By Editor in Chief Jack Brady.
The number of Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) electing core committee positions in DCU societies has risen to 18 this year already, in comparison to ten in 2024/25, according to public data gathered by The Bulletin.
Despite Semester Two not yet entering its fourth week of twelve, the total number of societies EGMs in this academic year so far is already far higher than last year’s 29, standing currently at 42.
The total number of EGMs means that core committee elections have made up almost half of all EGMs so far this year while last year the meetings accounted for almost a third of all meetings.
EGMs electing core positions this year are set to overtake the number of standard EGMs in 2024/25 academic year.
86 societies are active in DCU this year according to the Clubs and Societies website.
Six of those societies have had two EGMs so far this year, however no society is yet to reach three; an ostensibly unprecedented figure for societies in DCU.
Core committee roles under the Societies Constitution include Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer. A 1st Year Representative is also required to form a society, however the position is excluded from TheBulletin’s core committee data as the position is not also elected at end of year Annual General Meetings.
The role of Treasurer has been the core position sought to be filled the most this year with nine elections occurring at the 18 core committee elections.
Pool and Snooker Society, Politics Society, Anime and Manga Society, Japanese Society, and St. Vincent de Paul all elected a new Chairperson this academic year.
Clubs and Societies co-ordinator Marie Murray was asked by The Bulletin whether or not the increase was a worrying shift from last year.
“We would describe this as a culture of engagement rather than conflict. Clubs and societies experience regular turnover as students graduate, take on new commitments, or step into leadership roles,” Murray said.
“The use of formal democratic processes reflects members actively participating in the governance of their organisations,” she added.
Image Credits: DCU