University of Limerick Students' Union

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The University of Limerick Students' Union (Aontas na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil Luimnigh) is the representative body for all students at the University of Limerick, situated in Limerick, Ireland

1 History
2 Organisation and Services
3 Notable officers
4 External link

[edit] History

The National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) was founded in Limerick in 1972. The 113 students who started in NIHEL, that year, founded the Students' Union, which was later to become the University of Limerick Students' Union. From its inception in 1972, the union had been involved with USI. ULSU withdrew in 1991 from USI after it decided that the national union was no longer doing what it should be doing for ordinary students on the ground. ULSU has never reaffiliated to USI, although an inquorate referendum held in 2001 on the issue indicated significant support among students for such a move. However since the organisation is unable to represent students on a national level, it has on occasion supported campaigns organised by USI.

[edit] Organisation and Services

The Union represents UL Students at many fora within and external to the university. There are currently four full time sabbatical officers (President, Deputy President/Welfare Officer, Vice-President/Education Officer, Vice-President/Communications & Campaigns Officer), combined with a number of voluntary non-sabbatical positions are elected each year by the students. From the academic year 06/07 onwards, ULSU will have five full time officers - the Vice-President/Communications & Campaigns Officer will be discontinued and a new Vice-President/Publicity & Publications Officer and a Vice-President/Campaigns & Services Officer will take office. The Union employs six other full time members of staff and owns a company, ULSU Services Ltd., which run both Students' Union Shops on campus. The Union also provides other services to students - graphics, Nitelink bus service, education advice, welfare advice, second-hand bookshop, etc.

The Students' Union in UL has two main differences from other Students' Unions.

It runs its own clubs and societies - these are administered through the union by and for the students.

It has a Postgraduate Students Association - to represent all Postgraduate Students on postgraduate issues only. The Postgraduate students elect a full-time sabbatical president for the PSA.