Hello everyone!
I hope everyone has enjoyed Week 1 of this new academic year! The team and I have been working very hard to ensure you are having the most stress-free and enjoyable experience of University life as possible this year. College life may be a little different at the moment but I hope everyone is enjoying themselves and getting back into the swing of things this week!
As always, make sure to follow us on our social media channels to make sure you have the most up to date information as possible.
A reminder to you everyone to make sure you pick up your phone and check in with your friends it’s a crazy time at the moment and we are all in this together.
There is so much happening within the university next week so make sure to check out all what’s happening below!
If you have any questions, as always contact me or any of your sabbatical officers on our emails:
President - Fearghal@dcusu.ie
VP for Academic Affairs - Lucien@dcusu.ie
VP for Education and Placement - Chloe@dcusu.ie
VP for Engagement and Development - Dylan@dcusu.ie
VP for Welfare and Equality - Dean@dcusu.ie
Learn more about the full SU team who are here to represent you!
Head to the 'Welcome 2020' section of our website for all the information you might need!
We are all in this together, stay safe, and look after each other!
Fearghal
DCUSU President.
CLUBS AND SOCS
DCU Clubs and Socs Virtual Fair will be taking place from Monday the 12th to Friday the 16th of October. This is the perfect opportunity to explore our many different Clubs and Socs, become a member, chat to the committees and learn more about each one.
You must have a Clubs and Socs account to access the virtual fair. Create one now, its quick, easy and free!
Join DCU Clubs & Societies - one of the best decisions you will make while in DCU! Here is a list of our 140+ Clubs and Societies. Click on each one to find out more. Make an account on our Clubs and Socs system to register so you can join as many Clubs and Socs as you'd like!
FIRST YEAR CLASS REP ELECTIONS
First-Year Class Rep Nominations Open are now open!
Make sure to put yourself forward and get involved.
Nominate yourself or a friend now!
Check out our social media and website for more information. See what our current Class Reps have to say here and here.
Got any questions? Pop Dylan@dcusu.ie an email!
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Timetable information is available here. Lectures are only taking place on campus if your Lecturer contacts you to say this. All other classes are online.
Registration: Make sure you’ve registered for the year and paid your fees to ensure you’re able to access all elements of your coursework, and - for first years - to be able to receive your student ID card.
The Student Assistance Fund, which helps students with financial stress, will open towards the beginning of October. The SAF can go towards expenses such as rent, living costs, food, books, and even childcare costs. More information can be found here. It will be opening by the end of next week.
Most textbooks and readings for your course will be available through the library, but if you need to buy a textbook, check out our DCU Book Fair group on Facebook where students swap and sell used textbooks.
The library is available for booking slots on Tues, Weds and Thurs, with expanded opening hours coming soon. Information on using the library is available here, including how to get your library PIN for reserving books.
Accommodation: Check out our deals with local providers. A reminder to keep yourselves safe in Campus Accommodation and keep your close contacts low.
Mental Health: Counselling services are still operating for free! Please email counselling@dcu.ie for an appointment. You can also free text ‘HELLO’ to 50808 to talk to a trained volunteer at any time. Other mental health services.
Sexual Health: Free anonymous pregnancy tests are available here. Free STI testing locations. You can email info@sexualheathcentre.com to order free condoms, too. More sexual health information including accessing PrEP.
Physical Health: Free drug-purity testing kits are now available to order. I’ve started to send out some testing kits already. Please mind yourselves. DCU’s Health Centre is open. Cheap GP services.
Equality: Students interested in collaborating on DCUSU’s events for Black History Month please get in touch (dean@dcusu.ie). Happy National Coming Out Day to all LGBTQ+ folks today, too! You’re all doing great, out or not.
Microsoft Office 365 is available free for all DCU students. Check our Instagram page for information on the best laptops and tech advice for starting a new year in DCU
Lockers: Students can clear lockers when you return to campus, if your locker is based on SPC, return your key to the security office at the gate and they will return your deposit. Update on lockers for this academic year to follow.
School Placement: If you are sourcing a school for placement, keep track of the schools you have contacted. If the deadline is soon and you are struggling to find a school, you can contact the SP office and include this log.
Academic Support: If you’re struggling with essay writing, maths or any other element of learning, check out the Student Learning section of DCU’s website for a variety of support.
Clubs and Socs: Our Clubs and Societies have started running their virtual events for the year, so keep an eye on our social media for ways to get involved, and for more details on our Virtual Clubs and Socs Fair.
DCU Connected TV: We’ll have lots more exciting TV content coming your way this week - with lots more fantastic music acts, comedians, and informational pieces from your sabbatical team, keep an eye out!
World Mental Health Day
To mark World Mental Health Day October 10th, DCUSU x DCU Healthy are launching a new student wellbeing campaign called the DCU Little Things. The DCU Little Things are 10 key messages around the little things you can do every day to support your own or a friend's mental health and wellbeing. These messages are based on feedback from you, a real DCU student!
DCU Little Things contains 10 key messages:
1. Go for a walk
2. Eat healthier food
3. Tea, taking time out
4. Sleep
5. Read a book or listen to music
6. Journal
7. Filter social media
8. Healthy relationships
9. Drink less alcohol
10.Check in with friends
Each week we will share a DCU Little Things message across DCSU and DCU Healthy social media platforms. We hope you these messages encourage you to do the little things to support your wellbeing as we start a new semester in an uncertain time.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Make sure to keep an eye on our social media for upcoming events throughout the week!
DCUSU Live - 'Connected TV' Episode 1
Check out the first in our series of Connected TV. Keep an eye out for more coming soon!
DCU Healthy are running 2 x 4-week Introduction to Yoga courses for students, with the first course starting next Tuesday 13th October.
Suitable for those with no or very little yoga experience.
The course will run from 1.05-1.55pm each Tuesday until 3rd November.
Sign up here.
Please note: Only students who can attend and are committed to attend the 4 weeks should sign up. We operate a first come first served basis. Another course will run from 10th November until 1st December if the first course isn't available for you.
DCU ENGAGE STUDENT AWARD – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Employers value graduates who go beyond their degree, taking part in extracurricular activities such as clubs and societies, skills workshops, volunteering and part-time work. This year all of these opportunities are available online, so there are still multiple ways that you can get involved in University life.
To help you use these activities to stand out from the crowd, develop your personal and career skills and boost your CV, DCU has established the DCU Engage Student Award - endorsed by IBEC and recognised by some of Ireland’s largest employers. The Engage Student Award programme wraps around these extracurricular activities, allowing you to get official recognition for your involvement and helping you get the most out of your experiences.
There are three levels of the award – Bronze (first years), Silver (middle years) and Gold/Uaneen (final years). For more information on what's involved, and to register for this award, please visit here.
Start your studentvolunteer.ie journey on Wednesday 14th October! Mairead Cleary will be joined by some very special guests to talk all things volunteering at third-level.
Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AqL-UYz0ST-qt7-T3Mz7xg
For more information get in touch with @DCUVolunteer / volunteer@dcu.ie
