Dublin University Central Athletic Club (DUCAC) failed to check last night whether those present at its AGM were entitled to vote. Beyond customary checks of student cards, those present were not asked whether they were members of sports clubs – a move that raises constitutional concerns.
While students were asked to present their student cards at the entrance to the Edmund Burke lecture theatre, there were no checks on whether they were a Sport Club or Pavilion member and therefore entitled to a vote.
According to the DUCAC constitution, membership of the College’s governing body for sports clubs can take five forms. The constitution reads: “There shall be Sport Club, Non-Sport Club, Pavilion, Life and Honorary members of DUCAC.” The constitution also states: “Sports Club Members of DUCAC and Pavilion Members who are members of a DUCAC affiliated Sport Club, who are present, are entitled to vote at General Meetings.”
Sports club members, as outlined in the constitution, are those who have paid their fees to the university and who are “members in good standing of affiliated clubs”. Pavilion members consist of alumni from Trinity, Oxford and Cambridge or Trinity staff on the basis of the payment of an annual membership fee which is approved at the AGM.
Only such members are entitled to vote.
At last year’s AGM, Trinity News reported that then-president Prof Cyril J Smyth announced at the beginning of the AGM that “the meeting was exclusively for members of DUCAC clubs and those who did not fit that description were asked to leave”.
When the voting began, DUCAC representatives went around the room handing out voting cards to all those present. Journalists from The University Times were handed voting cards.
At the beginning of this year’s AGM, Chairman of DUCAC Donagh McDonagh warned those present extensively about the no-tolerance policy towards drinking at the AGM. However, no warnings were given to ensure only those present were members with voting rights.
Róisín Harbison, of Dublin University Sailing Club (DUSC), was elected as Vice-Chair, defeating Dublin University Fencing Club’s (DUFC) James Bryant by 96 votes to 71. While there is no evidence that non-members voted last night, it leaves open the possibility that the annual AGM could have been unconstitutional, including the election of the vice-chair.
Harbison, who was secretary of the Captain’s Committee last year, ran on a platform of “transparency between DUCAC and the clubs”. Speaking at the AGM, she said that “students’ view is quintessential” to developing sport in Trinity.
Harbison has been involved in several sports in College including hockey, boxing, snowsports and wakeboarding.
McDonagh, also a DUBC member, was elected Chairman of DUCAC last year and will serve for another two years.
The position of vice-chair was the only contested role on the night. Sean Canning was elected Honorary Treasurer while Megan Jungmann was elected Secretary of DUCAC. Both are members of DUBC and Dublin University Ladies Boat Club (DULBC) respectively.
Only six of the eight executive officer positions were filled on the night although McDonagh explained to the crowd gathered that this was “nothing unusual” and new members could be co-opted into the executive.
DUCAC did not respond to a request for comment.
