The Executive Committee of the Students’ Union of the National University of Ireland, Galway hereby gives notice of a referendum – number RFP06/1 (Student Levy) – of its members under Article 18 of its Constitution to be held on Wednesday 22nd February 2006.
Votes in Favour – 409
Votes Against – 376
Total Valid Poll – 785
Spoiled Votes – 7
Total Poll – 792
Result – Passed
The motion text is as follows:
“That the members of the Students’ Union of the National University of Ireland, Galway (“the Union”) authorise the Executive Committee to negotiate with University authorities an increase in the Student Levy payable annually by each individual student on registration subject to the following conditions:-
- That the said increase, which would be payable in addition to the current Student Levy, will total €40.00 per student.
- That payment of the said increase will commence in September 2006.
- That the said increase of €40.00 be apportioned as follows:-
- €10.00 be allocated to the Union, to be further allocated as follows:-
- 20% be allocated to the provision of entertainment in an alcohol-free environment on campus;
- 20% be allocated to Seirbhisi Comhaltas na MacLeinn, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe Teoranta as a contribution to that company’s publications. In the event of the dissolution of that company, this allocation will be directed towards the cost of the Union’s publications by whatever means deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee;
- The remaining 60% be allocated to the representational activities of the Union to be used as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee;
- €10.00 be allocated to CCG Aonad Slainte do Mhic Leinn Teoranta (Student Health Unit) to be used as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of that company. In the event of the dissolution of that company, this allocation will be directed towards the cost of providing a student health centre on campus, by whatever means deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee;
- €10.00 be allocated to the NUI Galway Sport and Recreation Union for distribution to the recognised sports clubs by whatever means deemed appropriate by that body;
- €10.00 be allocated to the NUI Galway University Societies’ Committee for distribution to the recognised student societies by whatever means deemed appropriate by that body.
- That the said increase be index-linked in line with the current mechanism used in the annual calculation of the Student Levy.
- That the said increase be payable until such time as the Union decides by referendum of its members to alter or terminate the terms of payment of the Student Levy.”
Referendum RFP06/1- Student Levy Guide
In 22nd February 2006, you will be asked to vote in two Students’ Union referenda. These are numbered RFP06/1 (Student Levy) and RFC06/1 (Structures). This guide seeks to explain the RFP06/1 (Student Levy) only. Further additional documentation fully explains the other referendum, RFC06/1 (Structures).
NUI Galway Students’ Union asks that you read this information carefully and inform yourself fully of both sides of the argument in advance of the referendum. The full motion text is available here.
1. General information
This referendum seeks to increase the Student Levy (currently €68) by €40 from September 2006.
A “yes” vote would mean a €40 increase in the Student Levy from September 2006, in addition to the normal inflationary increase (approximately €7) – a total levy of €115. The additional proceeds would be divided out as explained below.
A “no” vote would mean that there would only be an approximate €7 inflationary increase in the Student Levy from September 2006 – a total levy of €75.
A quorum of 5% of Union members (approx. 700 students) is required to make the vote valid.
Polling takes place on Wednesday 22nd February 2006 in Áras na Mac Léinn from 10:00-20:00. You require your NUI Galway student ID card to vote.
2. Who decides how the Students’ Union funding will be distributed?
20% of the proposed increase (approximately €26,000) will be automatically allocated to Seirbhisi … Teo., the Union’s publications company, to support the Union’s publications (see point 5 below for further details). This will not mean an end to commercial advertising in the Union’s Diary and/or the Sin newspaper, but rather additional funding support. The company struggles to make ends meet each year; this increase would mean the Union would have to provide less direct support to the company, freeing up more time and funding to be spent on educational and welfare matters.
A further 20% will be allocated to the Union’s alcohol-free entertainment budget. The hugely successful Tuesday Nights Ents programme was only possible because of a significant grant from the Student Projects Fund. However, this grant funding was limited to three years and will expire in May. Alcohol-free entertainment is an uncertain business. As a result, the Union will require a significant budget each year in order to cater for the entertainment needs of those who do not participate in the events held in the College Bar, either due to personal preference or the law (e.g. under 18’s).
The remaining 60% will be added to the Union’s representational budget, i.e. education, welfare, equality, etc. Each year, the Union struggles to balance its books due to a severe lack of funding. In addition to this, referendum RFC06/1 (Structures) seeks to make significant changes to the structure and operations of the Union and will require additional funding to allow the Union to expand and grow in the future. The planned expansion includes the appointment of researchers and further administrative/secretarial staff.
These referenda are exclusive of each other, so in the event that (the other) referendum RFC06/1 (Structures) does not pass, the increased funding raised by this proposed levy increase will continue to be invested in the representational activities of the Union.
