WELFARE 15 EM WEL 1 Drinks Campaign
Congress notes:
The recent events surrounding the Diageo funded body ‘Role Models’.
Congress declares:
That Congress has no confidence in public bodies advocating on the issue of alcohol misuse and abuse which are funded by the drinks industry.
Congress calls:
On all public health and education bodies who sit on this board to resign from this board and to no longer support this model.
Congress mandates the USI President:
To campaign against this body ‘Role Models’ and the continuation of such bodies based on this model.
15 WE1 Accommodation crisis USI Congress Notes:
The difficulty in recent years students face in obtaining accommodation.
USI Congress further Notes:
That for many students, having affordable and fit-for-purpose accommodation is a prerequisite for attending college.
USI Congress therefore Mandates:
The President and relevant Vice Presidents to lobby the relevant authorities for more regulation in the rental market for students and also long term investment into the development of more purpose-built student accommodation.
USI Congress further Mandates:
The President and VP Welfare to also lobby the relevant authorities for incentives towards landlords and homeowners who take in students.
USI Congress Notes:
The importance of the Student Assistance Fund (SAF), the role it plays in supporting students across the country, and how quickly it runs out in many HEI's around the country.
USI Congress further Notes:
The SAF “Best Practice Framework Document 2013” written by USI.
USI Congress Notes with Concern:
The high volume of SAF motions currently on the policy manual.
USI Congress hereby deletes:
14 / Wel 7, 13 / Wel 8, 13 / Wel 9, 12 / Wel 1, 11 / Wel 13
USI Congress therefore Mandates:
That the President and Vice President for Welfare campaign for increased funding for the SAF scheme, and lobby against any cutbacks to the fund.
USI Congress further Mandates:
The Vice President for Welfare to provide briefing to all MO's on all aspects of the SAF, and seek representation on all committees relating to SAF on their campuses, and to also continually lobby the HEA to redraft the guidelines for the SAF and to include recommendations to increase efficiency of systems.
15 WE 3 Consent
Congress applauds the success of sexual health and empowerment campaigns such as SHAG week, which promotes a healthy attitude towards sex with a holistic approach.
Congress agrees that while sexual consent is included as a part of SHAG week, it is time that the USI rolled out a comprehensive national student consent campaign separately.
Congress Mandates that the Vice President for Welfare, Campaigns and Equalities and Citizenship create a national consent campaign. That is gender neutral in approach and separate to SHAG week.
Congress Further Mandates the USI President and Vice President for Welfare to actively lobby and campaign for mandatory consent classes or workshops to be delivered to every single class within the third level education system in their first semester of college.
15 WE 4 Anti-Bullying Policy
Congress Notes
The lack of policy and awareness in the area of bullying in Third Level.
That bullying can present in many different ways and in various aspects of student life including, but not limited to in class, accommodation and through social media.
Congress affirms
USI Cyberbullying Policy as passed by Congress in 2013
The Vice President for Welfare develop an Anti- Bullying Policy that would take into consideration USI Cyberbullying policy and assist local officers in following through with its recommendations and action points.
15 WE 5 Rent a Room Relief Scheme
Congress Notes
The increasing shortfall in purpose built student accommodation, relative to the demand for such accommodation.
Congress Further Notes
That whilst this problem is especially prevalent in Dublin, is also a growing issue in many other areas across Ireland in proximity to Higher Level Institutions
Congress Notes
That there is a lack of awareness of the Rent a Room Relief Scheme amongst property owners across Ireland
Congress applauds
The Rent a Room Relief Scheme which allows homeowners to rent a room in their house to private tenants, with the subsequent rental income earned being exempt from income tax, provided this income does not exceed a certain limit in a tax year. In Budget 2015, it was announced that this limit would increase from €10,000 to €12,000.
That an increased awareness of the Rent a Room Relief Scheme will lead to an increased availability and of alternative accommodation sources available to students apart from traditional purpose-built student accommodation
Congress Believes
That an increased awareness of the Rent a Room Relief Scheme will lead to more affordable student accommodation options
Congress Mandates
The relevant officers/officer board to advertise this scheme along with relevant accommodation campaigns and to provide support to member organisations in local campaigns around accommodation.
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