CIT Impeachment Vote Cancelled as Education Officer Resigns

A proposed referendum in CIT relating to the Vice President for Education, Denise Coughlin, has been cancelled. Following the submission of a petition containing greater than 500 signatures in hard copy format to the CIT Students Union, an impeachment referendum was automatically organised in line with the CIT Students Union’s Constitution. The vote, which would have been open to all of CIT’s 12,000+ students, was slated to occur on Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th of September. Students were informed via an email from the Returning Officer on the 22^nd of September of the proposed referendum, titled ‘The Removal from office of CIT Students’ Union Vice President Education, Denise Coughlan.’After the announcement of the referendum there was initial confusion among some students, with a number taking to social media sites like Twitter to seek further information regarding the petition and aspects of the referendum. However, the CIT SU twitter account was bound by impartiality, and “could only provide the information that a referendum will take place” and that “students may give reasons for and against the motion.”The following day, however, the student body was notified of the cancellation of the referendum, as Ms.Coughlan had stepped down from her position. After the referendum had been cancelled, the CIT twitter account responded to student complaints regarding a perceived lack of information, stating that “it was the role of the petitioners to provide the information.”The CIT Students’ Union consists of three Sabbatical Officers, President, Vice President Welfare and Vice President Education, and three non sabbatical officers.  In CIT the role of Vice President Education is concerned with everything relating to academia, such as building positive relationships and partnerships between Institute staff and students, enhancing student engagement as well as managing issues around course delivery, timetabling and exams.The by-election for the sabbatical position of Vice President Education will take place on Thursday 20^th October, with nominations closing on the 14^th of October.