The Students’ Union holds many elections and referendums to decide the direction of the Union and to select the people that students want to work for them. 

If you feel that the Union isn’t doing something right or could be doing something better then bring a referendum to change it, or better yet, run for a position in the Union and change it yourself!

The rules regarding elections and referendums can be found in Schedule 3.

Elections

The SU holds elections for virtually all of its positions. School Convenors are elected at the last Faculty Assembly of the year, Class Reps are elected in October, with Class Rep training taking place soon after, and the Sabbatical Officer elections are held in February. You can’t miss them! (go to the page for previous results)

The Electoral Commission (EC) ensures that all elections that the Union runs are fair and impartial. The EC, incidentally are also elected, usually from the last Council of an academic year. The constituencies for these elections are decided by the Education Officer or the Constitution.

If you’re interested in running for any position whatsoever in the Union, then please contact, Dan, the Education Officer at education@tcdsu.org for more information. We’re always looking for people to get involved and the best way of getting something done in College is get involved.

Referendums

The students of Trinity are the boss of the SU. A referendum is the most powerful expression of the student body’s views and ideals. It can amend the Students’ Union constitution, or set policy on a particular matter. It is the best way for students to tell the SU what they want.

Recent referendums have included our continuing membership of the Union of Students in Ireland, the reversal of the Union boycott of Coca-Cola, and the adoption of a brand new Constitution. Referendums can be called on pretty much anything of interest to the students of Trinity.

Referendums can either be called by SU Council or by a petition signed by 250 Trinity students (500 if it’s a constitutional referendum), and all registered students are entitled to vote.

If you wish call a referendum then start collecting signatures and then get in touch with the Education Officer. Both sides of a referendum will be assigned money by the Students’ Union to fund their campaign.