1980-2000

• The Union supports the Postgrad Strike and gives them monies raised in the Aula on Thursday nights. Postgrads are striking due to the withdrawal of the fellowship teaching grant for postgrads by the College.
• The Union pushes for on campus accommodation for students.
• The Union supports the call for political status by the prisoners of H-Block and Armagh Jail. Several UCG students involved in the H-Block campaign claim they are being harassed by the Gardaí.
• The third annual First Year Festival of “Gibs” (Freshers) is held with gigs by Stocktons Wing and Bagatelle.

1980-81
President: Brendan Smith

• The Ballot Box Campaign (BBC) is held to increase the number of students registered to vote in Galway West. A test case is taken to court by the Students’ Union to allow students’ to register to vote in the constituency where they attend College and this test case is a success.
• A further fees boycott is proposed as part of the Finance for Education Campaign.
• Students hold an occupation of the staff hall to protest against increasing prices, poor service and limited opening times in the staff hall and the restaurant.
• The Union holds a Community Action Week as part of College Week.

1981-82
President: Aileen O’Meara

• During College Week Gerry Ryan DJ’d the disco at Leisureland and the Manger of Leisurelands car was set on fire by students.
• The SU is affiliated with the Irish Polish Solidarity Campaign which was set up following the declaration of martial law in Poland. This left students stranded in other countries and interned in Poland due to Union involvement.
• 12th – 21st of May a group of 13 representing the Students’ Union occupy the Presidents office. The occupation was initially meant to last 24 hours and was about the proposed increase in fees and the cut backs in essential Student Services. However, following intimidation from College authorities (student phones cut off, closure of the SU bar and an attempt to cut off the nursery allowance) they decided to extend the occupation. 1,000 students marched in support of this occupation on the eve of their exams. The increase in fees still went through however.
• A catering boycott of the restaurant was held. Terms of settlement included a freeze on prices and an 8% increase in chip quantity.

1982
President: Alan Sheerins

• In February three days of action are held regarding education cuts. The Union organises a boycott of lectures, pickets on campus, a march through town and the distribution of information regarding the campaign to locals from a stall set up in Eyre Square. They also join the national march in Dublin.
• The case in favour of the introduction of capitation was put forward by the SU.
• The Union supports the Release Nicky Kelly Campaign after he was wrongly convicted for the Sallins Mail Train Robbery.

1983
President: Seamus Henry

• In March a referendum passes to allow for the introduction of a capitation fee in 1984/85 academic year.
• Occupation of Western Health Board offices by some members of the Union regarding the withdrawal of medical cards from students. National USI campaign is successful and the automatic loss of the card by students is gone.

1983-84
President: Peter Conry

• The Union proposes the establishment of a Student Health Service.

1984-85
President: Pat Boyde

• A referendum in favour of disaffiliation from USI fails.
• The College buys the IMI (Irish Metal Industries) building which is a former ammunitions factory.

1985-1986
President: Brendan Wilkins

• The Union joins campaigns against extradition and strip searches in women’s prisons.
• The Pogues, Alison Moyet, The Waterboys, John Martyn and Nik Kershaw play various Union organised gigs.

1986-87
President: Ger Killeen

• Sit-ins are held at the library by up to 400 students regarding the cut in library opening hours. This results in the necessary overtime for library staff being sanctioned.
• Students occupy the University Telephone Exchange to protest at the 10% increase in fees.
• The Union is a member of Galway Council of Voluntary Youth Organisations.
• The Union commences operation of cloakroom and exam papers services.

1987-88
President: Pat O’Flaherty

• Students are dissatisfied with Ents. offered by the Union. A review of ents. department is held. The Ents. department is not making a profit, poor service, bad PR for SU, poor relations with socs and clubs. The report concludes there is no need for Ents Dept & employees (had full time officer and 2 part time assistants)
• RAG week “important that the emphasis be taken away from drink and that the charity aspect be stressed more”.
• An Exec review is held regarding the possible merger of Campaigns Officer with UDO and change of secretary to publicity officer are suggested.
• Gaysoc is set up and the SU brings people from other colleges with Gaysocs to visit the college.
• Auditors pass motion asking SU not to pay USI affiliation fee and suggest a referendum to disaffiliate. An EGM is called.
• New secretarial service is set up by the SU.

1988-89
President: Cathy Grieve

1989-90
President: Neil Whorisky

• A Union day is held.
• It is agreed that Exec meetings will be non-smoking.
• A Board of Management for SU is set up consisting of President, VP, College Rep, Independent Rep.
• Management structure for SU commercial services is introduced.

1990-91
President: Daithí MacCarthaigh

• The Union Bilingual policy is formulated.
• Lighting on campus is a big issue.
• Common room facilities for Engineering Department and St. Anthonys
• A campus laundry is proposed.
• A Library amnesty is held.
• Protests are held about overcrowding and delays over IMI. The College says it can’t develop until the Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club is bought out.
• Campaign against water charges.

