USI, as a large organisation, has structured itself in a manner which seeks to be as efficient as possible while seeding power to the lowest level.

Click here to view a presentation on the structure of USI.

The various bodies within USI include:

- Officer Board

- National Council

- Regional Conferences

- Standing Conferences

- Annual Congress

Officer Board

Officer Board is a Standing Committee of National Council and is composed of the elected officers of the Union. Officer Board shall:

a) produce the annual plan of work for the Union

b) co-ordinate and prepare the work of the National Council

c) be involved in the preparation of the annual budget along with the

Finance Committee provide day to day leadership to the Union on the basis of Union policy

e) is collectively and individually responsible.

The quorum for a meeting of Officer Board shall be one third plus one of the total membership.

Only members of the Union are eligible for election to Officer Board.

The Officer Board is composed of:

a) The President

b) The Deputy President/ Campaigning Officer

c) The Education Officer

d) The Welfare Officer

e) The Equality Officer

f) The Area Campaigns Officers, one for each of the Eastern, Southern, Northern, and Western regions

g) The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Officer

h) Oifigeach na Gaeilge / the Irish Language Officer

i) The Environmental Awareness Officer

j) The Postgraduate Officer

National Council

National Council is USI's main executive body consisting of representatives from each college and USI full time and part time officers. It is convened at least four times a year for the purpose of discussing the overall work of the national union.

Regional Conferences

Regional Conferences are held for the main purpose of electing the regional officer for the region. The regions are autonomous and discuss and debate policy for the region to co-ordinate and direct the work of the officer.

Standing Conferences

There are four standing conferences held each year with the purpose of electing the part-time officers and to discuss and formulate policy for that brief. The conferences are: the Irish language conference; the environmental awareness conference and the equality conference.

USI Annual Congress

Annual Congress is USI's supreme decision making body which takes place over a 3-4 day period around Easter. All affiliated unions send a number of delegates to attend Congress. The number of delegates each CO sends depends on the number of students at their college. All student unions can submit motions and amendments for Congress.

Congress debates and votes on the various issues and motions submitted by member colleges. It also elects Officer Board for the coming year.