Record Year of Engagement for Students’ Union
NUI Galway Students’ Union today launched their annual report which saw record levels of engagement with students across the 2020/21 academic year despite the challenges of Covid-19. Throughout this largely online year the Union saw huge numbers of students signing up to be class reps, attending online events and raising funds for charity.
Over 400 people signed up to take part in the Charity Challenge raising €13,000 for Galway charities over 6 months. 600 students volunteered to become Class Representatives and act as the voice of their class. Voter turnout increased for this year’s SU Elections which again were held completely online. NUIG students also led the way in campaigns dealing with issues such as making education more affordable, sustainability, mental health and diversity.
Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey said: “It has been a great honor to lead NUI Galway Students’ Union as President for 2020/2021. This “pandemic year” brought brand new challenges and opportunities that we haven’t had before. The Union shone out as an adaptable and dynamic representative body that ensures the student voice is always heard.”
Students’ Union Vice-President/Education Officer Emma Sweeney added: “In what has been a very stressful academic year it’s great that the students of NUI Galway have been so engaged with the Union. Our SU Officers, Class Reps and Volunteers have worked tirelessly this year to help the entire NUI Galway community to get through this together. ”
Link to annual report HERE
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bliain Rannpháirtíochta thar na Bearta do Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn
Inniu sheol Comhaltas na Mac Léinn, OÉ Gaillimh a dtuarascáil bhliantúil, ina n-insítear scéal faoi bhliain acadúil ina bhfacthas rannpháirtíocht thar na bearta i measc na mac léinn in ainneoin dhúshláin uile COVID-19. Is ar líne a thit amach an chuid ba mhó den bhliain, ach níor chuir sé sin aon drogall ar líon ollmhór mac léinn a bheith ina n-ionadaithe ranga, freastal ar imeachtaí ar líne ná neart airgid a bhailiú ar son carthanachta.
Chláraigh ní ba mhó ná 400 duine le páirt a ghlacadh sa Dúshlán Carthanachta, agus d’éirigh leo €13,000 a bhailiú do charthanais i nGaillimh le himeacht 6 mhí. Thairg 600 mac léinn a bheith ina nIonadaithe Ranga agus gníomhú mar ghuth a ranga. Tháinig méadú ar líon na ndaoine a tháinig amach chun vótáil i dToghcháin an Chomhaltais i mbliana, a reáchtáladh go hiomlán ar líne arís. Bhí mic léinn OÉ Gaillimh ag ceann an tslua chomh maith i bhfeachtais ar shaincheisteanna amhail oideachas a dhéanamh níos inacmhainne, inbhuanaitheacht, meabhairshláinte agus éagsúlacht.
Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Uachtarán Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn, Pádraic Toomey: “Ba mhór an onóir é a bheith i m’uachtarán ar Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn, OÉ Gaillimh in 2020/2021. Is iomaí dúshlán nua a bhí le sárú againn i ‘mbliain na paindéime’, ach bhí deiseanna nua le tapú chomh maith. D’éirigh leis an gComhaltas a bheith ina chomhlacht ionadaíoch solúbtha bríomhar, a chinntíonn i gcónaí go dtugtar cead cainte don mhac léinn.”
Dúirt Emma Sweeney, Leasuachtarán de chuid an Chomhaltais/an tOifigeach Oideachais: “Cé gur bliain acadúil an-strusmhar a bhí ann, is iontach an rud é go raibh mic léinn OÉ Gaillimh chomh páirteach sin i saothar an Chomhaltais. D’oibrigh na hOifigigh, na hIonadaithe Ranga agus na hOibrithe Deonacha go léir gan stad gan staonadh i mbliana chun cabhrú le pobal iomlán OÉ Gaillimh an tréimhse dhorcha seo a chur tharstu.”
Nasc chuig an Tuarascáil Bhliantúil ANSEO
Welcome to your LAST weekly email from your Students’ Union / Fáilte chuig do r-phost seachtainiúil ó Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn
Last Weekly Email
It’s our last weekly email of the year! Thanks so much for reading and goodbye from your current SU Officers who finish up on the 30th of June. Your new SU Officers start work on the 1st of July and we are here for you all summer. Just give us a shout if you need anything.