3. Who decides how the clubs and societies funding will be distributed?
In the case of the clubs, the Sport and Recreation Union (formerly known as the Athletic Union) will decide how the funding should be distributed. The Students’ Union Executive Committee will have no role in this.
In the case of the societies, the University Societies Committee will decide how the funding should be distributed. The Students’ Union Executive Committee will have no role in this.
Who decides how the Student Health Unit funding will be distributed?
The Board of Directors of ASML (see point 5 for further details) will decide how the money allocated to Student Health Unit will be distributed. It will all be spent on supporting current services and providing additional new services. The Students’ Union President is a member of this Board and will be involved in the proper allocation of the funding.
4. Why are two companies named in the motion?
There are two companies referred to in the motion text: Seirbhisi Comhaltas na MacLeinn, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe Teoranta (“Seirbhisi”) and CCG Aonad Slainte do Mhic Leinn Teoranta (“ASML”).
ASML is the company which runs the Student Health Unit. It is a distinct separate entity from the University and the Students’ Union, although its members and Board of Directors are made up of University staff and the Students’ Union President.
Seirbhisi is the company which is responsible for the production of Students’ Union diary, wall planner, the Sin newspaper and the Sin website. It is a separate legal entity from the Students’ Union, but is held in trust for the Union and produces only Union-related material.
For legal reasons, the direct beneficiaries must be named, hence the full company titles in each case.
5. Why is “dissolution” mentioned?
There is a chance that ASML will be absorbed into the University in the near future and that Seirbhisi will be merged with the Students’ Union. If either of these events happens, the motion text means that there would not be a need for a further referendum to re-direct the proceeds of the levy, but rather that the Executive Committee could (only) re-direct it to the new health unit or publications department(s).
6. How much money is involved?
The proceeds from the 2005/06 levy were divided as follows (figures are approximate due to rounding): Euro (2005/06)
Per head Total
Sports clubs 7 90,300
Societies 7 90,300
Students’ Union 7 90,300
USI 5 64,500
Áras na Mac Léinn 15 193,500
Student Health Unit 6 77,400
Flirt FM 4 51,600
Student Projects Fund 17 219,300
Total 68 877,200
Contributing students 12,900
In addition to the allocation from the levy, sports clubs, societies and the Union receive grants from the non-tuition charge, totalling €86,000, €63,133 and €6,079 respectively in 2004/05 (2005/06 figures have not been confirmed yet).
If the proposed €40 increase is approved, the budgets of the sports clubs, societies, Students’ Union and Student Health Unit would each increase by approximately €130,000 for the year 2006/07.
7. Other related information
The Union and the University have agreed that the €100 increase approved by referendum in November 2003 for the construction of the new sports and societies’ centres will now start in September 2007 and not, as previously agreed, in 2006.
8. When will payment of this levy end?
The levy will continue to be paid until a referendum of the members of the Students’ Union votes to alter the terms of the levy.
9. Further information
Further information on the referendum is available from the Students’ Union offices or from the Students’ Union President – su.president@nuigalway.ie
10. Where and when does polling take place?
Polling will take place from 10:00-20:00 on Wednesday 22nd February 2006 in Áras na Mac Léinn.
On 10th March 2005, the Students’ Union Executive called a referendum (number RFC05/1 (USI)) of its members under Article 18 of its Constitution to be held on 7th April 2005 on the motion below.
Votes in Favour – 879
Votes Against – 145
Total Valid Poll – 1024
Spoiled Votes – 19
Total Poll – 1043
Result – Passed
The full motion text is as follows:
“That Article 6 sub-section i.B. be retained in the Constitution of the Students’ Union of the National University of Ireland, Galway (hereinafter referred to as “the Students’ Union”), thereby extending its affiliation of the Students’ Union to the Union of Students in Ireland (hereinafter referred to as “the USI”); and that the Student Levy at National University of Ireland, Galway be immediately increased by €5 per annum to pay increased affiliation fees to the USI and to cover all costs associated with the participation of the Students’ Union in any events organised by, or relating to, the USI, with the balance being added to the Students’ Union representational budget.”
RFC05/1 USI Guide
On Thursday 7th April 2005, you will be asked to vote in a referendum (RFC05/1) that will decide on the future of NUI Galway Students’ Union affiliation to the Union of Students in Ireland, and also whether or not the Student Levy should be increased from September 2005.
It is important to remember that this referendum is not solely about paying €5 extra in the Student Levy, but also about NUI Galway Students’ Union’s participation in the national representative body for students in Ireland. This information sheet outlines the facts relating to the “mechanics” of the referendum and what the potential outcomes are. This sheet does not provide a case for or against the motion, nor on NUI Galway Students’ Union’s participation in the USI, nor does it give direction on whether you should vote for or against the motion. The “Yes” and “No” campaign teams will publish these arguments over the next few weeks.
