News

Students’ Union to Sleep Out to Highlight Accommodation Crisis

University of Galway Students’ Union will be holding an accommodation protest and sleep out at Eyre Square on Wednesday 27^th of September. The protest will meet the Quadrangle at University of Galway campus at 4.30pm and later make its way to Eyre Square where there will be speeches before the students set up camp for the night.

The Union is calling on the Government and the University to come up with urgent solutions for the huge numbers of Galway students who are currently homeless. The sleep out protest aims to draw attention to the plight of the many students who can’t find housing.

Students’ Union President Dean Kenny said: “Our students are among the worst affected by the current housing crisis, we have students commuting for up to 7 hours a day, paying extortionate rent, sleeping on friends couches or living in hostels. This is completely unacceptable, and it is down to lack of Government action. Students cannot possibly study, live and work under these conditions. We are calling for more affordable student accommodation, digs legislation, and for our public representatives to finally start taking this issue seriously”.

Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Izzy Tiernan added: “We are getting hundreds of emails and phone calls every day from students and their families who are desperately seeking housing. It’s heart breaking to hear the circumstances that students are finding themselves in. There’s also been an increase in accommodation fraud which is adding to this nightmare situation.”

Student Safety Watch Applications

Applications are now OPEN for the Student Safety Watch for the 2023/24 academic term.

Please send your CV together with cover letter outlining your suitability to be part of the Student Safety Watch to studentsunionrecruitment@universityofgalway.ie‎ before 5pm on Monday 9 October 2023.

Full job description is available HERE:

Late applications will not be accepted.

Please note: You must be available for training on Thursday 26 October.

September 2023 SU Events

Click the links for more information/tickets or email studentsunion@universityofgalway.ie

Monday 4^th September

Teaching starts (non first years)

9am-5pm SU Cloakroom Open Mon-Fri

10am-5pm SU Office Open Mon-Fri

Class Rep nominations open for returning students

Wednesday 6^th September

12pm-5pm SU Stand at Socs Day outside Áras na Mac Léinn

9pm-11pm Money4Cans live band at Sult

Sunday 10^th September

World Suicide Prevention Day

Monday 11^th September

10am Nursing + Midwifery Uniform Drive Starts

Tuesday 12th September 

Online Orientation Talks

7pm-9pm SU Outdoor Cinema outside Engineering Building

Wednesday 13^th September

Online Orientation Talks

5pm-7pm Climate Crew Meeting The Stage

Thursday 14th September

Online Orientation Talks

Friday 15^th September

On Campus Orientation Talks

All Day Freshers’ Fest 

11.30am Meet at the Big Yellow Thing to walk to Eyre Square for Climate Strike at 12pm

5pm Class Rep nominations close for returning students

9pm Arriba Traffic Light Party at Sult

Saturday 16^th September

12pm-4pm SU Office Open

12pm-4pm Galway Simon Pop Up Shop in the Cube

8pm-10pm Siúcra live band at Sult. Free entry. Rugby World Cup match in the Corrib Room at Sult.

All Day + Night Fáilte Fest 

Monday 18^th September

Teaching starts (First years)

Class Rep Elections for Returning Students on YourSpace

Class Rep Nominations open for First Years on YourSpace

6.30pm Pilates Course Starts Online

Tuesday 19^th September

12pm-5pm SU Stand at Socs Day and Volunteering Fair outside Áras na Mac Léinn

1pm-3pm FREE Rapid HIV & Syphilis Testing in The Space with Sexual Health West

7pm SDG Table Quiz the Corrib Room at Sult.

Wednesday 20^th September

12pm-4pm SU Stand at Clubs Day in Kingfisher

6pm-7pm Climate Crew Meeting Room 2 upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn

Thursday 21^st September

11am-3pm SU Freshers Fair Áras na Mac Léinn/BA Hall

10am-4pm Free Collection Day for Batteries, Electrical and Electronic Waste at Orbsen Building

8pm Bumble Presents Mero & Daire Freshers 2.0 at Sult

Friday 22^nd September

11am-3.30pm Environmental Summit in The Cube

Monday 25^th September

10am Lab Coat + Goggle Giveaway at SU Office. Limited supply. First come first served.

