CIT Vote YES to USI Manifesto

TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER

POLLING TIMES Thursday 1st May & Wednesday 2nd May Polling in:

Main Corridor, Bishopstown Campus 9.00am to 4.00pm.

#YESTOUSI

E T O V I S U O T

YES FOR A STRONGER CIT,

YES FOR A STRONGER STUDENT MOVEMENT Why are thirty four colleges affiliated to USI? What belief informs their decision to engage with the sole national students’ union?

There’s a long, academic answer to that question. But it can be reduced to the motto that guides USI: “Together we’re stronger”. Nó, as Gaeilge, “Ní neart go chur le chéile”.

The principle is simple; when we unite in one movement, the strength of our collective democratic voice and actions will ensure that we achieve more together than we ever could as individuals. In the 54 years that USI has existed, this principle has always held true.

And now you, the students of CIT, must decide if you will vote Yes to this idea.

The landscape of higher education in Ireland is changing faster than ever. As mergers between colleges are planned and funding for the third level sector dries up, students cannot afford to sit idly by while decisions are made that affect our education. CIT students must engage with their peers in colleges around the country and, together, present the student view to Government.

VOTE Letterkenny

I T O US

UU

QUB St.Marys

IT Sligo

As part of the national union, CIT can take the lead in shaping the national debate on these issues. CIT students can embrace the opportunity to represent the student voice on the national stage and bring their unique perspective to bear on Government decisions.

St Angelas

GMIT

Castlebar

It’s your turn now.

NUIG GMIT

Vote yes for a stronger CIT. Vote yes for a stronger student movement.

IT Blanchardst own

Athlone IT Maynooth

IT Carlow

Beir bua,

John Logue

IT

IT Tralee

Tipperary Institute

John Logue,

DIT IT Tallaght

Carlow College

Limerick IT

DKIT

NCI UCD

TCD IADT

IT Carlow

Wexford Campus

WIT

USI President

UCC

USI MEMBERS

USI MEMBERS

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National Representation

LGBT Rights & Equality

USI is recognised by Government, industry and institutional representative groups as the voice of students on a national level. USI represents students on the board of Higher Education Authority.USI officers also engage with Government Ministers, TDs and Senators. The Minister for Education meets with USI representatives four times in the academic year and the USI President lobbies ordinary TDs on a daily basis in the lead up to the December Budget. Through membership of USI, you can be sure that your voice is being heard on a national level.

Every year, USI runs a LGBT activist training event called Pink Training, which is now the largest and most successful event of its kind in Europe. Workshops and seminars help prepare LGBT Society officers and activists to run local campaigns, raising awareness and delivering supports to LGBT students. Last summer, USI, with its members, joined the LGBT Noise “March for Marriage” through the streets of Dublin to promote equal access to civil marriage for the LGBT community.

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Protecting the Grant & the Student Assistance Fund In Budget 2013, 97% of grant recipients were protected from cuts and this was a direct result of USI's effort to protect the most vulnerable students in Ireland's third level institutions. Days after the Budget was announced, and following intense pressure from USI, the Minister announced that the Student Assistance Fund would receive an extra allocation of €3 million. This money will go towards helping CIT students who are most in need.

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SHAG Packs, Rent Books & Finance Guides USI doesn’t just lobby and protest on your behalf. We produce and distribute campaign materials that you see in your SU every day. The SHAG packs that are currently available from your SU were designed and produced by USI as part of our national SHAG campaign. Each year, USI produces a Rent Book to assist students with accommodation issues. We also produced a Finance Guide to help students manage their money sensibly.

Tacaíocht don Ghaeilge Cuireann Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn cuid mhór buntáistí ar fáil do phobal na Gaeilge, sa tríú leibhéal. I bpáirtnéireacht le Conradh na Gaeilge reachtáltar traenáil na gCumann, coicís ina dhiadh sin eagraítear mor-thuras chuig an Oireachtas. Bíonn Leas-Uachtarán don Ghaeilge AMLÉ ann an bhliain ar fad chun ábhar a eagrú do na cumainn, cabhrú le obair an Oifigigh ar champas agus guth na mic léinn a chur chun tosaigh i measc na n-eagraíochtaí Gaeilge. Go gairid, is áis é an Leas-Uachtarán don Ghaeilge chun aon chabhair agus tacaíocht atá de dhíth a thabhairt tríd an bhliain ar fad.

national consumer agency gníomhaireacht náisiúnta tomhaltóirí

MONEY MATTERS USI Student Finance Guide

#YESTOUSI

VOTING IN THE USI REFERENDUM Voting in the referendum is simple. On your referendum ballot you’ll be asked the following question:

"CIT Students’ Union (CIT SU) should affiliate to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) from the academic year 2013/2014 onwards. This will cost €7 annually per student additional to the student contribution fee. Yes/No?

We urge you to tick the ‘YES’ box for the reasons outlined in this document.

€7 USI MEMBERSHIP WHAT YOU GET €7 per year is 13 cent per week.

€5 of the levy goes to USI and the rest goes to your Students’ Union. For €5 per year, USI provides a week-long professional training course for SU sabbatical officers, represents your interests to Government and organises national campaigns to promote equality, voting rights, mental and sexual health awareness and the Irish language. USI also promotes the wellbeing of students and distributes information guidebooks and utility packs.

In late March every year, USI organises its annual Congress. All member unions bring delegations to debate and vote on new policies and campaigns. USI’s officers are elected at Congress.

What does membership of other national unions cost?

• SIPTU membership costs €244 per year.

• INTO membership costs €347 per year.

• ASTI membership costs €330.20 per year.

• TUI membership costs €410.46 per year.

• INMO membership costs €306 per year. www.usi.ie facebook.com/USI.ie twitter.com/TheUSI

54Years of USI Achievement Fees & the Grant Between 1973-1983, USI secured a 300% increase in the maintenance grant, including 500%

increase in the qualifying threshold. Lobbying by USI was instrumental to the introduction of the Free Fees Scheme in 1995. USI also secured the introduction of the Top Up Grant and the Lone Parent Grant in 2001, as well as the Back to Education Allowance for mature students. The Student Assistance Fund was set up following intense lobbying from USI. In 2013 alone, €3 million in additional funding was secured by USI for students in the Student Welfare Fund.

LGBT Rights USI campaigned strongly for the decriminalisation of homosexuality. USI is one of the main

lobbying groups arguing for the introduction of full marriage rights for the LGBT community. USI partners with organisations seeking to promote this goal, forming a large and more persuasive coalition that has brought about tangible results.

Gender Equality In 1982, USI founded the Womens’ Rights Action Committee. It quickly went about establishing groups in member campuses around the country, empowering women, educating and lobbying Government in relation to issues such as reproductive and contraceptive rights and gender equality.

USIT & J1 Visas By setting up USIT and the J1 Visa scheme, USI offered students cheaper fares and job

opportunities they would never have gotten otherwise. These initiatives gave hundreds of thousands of Irish students a chance to travel the world. USIT even got a mention in the Oval Office.

Northern Ireland & USI USI preempted the peace talks in Northern Ireland by setting up NUS-USI. The National Union

of Students-Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI) was established in 1972 under a unique arrangement where both the British and Irish national student unions, NUS and USI respectively, jointly organised in Northern Ireland to promote student unity across the sectarian divide.

This agreement was recognised as a significant milestone on the road to peace.

Follow the campaign on Twitter with #YEStoUSI