1991-92
President: Ronan Mullen

• The Union decided to reaffiliate to level O of USI.
• The Union adopts a neutral position on pro-life issue.
• Efforts are made to resurrect the Student Assembly.
• The Student Centre campaign is set up.
• A meeting is held regarding living conditions in Baile na Coiribe and 120 residents out of 180 attend same.
• The Union runs “Almost Las Vegas” a pool hall in the IMI

1992-93
President: Seán Solon

• There is disappointment with the content of Cool Chaint which is blamed on time involved in translating/typing due to bilingual policy.
• Students Summer Job Scheme is run by the Union providing jobs for students setting up a computer system for lockers, running a housing survey, typing, cleaning lockers.
• Increase in Under Grad fees and capitation to pay for IMI. The IMI building is due to start January 1994.
• Application for Q mark for Shop and Smokeys
• A Reclaim the Night march is held over attacks at Corrib Village with self defence classes being held and rape alarms going on sale.
• Referendum to re-affiliate with USI is held and increase capitation to meet cost of this.
• An Environment week is held with bottle banks being a key issue.
• Complaints are made that permanent college staff don’t speak Irish.
• Honorary Life Membership of SU to Everett Kavanagh.

1993-94
President: Eoghan McCormaic

• Following RAG week losses in 1991, 1992 and 1993 the Union aims to revamp RAG week through running a small number of well organised events with an increased emphasis on community involvement and charities.
• Evening students rights are an issue.
• Possibility of increased capitation to fund SU.
• Possibility of setting SU up as limited company so any service not trading properly/not profitable can be shut down.
• The Union begins setting up an orientation programme.
• Campus Watch is introduced due to safety concerns on Campus.
• Suggested 24 hour computer and reading room.
• A referendum is held over proposed Nestle ban.
• RAG week charities: Aids West, The Samaritans, the RNLI, VSA, Waterside Womens Refuge

1994-95
President: Sinead Molloy

1994-95
President: Fiona McCauley

• In February the Minister for Education announces the abolition of Undergraduate fees in Third Level Institutions.
• In July the Minister for Education establishes charge of up to ?150 intended to fund student services such as Students’ Union, Societies, Clubs and contributions to cost of registration and exams. Following this the Minister accepted that 3rd Level Institutions may increase this basic charge from ?150 to ?250. Students’ Unions throughout the country set out a position paper on this charge as they are concerned it may be increased again. Marches are held about fees.
• Aslan and the Pale play the RAG ball other RAG week events include the Bogmans Ball, the Race of Disgrace and Blind Date.
• The Nurses case begins over non payment of their fees by Western Health Board.
• Quality of UCG sports facilities is criticised.
• Groups of students are walking to Corrib Village together at night for safety.
• A complaints book for nightclubs is introduced in the SU.
• Concerns are raised over Student Services office allocation in the new IMI building as it is feared this will interfere with autonomy of SU.
• Lack of facilities for Christmas exams is a big problem.
• Recycled paper is on sale in the shop.
• The importance of keeping representational and commercial sides of SU separate is discussed.
• The possibility of introducing an Environmental Officer is raised.

1995-96
President: Fergal O’Flaherty

1996-97
President: Joanne Murphy

• Warning leaflets are drawn up regarding accommodation.
• Sabbatical wages to increase in line with USI wages.
• Student help line is set up.
• Smoking is banned in Exec office
• Group walks to Corrib Village are restarted.
• Opening library on Sundays campaign.
• USI Pink Training is held at NUI, Galway
• Union has a weekly slot on FLIRT FM
• The shortage of computer facilities causes problems.
• SU suing Minister for Education over non-payment of nurses fees.
• CAO day at SU office to help 2nd level students fill in their application forms.
• Dail protest regarding nurses fees and postcard campaign to Taoiseach regarding same.
• USI capitation campaign is launched.
• The revamp of CRC begins.
• Constitution review/referendum
• Increased investment in Student Services (?120,000 pa)
• Referendum of USI affiliation – SU campaigning for YES vote
• The 4 of Us play RAG week

1997-98
President: Darren McCallig

• Library will begin opening on a Sunday for ten Sundays in the college year.
• Officers receive suicide intervention training.
• Increasing circulation of Cool-Chaint off campus eg. Shop in Corrib Village
• Clamping for bikes is proposed.
• Lack of vegetarian meal options on Campus.

1998-99
SU President: Cormac McCarthy

• Student nurses and strike continue.
• USI joining SIPTU
• Campaign begins for pedestrian crossings around university.
• Lack of Vegetarian meals on Campus.
• Security cameras/lighting/safety/Garda presence on campus
• Overcrowding and overcrowding causing the spread of disease on Campus is highlighted.
• Reform of 1929 Act to state all lecturers at NUI, Galway must be able to conduct a lecture through Irish
• RAG week charities: The Lions Club, Leukaemia Trust, Gorta, VSA, Threshold, Goal – feedback requested on how money benefited people/used and beneficiaries attend cheque presentation
• Submissions for changes to constitution via SU website
• Stall outside exam hall with Disprin, pens, calculators and exam stress leaflets
• Strategic review to incorporate relationship between SU and its commercial services.
• President and Welfare Officer take a pay freeze and contribute the balance to a fund for disadvantaged students.
• Student Finance Survey

1999-2000
President: Paddy Jordan