Feb Address

27 January, 2017

A Cháirde,
Welcome back from us all here in the Students’ Union. We hope you all had a fantastic break and are rearing to go for Semester 2. Make the most of every moment of the rest of this academic year, it will be end of the May before you all know it, don’t be in danger of looking back with regret by grabbing each challenge and opportunity with both hands, get involved in as many extra-curricular activities as possible, join a new society, start a new sport, whatever rocks your boat.

Exam Results

As you all are aware, this Thursday the 2nd of February is the release date for the Semester 1 exam results. Passed all your exams? Well done, huge congratulations are in order, enjoy the celebrations and pats on the back from the parents. It really puts into perspective that hard work and study really does pay off! Didn’t pass all of your modules in Semester 1? It’s not the end of the world. Do not panic! Do not let 1st Semester results dictate what happens in the 2nd Semester. Semester 2 brings with it a blank canvass i.e. a clean slate, a new opportunity. What’s done is done. There’s no point crying over spilt milk as it were but rather concentrate on the present, future and current semester ahead. No matter what your results are, the trick is to stay focused on the road ahead and strive to achieve your full potential as a student this semester regardless of the results that have come from Semester 1.
Any common queries you might have in relation to your examination results may be answered in the Exams Q&A page. If not please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our Vice President Education Rej Makinano (Email: sueducation@cit.ie) who will be happy to be of any assistance she can be to you. Even if you just need a chat after the release of the exam results, as we know this can be a very daunting time for students, don’t hesitate to call up to the team here in the Students’ Union, always remember that we’re here for you.

Raise and Give Week (RAG) 2017: 6th – 10th February

The RAG Campaign is the single biggest fundraising activity the CIT community (students, staff & local residents) participate in annually. The key and most meaningful objective of RAG Week is of course to raise as large amount of funds as possible for our charities. The main beneficiary of the RAG Week fund this year is Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club.
The Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club was founded in 1992 by a small group of volunteers who took a group of deserving children on the trip of a lifetime to Disneyland. Since then, the club has gone from strength to strength and now has over 40 volunteers. Throughout the year, the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club brings sick and deserving children from CUH, Mercy Hospital, St. Gabriel’s and the Cork Deaf Association on numerous trips, as well as hosting many fun and exciting events.
One continuous activity the organisation run is holidays for the families of terminally ill children. But in order to run all these events and keep the smiles on the faces of all the children, the club needs support.
We urge students and staff alike to contribute any donation you are in a position to/willing to give to the RAG Week fund. No donation is too small, every little will assist us in ensuring we raise a healthy final amount for excellent causes.
Want to join the RAG Crew? Just call into the SU Office and we’ll take it from there.
Be sure to have a look at the timetable contained in this edition, which contains the line-up of day-time and night-time events for the duration of the week.
We hope you all enjoy the week guys, and that it’s one that stands out for you for all the right reasons when you look back on the semester.

SU Elections

It’s that time of year once again when we near SU Election Season. We wish all students putting themselves forward the very best of luck. All Executive Officers are more than happy to have a chat with interested candidates for their respective positions, and to give them advice, answer any questions they may have in terms of what each role entails etc. We look forward to working with the SU Executive Elect, following the election results on a comprehensive cross-over training etc.
If you are interested and feel that you are the right person to represent all students of the Institute, we encourage you to put your name in the ring. Go for it. Never look back with regret that you didn’t run.

Don’t walk home alone!

As it is the start of Semester 2 and also with Rag Week approaching, we are encouraging you all to not walk home alone after your nights out. So many young people go missing after nights out due to walking home alone and taking shortcuts. Even if it means spending an extra €10 on a taxi, it’s really worth it. Wouldn’t you rather get home safely than have your parents get the dreaded phone call the next day? RAG Week is going to be great with loads of fun filled events happening both during the day and night. We want you all to enjoy some great nights out but make sure to look after yourself and be safe. We encourage you all to look after each other during RAG Week and on future nights out both this semester and following years.

Be Safe

Both before and during Rag Week we will be running a Be Safe campaign alongside the HSE. This will include online materials and various events and posters around campus. We in CITSU are asking you all to be safe on nights out when it comes to alcohol and drug consumption and to make sensible choices. We are asking you all to think, don’t take when it comes to illegal drugs. There is more to life in CIT than getting a degree, and that is the experience you have along the way. Enjoy the student experience and enjoy all your social events including class parties and nights out but while doing so, we cannot stress how important it is to do so safely.

Blood Donation

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) will be on campus Monday February 20th and Tuesday February 21st from 11.30-3.00pm.  We are asking each and everyone of you who are eligible to donate blood to do so on these days. The IBTS will be set up in the Melbourne Building on both days. A little time, can save a life.
Always remember that YOUR SU is here for you, and please feel free to make contact with any member of the Students’ Union Team at any time and we will be delighted to be of assistance to you in any way we possibly can.

Best Wishes now and for the months ahead,
Shane, Rej, Ruth, Dave, Rebekah, Dan,
Proudly YOUR SU Executive