ULSU EGM

Hi guys, first time caller long time listener.

I have been following these threads, facebook pages, thomond times, an focal articles etc. for the last number of months and I have to say I have never been so disgusted with a Students' Union in all my life.

I'm back doing a PhD in Limerick this year after being around the block and never have I had such low confidence in a sabbatical team.

I was shocked and appalled at the rumours I heard at the start of last semester about the financial ruin the SU was allegedly in. Having heard it confirmed at the EGM this week I am actually no longer surprised. The accountant asked to give a figure for the approximate debt the students union is in and responds "Sorry I don't have that figure to hand" only to later pass a crumbled piece of paper to the President with a figure of about 300,000? Absolutely ridiculous. Frankly appalling.

Derek Daly, 3 time sabbatical officer asked if he had any idea that the SU was making a debt of 100k per year before now? He says he didn't know? Is he stupid. I mean that in the most genuine of senses, not taking a pot shot at him, but jesus, mary and joseph, how can someone of his stature in the SU not know they were 'living well beyond their means'. I had a lot of respect for Derek Daly before this year started but now I have to wonder was it justified.

Ok, fair enough, Derek Daly isn't an accountant (despite doing an Accounting degree I'm told) so we'll leave him off the hook for the financial mismanagement of the SU over the last 3 years. But what about leadership? Didn't Derek Daly go on leadership meetings in the USA, taking work shops on the topic? Where is his leadership? Two of his sabbatical officers can't stand the sight of each other. One of them makes up false allegations, get's a doey eyed acclompice to post them on boards, then endorses the comments in a blog, then facebooks about it? Do the SU officers need to take a course in 'how to use social networking professionaly as to not to embarrass yourself and your colleagues professionally and personally?". Sending out malicious emails to stab one of your work mates in the back?

I won't even get started on how inappropriate and unprofessional the SU team are with regard to facebook and twitter. I have never, in all my time, ever been so embarrassed by the personal actions of my SU officers. The only people with any sense on the SU seem to be the welfare officer who knows a shut mouth catches no flies and seems not to voice any opinion on anything and the PSU officer who, in my opinion, always operates with the highest of dignity and integrity.

I apologise to Derek if my criticisms of his man management are unfair. I can only imagine how difficult it is to get those pack of clowns in line. But I am fully entitled, as a fully paying student of this college, to criticise him. I think his behaviour leaves a lot to be desired.

With regard to the SU's financial crisis I rejected the rushed decision to dismantle the CSO and CO positions (or what ever they're called). It was too rushed and too little thought out. I think Derek's admin have done enough damage and shouldn't be pulling strings to make a further mess of this once great students' union. I think the CO is bloody foolish with her fairytale about a communications manager etc. This students' union will not be making any new positions next year that are paid. They're broke. They'll be lucky to survive with out making have the clerical staff redundant. This pie in the sky about a communications manager who does the CO job but without the representative obligations is pure fantasy.

People question why the SU officers exist at all. I will tell you. They exist because they are expected to do a mammoth amount of work for 54 weeks. They are expected to burn themselves out doing thier jobs working 60+ hour weeks, every week, running around doing the studetns' bidding. That's what they sign up for, that's why they do it. Few people have the ability to do this for a second term, god only knows how DD does it for 3, he must pace himself. This is why they can't be replaced with salaried positions. Nobody in their right mind would take the job for money inferior to what they'd get in McDonalds. It's too much work for too little pay if you're not in it for financial reward.

This is what will happen next year. The co and cso essential roles will be split amongst the remaining sabbat officers. Someone from journalism course will take over as an focal editor. They will either, sacrafice their QCA to make a decent effort at the role, try and get the paper out on time and with enough articles to fill it, but won't have the time or energy to do the role justice. Another person, probably from the radio/music production course will manage the radio, again they'll keep it ticking over, but when there's only 10 people listening at any time you'll wonder if they'll find the motivation to work on it at the detriment of their grades. There will about as many campaigns next year as this year - **** all, just the typical few, shag, rainbow, mental health etc. They will all fall underneath the radar of the typical student and go unnoticed. the welfare officer isn't going to break his or her heart doing it while they are juggling their other roles.

what else will happen? no one will be held accountable for the financial mess. the su will employ managers and accounts and other guys and spend more money then they'll save trying to come up with solutions.

I think the students' union is a total disgrace this year and if i didn't have contractual obligation to my phd i'd run for president myself and fix it.

jc

Not to be overly blunt but UL is not TCD,

You need to make comparisons to know what is appropriate and what isn't. The SU president made number of references to how many officers other colleges have and how much they pay them.

therefore, I couldn't care less how they run their IVs.

This shows your myopia and we can be grateful you don't have any active role with in the society.

I think any reduction in capitation allocation is completely ridiculous.

Really? you know nothing.

It's like reducing childrens allowance to bail out banks, why pick on those who didn't cause they problem??

No it's not. It's like reducing expenditure to the Arts council and the Sports council when the country is bank rupt. Don't make ridiculous comparisons to cover up the fact you don't have a strong argument.

I'd doubt even 2000 people participate in a C&S per year. It's the same groups of people creaming off the top. It's a massive expense, one the university can no longer afford.

I'm not saying shut down clubs and socs, I'm saying reduce their funding by 5-10%, essential activities will still continue, just club members will have to self-finance or fundraise for more funds.

If you continue to offer puerile responses I won't be entertaining your posts much further. If you don't have the guts to consider the big decisions stay off this thread.