We’ve more SU Click and Collect spaces available:
- 12pm-3pm TODAY Thurs 3rd June
Book HERE to get your Student Leap Cards, Class Rep Hoodies, Condoms, Second Hand Books, SU Charity Socks, return Locker Keys etc!
SU Locker Clear Out Bookings Are Open
Book a time slot HERE to finally get your stuff back! Pick the time slot for your locker area and book in now:
- 11am-12pm Tues 15th June South Campus (Concourse, Library Basement, IT Building and Arts Millennium Building)
- 1pm-2pm Tues 15th June North Campus (Engineering Building, Áras Moyola)
Please take 5 minutes to complete our Period Poverty survey and have your say on this important issue. Take the survey HERE.
€13,000 Raised for SU Charities!
Massive thank you and GRMA to everyone who ran, walked, cycled, dyed their hair, spread kindness, quizzed, sex toy bingoed, Hump Day hoolied, bought charity socks + challenged themselves to help us to raise €13,000 for the SU Charities this year. The funds are going to our 3 amazing charities: Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Galway Autism Partnership and Helplink Mental Health
End the €3,000 Student Contribution Fee
We have joined the USI and Students’ Unions around the country in a call to end the Student Contribution Fee. The €3,000 fee means students in the Republic of Ireland pay the highest undergraduate fees in the EU. If you want to get involved in the fight against the fee please contact your TDs now.
- Undergraduate Results: Official 1st Sitting results are scheduled for release from 8th -13th July 2021.
- International Students: Official Results (course instances 1EM1, 1OA2, 1OA3 only) are released via the International Office.
- Postgraduate Results: Official Summer (1st Sitting) results are scheduled for release on Friday, 21st July 2021.
The schedule of what days/times exam results will be released is available HERE.
Repeat exams will take place 9th-19th August and except in the case of the Exams Security Group or Plagiarism Advisor/Officer, there will be no capping of repeat exams for any modules in the 2020-2021 academic year. Information about exam result appeals and rechecks
Dates for Year Ahead
The provisional semester dates for the year ahead are HERE. Please note that these are PROVISIONAL. Keep an eye on the NUIG Alert Page for further updates about the year ahead HERE.
The library is closing at 17:30 tomorrow Fri 4th June and will be closed for the Bank Holiday Weekend (5th-7th June Inclusive). Library summer hours start Tues 8th June and are 08:30-17:30 Mon-Fri (Closed Sat/Sun).
Don’t forget to return your library books using the brown book return bin outside the main library door 24/7
Moving Out? Donate Don’t Dump!
If you’re moving out and have food items that you don’t want to go to waste Galway Simon Community are taking donations of unopened non-perishable food items (e.g. pasta, rice, tinned food). Please phone them on 091 381 828 to arrange a donation drop off.
Glassary are accepting donations of the following items until Fri 18th June: Office Equipment, Power Adaptors, Kettles, Toasters, Cooking Utensils, Bowls/Plates/Cups, Coffee Makers, TV’s, Umbrellas, Boardgames, Books, Heaters, Dehumidifiers and Lamps. They can be donated at collection points in Corrib Village, Goldcrest, Gort na Coiribe and the Westwood. Contact d.kerins4@nuigalway.ie for more info or to donate items not on list.
Life After Graduation Weds 9th – Fri 11th June
‘Life After Graduation – Explore Your Next Steps’ is an exciting opportunity to hear from employers and alumni alike as you take that first step into the world of work or further study Weds 9th-Fri 11th June. Hear from employers and NUIG recent graduates who will share their experiences and tips. More info and registration HERE
Post Exam Self-Compassion Workshops
The NUIG Counselling Service is holding 2 post exam self-compassion workshops that all NUIG students are welcome to attend. They are on at 16:00 Weds 9th June and 12:00 Fri 11th June. No need to register just follow the link on the student calendar here.
