The UCD Students’ Union has, in its time, overseen some shocking displays of inefficiency, from failing to reach a voter turnout of more than 10% for multiple elections in a row, to accumulating debt and requiring a bailout, and who could forget the student events without any students at them.
Now, an expert in the growth of dictatorship from UCD’s School of Politics and International Relations has anonymously reported a rising trend of Authoritarianism within the organisation under its newly elected leadership. ‘Professor L’ stated that signs of the upcoming dangers could be seen from the very start. Upon assuming office, the new Sabbatical team immediately began using their positions to attend luxury resorts under the guise of “essential National Students’ Union Training.”
The recent announcement of the SU Volunteer Program, a group that seems to be under the direct command of Campaigns Officer Tommy Conman, with no oversight, has also heightened fears that the Sabbatical team is moving to form a militia loyal only to themselves and not the wider student body. Such a move would be in line with those taken by fledgling authoritarian regimes as they attempt to consolidate power and intimidate or remove any opposition.
The announcement of Union-subsidised meals in the clubhouse during Orientation week led to bread lines that would have put the collapsing communist regimes of Eastern Europe to shame. This increased control over campus resources through basic, effective organisation has not been seen in the recent history of the Union. Professor L believes that the Union is attempting to make the students of UCD dependent on them for basic supplies to eventually aid their power centralisation.
As the Union continued to consolidate power, the Turbine team reached out to President Critters for a response to these fears; our emails went ignored, and when asked in person about these concerns, he laughed them off.
Professor L warns that the next stage in such growing regimes is the attempt to create a cult of personality around the leadership – in this case, the sextumvirate Sabbatical team. Keep an eye on campus for the erection of posters containing their faces or a growth in literature directly from the Students’ Union.
Elon FitzGerlad – Buying Votes