Welcome to your weekly email from your Students’ Union.
Charity Challenge Starts Monday! Sign Up Now!
Our November Charity Challenge is the Kilometre Challenge which starts this Mon 2nd Nov and everyone who signs up will have access to 2 FREE Strength & Conditioning Classes each week!
More info + Registration link here.
You set yourself a personal goal for each month based around each charity challenge theme so this month you pick a number of kilometres to cover and you can do this by walking, running or on wheels. It’s not a one size fits all event – you know your own capabilities so you do you! Feel free to join at any time and we will have lots of perks for everyone taking part! For more info contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
All funds raised from the challenge will go to the SU Charity Fund supporting Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Galway Autism Partnership and Helplink Mental Health.
Walktober Final Week To Win
It’s the final week of our NUIG Walktober challenge and there’s loads of ways for you to win again this week:
- Hit the step count target of 12,000 steps per person per day
- Enter the team Photo competition
- Enter the Staycation Limerick writing Competition
- Just keep walking and don’t forget to log all your teams final steps by 2pm Mon 2nd Nov!
Free Temporary Bike Lights
As part of the Light Up Your Life campaign we have a limited number of free temporary bike lights available outside the SU Shop along with free high vis vests. Please take what you need and stay safe. We also have free SU Diaries and Flirt FM Wall Planners at the shop for you Mon-Fri 8.30am-4pm.
Our next Hump Day Hoolie takes place at 7.30pm on Weds 4th of Nov. There’ll be comedy, speed friending, music, competitions and loads of prizes on Zoom. Limited to 50 people. Get your free tickets here.
Free online Stress Control Programme offering advice on ways to manage our stress levels during these tough times. Next programme starts Mon 2nd Nov For more info visit https://stresscontrol.ie
Our office is still closed so we can’t currently process Student Leap Card applications and we don’t have a reopening date yet. Please note that ticket inspectors on the train have been checking for Student Leap Cards in recent days as they don’t accept the NUIG ID card as proof of student status as it doesn’t have an expiry date. For any queries please contact the Student Leap Card help desk (Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm) Email: info@studentleapcard.ie Phone: 1890 457 056
Mature Students Drop-In Clinics
Weekly drop-In Clinics are available for all Mature Students (anyone over 23 years of age) whether you are an Undergrad, Postgrad or Adult Education student. Here you can discuss issues, challenges, ideas, suggestions, and much more. The clinics are hosted by your SU Mature Students’ Officer Michelle Mitchell on Zoom and are on 10am-12pm Tuesdays and 2pm-4pm Thursdays (links below). When you enter the meeting, you will be placed in a waiting room. If you are not admitted immediately, please be patient as Michelle may be speaking with another student. For more info email: su.maturestudents@nuigalway.ie
The Students’ Union Grinds Register provides a list of people offering grinds to NUIG students in a wide array of subjects.
At the moment 1/3 of study space bookings in the library are not being claimed – please cancel your booking if you’re not able to use it. Many book requests are not being collected either so please email if you no longer need books you ordered. We are continuing to petition the University to open up more study spaces for students on campus.
The NUIG Sports Unit are running weekly Bootcamp (Tues/Thurs) and Yoga sessions (Mon/Thurs) for students/staff to get involved and get active. Head along to their launch events at 11am and 4pm TODAY on Zoom to find out more. Session 1 11am TODAY: Spooktacular Beginners (Passcode: begin1)
Session 2 4pm TODAY: Halloween Survival (Passcode: tough1)
SUMS is a FREE service providing informal mathematics support to first and second year students across all NUIG colleges and courses as well as to students engaged in Access/Foundation courses. Here you can receive extra mathematics or statistics tuition during their online service hours.
COVID-19 Conversations 5pm TODAY!
Join Dr Sue Redmond, Lorraine and Aisling for some Desk Yoga! This fun session will be using ocean and seaweed imagery for movement & exploring self-compassion, all with music. It will take place on Zoom from 5pm TODAY Thurs 29th Oct. Join here.
The NUIG Academic Writing Centre provides free one-on-one tutorials on essay writing. These are available to everyone, regardless of level of experience or grade average.
Terence O’Malley/DLA Piper Scholarships OPEN
The NUIG School of Law recently received a generous donation to support an annual student bursary + 2 annual scholarships supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The closing date for applications is Fri 6 Nov. Apply here
ComputerDISC is a Computer Programming Drop-In Support Centre for all NUIG students who are taking any programming/software development courses. This free service supports all students with their self-directed learning in computing topics.
Grab a pumpkin and join NeuroSoc at 7pm tonight Thurs 29 Oct for their pumpkin carving event via Microsoft Teams. More info from neuro@socs.nuigalway.ie or on their Instagram.
All NUIG staff and students now have access to the Zoom video conferencing platform. You can access your NUIG Zoom account through the apps in your Office 365 account or directly from the NUI Galway Zoom Login Page. More info ISS Zoom Webpage.
Final call for students to join our project with the Galway Safe App. Join a team of volunteers that will brainstorm and engage in social media promotion – together making a big impact! You can have a watch of Neil sharing about the volunteering project on our YouTube channel here.
You can sign up to volunteer here. Pop a line to alive@nuigalway.ie with any questions!
Submissions are now open for fiction/non-fiction/poetry/visual art/memoir/essays for this year’s edition of Ropes. Send submissions to ropeslitmag.submimissions@gmail.com – deadlines: 31st Dec Written Work and 14th Feb Visual Art. For more info follow @ROPESLitJournal
Join this Zoom conversation at 6pm Weds 4th Nov HERE. Úna-Minh is the Founder and Editor of WeAreIrish.ie, Travel Writer, Author of ‘Anseo’, Gamer and a Multimedia Content Producer. In her first book, she writes honestly and humorously about tackling racism, language elitism and online trolls and the joy of turning her love of the internet, video games and accessible Irish-language content into a healthy work/life balance.
Don’t let money worries cost you your education. The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support for students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college.
Need Someone to Talk To?
