“Represent!” That’s the unspoken motto echoing within these walls of the Students Union. This is not just a building. It is the heart of student life at University College Dublin.
The UCDSU as it is also known stands as the largest students’ union in Ireland. It represents nearly 30000 members. Founded in 1975 the Union succeeded the Student Representative Council. Enda Connolly was its first president.
Imagine if you will a time before 1985. Selling condoms was illegal without a prescription. Yet the Students Union fearlessly sold them from 1979. The Director of Public Prosecutions considered legal action. But he ultimately demurred. He believed the Union sought to provoke a case. He also thought the law prohibiting their sale was unconstitutional.
The Union also fought for the right to publish abortion information. In 1988 the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children threatened legal action. This was over the Union’s welfare guide. The UCDSU published information on abortion clinics in Britain anyway. The case went to the European Court of Justice. The court established that Ireland could not block abortion information from foreign clinics.
In the early 21st century the Union faced financial difficulties. A 2012 audit revealed poor financial practices. This led to significant debt. UCD provided a bailout. Following this the Union incorporated as a limited liability company in 2012.
The UCDSU has a complex relationship with the Union of Students in Ireland. It has disaffiliated and reaffiliated several times. As of 2021 UCDSU is not affiliated with USI. Students voted to leave due to concerns over leadership transparency and costs.
The Union Council is the main governing body. It meets every second week of term. The Union Executive manages day-to-day operations. Sabbatical officers dedicate a year to full-time work for the Union.
Today the Students Union continues to champion student interests. It provides welfare education and services. The UCDSU is a powerful voice. It shapes the university experience for all its members. This is a place of activism support and community. It is the embodiment of student power at UCD.