Welcome to your weekly email from your Students’ Union.
Class Rep Elections will be a two-step online process this year on the NUIG YourSpace platform
Undergrad students:
Step 1: Nominations are open until 12pm Weds 14 Oct
Step 2: Voting Weds 14 Oct to Mon 19 Oct
Postgrad Students:
Step 1: Nominations open 12pm Mon 12 Oct to 12pm Fri 16 Oct
Step 2: Voting Mon 19 Oct to Fri 23rd Oct
More information about being a Class Rep is available on our website here. You can also give the SU VP/Education Officer Emma a shout on su.education@nuigalway.ie if you have any questions
We are holding socially distant Walks and Talks for NUIG students 1pm-2.30pm TODAY Thurs 8th Oct and 12pm-1.30pm Sat 10th Oct (World Mental Health Day). BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL and spaces are limited due to Covid-19 restrictions. Get your free ticket here! Don’t forget your face mask.
TODAY is our LAST DAY of our SU Pop Up in the Quad so call over 12pm-3pm to get ALL THE FREE STUFF! Including: Face Masks, SU Diaries, SU Cards, Flirt FM Wall Planners and High Vis Vests. We still don’t have a reopening date for the SU office from the University.
How is College Life Going for You?
Please take our October survey here so we can address the issues that are worrying you.
Here’s the link to issue 1 of Sin newspaper with all the NUIG news you need to know! Want to get involved with the paper? Contact the Editor Paddy Henry on editor.sin@gmail.com
Don’t let money worries cost you your education. The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support for students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. NUIG online applications will be available here soon.
Walktober Weekly Competitions
There’s 3 ways to win this week if you are taking part in our Walktober Challenge:
- Virtual Challenge. This is a virtual 37km walk through the hills of Donegal which means a weekly team average of 49,300 steps, equating to approximately 7,100 steps per person per day. Get all team members to that target this week, log your steps and you could win prizes!
- Team Photo competition. In keeping with our trip to Donegal we would love to see can you include a hill or mountain summit in the background. Submit your team photo via our Competition Entry Form by Friday 9th October at 1pm.
- Get your team in the Top 25 of the leader board and you will be entered into a draw to win a Smarter Travel Goody Bag. The only way to get here is to step and log on to register your steps!
Suirbhé chun ranganna Gaeilge/spás sóisialta a fháil ar champas
Survey for Irish classes and social spaces on campus
The University is running a series of online events including information sessions about the Library, a Jobs Fair, Volunteering information, mindfulness classes and more. Full details and booking here.
“COVID-19 Conversations” 5pm Thurs 15th Oct via Zoom
Hear from national student’s union leader, Gary who joins Aisling and Lorraine in a chat on the USI new campaign on students staying safe, while living life to the full! Come along for tea and chat.
What is a Money Mule?
A money mule is a person recruited by criminals to help in transferring stolen or fraudulently obtained money from bank accounts. Money muling equals money laundering. You might be offered a job that involves receiving money into your bank account and transferring it into another account letting you keep some of the cash for yourself. Doing so would make you a Money Mule. 30 people have been arrested and €1.5 million has been stolen so far. More arrests are expected. Gardaí are particularly appealing to students to be vigilant and never ever allow your bank account to be used in this way. A conviction of this type carries a potential prison sentence of 14 years. Check www.fraudsmart.ie for more info.
Some good news from the Library
- You can now book a seat in the Library for the whole day via their website.
- PhD Students can now check out up to 20 books
- They are holding an online info session at 12pm TODAY Thurs 8th Oct to learn more about using the library. Link here.
Volunteering In The New Academic Year: Getting Started In Third-Level Volunteering
First years and new volunteers, join Mairead Cleary and the studentvolunteer.ie working group 1pm-2pm Weds 14th Oct as they help you start your volunteer journey in university or college. Our team will be on board to ask any questions you have about starting volunteering in the this new academic year. COVID19 has changed the volunteer landscape significantly but you can still be involved and share your knowledge and skills with some fantastic organisations in your community Register on Zoom HERE to attend.
Stammering Support
ISA workshop ‘Accessing Higher Level- Supports for someone who stammers’ at 10am Thurs 15th October via zoom. Register for free here. Suitable for students who stammer or anyone supporting those who stammer. Panel discussion + Q & A.
SUMS is back with free online informal mathematics support for NUIG Students in 1st and 2nd year and on Access/Foundation courses from Monday 12th of October. More info here.
