The Union of Students in Ireland has today published two documents outlining the union’s priorities for the new Government and what students need for the new academic year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
USI President, Lorna Fitzpatrick and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kevin McStravock met with the new Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris last Thursday afternoon and presented him with the priority document and outlined the union’s views on areas in need of attention, change or added resources.
Considering the profound impact of COVID-19 on the education sector, some of that document was influenced by students’ experiences of the pandemic, along with other longer-standing issues facing students.
To that end, the USI is today also publishing the results of its recent COVID-19 students’ survey, along with the priority document.
USI President, Lorna Fitzpatrick said: “Today the Union of Students in Ireland launches two really important documents. The first of which is student priorities for the new Government, which outlines our key asks and demands from the Government on issues that are important to students. These are based on our policies which are set by USI members from across the island at Congress each year.
“Also, earlier this year we undertook some research in the form of a survey and focus groups where we discussed different issues that were affecting students as a result of COVID19. The aim of this document is to inform decision-makers around the issues that affecting students when they’re planning for the next academic year.”
You can download the two documents below…