SU-2324-2
13-11-2023
Council Notes
That students from non-EU/EEA countries are denied renewals of visa following the initial study period of 7 years.
Council Further Notes
That the imposition of such a limit is arbitrary, unfair, and fails to recognise the contribution made to Irish society by these students.
Council Believes
That the University of Galway Students’ Union is mandated by its constitution to vindicate the rights of students at all levels.
Council Mandates
That there be ‘Citizenship Working Group’, which will address the needs of international students seeking advice on how to remain in Ireland, and shall advise the officers named below on policies to support international students.
Council Further Mandates
That there be a steering group consisting of the Postgraduate Research Officer, International Students Officer, Postgraduate Taught Officer, and the Vice President/Welfare Officer, which will organize and advertise the Working Groups Meetings, and shall implement the standing orders.
Council Lastly Mandates
That the attached terms of reference shall be the foundational document of this Working Group, and will govern how it elects its positions , conducts its meetings, and how it promulgates its recommendations.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE CITIZENSHIP WORKING GROUP
I. Membership
a. Any student may apply to the steering committee established by the Motion approved by the SU Council to be a member of the working group.
b. All members of the Executive Committee of the UGSU shall be members of the Working Group, ex officio, however any officer may decline to serve for any reason.
c. An officer who resigns their position on the Executive Committee will be deemed to have resigned from the Working Group.
II. Structure of the Working Group
a. There shall be a Chairperson who will ensure order in meetings, execute the agenda of the Working Group, and shall have a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes. Any member of the steering committee may chair a meeting, however only members of the steering committee may do so.
b. There shall be a Secretary, who shall compile the agenda of the meetings, ensure meetings are advertised in the student mailer email, and shall transmit all recommendations to the SU Executive, or the SU Council, where appropriate and mandated. Any member of the SU Executive may act as secretary during a Working Group Meeting.
III. Recommendations
a. The Working Group shall make recommendations on what policies, activities, and other actions the union can partake in to support international students with any matters regarding citizenship, immigration, and other matters arising from those topics.
b. Each recommendation shall be formulated in conjunction with international students and will be voted on by all members present at the meeting.
i. An ordinary majority of those present and voting shall be necessary to ensure the policy is recommended.
c. Voting shall be secret ballot where practicable, or by roll call vote where appropriate.
d. Recommendations may be forwarded to the Executive of the SU or the SU Council as
a motion for approval by either body in accordance with the established rules and procedures.
IV. Terms of Office
a. This Working Group shall come into existence when the Class Representative Council passes the constituting motion, and shall cease to exist on the 30th of June 2024, prior to the end of the term of the sitting SU Executive.
V. Steering Committee
a. The steering committee shall organise and advertise the first meeting of the Working
Group and shall be responsible for advocating for the recommendations of the Working Group at the Executive and/or SU Council.
b. The steering committee shall set the dates for meetings, however there must be at
least 3 meetings per semester.