CÉIM Sessions start

Tuesday 26^th September

12pm Sign Language Courses Start

8pm Self Defence Course 1

Wednesday 27^th September

1pm-3pm Get On Track Week stands in the Library Foyer

4.30pm SU Accommodation Protest Meet at the Quad and march to Eyre Square to camp out

6pm Postgrad Speed Friending in the Corrib Room at Sult SOLD OUT

Friday 29^th September

10am-5pm Hygiene Hub Donation Drive

5pm Returning Student Class Rep Nominations Close on YourSpace

Freshers’ Fair 

The SU Freshers’ Fair is back 11am-3pm Thursday 21st of September at Áras na Mac Léinn!

Call down for freebies, prizes and surprises!

There’ll be giant inflatable games in the Bailey Allen Hall, student friendly companies in Áras na Mac Léinn, a vintage pop up shop in The Cube and food trucks outside Áras na Mac Léinn.

We will also be giving out 2,000 FREE Students’ Union Rudaí Áille bags including: a free drink, snacks, a bottle opener, SU Freshers’ Magazine, a pen, sweets and some extra special surprises you don’t want to miss…

Exhibitors in the foyer of Áras na Mac Léinn and Bailey Allen Hall include: 

• ALIVE Volunteering
• Big O Taxis
• Bus Éireann
• Citylink
• Claddagh Credit Union
• Currys
• Domino’s Pizza
• Flirt FM
• Hot Press Magazine
• Just Eat
• Kingfisher Gym
• Matt O’Flaherty Chemists
• Pálás Cinema
• iRadio
• SU Card
• USIT
• Whack Vintage

Food Trucks outside Áras na Mac Léinn

• Ember Firehouse
• Juice Genie
• Traditional Crepes

Hygiene Hub | An Banc Sláinteachais

Donate to the Hygiene Hub today | Tabhair rud éigin don Bhanc Sláinteachais inniu

Donate hygiene, personal care and household cleaning products to those in need | Tabhair táirgí sláinteachais, cúraim phearsanta agus glantacháin tí dóibh siúd atá i ngátar.

Help us to end Hygiene Poverty | Déanaimis ár gcion féin le deireadh a chur leis an tearcrochtain sláinteachais

Donate to The Hygiene Hub at the SU Office upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn 10am-5pm on the following dates: 

• September: Friday 29th September 2023
• October: Friday 27th October 2023
• November: Friday 24th November 2023 *CHRISTMAS APPEAL! 

What to donate: 

We are looking for new, unused, in-date personal care and household cleaning essentials – including deodorant, shower gel, shampoo, make-up, nappies, toilet roll, laundry detergent and surface cleaner. If you use a particular item, chances are someone else needs it too. Donation FAQ’s here.

Where will your donations go: 

Your donations will go to The Hygiene Hub’s community partners in Galway who include COPE Galway, Galway Simon Community, Galway Traveller Movement and Saint Vincent de Paul among others.

What is Hygiene Poverty?

Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products most of us take for granted. The reality of low income is that it restricts people’s options, leaving us caught between being able to heat our homes, pay the rent, eat or be clean. Learn more HERE. 

Can’t Donate but want to Help?

• Volunteer with The Hygiene Hub in Galway. More info HERE
• Spread the word about our University of Galway donation drives!

Get Involved!

Here’s just some of the ways you can get involved with your Students’ Union this year:

• Class Reps

Can you lead the way and be the voice of your class this year? Nominations for Class Rep positions for returning students open Mon 4^th of Sept and close Fri 15^th Sept on YourSpace. It’s a great way to gain experience, make friends, get training and get your Class Rep Hoodie! More information HERE.

