Right...so it's come to the time of the year when everyone's worried about exams; and on top of that, finding someplace to live next year; and on top of that, worrying about getting your deposit back.
Getting Deposits Back
Okay...let's level. If a window or door or wall has been damaged in your house, you can be fairly sure that you won't be seeing that portion of the deposit back, or if there's an electricity bill due, you may not get it back immediately as the remaining bill may be deducted from it. Anything that's been broken or damaged will be deducted from your deposit, so make sure you take photos of the shiny sparkly cleanliness of the house before you leave as there's nothing that can be done if it's trashed after you hand back your key and the landlord has no proof that you didn't do the damage.
If you have proof that you caused no damage and left no unpaid bills and your landlord is still not paying the deposit back, then it's time to call in the solicitor. In previous years Welfare Officers would have phoned landlords endlessly, but we have no way of enforcing anything on them, so now it's a simple matter of going straight to our solicitor. The details are available from SU Reception or the Welfare Office.
You are entitled to view the original bill for anthing taken as a deduction from your deposit
Looking to next year!!!
If you are panicking that you haven't sorted yourself yet...DON'T. There is plenty of accommodation out there. The Accommodation listing for next semester will be out in mid May. I will post it to the student portal (link works on campus only) when I have a copy.
Checkout the student portal(link works on campus only) for attachments of what to look out for. There's a checklist in there!
Do NOT sign contracts that are not clearly understandable. Our solicitors will look over anything that you reckon might be strange. This advise is contained in teh Accommodation Advice booklet on the student portal and available from me via email.
29 April 2010
Anti-Social Behaviour & Discipline
This seems to be an issue that is constantly raising its head at committees throughout the University. I thought it was about time I blogged about it now that I have time.
If you are the victim of someone else's rage (i.e. you are attacked, bullied or otherwise injured) there are procedures in place in the University to follow in order to prevent it from continuing. You can come and see me and I'll talk you through it, or you can report it directly to the University Disciplinary Committee. This is the important part; you must do this IN WRITING.
The University has a duty of care to all faculty, staff and students. It's not fair that a minority of students get to rampage about and give 95% of the remaining students a bad name, so if you are a victim of anti-social behaviour (be it from a student, member of staff or faculty member), DO report it.
An example of one or two issues that can arise are; housemates making your life a misery by bulling or intimidation (be that on or off campus). Your landlord should be informed too.
A revised procedure is now in place which makes the process move faster, which is good if you've been accused of cheating in exams for having the room number or a shopping list written on your hand. This involves meeting with the Advocate who decides whether the Disciplinary Committee needs to see you. If you have "poprock" or some sort of collection of letters that can be determined to be of possible benefit in an exam, then you more than likely will get referred and suspended for cheating, however, if you have "EGO10 9am" written on your hand, you will still have to go and see the Advocate, but it is unlikely to go any further.
Also a reminder that any activity that may bring the University into disrepute (e.g. mooning traffic at 5pm on Groody Roundabout-Wouldn't recommend it!!!) can land you with a fine, get you suspended, or you may end up expelled.
NB - Education and Health Science students - your career in teaching or health care is at risk if you are arrested and charged for anti-social behaviour
NB - J1 Applicants - An arrest may hinder your chances of travel to the US for the rest of your life
If you are the victim of someone else's rage (i.e. you are attacked, bullied or otherwise injured) there are procedures in place in the University to follow in order to prevent it from continuing. You can come and see me and I'll talk you through it, or you can report it directly to the University Disciplinary Committee. This is the important part; you must do this IN WRITING.
The University has a duty of care to all faculty, staff and students. It's not fair that a minority of students get to rampage about and give 95% of the remaining students a bad name, so if you are a victim of anti-social behaviour (be it from a student, member of staff or faculty member), DO report it.
An example of one or two issues that can arise are; housemates making your life a misery by bulling or intimidation (be that on or off campus). Your landlord should be informed too.
A revised procedure is now in place which makes the process move faster, which is good if you've been accused of cheating in exams for having the room number or a shopping list written on your hand. This involves meeting with the Advocate who decides whether the Disciplinary Committee needs to see you. If you have "poprock" or some sort of collection of letters that can be determined to be of possible benefit in an exam, then you more than likely will get referred and suspended for cheating, however, if you have "EGO10 9am" written on your hand, you will still have to go and see the Advocate, but it is unlikely to go any further.
