Welcome

Newsletter

The C&S Newsletter for Semester 2 2009/2010 is now ready. You can get it HERE

C&S Events Mailing List

Sign up to recieve the next week's events as registered on this site every Sunday night.

Welcome to the University of Limericks Clubs & Societies Homepage

Hopefully you are a prospective new student looking at a fantastic four years on the campus, or a Postgraduate/Erasmus/Study Abroad student? Or maybe even a current student, the late bloomer who realises that the pub culture is stale and unrewarding and not the best way to maximise your University experience? Either way you are welcome. Now read on to get an idea of what exactly Clubs and Societies is really all about and how it can benefit you in a fun way.

What exactly are clubs and societies?

Like the L’Oreal advert this next section is the “science bit”, the background information (without the nice bouncy hair and pouted lips)

Clubs & Societies are a fundamental part of the University scene here in Ireland and UL is no different. There are currently 59 active Clubs & Societies in UL. As a 10,000+ campus, Clubs & Societies is the largest collection of voluntary run recreational and leisure activities under the one umbrella group on the University of Limerick campus. There is a huge variety of are clubs and societies on campus and their organisation is administered by the University of Limerick Students Union. The historical situation that sets UL apart from ALL other third level institutions on this island is that it is the Students Union that has always been entrusted with the re-investment of the University of Limerick’s portion of student capitation for Clubs & Societies as per the Higher Education Authority’s (HEA) recommendations for financial disbursement. As such the largest financial single investment source for Clubs & Societies activities here is through the ULSU and its Clubs & Societies Council which is a parliament of the main decision makers in each club or society. This parliament determines Clubs and Society policy and its finances from the ULSU in a 100% open and transparent manner. A successful tried and tested system which has been refined in recent years, supported and endorsed by the membership of Clubs and Societies collectively. Clubs & Societies also rely on the independent and valuable support from the University of Limerick Arts Office and the University of Limerick Sports Department which completes the main support system’s for Clubs & Societies.

Still here?

Great - Ok so how will this affect YOU in your choice to study here in the University of Limerick?

We know it can be a daunting life choice for the first few weeks when you come to college because of the fear of the unknown and perhaps not knowing many people BUT All clubs & societies grow and develop (or fold/wind-up or crash and burn) depending on the skills that the new arrivals (first years/fresher’s/first timers to UL) bring to their membership. As a brand new student you really are a very valuable and much sought after commodity for the next generation of Clubs & Societies Development. You really should know this and embrace University life through Clubs and Societies after all it is one of the most powerful social networks on campus The combined membership of all Clubs and Societies is in the region 3000+ members that’s a lot of people with similar interest and the best way to get to know new people and enhance your student experience. Indeed many of the friendships developed are life long which is a great strength of membership of a Club or Society. Personally I am aware of at least 5 C&S related weddings in the past two or three years!! A by product of a pro active membership is not all one-way as the personal development of new skill sets outside of the class room whilst having fun in your chosen Club or Society can be accomplished too. Exposure to organisational opportunities through Clubs & Societies as a committee member will entail many of the following activities, fundraising, sponsorship, bank accounts, budget submissions, trips coordination, event management, interpersonal skills and policy creation. These activities will certainly enhance your own repertoire of abilities as a person.

Apart from the bread and butter activities which take place around campus and the island of Ireland week in and week out whilst engaged in the promotion and pursuit of Clubs & Societies activities- there are other more tangible perks for your valuable voluntary contributions of time and energy. How rewarding will it be to you personally when you get the balance right between activities inside the classroom and outside, that you actually become very good at debating, diving, kayaking etc? That opens up other doors of opportunity, how cool would it be to travel locations around the world? Here is some of the opportunities in the recent past on offer to you outside your primary motivation for being in University (i.e. your Degree) - Italian and French Alps for Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountain Climbing, the Red Sea in Egypt for Sub Aqua activities, Empuriabrava in Spain for Skydiving, Japan for Karate, the USA for Handball, Henley in the UK for Rowing, Thailand for World Debating or Slovakia for Europeans, Norway for the Northern Lights with the Photo Society…not bad eh?

So make sure to join at least one of our Clubs or Societies while you are here…. go on we are “worth it”

Paul.Lee@ul.ie
Clubs & Societies Development Officer
University of Limerick Students Union

Site Design/Maintainance Keith O'Neill
Hosted by Skynet.ie