Humanitarian Crisis Journalism
Sin newspaper and STAND are holding an event at 6.30pm on Thurs 10th of June on Humanitarian Crisis Journalism with speaker Philip Kleinfeld. More info and free tickets HERE
Student Advisors
Students Advisors are University Staff here to support you and they can offer advice and guidance on academic, personal, professional and financial matters. Advisor contact details:
- College of Science & Engineering – Kelly Moore. Contact: kelly.l.moore@nuigalway.ie
- College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences – AnnMarie Gilchrist. Contact: annmarie.gilchrist@nuigalway.ie
- College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies – Catherine McCurry (Mon-Fri) Mary Cairns (Mon-Thurs) Contact: catherine.mccurry@nuigalway.ie or mary.t.cairns@nuigalway.ie
- School of Business & Economics – Teresa Lydon. Contact businessstudentadvisor@nuigalway.ie
- School of Law. Contact lawexams@nuigalway.ie
Anyone of any age, gender, background or profession can develop an eating disorder. Recovery might be difficult and take time, but it is possible. Bodywhys provide great support and you can contact them HERE.
Lasta Festival
Lasta is an exciting arts festival curated by young people in eight Nasc Network venues across Ireland which takes place 11th-20th June. There is a great line up including comedy, theatre, dance, music, poetry, professional panels, and visual art. Some of the names announced so far are, Owen Colgan, AfroPopCity, NewDad, Drifting with Paul Mescal and Dafhyd Flynn, Lisa Canny, and there are many more to come. Find out more: Instagram – @lastafestival2021 Twitter – @LFestival2021 Tik Tok – @lastafestival21
#StudentSurveyIE Interim Results Bulletin is out now!
Data from almost 50,000 student survey responses outlines the effects that the #COVID19 pandemic has had on students in higher education. Read more HERE
International Men’s Health Week
International Men’s Health Week will run from Mon 14th to Sun 20th of June. The week aims to heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages. It will support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices/activities. It will also encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males. More info HERE
Free Yoga Breaks
Sinéad from Love Yoga has lots of free yoga videos for you to take a quick 5 minute yoga break or a longer 20 or 30 minute break. Videos are HERE
Big Yellow Thing Socks On Sale
Our Big Yellow Thing Charity socks are back on sale from the SU Website HERE and also from the SU Shop in the Library basement. They make a really handy present that you can put in the post! All proceeds from sock sales go to the SU Charities.
Camino of the Body & Mind, is a virtual Camino that is designed to nurture both body and mind while raising funds for Galway Rape Crisis Centre. It begins on Mon 7th of June and more info including registration is available HERE
Don’t be afraid to reach out, you’re not alone. More info here.
Contact Us / Déan teagmháil linn
You can contact the Students’ Union by email to studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with any questions or suggestions you may have. You can also like or follow us on Facebook Instagram Snapchat (@nuigsu) and Twitter.
Our office is currently closed but we are working remotely to help you.
Students’ Union Calls for End to €3,000 Student Contribution Fee
NUI Galway Students’ Union has joined the USI and Students’ Unions around the country in a call to end the Student Contribution Fee. The €3,000 fee means students in the Republic of Ireland pay the highest undergraduate fees in the EU.
At a socially distanced “Education for All” protest outside Leinster House this week student leaders asked the Government to remove the fee which is a huge barrier to education for students and their families. Funding of public Higher Education Institutions has dropped dramatically and in the current period of economic turbulence Higher Education funding needs to be prioritized.
Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey said: “We need a publicly funded system, not a student funded system. Our students and their families are stretched to breaking point trying to pay the highest fees in the EU. In Spain students pay €750, in France they pay €170 whilst in Germany they don’t pay fees at all. We are calling on our members and their families to contact their TD’s to lobby for the removal of this barrier to education.”
Students’ Union Vice-President/Education Officer Emma Sweeney added: “Students can’t afford to pay €3,000 per year and many rely on part time jobs and the assistance of their families to foot the bill of pursuing an education. The current pandemic means that students have lost these part time jobs and the news that the Government will be removing PUP payments for students in September is another unacceptable blow. We are asking TDs to make the Irish education system accessible for all.”
Want to Contact your TD? Find their contact details HERE
Pictured (Left to Right): Craig McHugh (USI), Pádraic Toomey (NUIG SU), Lorna Fitzpatrick (USI)