- Contact NUIG Counselling service to set up an appointment on: counselling@nuigalway.ie
- Text HELLO to 50808 if you need mental health support or advice. Service available 24/7
- Phone the Samaritans on 116 123 or email them on jo@samaritans.org 24/7
Read Issue 2 of your NUIG newspaper Sin HERE. Want to get involved with the paper? Contact the Editor Paddy Henry on editor.sin@gmail.com
What do I do if…
I experience symptoms:
- If you have any of the following COVID-19 symptoms – high temperature (38°C or higher), a cough, difficulty breathing, a change or loss of your sense of smell or taste – you must act quickly. Stay at home or isolate on campus. Phone the Student Health Unit on (091) 492604 or fill out their online screening form or phone your local GP. Describe your symptoms and follow the doctor’s instructions.
I receive a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- Follow public health advice. You will need to self-isolate and your close contacts will need to get tested and restrict their movements.
- You should contact the University confidentially (either by emailing COVID-19@nuigalway.ie or contacting lecturer/administrator). This will enable the University to offer support.
I discover my classmate has had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- If you are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you need to get tested for COVID-19 and restrict your movements for 14 days – even if your test comes back negative. See the difference between a ‘close’ and ‘casual’ contact on the HSE website.
I discover my housemate has had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- You are considered a close contact. You need to get tested for COVID-19 and restrict your movements for 14 days – even if your test comes back negative.
Contact Us
You can contact the Students’ Union by email to studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with any questions or suggestions you may have.
You can also like or follow us on Facebook Instagram Snapchat (@nuigsu) and Twitter.
Our office is currently closed but we are working remotely to help you.
Welcome to your weekly email from your Students’ Union.
Charity Challenge Sign Ups Are Open!
Our November Charity Challenge is the Kilometre Challenge and everyone who signs up will have access to 2 FREE Strength & Conditioning Classes each week for 6 weeks starting from this Mon 29th of Oct! Classes will be run by Lucia Byrne Fitness at 6.30pm each Monday and Wednesday via Zoom. More info + Registration link here.
You set yourself a personal goal for each month based around each charity challenge theme. It’s not a one size fits all event – you know your own capabilities so you do you! Feel free to join at any time and we will have lots of perks for everyone taking part!
For more info contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
Walktober – Win Prizes!
Week 2 NUIG Walktober leaderboard is live! Well done to our 94 teams on putting in some serious steps
How to win in week 3 of Walktober at NUIG:
- Hit the step count target of 10,100 steps per person per day
- Enter the Team Photo competition by 1pm Friday 23rd Oct – theme is rivers/the sea.
- Just keep walking!
Don’t forget to log all your teams steps by 2pm on Tues 27th Oct (Monday is a Bank Holiday!) on www.activetravellogger.ie
Event Crew Meeting Today
The first meeting of our Event Crew is at 4pm TODAY Thurs 22nd October. Give Pádraic a shout on su.president@nuigalway.ie if you want to get involved
Read Issue 2 of your NUIG newspaper Sin HERE. Want to get involved with the paper? Contact the Editor Paddy Henry on editor.sin@gmail.com
Free SU Diaries, SU Cards + Wall Planners
Call to the SU Shop in the Library Basement 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri and get your FREE SU Diary, SU Card and Flirt FM Wall Planner.
Minding Our Mental Health during COVID-19
Mental Health Ireland have put together some great tips, worksheets, videos and resources to help you mind your mental health. More info here.
The NUIG library will be staying open during Level 5 restrictions. Mon – Fri 08:30 – 20:00, Sat 08:30-17:30 and Sun 10:00-17:30. You can book your seat here.
The Draft Register of Electors 2021/2022 is now being compiled. Log on to www.checktheregister.ie to see if you are registered to vote. If you wish to be added to the Register, make sure forms are submitted by this Sunday 25th Oct 2020. For any queries about registering to vote in Galway city, email register@galwaycity.ie or phone 091 536 400
Sult + SU Shop Still Open
Sult will still be open on campus for takeaway food and tea/coffee Mon-Fri. The SU Shop will also be open in the Library Basement 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri and you can get your FREE SU Diary, SU Card and Flirt FM Wall Planner there!
NUIG Seas Suas Programme – November 2020
Expressions of Interest are OPEN. Seas Suas is an empathy, well-being & bystander intervention training programme ran by the Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Centre in NUI Galway. More info + application here.
Do you want to learn more about our national language and ways to learn it? Join USI for ‘I Wish I Could Speak Irish But…’ at 1pm Fri 6th Nov. Tickets here.
Win a Student Leap Card Goodie Bag!
Enter their competition on Facebook HERE or on Instagram HERE. Closing date midnight TONIGHT Thurs 22nd Oct!
Ar mhaith leat an nGaeilge a fhoghlaim?
Ar mhaith leat níos mó eolais a fháil ar ár dteanga náisiúnta agus conas í a fhoghlaim? Bígí linn ‘I Wish I Could Speak Irish But…’ Aoine, 6 Samhain, 1 i.n. Cláraigh anseo.
Are you a law student or graduate that came through the ACCESS programme or HEAR/DARE scheme? Have you encountered particular barriers that did not exist for your peers and colleagues? Please fill out the Barriers To Law survey and have your say HERE.
Webinar on Being Young in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Speakers will be exploring what policy makers can do in Ireland and across Europe to address the challenges of young people in the wake of the pandemic at 11am IST Tomorrow Fri 23rd Oct. Register here.
Galway Wind Park Scholarship Fund Open
Students living within 20km of the Wind Park can apply for 50% funding support towards third-level education fees, up to a maximum of 3 years. Closing date for applications is Fri 6th Nov. More info.
Can Everyone Afford to be Green?
How easy is it to go green, to make deliberate, eco-friendly choices when you’re barely getting by? Can everyone afford to dedicate time to learn and take action to become more sustainable? Join NYCI for this online event 5pm Weds 4th Nov HERE.
As an NUIG student you get a Free subscription to The Irish Times. The free one year digital subscription allows access to premium content, unlimited articles and special offers for subscribers. Sign up here.
Upcoming ALIVE NUIG Online and Offline Events
- 5pm TODAY Thurs 22nd Oct “Covid-19 Conversations” with SpunOut.ie about staying motivated and making friends in the online world. JOIN HERE
- 2pm Weds 28th Oct ALIVE and Galway Community Circus Workshop. Meet outside Quad and walk to Shantalla to learn about the circus. JOIN HERE
NUIG Winter Conferring ceremonies will take place virtually Mon 30th Nov to Weds 9th Dec. The University are thinking about ways in which they can make these virtual conferring ceremonies more meaningful and would like your suggestions on president@nuigalway.ie
Don’t forget that NUIG Graduates are entitled to vote in Seanad Éireann elections but you must register for your vote first. Details on how to register for your vote are available here.
