Welcome to the first weekly email from your Students’ Union for the new academic year.
The SU Office might be closed but you can call in to our SU Pop Up in the Quad to pick up your pack of 3 free reusable face masks. The masks have been supplied by NUI Galway and there’s a pack for every NUIG student so don’t panic! We will also have FREE SU Diaries, SU Cards and Flirt FM Wall Planners at the SU Pop Up. Please wear a mask and follow the social distancing signage/instructions. The Pop Up will be open until Fri 9th Oct and our provisional opening hours are here.
“The mission of the Union shall be to represent its members and promote, defend and vindicate the rights of its members at all levels of society.” – Constitution of the Students’ Union
The SU is a representative organisation that is independent from the University and consists of all registered students at NUI Galway. As the SU is an independent body, the SU officers do not have to answer to the University authorities – we only answer to you, our members who have elected us.
These are the officers in the Students’ Union working for you this year to promote and defend your rights:
President: Pádraic su.president@nuigalway.ie
Vice-President/Education: Emma su.education@nuigalway.ie
Vice-President/Welfare & Equality: Róisín su.welfare@nuigalway.ie
Oifigeach na Gaeilge: Erin su.gaeilge@nuigalway.ie
Mature Students: Michelle su.maturestudents@nuigalway.ie
Postgraduate Taught: Martin su.pgtaught@nuigalway.ie
Postgraduate Research: Sebastiaan su.pgresearch@nuigalway.ie
Clubs: Kirsty su.clubs@nuigalway.ie
Convenor Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies: Claire su.arts@nuigalway.ie
Convenor Science and Engineering: Aoife su.scienceengineering@nuigalway.ie
Convenor Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences: Evan su.medicine@nuigalway.ie
Gender and LGBT+ Rights: Maeve su.lgbt@nuigalway.ie
Disability Rights: Patricia su.disability@nuigalway.ie
5 Ways To Get Involved in Your SU this Year
- Charity Challenge – Each month 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 (Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm) Email: info@studentleapcard.ie Phone: 1890 457 056
Galway is currently at level 2 (green). We would love to reach level 1 but to do that we need to stop the spread of Covid-19 by:
- Limiting our social contacts to priority contacts.
- Practising good hand hygiene. There are hand sanitisation stations all around campus. Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds.
- Wearing a face covering. Free reusable face masks are available from the SU Pop Up at the Quad. There are 3 for every NUIG student.
- Keep social distance of 2 metres and please follow the yellow arrows/social distancing markings on campus.
- Maintain good cough/sneeze etiquette. Throw used tissues in the bin.
- Self-isolate if you feel you have any symptoms of COVID and ring your GP or the Student Health Unit ASAP to arrange a test.
- Download the free Covid Tracker App.
This week the national #EducationForAll campaign was launched calling on politicians to take immediate action on Higher Education Funding. It’s time to end fees. Cut Rents. Support Students. Learn more about the campaign here. Sign the campaign petition here.
Walktober – Win Prizes by Walking!
Walktober our annual Walking Challenge that runs from Mon 5th Oct to Sun 1st Nov. It is open to all staff and students at NUI Galway. How to take part:
- Get into a team of 3-6 people, including the captain
- Sign up online www.activetravellogger.ie
- Participants can download an app, buy a pedometer, step counter, or other step tracking device.
- During the Challenge: participants are asked to log steps online at www.activetravellogger.ie
Teams will be awarded for their improvement throughout the challenge. There will also be lots of opportunities to win prizes throughout the challenge, including photo competitions, story competitions and weekly prize draws.
How is the return to College going for you?
Take our survey HERE so we know what issues you need us to be aware of.
Here’s a handy update from Student Registry Helpdesk on what they can/can’t stamp for you and how to get in touch to arrange this. Please note they don’t stamp FRS2 (Student Free Fee Declaration) form. This form must be sent to the Fees Office (fees@nuigalway.ie) for completion.
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.
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.
The Library is back open with limited services and you now need to book your seat online before attending. More info on their services here.
Applications are open for the Laptop Loan Scheme until Friday the 2nd of October. You can find more information and apply online here
Online Learning at NUI Galway – Getting Started Guide Available here.
NUIG Clubs Day and Socs Day are going virtual!
You can meet them all on Tues 29th Sept, Weds 30th Sept and Thurs 1st Oct. You can also use your YourSpace login to sign up to any club/society online any time! More info about CLUBS HERE and about SOCIETIES HERE.
Are you a young adult (18-30 years) living with asthma? Participants needed!
Researchers at the School of Psychology, NUI Galway are conducting a study on the use of a smartphone app to support adherence to preventer inhalers. Participation will involve 2 brief online questionnaires and downloading and using an app. To take part or for more info, click here.
Graduating soon?
Don’t forget to register for your vote in the Seanad Éireann elections. Register here.
Disability Support Service Registration
Students with evidence of a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning disability should register with the Disability Support Service. Please email disabilityservice@nuigalway.ie
The NUIG radio station Flirt FM turns 25 this Monday 28th of September and to mark this huge occasion they are holding a 25 hour broadcast! Find out how to get involved and join the party here.
Class Representatives
Every class is entitled to a Class Representative to represent their class. If your class does not have a Class Rep your voice will not be heard. If you have any questions on the roles and responsibilities of a Class Rep contact the SU Vice-President/Education Officer Emma at su.education@nuigalway.ie. Further information regarding the role of Class Reps is also available here.
Sign Up For Your Free SU Card Today!
Get your free SU Card at the SU Pop Up at the Quad and earn points or free products every time you shop with us. Your SU Card can be used in any Students’ Unions outlet: Sult, Students’ Union Shop and Smokey’s Café. Students’ Union outlets are open longer than other outlets, have the best prices and sell a huge range of products, so you will quickly start to earn benefits. Also, when you spend money in SU outlets, that money stays on campus supporting student jobs and students’ union services. No other campus operator can say that!
Sin Needs You!
The Sin newspaper editor is looking for volunteers to help out with the on campus newspaper and website during the year. If you are interested in helping drop him a line to editor.sin@gmail.com
Attention Postgrad Research Students
The NUIG Postgraduate Research Society will be holding a virtual AGM TONIGHT Thurs 24th Sept 6pm-7pm with an optional fancy dress competition! If you are not a member of the society, join via YourSpace or email postgrad@socs.nuigalway.ie
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.
