One of the main functions of any union, be it local or national, is to campaign on behalf of its members. USI,  has since its inception in 1959, has a history of successful campaigns and is committed to continuing as a campaigning Union for its members.

The Union of Students in Ireland is committed to campaigning on behalf of the students of Ireland for a better education system, fairer student support, genuine diversity in access to education, and adequate funding for all students.

The National Capaign has been key to USI's campaigning for many years. The issues highlighted by the National Campaign are those that USI must lead on - issues such as the grant, funding of education, and the promotion of sexual health awareness amongst the student population. Along with our work with other organisations on issues of local, national and international concern, and the campaigns initiated by NUS-USI and our autonomous campaigns, we hope to work on the wide range of topics that concern our members like the environment and LGBT issues.

Campaign Successes

Early Development

The sixties saw a wave of demonstrations against Vietnam organised in local colleges as well as massive student agitation on education, culminating in the spring of 1969 with mass sit-ins in UCD and other colleges. USI meanwhile had been recognised by the Department of Education as the national body for students.  USI's achievements in the period around 1970 included the establishment of the Higher Education Grants Scheme and gaining student representation on the college boards of TCD (April 1969) and UCD.

In 1972 the National Union of Students (UK) and USI negotiated a protocol to jointly organise students in Northern Ireland, given the particular problems of the area.  Whilst the 70's saw a period of steady growth in student numbers and finance, the structure of education remained the same.

USI had many successes at a local level and oversaw a large increase in the availability of grant aid, but the high cost of fees and continuing low level of grants meant that the access to third level remained difficult for young people from low income families.

1980s

By 1985 USI had gained a commitment that grants would be tagged to the CPI index. In addition USI had gained a seat on the National Council for Educational Awards.

The 80s saw a number of key achievements for USI.  Most notable was the abolition of tuition fees for undergraduate students.  This was the result of years of campaigning and lobbying work.  USI also gained representation on the Higher Education Authority and also won tax incentives for the provision of student accommodation.

1990s

The early nineties also saw USI leading the fight for Abortion Information.  Although the union lost the case brought against Stephen Grogan (president of USI 89-90) by SPUC, USI nevertheless won the battle for the introduction of abortion information in Ireland.  In 1999 after a year of internal crisis USI undertook a Strategic Review and since then USI has regained its profile as the national voice of students.  That same year USI began to organise students in PLC’s and colleges of Further Education in the South for the first time.