Also a reminder that any activity that may bring the University into disrepute (e.g. mooning traffic at 5pm on Groody Roundabout-Wouldn't recommend it!!!) can land you with a fine, get you suspended, or you may end up expelled.
NB - Education and Health Science students - your career in teaching or health care is at risk if you are arrested and charged for anti-social behaviour
NB - J1 Applicants - An arrest may hinder your chances of travel to the US for the rest of your life
Access Campus
The Tuesday meeting of GA Access & Student Affairs took place at the UL Access Campus near to Southill on the southside of the city. Members of the committee include; me, the Vice President Academic and Registrar, The Access Manager, the Director of Student Affairs, members of faculty and staff, as well as 2 external members.
We were first given a tour of the building, which houses both commercial and training activity. Chorus UPC is the biggest operator with over 450 staff there on a full time basis. Fáilte Ireland, FÁS and the AK Ilen project provide training opportunities and the Access Campus strives to gain community involvement.
The site is 16 acres and was left without purpose in 1999 following the closure of a manufacturing operation. The work being done out there is amazing, from study groups for Junior and Leaving Certificate students, to Irish classes for foreign national parents of primary school children to assist with homework, and social activities for the avtive retired in the area.
The University's involvement is to encourage participation in third level, though not necessarily in UL. By assisting this regeneration community (and others who come to it) the University is providing positive re-enforcement for a community and individuals who would not otherwise seek to set goals for themselves, be they to pursue an apprenticeship, take on a training course, or to go to university.
One striking thing is the individuality applied to each and every person who comes to use the resources. Their needs will be discussed with them one-on-one and considered.
There is so much more going on out there than I could possibly convey by blogging, but I just wanted to tell you all about the amazing work they do.
There are over 60 kids from 15 schools taking part in after-school study groups getting help from students. There is a waiting list of 40 more, so if you would like to volunteer, let me know and I'll get contact details for you.
We were first given a tour of the building, which houses both commercial and training activity. Chorus UPC is the biggest operator with over 450 staff there on a full time basis. Fáilte Ireland, FÁS and the AK Ilen project provide training opportunities and the Access Campus strives to gain community involvement.
The site is 16 acres and was left without purpose in 1999 following the closure of a manufacturing operation. The work being done out there is amazing, from study groups for Junior and Leaving Certificate students, to Irish classes for foreign national parents of primary school children to assist with homework, and social activities for the avtive retired in the area.
The University's involvement is to encourage participation in third level, though not necessarily in UL. By assisting this regeneration community (and others who come to it) the University is providing positive re-enforcement for a community and individuals who would not otherwise seek to set goals for themselves, be they to pursue an apprenticeship, take on a training course, or to go to university.
One striking thing is the individuality applied to each and every person who comes to use the resources. Their needs will be discussed with them one-on-one and considered.
There is so much more going on out there than I could possibly convey by blogging, but I just wanted to tell you all about the amazing work they do.
There are over 60 kids from 15 schools taking part in after-school study groups getting help from students. There is a waiting list of 40 more, so if you would like to volunteer, let me know and I'll get contact details for you.
09 April 2010
Week 12 - I'm out of Office All Week
I will be out of office on annual leave for all of Week 12. Please direct queries to Reception, where they will point you to the best person to answer them
National Body Consultation
This is still ongoing despite the deadline having passed. We'll let it roll to September now.
ULSU is looking for your views on what a national representative body should do for students and students’ unions. Please take the time to respond to us at national.consult@ul.ie with your ideas and suggestions. We have identified a number of areas that we consider would benefit the internal day-to-day running of ULSU and bring gains for members. The issues raised in the Executive’s discussion of the matter are available on the student portal on the Students’ Union panel or on ulsu.ie. We appreciate this may not outwardly seem to make any difference to the everyday life of a student, but if we are to approach the students’ unions of the other 6 universities and 14 ITs and, if you wish, other higher education institutions, we will need to have a broad view of what our students want. You can contact your class rep, write to us or email directly.
Final date for receipt of submissions is Friday of Week 8 this semester (Friday 19 March 2010).