What do I do if…
I experience symptoms:
- If you have any of the following COVID-19 symptoms – high temperature (38°C or higher), a cough, difficulty breathing, a change or loss of your sense of smell or taste – you must act quickly. Stay at home or isolate on campus. Phone the Student Health Unit on (091) 492604 or fill out their online screening form or phone your local GP. Describe your symptoms and follow the doctor’s instructions.
I receive a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- Follow public health advice. You will need to self-isolate and your close contacts will need to get tested and restrict their movements.
- You should contact the University confidentially (either by emailing COVID-19@nuigalway.ie or contacting lecturer/administrator). This will enable the University to offer support.
I discover my classmate has had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- If you are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you need to get tested for COVID-19 and restrict your movements for 14 days – even if your test comes back negative. See the difference between a ‘close’ and ‘casual’ contact on the HSE website.
I discover my housemate has had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- You are considered a close contact. You need to get tested for COVID-19 and restrict your movements for 14 days – even if your test comes back negative.
Don’t let money worries cost you your education. The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support for students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college.
The Career Development Centre are running virtual ‘First year Drop In’ event on Tuesdays in October to give anyone who is unsure of their course an opportunity to meet with one of the team and discuss your options and get advice and support. Last session is Tues 27th of Oct 11am-12pm. Register to attend here.
More info from careers@nuigalway.ie
Need Someone to Talk To?
- Contact NUIG Counselling service to set up an appointment on: counselling@nuigalway.ie
- Text HELLO to 50808 if you need mental health support or advice. Service available 24/7
- Phone the Samaritans on 116 123 or email them on jo@samaritans.org 24/7
Our office is still closed so we can’t currently process Student Leap Card applications and we don’t have a reopening date yet. For any queries please contact the Student Leap Card help desk (Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm) Email: info@studentleapcard.ie Phone: 1890 457 056
If there’s something you want to highlight, or if you want to ask about something, it’s simple! Just get in touch with us using #TellTheSU
Maybe you want to get something off your chest or complain about something on campus. Is there something that you think needs to be sorted? Then #TellTheSU #InisDonChomhaltasé
Contact Us
You can contact the Students’ Union by email to studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with any questions or suggestions you may have.
You can also like or follow us on Facebook Instagram Snapchat (@nuigsu) and Twitter.
Our office is currently closed but we are working remotely to help you.
NUI Galway Students’ Union Launch Charity Challenge
NUI Galway Students’ Union today launched their Charity Challenge to raise funds for Galway Autism Partnership, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Helplink Mental Health. Each month students and staff will be taking part in 6 different Charity Challenges to raise funds for the charities starting in November and running through until April.
The first challenge in November will be the Kilometre Challenge where participants commit to completing a target number of kilometres throughout the month by walking, running or on wheels! December will be a Random Act of Kindness Challenge with each challenger picking a target number of acts to complete and spread some kindness.
NUI Galway Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey said: “We are very excited to launch our Charity Challenge to raise much needed funds for three amazing charities. Over the next six months this event will help our students and staff to feel part of the NUIG community, have fun and keep active while fundraising.”
Cathy Connolly, Executive Director of Galway Rape Crisis Centre said: “Many NUIG students have been part of our volunteer fundraising team in the past and we are ever grateful for their continued support. This Funding will be used to offer counselling to our crisis clients during the changed landscape of Covid-19, by providing a combination of online and face to face support, thereby helping to reduce our waiting list.”
Galway Autism Partnership’s Spokesperson said: ”The support of NUIG Students’ Union is more important than ever, considering the impact that COVID-19 has had on GAP’s fundraising. NUIG students have been volunteering with GAP for nearly a decade; now they will directly support the autistic children and adults of Galway city and county through their fundraising.”
Helplink Mental Health’s CEO Lochlann Scott relates “Helplink are delighted to be chosen as one of the NUIG SU charities. Our work in the area of mental health with students and the general public over the past eight years will be enhanced by this partnership. We look forward to strengthening our ties with the NUIG community.”
Notes about NUI Galway Students’ Union 2020/21 Charities:
Galway Autism Partnership supports families and individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder
Galway Rape Crisis Centre is dedicated to providing a professional, caring and confidential counselling and support service for those in our community affected by sexual abuse and sexual violence.
Helplink Mental Health is a charitable organisation providing accessible counselling, information and education mental health services locally (West of Ireland), nationally and internationally.
NUI Galway Students’ Union Charity Challenge
- 6 months
- 6 challenges
- 3 charities
- And you!
This year is going to be a weird one but that doesn’t mean we can’t find new ways to have some fun, meet new people and raise money for the SU Charities while we are at it.
Our Charity Challenge starts in November with a different challenge each month for you to take part in. You can sign up for one challenge, all six challenges or anything in between – it’s up to you!
You set yourself a personal goal for each month based around the challenge theme. It’s not a one size fits all event – you know your own capabilities so you do you! Feel free to join at any time.
Once you have set your goal and signed up for that month’s challenge it’s time to get it done. Your challenge group will be here to support and encourage you. There will be mini challenges along the way and we will have lots of prizes of course! Each challenge will provide chances for you to meet up with the rest of the group both online and in person (where government guidelines allow).
We have one main fundraising page set up online for you to share so there’s no need to go around trying to collect cash off people – it’s all online here: https://bit.ly/3lPaKQ1
Don’t forget to share all your efforts on social media with #nuigsu #charitychallenge and that month’s challenge title e.g. #kilometrechallenge
The Charities:
Still interested?
