behalf of the membership of the Union.
 

1. Article 17.16 provides for the following standing committees of the Student Senate, namely:
1. Election Ratification & Appeals Committee

2. Disciplinary Committee

3. Audit & Risk Committee

4. Finance, Human Resources, & Capital Development Committee

2. Article 17.17 provides for the following standing Sub-Committees of the Finance, Human Resources, and Capital Development Committee of the Board of Trustees, namely:

1. Commercial Activities Sub-Committee

2. Services & Facilities Sub-Committee

3. The Election Ratification & Appeals Committee shall ratify the results of elections within the Union and shall rule on all appeals that come to its attention pursuant to Schedule 23 of this Constitution.

1. The function of the Committee shall be to:

(a) ratify election and referendum results submitted to the Committee by the Chief Retuning Officer

(b) hear appeals in respect of elections and referendums

i. Any member of the Union may appeal an election or referendum matter to the Committee within 3 days of the results being declared by the Chief Returning Officer.
ii. Any member of the Union may appeal a constitutional matter to the President for consideration first, and then appeal that decision to the committee.
iii. Appeals in respect of elections and referendums under any other grounds may be submitted to the Committee by putting in the hands of the President in writing the case in question.
iv. The Committee shall meet and rule on any such appeal as soon as is practicable of the appeal’s receipt by the President.
v. No election or referendum result shall be deemed final until an appeal has been heard by the Committee.
2. Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:
(a) Immediate past President of the Union

(b) One member from the external panel of the Board of Trustees (who shall be the Chairperson of the Elections & Appeals Committee).

(c) Speaker of the Student Senate

(d) One person, not a member of the Union, with significant experience in election procedure to be appointed by the Board of Trustees.

(e) One past officer of the Union

3. The Committee shall meet at least twice per academic year, normally once per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function.

4. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the Board of Trustees, the Committee shall shall determine its own working procedures.

4. The Disciplinary Committee shall investigate charges of stated misbehaviour against any member of the Executive, subject to the provisions of Article 7 of this Constitution.

1. Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

(a) One other past President or Vice President of the Union

(b) One member from the external panel of the Board of Trustees (Chairperson).

(c) One person, not a member of the Union, with significant experience in Human Resources and personnel management to be appointed by the Board of Trustees

2. The Committee shall meet as and when required.

3. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the Board of Trustees, the Committee shall shall determine its own working procedures.

5. The Audit & Risk Committee shall assist the Board of Trustees in the fulfilment of its functions with respect to the Union’s financial statements, financial condition, and risk management.

1. The function of the Committee shall be to:

(a) Review the draft annual financial statement of the Union and consolidated statements, and their format, taking account of all relevant considerations and of accounting standards and legal requirements, before they are submitted to the Board of Trustees;

(b) Recommend to the Board of Trustees whether the Board of Trustees should approve any financial statements so reviewed by the Committee;

(c) Determine, at least annually, whether, in the Committee’s opinion, the Union has kept adequate accounting records

(d) Advise the Board of Trustees on the appointment of the external auditors, the audit fee and any questions of resignation or dismissal of the external auditors;

(e) Discuss with the external auditor, before the audit commences, the nature and scope of the audit;

(f) Discuss problems and reservations arising from the audit and any other matters requested by the external auditors;

(g) Review the external auditor’s Management Letter and all other audit letters from the external auditors and consider management’s response;

(h) Monitor the performance and quality of the external auditor’s work and the auditor’s independence from the Union;

(i) Obtain from the external auditor up-to-date information to enable the Committee to monitor the Union's relationship with the external auditor, including but not limited to information relating to the external auditor’s affiliates;

(j) Taking account of the legal provisions, recommend whether or not to award contracts to the external auditor (or an affiliate) for non-audit or audit-related work

(k) Satisfy itself that the arrangements made for and resources available to the Internal Auditor are suitable and appropriate, and monitor the performance of the Internal Auditor;

(l) Consider the system of internal financial controls and to satisfy itself that the control environment is adequate and that controls are operating effectively;

(m) Keep under review and advise on the operation and effectiveness of the Union’s risk-management systems;

(n) Provide an opinion annually on the proposed statement of internal controls and on any legal compliance requirements and;

(o) Consider the Internal Audit annual audit programme, review reports of the Internal Auditor and consider major findings and management’s response

(p) Satisfy itself that arrangements are in place to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness;

(q) Consider other topics, as requested by the Board of Trustees or initiated by the Committee and promote co-ordination between the Union’s internal and external auditors

2. Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

(a) Not less than one and not more than two members from the external membership of the Board of Trustees

(b) Not less than one and not more than two members with relevant risk assessment and risk management experience

(c) Not less than one and not more than two members with relevant financial experience

3. The Chairperson of the Committee should be appointed by the Board of Trustees

4. The Committee shall meet on at least six occasions per academic year, normally with three meetings per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function.

