UCD votes to leave student union

Students in University College Dublin have voted to disaffiliate from the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

UCD Students’ Union will no longer be affiliated with USI after 63 per cent of voters chose to leave.

A total of 2,726 votes were cast, with 1,039 students voting to stay with the union and 1,687 students choosing to disaffiliate.

USI president John Logue said the union is disappointed with the result.

“We recognise the unique circumstances in UCD. It’s clear that the decision taken by its students is not reflected in referendum results elsewhere and while we are disappointed to lose their voice from the national union, we respect their decision,” he said.

“USI now awaits notification from UCDSU of its intention to disaffiliate, which according to the constitution voted on and supported by UCDSU, will take place one calendar year after the notification is made to USI National Council.”

Last year, students in Trinity College Dublin voted to remain affiliated with the USI, while NUI Maynooth and Dublin City University students will vote in USI affiliation referendums. Students in DCU will vote on whether to affiliate with the union, after cutting ties with it 10 years ago.

Despite the result, Mr Logue said he was still pleased with the USI’s activities.

“USI is proud of its work protecting students from the worst effects of the financial crisis, its campaigns for gender and marriage equality and its efforts to promote mental and sexual health,” he said.

“We hope that UCD students will join these campaigns again in the future, as their input has been profoundly influential over the years.”