Deputy President, Derek Daly has taken on this project in order to ensure that all students have an opportunity to contribute. If you have any questions you can email him Derek.Daly@ul.ie or SUWelfare@ul.ie
ULSU is looking for your views on what a national representative body should do for students and students’ unions. Please take the time to respond to us at national.consult@ul.ie with your ideas and suggestions. We have identified a number of areas that we consider would benefit the internal day-to-day running of ULSU and bring gains for members. The issues raised in the Executive’s discussion of the matter are available on the student portal on the Students’ Union panel or on ulsu.ie. We appreciate this may not outwardly seem to make any difference to the everyday life of a student, but if we are to approach the students’ unions of the other 6 universities and 14 ITs and, if you wish, other higher education institutions, we will need to have a broad view of what our students want. You can contact your class rep, write to us or email directly.
Final date for receipt of submissions is Friday of Week 8 this semester (Friday 19 March 2010).
Deputy President, Derek Daly has taken on this project in order to ensure that all students have an opportunity to contribute. If you have any questions you can email him Derek.Daly@ul.ie or SUWelfare@ul.ie
Lots of stuff to update
It's been a long long time since I posted and I've been up to a serious amount of stuff from MnMing for Charity Week, to attending an Alcohol Issues seminar, to being re-elected and so on and so forth.
For those of you who havent' gotten to see them, what I'm going to do since there's way too much to actually rember is copy and paste my An Focal articles and Officer Reports
Week 5 An Focal
Hey everyone, it’s been a busy busy two weeks since I last wrote. We had the UGM which was unfortunately inquorate. The main issue which was of concern to me was that people seemed bothered enough on Facebook to tell us that an increase of €4 in the price of an ID card is bad, but didn’t come to the meeting to back this up for us in a minuted meeting which I could act upon. This weakens my position when I bring the issue to the table with the Director of Student Affairs. I haven’t had a single email on the issue either. Maybe I’ll just have to stick around for another year for a quorate UGM.
On the plus side, I got through my officer report in less than a minute and it is on the student portal to be viewed in the Students’ Union box. If you have any questions you can email me.
There’s also a brief article in An Focal this week of a consultation we are engaging in with you, the student on a national representative body. The items discussed by the Executive are also on the student portal which might give you an idea of what you would like to add.
In terms of meetings, I’ve had loads. Under-Represented Students and Facilities and Services discussed Student Hardship at length last Monday. We are proposing to the university to get a significant increase given the part-time job market and increase in student service charge meaning students are in a far worse financial situation in some cases.
The Alcohol Working Group chaired by the Director of Student Affairs met again and I proposed a set guideline for students on Discipline which was sent to the Vice-President Academic and Registrar. This group is also looking at running some events such as acoustic gigs and quizzes in the main canteen during week 7, also election week.<
The Equality and Diversity Committee was happy to hear about Jason’s plans for Equality Week in Week 11. There is a Diversity Calendar at Students’ Union Reception for anyone who wants to check out what’s on.
Bagpacking in Weeks 2 and 3 raised over €1,300 for the Raising and Giving Charities. Get in and collect your entry forms for Tag, 5-A-Side, Sleepout and €5k 5km run.
Apart from that I spent a number of days in Week 3 interviewing candidates for Clubs and Societies Liaison Officer with Paul Lee (Clubs and Societies Development Officer) and Tomás Costello (Secretary General)
Charity Week went down a storm and we’re finalising fundraising figures. I can’t help but say that I’m extremely disappointed by the contribution of the average student. When special event collections and collections off campus excluded, the contribution per student is less than 20c. That is just pitiful. I have to congratulate those who did contribute as the charity take is quite good compared to last year with the recession and all and the charities will be very appreciative
Well, Alcohol Awareness Week seems to have gone down quite well and the Director of Student Affairs tells me she’s had some email feedback from some of you which is good! The debate was quite well attended from a wide range of areas and I’d like to thank Prof. Mary O’Sullivan for chairing and the Debating Union for a great debate. Little known fact to follow up on this; there are 2/3 of the calories of a cheeseburger in a vodka and Red Bull, so think about it next time you go for the extra drink. The Surprise Gig in the Red Raisins was reasonably well attended with Subway staying open until 9 for that and the quiz on Tuesday night. Winners have been announced by Facebook and email.
I spoke to a group attending the Irish Heart Foundation Happy Heart Talk in the Castletroy Park Hotel, which was well publicised on the ULSU website and Facebook, but few students attended. Facebook is one of our main forms of communication with students, so please become a fan of ULSU for updates. Anyhow, this was a very interesting talk and showed how a healthy heart and cardiovascular system is important to everyone, not just older people, I will see about getting the speakers back again next year.