5. The Committee shall make a written report on its activities to the Board of Trustees following each meeting of the Committee. At least annually, such a report will include the Committee’s opinion on the adequacy of the systems of internal controls and risk management. The Committee will report to meetings of the Board of Trustees on such other occasions as requested. Minutes of meetings of the Committee shall be circulated to each member of the Board of Trustees to satisfy this reporting requirement

6. The Chairperson of the Committee should lead a periodic review by the Committee of its own effectiveness. This will include full consideration of communications within the Committee and between the Committee and the Union, external auditors, internal auditors, risk advisors and the Board of Trustees

7. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the Board of Trustees, the Committee shall shall determine its own working procedures.

6. The Finance, Human Resources, & Capital Development Committee shall have a major oversight role in relation to the implementation of the Union’s Strategic Plan, the management of the Unions finances and human resources of the Union, and the management of the assets of the Union.

1. The function of the Committee shall be to:

(a) Review and comment on financial plans and budgets prepared under the direction of the President, and in conjunction with the Unions finale function, prior to their presentation for the approval of the Board of Trustees;

(b) Review whether the policies, processes and procedures used in the recruitment, selection and appointment of staff are in accordance with best practice

(c) Support the development of the Union's Strategic Plan prior to presentation for the approval of the Board of Trustees

(d) Receive and approve reports on the levels of activity within the Union’s commercial services, non-commercial services, and facilities

(e) Receive and approve reports on the financial performance of the Union’s commercial services, non-commercial services, and facilities

(f) Receive and approve reports on the financial resourcing needs of the Union’s commercial services, non-commercial services, and facilities

(g) Receive and approve reports on the human resourcing needs of the Union’s commercial services, non-commercial services, and facilities

(h) Consider and approve proposals for development opportunities of the Union’s commercial services, non-commercial services, and facilities

(i) Consider and approve proposals for capital development and investment needs and opportunities of the Union’s commercial services, non-commercial services, and facilities

(j) Consider and approve service agreements relating to the Union’s commercial services, non-commercial services, and facilities

(k) Review and comment on financial plans and budgets prepared under the direction of the President, and in conjunction with the Unions finale function, prior to their presentation for the approval of the Board of Trustees;

(l) Review and comment on the draft annual audited accounts prior to their presentation for the approval of the Board of Trustees

(m) Review whether the policies, processes and procedures used in the recruitment, selection and appointment of staff are in accordance with best practice and conform to the Union’s HR policies

(n) Review the full schedule of all the documents formally sealed by the Union since the previous Committee meeting (as the keeper of the seal of the Union, the Secretary, will put a schedule before the Committee for noting)

(o) Note the annual report of the trustees of the Union’s Group Pension and Risk Scheme

2. Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

(a) President

(b) Not less than three and not more than four permanent members of staff of the Union

(c) Not less than two and not more than six external members with a significant experience in finance, human resourcing and/or capital development.

3. The Committee shall select a chairperson from among the external membership of the Committee

4. The Committee shall meet on at least six occasions per academic year, normally with three meetings per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function.

5. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the Board of Trustees, the Committee shall shall determine its own working procedures.

7. The Commercial Activities Sub-Committee shall ensure the smooth running of the Union’s commercial activities

1. The function of the Committee shall be to:

(a) Review and consider levels of activity within the Union’s commercial services

(b) Review and consider financial performance of the Union’s commercial services

(c) Review and consider the financial resourcing needs of the Union’s commercial services

(d) Review and consider the human resourcing needs of the Union’s commercial services

(e) Review and consider capital development and investment needs and opportunities of the Union’s commercial services

(f) Oversight of service agreements relating to the Union’s commercial services

(g) Maintain and review the schedule of service agreements relating to the Union’s commercial services

(h) Identify and consider developments opportunities of the Union’s commercial services

(i) Ensure Union’s commercial services compliance with the Unions reserves policy

(j) Advise, as and when consulted, on mandates relating to the Union’s commercial services

2. Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

(a) Not less than one and not more than three members of the Executive

(b) Not less than one and not more than two ordinary members of the Union

(c) Not less than four and not more than six permanent members of staff of the

Union

3. The Committee shall select a chairperson from among the membership of the Committee

4. The Committee shall meet on at least four occasions per academic year, normally twice per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function.

5. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the Board of Trustees, the Committee shall shall determine its own working procedures.

8. The Services & Facilities Sub-Committee shall ensure the smooth running of the Union’s services and facilities

1. The function of the Committee shall be to:

(a) Review and consider levels of activity within the Union’s services and facilities

(b) Review and consider financial performance of the Union’s services and facilities

(c) Review and consider the financial resourcing needs of the Union’s services and facilities

(d) Review and consider the human resourcing needs of the Union’s services and facilities

(e) Review and consider capital development and investment needs and opportunities of the Union’s services and facilities

(f) Oversight of service agreements relating to the Union’s services and facilities

(g) Maintain and review the schedule of service agreements relating to the Union’s services and facilities

(h) Identify and consider developments opportunities of the Union’s services and facilities

(i) Ensure Union’s services and facilities compliance with the Unions reserves policy

(j) Advise, as and when consulted, on mandates relating to the Union’s services and facilities

2. Membership of the committee shall be as follows, namely:

(a) Not less than one and not more than three members of the Executive

(b) Not less than one and not more than two ordinary members of the Union

(c) Not less than four and not more than six permanent members of staff of the Union

3. The Committee shall select a chairperson from among the membership of the Committee

4. The Committee shall meet on at least four occasions per academic year, normally twice per semester, and then as often as required to carry out its function.

5. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the Board of Trustees, the Committee shall shall determine its own working procedures.

9. The Committees and Sub-Committees of the Board of Trustees shall be bound by the following provisions:

1. Each Committee shall appoint from one of its number no later than at its second meeting a Deputy Chairperson. The Deputy Chairperson shall act if the Chairperson is temporarily incapacitated.

2. A Secretary shall be appointed by each Committee to provide such technical and administrative supports as it may determine.

3. Each Committee shall appoint from one of its number no later than at its second meeting a Vice-Secretary. The Vice-Secretary shall act if the Secretary is temporarily incapacitated.

4. Staff of the Union may, at the invitation of a Committee, attend for all or part of a meeting of the Committee. In additional external independent experts may be asked by a Committee to attend all or part of a Committee meeting

5. Any member of a Committee shall be deemed to have resigned if they fail to attend two consecutive meetings of the Committee, without submission of their apologies in advance of the meeting to the Secretary.

6. Except where otherwise stated in Schedule 22 of this Constitution, each Committee shall report back to the Board of Trustees after each meeting and at least once per semester.

7. Quorum for each committees shall be no less than one third of those entitled to attend and vote

8. Decisions shall be made by consensus in the first instance, but where necessary may be made by a simple majority vote of a quorate meeting.
 

1. Notwithstanding election procedures, as established by the Electoral Commission, the following provisions shall be mandatory:
1. The entire membership of the Union shall form the constituency for the election of the Sabbatical Officers and the Oifigeach na Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer)

2. The membership of the Union from the respective faculties shall form the respective constituencies for the election of the respective faculty convenors

(a) The constituents of the respective constituencies for the election of faculty convenors shall be established annually by the Electoral Commission

i. In setting constituencies, the Electoral Commission shall have regard to the academic structures of the University.
ii. No person shall be elected or nominated as a candidate for a position of College Officer in respect of a constituency of which they are not a member.
3. The postgraduate membership of the Union shall form the constituency for the election of the Postgraduate Representative

4. The doctoral postgraduate membership of the Union shall form the constituency for the election of the Doctoral Postgraduate Representative

5. The members of the Interest Group Panel and the Independent Panel members of the Student Senate shall be elected annually at elections held within fifty days of the commencement of the second semester.

6. The membership of the respective faculties assemblies shall form the respective constituencies for the election of the members of the Faculty Assemblies Panel of the Student Senate

7. The postgraduate membership of the respective faculties assemblies shall form the constituency for the election of the Postgraduate Panel of the Student Senate

8. The membership of the Clubs Council shall form the constituency for the election of the members of the Clubs Council Panel of the Student Senate

9. The membership of the Societies Council shall form the constituency for the election of the members of the Societies Council Panel of the Student Senate

10. The entire membership of the Union shall form the constituency for the election of the Interest Group Panel and the Independent Panel members of the Student Senate, except for the:

(a) First Year Senator who shall be directly elected by the first year members of the Union

(b) Mature Student Senator who shall be directly elected by the mature student members of the Union

(c) Part-Time Course Senator who shall be directly elected by the members of the Union registered for a part-time course

(d) St Patrick’s College Senator who shall be directly elected by the members of the Union registered with St Patrick’s College Maynooth

11. The constituencies for the election of Student Academic Representatives shall be made by the Electoral Commission in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 this Constitution.

(a) Where there is only one candidate for the position of Student Academic Representative in a constituency that person shall be deemed elected.

12. Candidates for elections must be proposed by the following number of members who sign an official nomination form to that effect:

(a) the Sabbatical Officers and the Oifigeach na Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer) shall be proposed by not less than 120 members of the their constituency

(b) the Faculty Convenors and the Postgraduate Representatives shall be proposed by not less than 60 members of their respective constituency

(c) the Interest Group Panel and the Independent Panel members of the Student Senate shall be proposed by not less than 120 members of their constituency

13. During the course of any
 

1. Notwithstanding referendum procedures, as established by the Electoral Commission, the following provisions shall be mandatory:
2. The primary date of polling in a referendum shall be a weekday on which lectures are generally held in the University and which is not more than 15 days and not less than 5 days from the date on which the referendum is called.

1. If lectures are not generally held on any days which are not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days from the date on which the referendum is called, the Returning Officers may, with the consent of the Board of Trustees, schedule the primary date of polling in the referendum in question for a weekday on which lectures are generally held in the University and which is not more than 25 days and not less than 10 days from the date on which the referendum is called.

(a) Where the Returning Officers do not exercise their discretion to extend the time as aforesaid, or the Board of Trustees refuse their consent for such an extension, or if no weekday on which lectures are generally held in the University falls in the 25 days from the date on which the referendum is called, the referendum petition or direction will be deemed to be rejected by the Returning Officers and no referendum shall take place.

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate

1. To be inserted by the Student Senate