TDCSU passes motion to review sponsorship policies every year

The motion aims to ensure that all sponsorships align with TCDSU values

Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) Council has passed a motion to establish an annual review of the union’s marketing sponsorships.

The motion, proposed by Communications and Marketing officer Beth Strahan, will establish the review to ensure that all sponsorships “reflect and support the value that our Union stands for, ensuring the welfare of our students and researchers remains at the forefront of any partnership”.

The motion notes that the current sponsorship policy “aligns with the Union’s aims and principles”.

Speaking on the motion, Strahan said: “After last year, when we cut ties with one of our longest partnerships, I realised for myself and successors to come there should be a policy for us to base our sponsorships off of.”

Speaking against the motion one student said: “I think it’s strange that a student union should have sponsorships at all.”

“I understand that there’s a financial practicality component to that but we’re supposed to be independent from political religious influence. I think that should apply to private corporations as well.”

Responding to this, Education Officer Eoghan Gilroy who seconded the motion said: “I think the previous speaker is ignoring the reality of the situation that we’re in. We absolutely require sponsorship. 

“This motion will allow us year on year to make sure that the sponsorships that we do accept are in line with the values set out in our constitution,” he continued.

Current TCDSU sponsorships include Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Pablo Picante, and Griolladh, amongst others. 

Last year TCDSU ended their partnership with Domino’s Pizza following a number of social media posts from Domino’s Pizza Israel that voiced support for the Israeli Defence Forces.

Domino’s Pizza Group PLC, the group’s UK and Ireland franchise, later implemented schemes to monitor the company’s social media use.