Here’s more information!
| Month | Challenge | What’s that? |
| November | Kilometre Challenge | This month you will pick a target number of kilometres to cover during the month either by walking/jogging/running or on wheels. The choice is yours! Just make sure it’s a challenge. |
| December | Random Act of Kindness (RAK) Challenge | This month we are going to spread positivity wherever we go. We will have daily suggestions for Random Acts of Kindness that you can do or come up with your own ones. The RAK challenge motto is do good, feel good! Again you can commit to taking part in as many RAKs as you want from 1 to 30! |
| January | New Year Challenge
|
This month we will be helping you to step outside your comfort zone by having daily suggestions for new things you can try for the new year. You could try a new sport, learn a new skill, volunteer or join a society. The opportunities are endless and your challenge group will be here to support your efforts. |
| February | Kilometre Challenge Part 2! | Here’s another chance to get as many kilometres covered in the month as you can! Maybe you walked in November and want to run this time. Let’s go even further this February! |
| March | Mystery Challenge | What could it be? All will be revealed! |
| April | Choose your Own Challenge | This month you can pick one of the challenges we have already held and make it your own. Get your friends involved. Try to beat your earlier record and let’s finish off the Charity Challenge by raising even more money for the SU Charities. |
Welcome to your weekly email from your Students’ Union.
We are holding more socially distant Walk and Talks for NUIG students at 1pm TOMORROW Fri 16th of Oct and at 1pm this Sat 17th of Oct. You must book a ticket to be able to attend but they are free! This is a great chance to have a walk, a chat, clear your head and meet other students in a safe and socially distanced way.
SU Charity Challenge
This year we will be fundraising for 3 amazing charities who are: Galway Autism Partnership, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Helplink. Our plan is to run a different challenge for students to take part in each month starting in November and running through until April. You can sign up for one challenge, all six challenges or anything in between – it’s up to you! You set yourself a personal goal for each month based around the challenge theme. It’s not a one size fits all event – you know your own capabilities so you do you! Feel free to join at any time and we will have lots of perks for everyone taking part.
For more info contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
Walktober – Win Prizes!
Week 1 NUIG Walktober leaderboard is live! Well done to our 94 teams on putting in some serious steps + to Talkie Walkie for winning a prize in photo comp
How to win in week 2 of Walktober at NUIG:
- Hit the step count target of 8,200 steps per person per day
- Enter the Team Photo competition
- Enter the Limerick competition
- Just keep walking!
Don’t forget to log all your teams steps by 2pm each Monday on www.activetravellogger.ie
SU Hump Day Hoolie
Mark your diary 7pm Weds 21st Oct is our first Hump Day Hoolie! There’ll be comedy, speed friending, music, competitions and loads of prizes. Limited to 50 people. Want in? Email studentsunion@nuigalway.ie
Join the SU Event Crew
Want to learn how to organise events? Join the SU Event Crew! Contact su.president@nuigalway.ie for more info
Class Rep Elections is a two-step online process this year on the NUIG YourSpace platform
Undergrad students:
Step 2: Voting is open and runs until Mon 19 Oct
Postgrad Students:
Step 1: Nominations close 12pm tomorrow Fri 16 Oct
Step 2: Voting Mon 19 Oct to Fri 23rd Oct
More information about being a Class Rep is available on our website here. You can also give the SU VP/Education Officer Emma a shout on su.education@nuigalway.ie if you have any questions
Join the SU Welfare Crew
Passionate about Student Welfare Issues? Join the SU Welfare Crew! Contact su.welfare@nuigalway.ie for more info
Win prizes by completing NUIG Success Quiz before tomorrow!
Prizes are: Gym Membership, €100 One4all Gift Card, Hamper, NUIG Hoodie. Take the quiz here.
Attention NUIG Club Captains!
Our SU Clubs Captain Kirsty will be holding the first SU Clubs Forum at 7pm TODAY Thurs 15th Oct. Link has been sent to your club email or contact su.clubs@nuigalway.ie for more details.
2pm-4pm TODAY Thurs 15th October 2pm – 4pm. Join them here.
Upcoming ALIVE NUIG Online and Offline Events
- 5pm TODAY “Covid-19 Conversations” with Gary from USI talking about the new campaign on students staying safe while living life to the full. JOIN HERE
- 4pm Tues 20th Oct How to get the ALIVE Certificate for Volunteering. JOIN HERE.
- 5pm Thurs 22nd Oct “Covid-19 Conversations” with SpunOut.ie about staying motivated and making friends in the online world. JOIN HERE
- 2pm Weds 28th Oct ALIVE and Galway Community Circus Workshop. Meet outside Quad and walk to Shantalla to learn about the circus. JOIN HERE
Want to improve your digital learning experience?
Join NUIG Digital Champions for a free workshop 11am-12.30pm Weds 21st of Oct on enhancing your digital learning experience. The aim of the workshop is to help you utilise technology and stay organised!
Are you a young adult (18-30 years) living with asthma? Participants needed!
Researchers at the School of Psychology, NUI Galway are conducting a study on the use of a smartphone app to support adherence to preventer inhalers. Participation will involve 2 brief online questionnaires and downloading and using an app. To take part or for more info, click here.
NUIG Seas Suas Programme – November 2020
Expressions of Interest are OPEN. Seas Suas is an empathy, well-being & bystander intervention training programme ran by the Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Centre in NUI Galway. More info + application here.
The Academic Writing Centre, provide one-on-one tutorials on essay writing that are free for all NUIG Students. They are holding a workshop for first-year NUIG students on Mon 19 Oct. More info
Extended Library Opening Hours
Good news! The library now has extended opening hours Mon-Fri 08:30-20:00, Sat 08:30-17:30 an Sun 10:00-17:30. Please remember to pre-book your seat in advance here. More good news is that seats in the library can now be booked for the full day.
There’s more free virtual Wellbeing Week events happening today and tomorrow including: Responding (Not Reacting) to Stress/Anxiety; Drop-In and Breath; Societies Fair; The Success Quiz; Stammering support workshop. More info + registration links here.
NUIG has confirmed that Winter Conferring ceremonies will take place virtually Mon 30th Nov to Weds 9th Dec. They are thinking about ways in which they can make these virtual conferring ceremonies more meaningful and would like your suggestions on president@nuigalway.ie
Don’t forget that NUIG Graduates are entitled to vote in Seanad Éireann elections but you must register for your vote first. Details on how to register for your vote are available here.
NUIG Laptop Loan Scheme Good News!
There will be a second round of applications opening soon. There were 688 applicants in first call + staff are working to process the current applications + distribute laptops as swiftly as possible. Check here for updates.
