For over three decades, UCDSU has had a turbulent relationship with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). We’ve joined, left, rejoined, and left again. Now, in 2025, we’re once again being asked to vote on whether UCDSU should re-affiliate with USI, adding yet another chapter to UCDSU’s ongoing USI-themed ‘hokey-cokey.’ For many students, the immediate question isn’t about USI itself, but rather, why does this even matter? After all, UCDSU has functioned independently for over a decade. Our fees are already high enough—why should we pay an extra levy to join a national union? Does USI really make a difference?
To understand why this referendum matters, it’s worth looking at how we got here. UCDSU was a founding member of USI in 1959, but our relationship has been inconsistent. In 1997, UCDSU voted to leave, citing high affiliation fees and a lack of tangible benefits. Less than two years later, we voted to rejoin. That membership lasted until 2013 when financial difficulties within UCDSU (including a €1.4 million debt and unpaid USI dues) reignited the debate. Many students felt UCDSU should focus on campus-specific issues rather than national campaigns, and in a referendum, 64% voted to leave USI. Three years later, in 2016, a re-affiliation campaign emerged, arguing that UCD needed a national voice. The referendum saw a massive defeat for the ‘Yes’ side—74% voted against rejoining. That was the most decisive rejection of USI membership in UCD history.
Fast forward to 2023, and another referendum was held. This time, 77.7% of those who voted supported rejoining USI—but the vote failed because turnout didn’t reach the required quorum of 10%.
Now, in 2025, we’re at the crossroads again. The question remains: is USI worth it?
UCDSU itself didn’t initiate this referendum. Instead, USI representatives and a group of students gathered the necessary signatures to trigger a vote rather than going through UCDSU Council. Under the SU constitution, once a petition reaches 5% of the student body, a referendum must be held—whether SU leadership wants it or not.
According to UCDSU President Miranda Bauer, UCDSU must facilitate a vote when students call for one, regardless of past referendum results. While some students have criticised the cost of running repeated referenda, she argues that “democracy is not an inconvenience or a luxury—it’s a core function of the SU.”
However, with two referenda already failing due to low turnout in the past year, the bigger question is whether students actually care enough to vote this time.
Proponents of re-affiliation have always argued that USI amplifies student voices at the national level. They highlight its role in lobbying for student grants, securing funding for mental health services, fighting tuition fee increases, and campaigning on major social issues. In recent years, they have organised mass protests on the cost-of-living crisis, student housing shortages, and public transport accessibility. USI has also been a key player in voter registration campaigns, helping register thousands of students ahead of the Marriage Equality and ‘Repeal the 8th’ referendums.
The argument for those supporting USI membership is simple: a unified student movement is stronger than individual unions acting alone. UCDSU may be Ireland’s largest students’ union, but our influence in national decision-making is undoubtedly limited without USI.
Critics of rejoining USI, on the other hand, argue that UCDSU is perfectly capable of fighting for students independently. They point to successful local campaigns on housing, student support, and university policies—achieved without USI membership. A primary concern is cost. If UCD re-affiliates, students will be charged an additional levy—€5 per year for full-time students and €2.50 for part-time students. Opponents argue that this is an unnecessary expense for an organisation that has struggled to prove its effectiveness. Another point of contention is USI’s internal structure. Some students feel that USI is too bureaucratic and out of touch, dominated by student politicians who don’t represent the average student’s concerns. In past referendums, the ‘No’ side has framed USI as a “talking shop” without real impact.
The last referendum in 2023 actually won, with 77.7% voting to rejoin, but because turnout didn’t reach a quorum, the result was invalid. According to UCDSU and USI, a key factor in the failure was that USI wasn’t active enough on campus. Their presence during the campaign was limited, and many students weren’t aware the vote was happening. USI has promised to take a more active role in campaigning this time, ensuring students understand the stakes.
Miranda Bauer also believes the referendum will be harder to ignore this year and be a key talking point in this year’s election cycle:
“Membership, or non-membership, of such an organisation, is a significant political issue for UCD students, and every election candidate should have a position on it.”
Beyond the debate over USI itself, this referendum will test whether student democracy at UCD still functions. If UCD votes ‘Yes’ and meets quorum, we will return to the national student movement. If we vote ‘No’, UCDSU will remain independent, likely closing the door on USI for the foreseeable future. But if turnout fails again, it won’t just be a verdict on USI. It will determine whether UCD students still believe their votes can make a difference.
So, should we care about this referendum? If students stay home again, the decision may be made for them—not just on USI, but on how much power they have to influence their union.
If you don’t want apathy to win, you should probably vote.
Jack Donlon – Co-Editor
