Students vote to rejoin union

STUDENTS at Dublin City University have voted by the narrowest of margins to rejoin the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) after an absence of 13 years from the national union.

After two days of voting online and at designated polling stations 726 students at the Northside university voted in favour of rejoining with 725 voting against.

With just one single vote between the sides it’s believed to be the tightest result ever in USI’s history.

The result of the referendum will see close to 11,500 members of DCU Students’ Union engage with the national union in campaigns including graduate jobs, third level funding, marriage equality and mental health awareness.

DCUSU will now have a voice in national student affairs, the HEA (Higher Education Authority), the QQI & SUSI grants organisation and access to quality training. In joining, DCUSU will become USI’s fifth largest member.

Joe O’Connor, President of USI, said:

“This result reflects the recognition by DCU students of the enormous challenges facing us on a national level, and the need for national representation and campaigns in order to tackle these issues.

“The national student movement stands strengthened by DCU’s return, however, these challenges remain immense.

“We will now work together to make the case for education as a public good, to achieve marriage equality, and to bring about better pay and conditions for our graduate nurses. These are issues of key concern to students in DCU and right across the country.

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