Finding Theses (NUIG & external) virtual workshop 12pm-1pm TODAY Thurs 15 Oct. Booking and more info here
What do I do if…
I experience symptoms:
- If you have any of the following COVID-19 symptoms – high temperature (38°C or higher), a cough, difficulty breathing, a change or loss of your sense of smell or taste – you must act quickly. Stay at home or isolate on campus. Phone the Student Health Unit on (091) 492604 or fill out their online screening form or phone your local GP. Describe your symptoms and follow the doctor’s instructions.
I receive a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- Follow public health advice. You will need to self-isolate and your close contacts will need to get tested and restrict their movements.
- You should contact the University confidentially (either by emailing COVID-19@nuigalway.ie or contacting lecturer/administrator). This will enable the University to offer support.
I discover my classmate has had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- If you are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you need to get tested for COVID-19 and restrict your movements for 14 days – even if your test comes back negative. See the difference between a ‘close’ and ‘casual’ contact on the HSE website.
I discover my housemate has had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis:
- You are considered a close contact. You need to get tested for COVID-19 and restrict your movements for 14 days – even if your test comes back negative.
Here’s a quick video explaining who we are and what we do for you! Our office is still closed but we are working away remotely so please do get in touch with any issues you may be encountering. You can also give us a shout if you want to get involved in the SU or any of our programmes this year! Contact us on studentsunion@nuigalway.ie More info at www.su.nuigalway.ie
Don’t let money worries cost you your education. The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support for students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college.
The Career Development Centre are running virtual ‘First year Drop In’ event on Tuesdays in October to give anyone who is unsure of their course an opportunity to meet with one of the team and discuss your options and get advice and support. These drop in sessions are running on the following dates:
Tuesday 20th of October 11-12. Register to attend here.
Tuesday 27th of October 11-12. Register to attend here.
More info from careers@nuigalway.ie
The Draft Register of Electors 2021/2022 is now being compiled. Log on to www.checktheregister.ie to see if you are registered to vote. If you wish to be added to the Register, make sure forms are submitted by 25th October 2020. For any queries about registering to vote in Galway city, email register@galwaycity.ie or phone 091 536 400
Need Someone to Talk To?
- Contact NUIG Counselling service to set up an appointment on: counselling@nuigalway.ie
- Text HELLO to 50808 if you need mental health support or advice. Service available 24/7
- Phone the Samaritans on 116 123 or email them on jo@samaritans.org 24/7
Our office is still closed so we can’t currently process Student Leap Card applications and we don’t have a reopening date yet. For any queries please contact the Student Leap Card help desk (Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm) Email: info@studentleapcard.ie Phone: 1890 457 056
If there’s something you want to highlight, or if you want to ask about something, it’s simple! Just get in touch with us using #TellTheSU
Maybe you want to get something off your chest or complain about something on campus. Is there something that you think needs to be sorted? Then #TellTheSU #InisDonChomhaltasé
Contact Us
You can contact the Students’ Union by email to studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with any questions or suggestions you may have.
You can also like or follow us on Facebook Instagram Snapchat (@nuigsu) and Twitter.
Our office is currently closed but we are working remotely to help you.
Students’ Union Calls for Rent Refunds
NUI Galway Students’ Union has today called on Galway landlords and student accommodation providers to provide refunds to students who no longer need to be in Galway due to the switch to online learning. So far the University managed Corrib Village and Goldcrest developments along with the privately run Menlo Park apartments have agreed to offer refunds to students not taking up their accommodation offers.
In a joint letter written by the NUIG President and the Students’ Union President this week to accommodation providers there was a call to show “care and compassion to students during the COVID-19 emergency”. The letter also recognised that property owners are also facing a “stressful and difficult economic time” but that there’s a need to work together to “create an impression of Galway as a destination for study.”
Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey said: “With the announcement that most teaching will be online for the current semester at NUI Galway a lot of our students have found themselves with accommodation they no longer need and can’t afford. This is adding extra financial pressures to students and their families at a stressful time of huge uncertainty. We are calling on all accommodation providers in Galway to talk to their tenants and look at how they can be flexible in their rental agreements.”
Students’ Union Welfare and Equality Officer Róisín Nic Lochlainn added: “We hope that other student accommodation providers and landlords in Galway will follow in the footsteps of Campus Living and Menlo Park and provide refunds to students who no longer need accommodation. I’ve met with representatives from most of the large student accommodation developments to try to impress upon them the need for compassion this year so that students can afford to rent in Galway in future years.”
Welcome to your weekly email from your Students’ Union.
Class Rep Elections will be a two-step online process this year on the NUIG YourSpace platform
Undergrad students:
Step 1: Nominations are open until 12pm Weds 14 Oct
Step 2: Voting Weds 14 Oct to Mon 19 Oct
Postgrad Students:
Step 1: Nominations open 12pm Mon 12 Oct to 12pm Fri 16 Oct
Step 2: Voting Mon 19 Oct to Fri 23rd Oct
More information about being a Class Rep is available on our website here. You can also give the SU VP/Education Officer Emma a shout on su.education@nuigalway.ie if you have any questions
We are holding socially distant Walks and Talks for NUIG students 1pm-2.30pm TODAY Thurs 8th Oct and 12pm-1.30pm Sat 10th Oct (World Mental Health Day). BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL and spaces are limited due to Covid-19 restrictions. Get your free ticket here! Don’t forget your face mask.
TODAY is our LAST DAY of our SU Pop Up in the Quad so call over 12pm-3pm to get ALL THE FREE STUFF! Including: Face Masks, SU Diaries, SU Cards, Flirt FM Wall Planners and High Vis Vests. We still don’t have a reopening date for the SU office from the University.
How is College Life Going for You?
Please take our October survey here so we can address the issues that are worrying you.
Here’s the link to issue 1 of Sin newspaper with all the NUIG news you need to know! Want to get involved with the paper? Contact the Editor Paddy Henry on editor.sin@gmail.com
Don’t let money worries cost you your education. The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support for students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. NUIG online applications will be available here soon.