• Welfare Crew

Are you passionate about student welfare issues? Join the Welfare Crew! Help plan and run campaigns on student welfare issues such as: Mental Health, Sexual Consent, Equality Issues, Sexual Health, Disability Rights and Period Poverty. What’s in it for me? Maken new friends, learn new skills, get your ALIVE Cert and get some freebies! Contact Izzy on su.welfare@universityofgalway.ie

• Events Crew

Help plan and run events for University of Galway students such as: Music Gigs, Charity Events, Quiz Nights, Speed Friending, Sult Takeovers and Raise and Give (RAG) Week! What’s in it for me? Make new friends, learn new skills, get your ALIVE Cert and get some freebies. Contact Dean on su.president@universityofgalway.ie for more information

• Coiste Gaeilge

Bíodh guth agat ar shaincheisteanna a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge sa Chomhaltas, san ollscoil agus níos faide ó bhaile!

Have your voice heard on Gaeilge issues within the Union, University and beyond!

Déan teagmháil le Faye | Contact Faye su.gaeilge@ollscoilnagaillimhe.ie

• SU Elections

Could you be an SU Officer for 2024/25? Election nominations will open in February 2024 with elections taking place in March 2024. More information HERE.

We are hiring: SIN EDITOR

Sin is the official student news outlet of the University of Galway Students’ Union. Produced by the Students’ Union, Sin includes a mix of campus news, features, sport and reviews.

The Editor will be responsible for producing three issues of Sin each Semester which will be published online. In addition to the published issues, the Editor will collate content for Sin.ie which will include up to date news and features. The online resource will be a comprehensive information and resource centre for University of Galway students with a focus on local and campus issues.

The Sin Editor will be a self starter who works well with others and has particular strengths in working with, and motivating, a team of volunteers.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

· Recruit, direct and motivate a team of voluntary sub editors and writers.

· Overall responsibility for sourcing content, including content as Gaeilge.

· Maintain a high standard of writing all Sin content.

· Edit 6 issues of Sin Newspaper in conjunction with the Students’ Union

· Update Sin.ie website and social media platforms regularly with news, features etc

· Develop links with other student publications to facilitate sharing of information and resources.

· Any other duties which may be assigned from time to time.

Remuneration

Thirteen weeks per semester, €275 (gross) per week.

Applications

Please include the following:

· Cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

· CV

· A proposal outlining a plan of action of how you would manage Sin over the next academic year. This should include your plans for writer recruitment and retention, format of Sin, general promotion of Sin, and any other ideas you have.

Applications by email only to: chris.newell@universityofgalway.ie

Closing date: 5:00pm Tuesday 5th September 2023

Early Bird Ents | Imeachtaí Luatha Siamsaíochta 

FREE Events to welcome all our early arrivals to University of Galway 

• Irish Movie Night 7pm Sunday 27^th August in The View upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn. Free popcorn! BOOK HERE  
• Games Night 6pm Monday 28^th August in the Hub, Áras na Mac Léinn BOOK HERE
• Pub Quiz 6.30pm Tuesday 29^th August in the Corrib Room at Sult  BOOK HERE
• Traditional Irish Music with the Luke O’Malley Trad Band 8pm-10pm Wednesday 30^th August at Sult. No need to book just turn up!
• Arriba Night 8.30pm Thursday 31^st August at Sult. Latin mix + Reggaeton music to get you dancing! No need to book just turn up! 
• Speed Friending 5pm-7pm Friday 1^st September in the Corrib Room at Sult BOOK HERE
• Karaoke Night 8.30pm-11pm Friday 1^st September at Sult BOOK HERE
• Scavenger Hunt Saturday 2^nd September BOOK HERE
• Diamond Hill Hike in Connemara 9am Sunday 3^rd September with the University of Galway Mountaineering Club. Return bus provided. BOOK HERE
• Campus Tours 11am + 2pm Tuesday 29th August – Friday 8th September.  BOOK HERE.

All events are FREE but spaces are limited on some events and there’s a €2 refundable deposit for the hike.

Please make sure to book your place via the links above.