From the election campaign it has been a bit clearer to me that people are sometimes unaware of what assistance we can offer in the SU. There really is only one answer that covers everything; if unsure and you have a problem, just come and ask. We’re not going to shout it from the rooftops that Jo Bloggs was in looking for advice on STI testing, or that Pat Soap was in asking what to do if he failed 3 modules. If you have a problem, ask us about it, we might not be able to help, but if you don’t ask, you’ll never know.
Again, lots of casework and committees attended, but nothing that’s going to affect any of you this year at least!
anyway...happy weekend
For those of you who havent' gotten to see them, what I'm going to do since there's way too much to actually rember is copy and paste my An Focal articles and Officer Reports
Week 5 An Focal
Hey everyone, it’s been a busy busy two weeks since I last wrote. We had the UGM which was unfortunately inquorate. The main issue which was of concern to me was that people seemed bothered enough on Facebook to tell us that an increase of €4 in the price of an ID card is bad, but didn’t come to the meeting to back this up for us in a minuted meeting which I could act upon. This weakens my position when I bring the issue to the table with the Director of Student Affairs. I haven’t had a single email on the issue either. Maybe I’ll just have to stick around for another year for a quorate UGM.
On the plus side, I got through my officer report in less than a minute and it is on the student portal to be viewed in the Students’ Union box. If you have any questions you can email me.
There’s also a brief article in An Focal this week of a consultation we are engaging in with you, the student on a national representative body. The items discussed by the Executive are also on the student portal which might give you an idea of what you would like to add.
In terms of meetings, I’ve had loads. Under-Represented Students and Facilities and Services discussed Student Hardship at length last Monday. We are proposing to the university to get a significant increase given the part-time job market and increase in student service charge meaning students are in a far worse financial situation in some cases.
The Alcohol Working Group chaired by the Director of Student Affairs met again and I proposed a set guideline for students on Discipline which was sent to the Vice-President Academic and Registrar. This group is also looking at running some events such as acoustic gigs and quizzes in the main canteen during week 7, also election week.<
The Equality and Diversity Committee was happy to hear about Jason’s plans for Equality Week in Week 11. There is a Diversity Calendar at Students’ Union Reception for anyone who wants to check out what’s on.
Bagpacking in Weeks 2 and 3 raised over €1,300 for the Raising and Giving Charities. Get in and collect your entry forms for Tag, 5-A-Side, Sleepout and €5k 5km run.
Apart from that I spent a number of days in Week 3 interviewing candidates for Clubs and Societies Liaison Officer with Paul Lee (Clubs and Societies Development Officer) and Tomás Costello (Secretary General)
Charity Week went down a storm and we’re finalising fundraising figures. I can’t help but say that I’m extremely disappointed by the contribution of the average student. When special event collections and collections off campus excluded, the contribution per student is less than 20c. That is just pitiful. I have to congratulate those who did contribute as the charity take is quite good compared to last year with the recession and all and the charities will be very appreciative
Well, Alcohol Awareness Week seems to have gone down quite well and the Director of Student Affairs tells me she’s had some email feedback from some of you which is good! The debate was quite well attended from a wide range of areas and I’d like to thank Prof. Mary O’Sullivan for chairing and the Debating Union for a great debate. Little known fact to follow up on this; there are 2/3 of the calories of a cheeseburger in a vodka and Red Bull, so think about it next time you go for the extra drink. The Surprise Gig in the Red Raisins was reasonably well attended with Subway staying open until 9 for that and the quiz on Tuesday night. Winners have been announced by Facebook and email.
I spoke to a group attending the Irish Heart Foundation Happy Heart Talk in the Castletroy Park Hotel, which was well publicised on the ULSU website and Facebook, but few students attended. Facebook is one of our main forms of communication with students, so please become a fan of ULSU for updates. Anyhow, this was a very interesting talk and showed how a healthy heart and cardiovascular system is important to everyone, not just older people, I will see about getting the speakers back again next year.
From the election campaign it has been a bit clearer to me that people are sometimes unaware of what assistance we can offer in the SU. There really is only one answer that covers everything; if unsure and you have a problem, just come and ask. We’re not going to shout it from the rooftops that Jo Bloggs was in looking for advice on STI testing, or that Pat Soap was in asking what to do if he failed 3 modules. If you have a problem, ask us about it, we might not be able to help, but if you don’t ask, you’ll never know.
Again, lots of casework and committees attended, but nothing that’s going to affect any of you this year at least!
anyway...happy weekend
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