GSU Statement:

Following a meeting of the Council of the Graduate Students’ Union, and meetings of the Executive Committee of the Graduate Students’ Union, the GSU Sabbatical Officers wish to make the following statements;

“The financial situation of the GSU from the end of this academic year is precarious. As a result of an overall reduction in funding, the GSU is no longer in a position to continue to support the office of the Vice President.

The Vice President is the Education and Welfare Officer for postgraduates—the only officer recognised in Trinity as having this responsibility. The Vice President defends the interests of postgraduate students in College and to College on all of the various academic and welfare committees, he balances this with a very heavy load of casework.

In a time when supports in College are threatened by diminished resources, and in the light of increased postgraduate numbers, the loss of the Vice President would represent a further, and most significant, loss in the quality of the postgraduate student experience.

As the President of the Union whose sole occupation is the postgraduate student body, and mindful of the specific regulations in the College Calendar which recognise that postgrads are entitled to similar supports as undergraduates, I am deeply concerned for the future wellbeing of our members.

Further, given that the loss in income stems from the discontinuation of funding, allocated to the GSU by TCDSU, and pending any further negotiation in this regard, the Executive Committee of the GSU has (without prejudice to the membership of TCDSU) dissolved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Unions and the GSU has formally assumed responsibility for the external representation of Trinity’s postgraduate students.”

---Mary K. O’Connor

President, GSU

“I am deeply troubled at the prospect of the loss of this officership. Postgraduates clearly need and deserve a Welfare officer. From the sheer level of casework I undertake for both my Education and Welfare briefs, it is obvious that the need for a full-time officer with responsibility for postgraduate wellbeing is not only necessary but will increase.

My undergraduate colleagues, with whom I work closely, will agree that all of our services are at maximum capacity within the Unions as it is. In a time when supports such as the Health Centre and Student Counselling are reporting increased demand but reduced resources; the unions will be even more vital.

Yet more troubling is the fact that any change in the profile of the student population to make it more international, as is the current strategy, will make it more vital than ever that this office continues to exist as a full-time position.”

---Martin J. McAndrew

Hi, my name is Mary O'Connor and I'm your president in the Graduate Students' Union. The union is an independent body which represents all postgraduate students in Trinity College Dublin. Every single postgraduate student, upon entering their course, is automatically a full member of the union.

We represent you throughout the college at all levels; from class rep issues to structures and policy's at Board with the Provost. The Union will assist you in academic and welfare issues and provide you with facilities such as lockers in the 1937 Reading Room, or a key to the Postgraduate Common Room.

On this website you find information about everything from up-coming events to the student services in college.

If you would like to make an appointment with me please email at: president at gsu.tcd.ie. (Spam safe: please replace 'at' with @) Good luck with your study!.