Walktober Weekly Competitions
There’s 3 ways to win this week if you are taking part in our Walktober Challenge:
- Virtual Challenge. This is a virtual 37km walk through the hills of Donegal which means a weekly team average of 49,300 steps, equating to approximately 7,100 steps per person per day. Get all team members to that target this week, log your steps and you could win prizes!
- Team Photo competition. In keeping with our trip to Donegal we would love to see can you include a hill or mountain summit in the background. Submit your team photo via our Competition Entry Form by Friday 9th October at 1pm.
- Get your team in the Top 25 of the leader board and you will be entered into a draw to win a Smarter Travel Goody Bag. The only way to get here is to step and log on to register your steps!
Suirbhé chun ranganna Gaeilge/spás sóisialta a fháil ar champas
Survey for Irish classes and social spaces on campus
The University is running a series of online events including information sessions about the Library, a Jobs Fair, Volunteering information, mindfulness classes and more. Full details and booking here.
“COVID-19 Conversations” 5pm Thurs 15th Oct via Zoom
Hear from national student’s union leader, Gary who joins Aisling and Lorraine in a chat on the USI new campaign on students staying safe, while living life to the full! Come along for tea and chat.
What is a Money Mule?
A money mule is a person recruited by criminals to help in transferring stolen or fraudulently obtained money from bank accounts. Money muling equals money laundering. You might be offered a job that involves receiving money into your bank account and transferring it into another account letting you keep some of the cash for yourself. Doing so would make you a Money Mule. 30 people have been arrested and €1.5 million has been stolen so far. More arrests are expected. Gardaí are particularly appealing to students to be vigilant and never ever allow your bank account to be used in this way. A conviction of this type carries a potential prison sentence of 14 years. Check www.fraudsmart.ie for more info.
Some good news from the Library
- You can now book a seat in the Library for the whole day via their website.
- PhD Students can now check out up to 20 books
- They are holding an online info session at 12pm TODAY Thurs 8th Oct to learn more about using the library. Link here.
Volunteering In The New Academic Year: Getting Started In Third-Level Volunteering
First years and new volunteers, join Mairead Cleary and the studentvolunteer.ie working group 1pm-2pm Weds 14th Oct as they help you start your volunteer journey in university or college. Our team will be on board to ask any questions you have about starting volunteering in the this new academic year. COVID19 has changed the volunteer landscape significantly but you can still be involved and share your knowledge and skills with some fantastic organisations in your community Register on Zoom HERE to attend.
Stammering Support
ISA workshop ‘Accessing Higher Level- Supports for someone who stammers’ at 10am Thurs 15th October via zoom. Register for free here. Suitable for students who stammer or anyone supporting those who stammer. Panel discussion + Q & A.
SUMS is back with free online informal mathematics support for NUIG Students in 1st and 2nd year and on Access/Foundation courses from Monday 12th of October. More info here.
The NUIG Job Fair takes place 11am-4pm on Mon 12th Oct. Open to all NUIG students and those who graduated from NUIG this year. More info here.
There’s loads of information for new NUI Galway students here. The University have also produced a video with all the NUIG services for students here.
Computer DISC is Online
Computer DISC is a free online service that supports all students with their self-directed learning in computing topics at all years and levels in NUI Galway. More information is available here or email computerdisc@it.nuigalway.ie
It’s never too late to join up to Clubs and Societies! Just sign up at www.yourspace.nuigalway.ie
Student feedback wanted on NUIG Draft Sustainability Strategy
NUIG is on a journey to establishing the university as a leading, green smart and healthy campus. They recently published a draft Sustainability Strategy for the period 2020-2025 and need student input on the draft document. Please read the draft strategy here and share your opinions with them. What do you think of the aims, objective and targets they have set? Does the Strategy meet your needs on campus? How can they improve the strategy? Let them know what you think by 5pm Fri 16th Oct. You can share your comments and feedback here. Alternatively email sustainability@nuigalway.ie
The Career Development Centre are running virtual ‘First year Drop In’ event on Tuesdays in October to give anyone who is unsure of their course an opportunity to meet with one of the team and discuss your options and get advice and support.
These drop in sessions are running on the following dates:
Tuesday 13th of October 11-12. Register to attend here.
Tuesday 20th of October 11-12. Register to attend here.
Tuesday 27th of October 11-12. Register to attend here.
More info from careers@nuigalway.ie
Aware Free Online Programme
If you need help managing feelings of stress, worry, anxiety or depression – Aware’s Life Skills Free Online programme may be for you. Registration opens Mon 12 Oct. Register here if you want to be notified when it opens. Learn simple and practical skills online over 8 weeks for free.
First Year Student Helpline Open
The NUIG Student First Year Hotline is open until Friday the 14th of October. Contact them for all your queries including registration, fees, orientation and accommodation on +353 91 493 999. Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 9am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm.
The Draft Register of Electors 2021/2022 is now being compiled. Log on to www.checktheregister.ie to see if you are registered to vote. If you wish to be added to the Register, make sure forms are submitted by 25th October 2020. For any queries about registering to vote in Galway city, email register@galwaycity.ie or phone 091 536 400
Learn Suicide Prevention Skills Online
LivingWorks Start is an online programme suitable for anyone over the age of 18 who wants to help prevent suicide and is prepared to become more suicide alert. This interactive training programme will give you the skills and knowledge to keep others safe from suicide. More info about the programme is available here and you can contact mary.mcgrath9@hse.ie to sign up. Please note this programme is the step before safeTALK and ASIST.
The FREE Student Health Unit is open but you must book your appointment online prior to attending. More information on their services and how to book your appointment online here.
Need Someone to Talk To?
- Contact NUIG Counselling service to set up an appointment on: counselling@nuigalway.ie
- Text HELLO to 50808 if you need mental health support or advice. Service available 24/7
- Phone the Samaritans on 116 123 or email them on jo@samaritans.org 24/7
The Academic Writing Centre provide one-on-one tutorials on essay writing that are free for all NUIG Students. They also support student writing through workshops, modules, and competitions.
