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This section contains the answers to some of the questions frequently asked about the CSC. The questions are divided into two sections:
Click on a question to view the answer:
What society events are being held this week?
How do I find a society's rooms?
What can the CSC do for my society?
How do we apply for a grant from the CSC?
How can we get people to join our society?
What does the CSC executive do?
During Fresher's Week (the week before Michaelmas Term commences - usually the first week in October), most societies have stands in Front Square, and you can join by visiting these. During the rest of the year, you can normally join a society by visiting one of its public events (see the Event Guide) or by contacting the society directly - see the list of societies for contact details. Every society charges a small membership fee.
Society events are usually advertised on posters throughout college, and in the CSC Event Guide, which is available online during term.
See the list of societies for details of a society's rooms. If you need help locating an address in college, you can try TCD's maps page.
This guide to setting up a new society details the steps it is necessary to take. In general, you should contact the CSC's secretary if you wish to found a new student society. The secretary will advise you on drawing up a constitution for your proposed society, and making a submission to the CSC executive. The executive will then decide if your society should be provisionally "recognised" - this means that you will be able to apply for funding from the CSC, although you will not be allocated rooms or travel grants until you have been formally recognised by a general meeting of the entire CSC.
The executive follow various criteria in deciding whether a new society should be recognised, the most important of which is that the objectives of the new society must not already be covered by an existing society. As an example, if you wished to set up a debating society, you would have to show that the aims and objectives of your society are not the same as those of the existing debating societies. Another important criterion is that the CSC does not recognise sports clubs - this is the role of DUCAC.
If you're looking for a sports club, you should contact DUCAC - the Dublin University Central Athletic Committee. This body performs more or less the same function for sports clubs as the CSC does for societies. DUCAC's office is in House 27, and their phone number is (01) 608 1028.
The CSC provides societies with grants to fund their activities - information on filling out your grant application is available in the handbook. The CSC office also provides services to help you run your society - see CSC Office Services. The CSC also allocates rooms in college to societies, and can provide amenities and furnishings. A full guide to what the CSC can do for you is contained in the handbook section.
Grant Applications forms are available from the CSC office, and will be posted to your society's postbox. When you have submitted your grant application, the CSC Executive will ask to meet with your Treasurer to discuss your claim. The Executive will then decide your allocation for the year. Supplementary Grant Applications can be made throughout the year to cover additional activity. A full guide to the grant application process is available in the handbook.
Societies normally set up stands during Freshers' Week (the week before term starts) to attract new members. Additionally, you may sign up members at society meetings and events. See the Running a Society section of the handbook for information on Freshers' Week etc. It is important to note that membership of your society must be open to all members of college, i.e. you cannot operate a selective membership policy.
The Executive is made up of the CSC Officers, plus eight ordinary members elected by the Treasurers of currently recognised societies. The Executive's job is to run the CSC day-to-day, making decisions on grant applications, recognition of new societies, and other matters. The Executive holds regular meetings during term time.
Yes! Executive members are elected at the CSC's Annual General Meeting, which is held in Trinity Term. You must be proposed and seconded by the Treasurer of a fully recognised society - these nominations are taken from the floor during the meeting. Only the Treasurers of fully recognised societies are eligible to vote in elections for the Executive, which are held by the Single Transferable Vote system.
Yes! It may help to have already served as an ordinary member of the Executive, but anybody can be nominated for any of the Officerships of the CSC, as long as you are proposed any nominated by Treasurers of fully recognised societies. See the About Us section for details of the CSC officerships.