Dublin University Central Athletic Club (DUCAC) has scheduled to hold an EGM this evening at 6pm to vote on constitutional changes for the first time in 10 years, including making the chair of the organisation a student-only position.
Following a vote by the DUCAC executive a proposal will be brought forward for discussion at the EGM which will include four motions.
One of the most significant changes the constitution proposed is the separation of “student officer” roles on the executive, which can only be held by students, with “general officer” roles, which can be held by past students of Trinity, the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, members of sports clubs and staff in Trinity.
The position of chairperson will be a “student officer” role.
If the proposed changes are accepted, the terms of executive members will be one year, with student officers eligible to run for one more term and general officers able to run for four more terms.
DUCAC will also be voting on changes to the election process which set out the role of the election committee and the proceedings for annual online elections.
In a statement to The University Times DUCAC chair Jemil Saidi said that constitutional changes were needed to improve inclusivity and to ensure DUCAC is not the only capitation body that is not student-led. This involves necessary changes to the voting system.
“DUCAC are hosting an EGM this evening to discuss constitutional changes that have come from discussions with students/club members over the past two years. Through town hall meetings and meetings with student athletes individually it was apparent that some changes were required. These include the voting system to make it more inclusive as well as looking to ensure we are not the only capitated body that isn’t student led.”
“This is of particular importance as it was part of the platform I ran on for Chair 2 years ago. After a working group was set up by the DUCAC executive and a survey undertaken there were two proposals, and after a vote the Executive are proposing one of these proposals which will have four motinos to vote on through the meeting. This is the first time changes have been considered in ten years.”