5 Ways To Get Involved in Your SU this Year
- Charity Challenge – Each month from November we will have a different charity challenge to raise funds for the SU Charities. Contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for info
- Event Crew – The crew will organise events during term to give students a chance to meet up on or off line. Contact su.president@nuigalway.ie for info
- Class Representatives – Each class elects a class rep to be their voice. Contact su.education@nuigalway.ie for info
- Welfare Crew – The crew will organise campaigns on student issues such as sexual health, mental health and equality issues. Contact su.welfare@nuigalway.ie for info
- Elections – There are currently 5 Vacant Officer positions to be filled. Contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for info
Our office is still closed so we can’t currently process Student Leap Card applications and we don’t have a reopening date yet. For any queries please contact the Student Leap Card help desk (Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm) Email: info@studentleapcard.ie Phone: 1890 457 056
Our CÉIM academic peer support programme for 1st year students at NUI Galway is being delivered online in 2020/21 due to COVID-19. CÉIM is available to approximately 1,650 1st year students studying: Engineering & Construction Management; Geography; Law (all programmes including BA Law); Political Science & Sociology; Psychology. More info here.
Contact Us
You can contact the Students’ Union by email to studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with any questions or suggestions you may have.
You can also like or follow us on Facebook Instagram Snapchat (@nuigsu) and Twitter.
Our office is currently closed but we are working remotely to help you.
Students’ Union Launch Walktober Step Challenge
NUI Galway Students’ Union today launched the Walktober Step Challenge for NUIG students and staff. 24 teams of staff and student members have so far registered to take part in the challenge which starts this Monday 5th of October and runs until Sunday 1st November. The aim of the event is to encourage staff and students to walk more so that they build up to 10,000 steps per day by the end of the challenge. Participants have the chance of winning great prizes from the National Transport Authority just by walking!
Recent research has shown that through working and studying remotely we are sitting for an extra 2 hours and 45 minutes each day. This shocking statistic is the perfect motivation to take up a walking challenge!
The health benefits of walking are huge as it helps tone muscles, strengthen bones, increases metabolism and reduces the risk of high blood pressure. Regular walking can also have a big impact on your mental health as it reduces stress, improves mood and increases self-esteem.
Participants can still register online for the challenge at https://www.activetravellogger.ie/
Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey said: ““It’s great to see students and staff coming together as a community for a project like this even if we are apart. Getting in a short, socially distanced, walk each day can transform your health, body and mind plus it’s free! We are privileged to have some beautiful walks on campus which can easily be enjoyed on a break from studying or working from home.”
Students’ Union Education Officer Emma Sweeney added: “Just 40 minutes of walking three times a week has been shown to protect the brain region associated with planning and memory. Joining a team will help our NUIG community to feel less socially isolated. It’s also a great chance to turn exercise into a daily habit and there’s the added bonus that you can win prizes just by taking part!”
Welcome to your weekly email from your Students’ Union.
Walktober starts Monday – Win Prizes by Walking!
Walktober our annual Walking Challenge starts this Mon 5th Oct and runs until Sun 1st Nov. It is open to all staff and students at NUI Galway. How to take part:
- Get into a team of 3-6 people, including the captain
- Sign up online www.activetravellogger.ie
- During the Challenge log your steps online at www.activetravellogger.ie
Teams will be awarded for their improvement throughout the challenge. There will also be lots of opportunities to win prizes throughout the challenge.
Laptop Loan Scheme Applications Close Tomorrow
Applications for the Laptop Loan Scheme close Friday the 2nd of October. You can find more information and apply online here
This Friday 2pm-4pm we will be doing a clean-up down at the Spanish Arch and Claddagh area of Galway. If you want to join us please register here. Please note spaces are limited due to Covid-19 regulations.
Virtual Clubs & Socs Day Today!
The last virtual Clubs and Societies day takes place 5pm-8pm today.
- To take part in the Clubs Day pick a Club from the list HERE and use the button on the right to join their virtual booth.
- To take part in the Societies Day join at the link HERE
You can also join any of the clubs and societies any time by logging on to www.yourspace.nuigalway.ie
How is the return to College going for you?
Take our survey HERE so we know what issues you need us to be aware of.
The FREE Student Health Unit is open but you must book your appointment online prior to attending. More information on their services and how to book your appointment online here.
The Financial Aid Fund is due to open on Tues 6th Oct. More information about the fund, eligibility and online application will be available here.
Need Someone to Talk To?
- Contact NUIG Counselling service to set up an appointment on: counselling@nuigalway.ie
- Text HELLO to 50808 if you need mental health support or advice. Service available 24/7
- Phone the Samaritans on 116 123 or email them on jo@samaritans.org 24/7
SU Services Opening Arrangements
- SU Pop Up at the Quad 12pm-3pm Mon-Thurs
- SU Shop 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri
- Sult 8.30am-7pm Mon-Fri
- SU Office closed (this means we can’t do Student Leap Cards or sell secondhand books)
- Smokey’s Café closed
The Academic Writing Centre reopens today online. They provide one-on-one tutorials on essay writing that are free for all NUIG Students. They also support student writing through workshops, modules, and competitions.
Take Control with Stress Control the free online stress control programme offering advice on ways to manage our stress levels during these tough times. Starts next Monday 5th Oct. More info
Interested in volunteering while studying for your degree?
Start your volunteer journey at 1pm on Wednesday 14th October with Mairéad Cleary of the Irish Examiner and some special guests from across volunteer organisations and the StudentVolunteer.ie team. Volunteering is linked to personal wellbeing and professional success have a click in and find out more!
Or Watch on the StudentVolunteer.ie YouTube Channel here.
The Career Development Centre has loads of events online this semester to help you get job ready. More info and registration details are available on their website here.
Class Representatives
Every class is entitled to a Class Representative to represent their class. If your class does not have a Class Rep your voice will not be heard. If you have any questions on the roles and responsibilities of a Class Rep contact the SU Vice-President/Education Officer Emma at su.education@nuigalway.ie. Further information regarding the role of Class Reps is also available here.
Keep it small, keep it safe, keep your distance.
We are supporting the new USI campaign called “Keep it small, Keep it Safe, Keep your Distance”. We know this virus has had a massive impact on our lives – going to college is very different this year, we haven’t had the summer we all had hoped for and we haven’t been able to see as much of our friends and family as we may have hoped. We all have a part to play in limiting the spread of the virus, but we are also concerned about the impact of loneliness or seclusion on students. So, depending on where we are in the country and the restrictions in place at the time, we can meet friends and family providing it’s done in a safe way. This will help support our mental health while reducing the risk of spreading the virus.