NUI Galway Students’ Union asks that you read this information carefully and inform yourself fully of both sides of the argument in advance of the referendum.
What is the motion?
The motion is as follows: “That Article 6 sub-section i.B. be retained in the Constitution of the Students’ Union of the National University of Ireland, Galway (hereinafter referred to as “the Students’ Union”), thereby extending its affiliation of the Students’ Union to the Union of Students in Ireland (hereinafter referred to as “the USI”);
and that the Student Levy at National University of Ireland, Galway be immediately increased by €5 per annum to pay increased affiliation fees to the USI and to cover all costs associated with the participation of the Students’ Union in any events organised by, or relating to, the USI, with the balance being added to the Students’ Union representational budget.”
What does this mean?
This entire motion will not appear on the ballot paper, but instead you will be asked to vote on whether you agree (“Yes”) or disagree (“No”) with the motion.
A “Yes” vote would mean that NUI Galway Students’ Union would remain affiliated to the Union of Students in Ireland and that the Student Levy would be raised by €5 to cover all costs associated with membership of the Union of Students in Ireland.
A “No” vote would mean that NUI Galway Students’ Union would disaffiliate immediately from the Union of Students in Ireland and that the Student Levy would not increase.
What is the Union of Students in Ireland?
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is the national representative body for students in Ireland.
Do you think we should be part of the national Union?
There are arguments both for and against remaining affiliated to the USI. However, as outlined above, this information sheet is not intended to argue those points. That is the responsibility of the “Yes” and “No” campaign teams.
Why does one motion contain two parts?
The motion contains two parts because one part of the motion is dependent on the other, i.e. if NUI Galway Students’ Union is to remain affiliated to the USI, the Student Levy must be increased to pay the additional affiliation fees because there is no alternative source for this income.
Why must students pay increased affiliation fees?
In March 2005, the National Congress of the USI voted to increase the affiliation fees for students from €2.86 and €1.43 per full- and part-time student per annum respectively to €5.00 and €2.50 per full- and part-time student per annum respectively. As a result of this, the affiliation fee that NUI Galway Students’ Union must pay to the USI increased from approximately €34,000 per annum to approximately €65,000 per annum.
Unfortunately, the budget of NUI Galway Students’ Union is not sufficient to pay the increased charges. This is why the students of NUI Galway are being asked if they wish to increase the Student Levy to cover these additional costs.
Will the Student Levy decrease if the referendum fails?
No. The affiliation fees for USI are not currently paid from the Student Levy, but rather from the Non-Tuition Charge (i.e. the €750 charge). If NUI Galway Students’ Union were to disaffiliate from the USI, the appropriate portion of the Non-Tuition Charge would be re-allocated elsewhere.
If necessary, the University’s Student Services committee would decide where the money would be re-allocated. In this situation, NUI Galway Students’ Union would propose that this portion of the fee should be added to the Union’s representational budget, but there is no guarantee of what will happen.
Why increase the Student Levy by €5?
Although the affiliation fees have increased by €2.14 and €3.57 per full- and part-time student respectively, there are substantial costs involved in being an active affiliate of the USI. For example, the cost of sending a full delegation from NUI Galway Students’ Union (21 delegates, two observers) to National Congress 2005 will be almost €10,000. There are also numerous other activities such as National Council, working groups, training and other events throughout the year. The budget of NUI Galway Students’ Union cannot sustain these costs into the future.
Is NUI Galway Students’ Union taking a stance?
The NUI Galway Students’ Union Executive is elected to represent, support and advise the members of NUI Galway Students’ Union, i.e. the students of NUI Galway. Because of this, the Executive has decided to take a stance on this referendum. However, this stance is partly dependent on the outcome of several key motions at National Congress 2005, so a final decision will not be confirmed until after these motions are discussed. National Congress runs from 29th March to 1st April 2005.
Why is the referendum being held now?
NUI Galway Students’ Union has been aware of the increased affiliation fees since March 2004 and that a referendum must be held to address this funding shortfall. However, in August 2004, the USI appointed a group to review the USI Constitution and to present its findings to National Congress in March 2005 for discussion and decision.
In light of this, NUI Galway Students’ Union felt it appropriate to await these findings to allow for a full and balanced discussion on the current referendum motion.
Why not increase the Student Levy for clubs, societies, etc.?
This referendum is not related to any matter other than the USI and associated affiliation fees. However, it is the intention of NUI Galway Students’ Union Executive to review the level and sources of funding for clubs, societies and other groups in NUI Galway during the 2005/06 academic year.
When does polling take place?
Polling will take place from 12:00-20:00 on Thursday 7th April 2005.
Further Information
Further information on the referendum is available from the Students’ Union offices. An open debate on this referendum is being organised by the Political Discussion Society and will be advertised soon.