The NUIG Job Fair takes place 11am-4pm on Mon 12th Oct. Open to all NUIG students and those who graduated from NUIG this year. More info here.
There’s loads of information for new NUI Galway students here. The University have also produced a video with all the NUIG services for students here.
Computer DISC is Online
Computer DISC is a free online service that supports all students with their self-directed learning in computing topics at all years and levels in NUI Galway. More information is available here or email computerdisc@it.nuigalway.ie
It’s never too late to join up to Clubs and Societies! Just sign up at www.yourspace.nuigalway.ie
Student feedback wanted on NUIG Draft Sustainability Strategy
NUIG is on a journey to establishing the university as a leading, green smart and healthy campus. They recently published a draft Sustainability Strategy for the period 2020-2025 and need student input on the draft document. Please read the draft strategy here and share your opinions with them. What do you think of the aims, objective and targets they have set? Does the Strategy meet your needs on campus? How can they improve the strategy? Let them know what you think by 5pm Fri 16th Oct. You can share your comments and feedback here. Alternatively email sustainability@nuigalway.ie
The Career Development Centre are running virtual ‘First year Drop In’ event on Tuesdays in October to give anyone who is unsure of their course an opportunity to meet with one of the team and discuss your options and get advice and support.
These drop in sessions are running on the following dates:
Tuesday 13th of October 11-12. Register to attend here.
Tuesday 20th of October 11-12. Register to attend here.
Tuesday 27th of October 11-12. Register to attend here.
More info from careers@nuigalway.ie
Aware Free Online Programme
If you need help managing feelings of stress, worry, anxiety or depression – Aware’s Life Skills Free Online programme may be for you. Registration opens Mon 12 Oct. Register here if you want to be notified when it opens. Learn simple and practical skills online over 8 weeks for free.
First Year Student Helpline Open
The NUIG Student First Year Hotline is open until Friday the 14th of October. Contact them for all your queries including registration, fees, orientation and accommodation on +353 91 493 999. Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 9am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm.
The Draft Register of Electors 2021/2022 is now being compiled. Log on to www.checktheregister.ie to see if you are registered to vote. If you wish to be added to the Register, make sure forms are submitted by 25th October 2020. For any queries about registering to vote in Galway city, email register@galwaycity.ie or phone 091 536 400
Learn Suicide Prevention Skills Online
LivingWorks Start is an online programme suitable for anyone over the age of 18 who wants to help prevent suicide and is prepared to become more suicide alert. This interactive training programme will give you the skills and knowledge to keep others safe from suicide. More info about the programme is available here and you can contact mary.mcgrath9@hse.ie to sign up. Please note this programme is the step before safeTALK and ASIST.
The FREE Student Health Unit is open but you must book your appointment online prior to attending. More information on their services and how to book your appointment online here.
Need Someone to Talk To?
- Contact NUIG Counselling service to set up an appointment on: counselling@nuigalway.ie
- Text HELLO to 50808 if you need mental health support or advice. Service available 24/7
- Phone the Samaritans on 116 123 or email them on jo@samaritans.org 24/7
The Academic Writing Centre provide one-on-one tutorials on essay writing that are free for all NUIG Students. They also support student writing through workshops, modules, and competitions.
5 Ways To Get Involved in Your SU this Year
- Charity Challenge – Each month from November we will have a different charity challenge to raise funds for the SU Charities. Contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for info
- Event Crew – The crew will organise events during term to give students a chance to meet up on or off line. Contact su.president@nuigalway.ie for info
- Class Representatives – Each class elects a class rep to be their voice. Contact su.education@nuigalway.ie for info
- Welfare Crew – The crew will organise campaigns on student issues such as sexual health, mental health and equality issues. Contact su.welfare@nuigalway.ie for info
- Elections – There are currently 5 Vacant Officer positions to be filled. Contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for info
Our office is still closed so we can’t currently process Student Leap Card applications and we don’t have a reopening date yet. For any queries please contact the Student Leap Card help desk (Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm) Email: info@studentleapcard.ie Phone: 1890 457 056
Our CÉIM academic peer support programme for 1st year students at NUI Galway is being delivered online in 2020/21 due to COVID-19. CÉIM is available to approximately 1,650 1st year students studying: Engineering & Construction Management; Geography; Law (all programmes including BA Law); Political Science & Sociology; Psychology. More info here.
Contact Us
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.
