The Students’ Union is a collection of people. It is run for students by students. SU Officers represent you at college level, fight for your rights, and look after your needs. As a student of Trinity College, you are automatically a member of TCDSU. Remember – we work for you, so if you think we should be focusing on a particular issue, get in touch!
The Students’ Union website is a vital resource for Trinity students. It’s the place to go if you have a problem in College - it has information on accommodation, jobs, campaigns, as well as information pertaining to education and welfare. The website also contains contact details for each Sabbatical Officer. Follow us @TCDSU on Twitter and Instagram, or 'Trinity College Dublin Students' Union' on Facebook!
TCDSU was established in 1968 to work for the benefit of and provide services to the students of Trinity. "We work for you" is our motto and this message rings through the Union's efforts to improve members' academic lives within Trinity, and to address social and equallity issues on and off campus for more than fifty years.
A union is only as strong as its members — our impact depends on your energy, ideas, and trust. If you'd like to get involved: run for a position, join a sub-committee, come along to our events, or just tell someone about TCDSU!
There are over 20,000 students in Trinity. Each one of them is a TCDSU member and has a say in what the Union does.
At the start of the academic year, every class elects a representative who sits on their Faculty Assembly (STEM/AHSS/HS) and SU Council. Each Faculty Assembly also elects a Convenor who sits on Union Forum - alongside the elected sabbatical officers, part-time officers, and three non-voting members. The non-voting members are the JCR President, the Chair of the Electoral Commission, and the Chair of the Oversight Commission.
Together, these three governing bodies — Faculty Assemblies, Union Forum, and Council — decide what issues the Union should be campaigning on and how it can best support students, i.e. they shape Union policy. SU Council is the ultimate decision-making body. If Faculty Assemblies/Union Forum want to change policy, they bring a motion to Council which then gets voted on by all class reps, officers, convenors, and an Undergraduate Studies Committee rep. If you have any issues you want resolved, contact your class rep/convenor or the relevant officer here.
The Oversight and Electoral Commissions oversee elections, referanda, and SU Council. They ensure that all Union actions are in line with our Constitution and Council mandates.
