USI Training 2010

Written by Greg Higgins | 20 July 2010

I come to you from USI training in Galway...With the exception of UL and DCU I (along with Keith, Daithi and Padraig) are busy networking with the other SU officers from around the country.

Shelly gave me a really good crossover so I am  focused more on networking as opposed “training training” unlike some other union officers but even the seasoned pros are picking up useful info on communication, negotiating etc etc.

The only message that I want to get across this week is that applications for grants are being processed by VEC's at the moment and if you want to have your cheque ready to go for October get your documentation in now.

If you have had a change in financial circumstances over the last twelve months it would be advisable to contact your city or county council to double check. If you need any help contact Padraig via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I will update you on the week Monday next so tally-ho.

Repeats, Casework and More

Written by Greg Higgins | 13 July 2010

I would have thought that the casework would have slowed somewhat by now but it hasn’t really relented. The most common request relates to information on grinds and questions relating to repeats (see section bellow) along with applications for mitigation.

Thankfully the committee schedule has quietened down over July and August so I still have plenty of time to read around the brief. I had a really good meeting with the careers office on Thursday about developing a closer relationship between the SU and ourselves. One of the positive things to come out of it was agreement to set up an on-line “jobs-shop” whereby students would have access to full and part time work applications.

Autumn repeats 101.
1) There are no fees associated with repeating (save time taken away from your holidays due to study)
2) The exams take place over the last two weeks of August. 
3) The provisional timetable is controlled via exams and records and you will receive an email from them regarding your provisional time table when it is made available. 
4) All repeats are capped at 40% regardless of the actual mark achieved during the exams...If you have genuine circumstances that you feel compromised your results and exam prep (illness, death in family etc) you can apply to have your exam repeat un-capped. 
5) UCC SU maintains a grind list should you be looking for tutor information and collegeroad.ie has a useful section on study skills etc that may be of use. 

If you have any other questions about Autumn repeats email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Farewell, Canadian Midget

Written by Education Officer | 13 July 2010

I officially took over from Shelly on Thursday last. The event was marked by celebrating Canada day and all the joys that the country brings. (The flag flies aloft 54 college road as we speak)

My first week and a bit have been marked primarily by an awful lot of casework relating to exam results. This week I have been working with Cian O’Mahony in putting the grinds list on-line via college road, meeting more staff, attending a few meetings and arranging rooms on-campus for students who are put out sue to the somewhat restrictive library opening hours.

Crossover Season

Written by Greg Higgins | 13 July 2010

There is a quote from Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister about the civil service making a lot of noise yet achieving comparatively little as a result. For whatever reason I can’t quite recall it at the moment but it’s certainly apt given the circumstance. In my experience the Students Union has always had a divergent relationship with workings of the British civil service as expressed by Sir Humphrey with little or no noise being made but with quite a bit of work being carried out…This blog will attempt to address that imbalance.

My crossover period with the previous education officer started much earlier than usual so I have been here since the first week of June as opposed the other three officers. In that period I have been given a crash course on how the University operates, the individuals and personalities within and a general wider brief on Educational issues nationally and internationally. What is clear from talking to the incumbent officers and staff within the university is that the SU is listened to with a great deal of respect and with the right approach the officers within the union really can move things along across the full spectrum of university life. As I start into the next twelve months it is under that spectrum that I hope to push many of my manifesto policies forwards.