{{Short description|Representative and social body in Limerick, Ireland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2023}} {{independent sources|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox Students Union |name = University of Limerick Student Life |image = |motto = Belong to the Pack |established = 1972 |institution = University of Limerick |affiliated = none |location = New Student Centre |homepage = {{url|https://ulstudentlife.ie/}} }} '''University of Limerick Student Life''' ({{langx|ga|Saol na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil Luimnigh}}), formerly known as '''University of Limerick Students' Union''' ({{langx|ga|Aontas Na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil Luimnigh}}), is the representative body for students at the University of Limerick (UL) in Ireland. The union also organises social activities, and supports a range of clubs and societies.
==History== ===Formation=== The National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) was founded in Limerick in 1972. The 113 students who started in NIHEL that year founded the Students' Union, which was later to become the University of Limerick Students' Union.{{fact|date=January 2022}} In its early years, all officers served in a voluntary capacity. The first full-time president was elected in 1975.{{fact|date=May 2026}}
===Union of Students in Ireland=== From its inception in 1972, the union had been involved with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). In 1991, ULSU withdrew from USI after it decided that the national union was no longer doing what it should be doing for ordinary students on the ground. ULSU has never reaffiliated to USI, although an inquorate referendum held in 2001 on the issue indicated some support among students for such a move. The votes cast in that referendum showed that just under 55 percent of students who voted were in favour of rejoining, but 66 percent in favour would have been needed to pass the referendum, and the referendum anyway did not have enough votes cast to be valid (only 700 against a requirement of 20 percent, changed to 15 percent in 2006).<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ulsu.ie/pdfs/ULSUConstitution.pdf |title=ULSU Constitution |access-date=2007-08-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927062501/http://www.ulsu.ie/pdfs/ULSUConstitution.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead | website = ulsu.ie }}</ref>
=== Re-branding === In July 2018, the union underwent a re-brand to "University of Limerick Student Life". This re-brand was spearheaded by the 2017/2018 executive with a view to increasing student participation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://trinitynews.ie/ul-students-union-rebrands-itself-as-ul-student-life/|title=UL Students' Union rebrands itself as UL Student Life|date=2018-07-18|work=Trinity News |access-date=2018-08-20|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/325513/students-in-uproar-over-20k-union-rebrand-at-university-of-limerick.html|title=Students in uproar over €20K union rebrand at University of Limerick|access-date=2018-08-20 | website = limerickleader.ie }}</ref>
alt=the words 'UL Student Union' in blue|thumb|Logo previous to the 2018 rebrand However this re-brand faced criticism from both past and present students and raised questions about the democratic process within the union. Under the union's constitution, name changes must be approved by a college-wide referendum or an AGM, where the quorum is 100 students. 25 members were in attendance when the name change was proposed with only 3 voting against the proposed re-brand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.universitytimes.ie/2018/07/justifiable-criticism-for-a-brazen-e20000-ulsu-rebrand/|title=Justifiable Criticism for a Brazen €20,000 ULSU Rebrand|website=universitytimes.ie|language=en|access-date=2018-08-20}}</ref> The re-brand also attracted controversy due to the high costs involved. A former vice-president of the Postgraduate Students' Union cited costs of between €20,000 and €25,000 for development of the brand by an outside company, alone. As of 2018, additional costs associated with the re-brand were not known.<ref name="backlash">{{Cite web|url=http://www.universitytimes.ie/2018/07/ulsu-faces-backlash-over-e20k-rebrand-to-ul-student-life/|title=ULSU Faces Backlash Over €20k 'Rebrand' to UL Student Life|website=universitytimes.ie|language=en|access-date=2018-07-20}}</ref>
In January 2026, the ''Limerick Voice'' reported that some of the organisation's documents (including minutes, policy documents and audited accounts dating from 1991 to 2021) were no longer available following the migration of a SharePoint site.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nolan |first=Ciara |title=Questions raised over access to UL Students Union records |url=https://limerickvoice.com/news/questions-raised-over-access-to-ul-students-union-records/ |website=limerickvoice.com |date=17 January 2026}}</ref>
=== New student centre === In September 2025, the union moved to a new 34 million euro student centre on the University of Limerick campus. The student centre won the 'building' category and was an overall winner at the Irish Concrete Society's annual 43rd Annual Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Society |first=Irish Concrete |date=2026-03-27 |title=43rd Annual Awards Results |url=https://www.concrete.ie/43rd-annual-awards-results-2/ |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=The Irish Concrete Society |language=en-GB}}</ref> The new student centre includes amenities for students and replaced the old student centre, located in the courtyard building, near the Stables and Scholars pubs.
==Publications== The organisation produced a newspaper, An Focal. The production of ''An Focal'' was formerly the responsibility of the vice-president/communications officer. Following the abolition of this office in 2012, a full-time student editor was appointed. The editor is assisted by an editorial team of student volunteers as well as student contributors. The paper's print schedule was up until December 2017 fortnightly before the union decided to change it to monthly, without consulting the editor. A spokesperson for the union cited that the paper had "deteriorated considerably in terms of layout, spelling, grammar, use of colour and overall design".<ref name="backlash"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/286259/university-of-limerick-students-union-s-war-of-words-with-editor-over-paper-s-future.html|title=University of Limerick Students' Union's war of words with editor over paper's future|access-date=2018-07-20 | website = limerickleader.ie }}</ref>
In February 2026, the organisation published a report titled the "Commuter Survey Report" which focused on the experiences of commuter students.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Commuter Survey Report, UL Student Life |url=https://ulstudentlife.ie/asset/News/7107/COMMUTER-REPORT-2026.pdf | website = ulstudentlife.ie}}</ref> The report, which referred to UL Student Life as "UL Students' Union", found that 97% of commuter students were negatively impacted by commuting and 50% said it made social engagement very difficult.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNamara |first=Katie |date=2026-02-05 |title=UL survey reveals 97% of commuter students education is impacted |url=https://limerickvoice.com/news/ul-survey-finds-commuter-students-education-negatively-impacted/ |access-date=2026-05-01 |language=en-IE | website = limerickvoice.com }}</ref> The report called on the Higher Education Authority to remove its capital funding block on the university.<ref name=":2" />
== Governance == === Organisation === The organisation has had the legal form of a company limited by guarantee established under part 18 of the Companies Act 2014 since 2022, being a body with a board of trustees prior to that.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CRO page for ULSL |url=https://core.cro.ie/e-commerce/company/4879752 |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=Companies Registration Office}}</ref> The company or Clg structure is unusual for an Irish Students' Union. As the union is a company, it is separate from the university.