The main message is that we can still meet with friends and family, we are just asking that you keep your gatherings small, keep yourself and your families safe and keep your distance.
Free online mindfulness sessions are available for all NUI Galway staff and students 8.15am-8.45am every Tuesday and Friday morning. These are delivered by Dr Eva Flynn and are suitable for all levels from beginner to experienced.
Here’s the link (please use GOOGLE CHROME to open it)
National Breastfeeding Week 1st – 7th of Oct
Breastfeeding works best when women have access to breastfeeding support services. NUI Galway’s Breastfeeding Group helps provide this support to breastfeeding staff and students. The group provides a monthly online peer-to-peer group for breastfeeding mothers with the help of La Leche League, Cuidiú and other colleagues. Women share advice on managing the return to work and study and all other aspects of parenting through breastfeeding. The group meets online on the third Wednesday of every month (during term time). All breastfeeding mothers and female breastfeeding supporters as well as those from outside NUI Galway are welcome to join. Please contact Anne Fallon (anne.fallon@nuigalway.ie), Rachel Hilliard (rachel.hilliard@nuigalway.ie), Oonagh Meade (oonagh.meade@nuigalway.ie) or Claire Withey (claire.withey@nuigalway.ie) or for further info.
The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is organising an online evening course in Chinese Language and Culture. The course is an introduction to Chinese language and culture for beginners and will run for 20 weeks with online classes every Wednesday at 7pm starting Weds 14th Oct. It consists of Chinese culture knowledge, basics of Chinese pronunciation rules, Chinese character writing principles, and practical everyday phases. It establishes a foundation for further study or self- study to reach HSK 2 (Chinese proficiency test level 2). The fee for NUI Galway students is €120. There are no formal exams but students will receive a certificate on completion. To register for the course please contact Suzanne Gilsenan, suzanne.gilsenan@nuigalway.ie
The SU Office might be closed but you can call in to our SU Pop Up in the Quad to pick up your pack of 3 free reusable face masks. The masks have been supplied by NUI Galway and there’s a pack for every NUIG student so don’t panic! We will also have FREE SU Diaries, SU Cards and Flirt FM Wall Planners at the SU Pop Up. Please wear a mask and follow the social distancing signage/instructions. The Pop Up will be open until Fri 9th Oct and our provisional opening hours are here.
5 Ways To Get Involved in Your SU this Year
- Charity Challenge – Each month we will have a different charity challenge to raise funds for the SU Charities. Contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for info
- Event Crew – The crew will organise events during term to give students a chance to meet up on or off line. Contact su.president@nuigalway.ie for info
- Class Representatives – Each class elects a class rep to be their voice. Contact su.education@nuigalway.ie for info
- Welfare Crew – The crew will organise campaigns on student issues such as sexual health, mental health and equality issues. Contact su.welfare@nuigalway.ie for info
- Elections – There are currently 5 Vacant Officer positions to be filled. Contact studentsunion@nuigalway.ie for info
Our office is still closed so we can’t currently process Student Leap Card applications and we don’t have a reopening date yet. For any queries please contact the Student Leap Card help desk (Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm) Email: info@studentleapcard.ie Phone: 1890 457 056
Our CÉIM academic peer support programme for 1st year students at NUI Galway is being delivered online in 2020/21 due to COVID-19. CÉIM is available to approximately 1,650 1st year students studying: Engineering & Construction Management; Geography; Law (all programmes including BA Law); Political Science & Sociology; Psychology. More info here.
The Library is back open with limited services and you now need to book your seat online before attending. More info on their services here.
Graduating soon?
Don’t forget to register for your vote in the Seanad Éireann elections. Register here.
Disability Support Service Registration
Students with evidence of a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning disability should register with the Disability Support Service. Please email disabilityservice@nuigalway.ie
Galway is currently at level 2 (green). We would love to reach level 1 but to do that we need to stop the spread of Covid-19 by:
- Limiting our social contacts to priority contacts.
- Practising good hand hygiene. There are hand sanitisation stations all around campus. Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds.
- Wearing a face covering. Free reusable face masks are available from the SU Pop Up at the Quad. There are 3 for every NUIG student.
- Keep social distance of 2 metres and please follow the yellow arrows/social distancing markings on campus.
- Maintain good cough/sneeze etiquette. Throw used tissues in the bin.
- Self-isolate if you feel you have any symptoms of COVID and ring your GP or the Student Health Unit ASAP to arrange a test.
- Download the free Covid Tracker App.
Contact Us
You can contact the Students’ Union by email to studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with any questions or suggestions you may have.
You can also like or follow us on Facebook Instagram Snapchat (@nuigsu) and Twitter.
Our office is currently closed but we are working remotely to help you.
Students’ Union Welcomes NUIG Turnaround on student accommodation payments
NUI Galway Students’ Union has today welcomed the University’s decision to provide refunds to students who no longer wish to take up spaces in on-campus student accommodation for 2020/21. Many students booked accommodation at the Corrib Village and Goldcrest developments on the basis that they were told by the University they would have on campus teaching hours this semester. The students subsequently discovered they would have no teaching time or very limited hours which didn’t justify their outlay on the accommodation.
NUI Galway Students’ Union took up the campaign on behalf of these students and their families with the University. Campus Living who run the two developments on behalf of the University yesterday evening confirmed that they would be “entitled to a refund if they decide not to proceed with their booking due to having less time on campus than originally planned.”
Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey said: “We are delighted that the University has listened to the student body and reversed their earlier decision. We are all facing a very uncertain future with the current global pandemic. Adding any extra financial pressures to students and their families is not acceptable. Now is a time to be flexible and compassionate. The national Education For All campaign launched this week highlights the pressing need for a publicly financed student accommodation building strategy and charter for student tenant rights.”
Students’ Union Welfare and Equality Officer Róisín Nic Lochlainn added: “We hope that other student accommodation providers and landlords in Galway will follow the University’s lead and provide refunds to students who no longer need accommodation. Many students and their families had to make tough decisions to book accommodation with incomplete information about how much time they would actually be on campus. Now that the picture is finally becoming clearer our students are finding themselves stuck with accommodation they can’t afford and no jobs available for them to pay the rent.”