Union of Students in Ireland
The
Union of Students in Ireland (in Irish
Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn) is the national representative body for
third-level students' unions in
Ireland. The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is the sole national representative body for students in Ireland. Founded in 1959, USI now represents more than 250,000 students in over forty colleges across the island of Ireland.
The Union works for:a) An education & training system open to all, irrespective of any consideration of national origin, race, sex, sexuality, creed, political beliefs or economic circumstances, so that each individual can realise their full potential in the service of the Irish people.b) An education & training system that through the development of art and literature, natural and social sciences truly serves the interests of the people of Ireland.c) The right of students to a decent standard of living, with the right to adequate financial support, proper housing and future prospects of employment in Ireland.d) The defence and promotion of all democratic and human rights.e) The provision of student services for the benefit of the membership on the principle that control of student services should lie with the membership.
The Union's sovereign body is its Annual Congress, and its executive authority is its National Council, comprising representatives from each member organisation. Members of the Officer Board of USI serve a one year term beginning on July 1st. As of
2006, the president of USI is Colm Hamrogue of IT Sligo, who succeeded Tony McDonnell.
Chief Justice
John L. Murray was President in 1966/67 and broadcaster Joe Duffy held the post in 1983-84. Several prominent Irish politicians also started their careers through involvement in USI, including
Labour Party leader
Pat Rabbitte,
SDLP Leader
Mark Durkan, Labour
TD Eamon Gilmore, Socialist Party councillor Mick Murphy, Labour's
Ivana Bacik and former Mayor of Tuam, Colm Keaveney.
In
Northern Ireland, USI jointly operates
NUS-USI with the
National Union of Students of the United Kingdom, with students being members of both national unions.
USI is member of both
ESIB and
EURODOC and have provided officer-holders in both organisations.
=Presidents of USI=