The organisation receives funding from the university, with students paying a levy approved by referendum as part of the "Leave a Legacy" campaign, which contributes to projects including the redevelopment of Maguire pitches, the handball alley, the extension of the UL Arena climbing wall and the construction of the new student centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Leave a Legacy Referendum |url=https://ulstudentlife.ie/campaigns/leave-a-legacy/referendum-history-and-faqs/ |website=ulstudentlife.ie}}</ref>
The Constitution, in accordance with section 32 of the companies act 2014 may only be amended by a special resolution of 75% or more of its members, in this case, the directors of the company, passed at an annual or exceptional general meeting of the members. <ref>Companies Act 2014, Section 32(1)</ref>
The organisation has a president, known as the "Student President", who supports its general manager and acts on matters of policy. The president reports to the general manager as part of the senior management team.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=UL Student Life Constitution |url=https://ulstudentlife.ie/pageassets/governance/our-constitution/ULSU-Constitution-Bye-Laws-13.02.26.pdf | website = ulstudentlife.ie }}</ref>
The company, with a side business in being students union, is governed by a Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association and Bye-Laws.<ref name=":0" />
=== Council and executive committee === The executive committee of UL Student Life leads the union.<ref name="ulstudentlifeExec">{{cite web |title=Student Life Executive |url=https://ulstudentlife.ie/student-voice/student-life-executive/ |website=ulstudentlife.ie |access-date=2025-12-28}}</ref> The executive meets weekly to discuss policy, feedback, and ongoing work, while the student council meets one every three weeks.<ref name="ulstudentlifeExec"/>
The University of Limerick's student body, including postgraduate students, who are also represented by a separate union, elect a six-person full-time and part-time officer team, with the remaining members of the executive to be either nominated by two external bodies, PSU and UL Clubs and Societies or nominated by students on a first come first served basis. <ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Goulding |first=Conor |date=2026-03-13 |title=University of Limerick elects new student president |url=https://limerickvoice.com/news/ul-student-president-elected/ |access-date=2026-05-01 |language=en | website = limerickvoice.com }}</ref>
=== Board of directors === The board of directors of UL Student Life is responsible for the governance of the organisation, including oversight of staff, financial management, legal and regulatory compliance, and accountability. It comprises ten members: the four student officers, the chair of student council, the faculties officer, and up to four external non-student directors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=https://ulstudentlife.ie/governance/board-of-directors/ |website=ulstudentlife.ie |access-date=2 May 2026}}</ref> The Provost and Deputy President of the university sit in on board meetings when financial matters are dealt with.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governing Authority minutes of 25 November 2025 |url=https://www.ul.ie/media/60465/download?inline | website = ul.ie }}</ref>
Under Article 11.5, of the Articles of Association the board may override decisions or policies made by student referenda or the Student Council where it considers, in its absolute discretion, that such decisions have or may have financial implications for the organisation, may be inconsistent with legal requirements, may not be in the best interests of the organisation.<ref name=":0"/>This provision is unique among irish students unions.<ref>all other 6 constitutions</ref>
==Related organisations and services==
=== Clubs and societies === University of Limerick Student Life supports the running of a range of clubs and societies (C&S) through the UL Wolves brand and administrative superstructure, with a separate council and executive committee, and two elected reps delegated to the union executive. These bodies are administered through the union by and for the students. As of 2026, ULSL supported 34 clubs and 37 societies.<ref>{{cite web |title=UL Wolves Clubs & Societies |url=https://ulwolves.ie/ |website=ulwolves.ie |access-date=2025-12-28}}</ref>
At a C&S council meeting in September 2025, the head of student engagement, who oversees the C&S function, stated that a strategic fund linked to clubs and societies had been used across UL Student Life amid wider financial pressures. The fund consisted of unspent capitation funding allocated to C&S by the university during the Covid-19 pandemic.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Clubs and Societies Council Minutes, 23rd of September 2025 |url=https://cdn.ulwolves.ie/docs/council/Council_minutes_S1_Week_3_23rd_September.pdf | website = ulwolves.ie }}{{better source|reason=Primary source/internal minutes?|date=May 2026}}</ref> The matter was identified when the clubs and societies office sought to open the fund for applications for significant once-off expenditure and was unable to determine its balance. The minutes state that the fund had not been formally ring-fenced for clubs and societies and had instead been accounted for as part of the organisation's wider strategic reserve. The Students' Union committed to repaying the fund and estimated that approximately €400,000 of the fund had been used for activities outside of clubs and societies.<ref name=":3" />
=== Postgraduate Students Union === There is also a separate Postgraduate Students Union (PSU), which represents postgraduate students on issues relating specifically to postgraduate study and student life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Postgraduate Students' Union |url=https://www.ul.ie/postgraduate-students-union | website = ul.ie }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.ulstudentlife.ie/ UL Student Life website]
{{Students' Unions in Ireland}}
Category:Students' unions in Ireland Category:University of Limerick