Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Supports at a time of crises

Supports for UCD Community Members Impacted by Global Incidents, Crises and Incidents affecting Minority Groups

This webpage provides information and advice for students and employees regarding a global crisis or incident when it directly impacts members of our community and may be supplemented at times with further dedicated information. It also includes information about the University’s response and support to crises and conflicts.

Introduction 

UCD is dedicated to the provision of a safe, secure and inclusive campus environment for all.  In support of members of the UCD Community impacted by global incidents, conflict and crises, we work to ensure community members are aware of, and can avail of, the support services when necessary. There may also be times when incidents occur nationally or internationally that impact directly on our students or employees from a specific minority group and they may feel particularly vulnerable or unsafe. During these times, the University’s first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our community. As a University, we work together with Colleges/Vice-President areas to ensure all members of our community are supported in their study and work.

To this end, a Support in a Time of Crisis University Group consisting of key stakeholder representatives has been established. The purpose of this group is to share information if a crisis arises (geopolitical and otherwise) to ensure key stakeholders are aware of an emerging situation and to decide on the type of support and/or further action that may need to be taken. This will help ensure a co-ordinated and comprehensive response to support all members of the University community whilst also recognising that the response may vary in the case of students and employees due to their different circumstances and the situation that has arisen. It is anticipated that this group will meet when circumstances meet the level of a crisis situation or incident(s) that significantly impact members of the UCD community. 

Please scroll down to find information about support for students, support for employees and further information and resources.

Support for Students

There are a number of welfare services available to provide support to you at this time, confidentially and free of charge. Student Advisers, Chaplaincy, staff in your School  and the (opens in a new window)Student Union are here to support you, in addition to the support offered by the University Counselling Service.

At times of heightened worry and stress, it is important to stay in touch with support networks and maintain usual routines as much as possible. We encourage you to contact your Student Adviser, your Programme Director, Programme Office and your Module Co-ordinators for guidance, advice and support.

If you feel anxious or in distress and want to speak to someone, the following are support services you may wish to contact but are not an exhaustive list:

There are also a number of student societies registered with the University. At times of crisis or incidents affecting minority groups, they can be a source of support and organise solidarity events and activities.

We hope you can find a service that feels right for you should you need support. 

During challenging and difficult times, we urge all of our community to behave in a way that is respectful and supportive of one another, and in line with our policies on dignity and respect. These policies apply to interactions that take place in both the physical and the virtual world and make it clear that there is no place for any forms of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct in our community.

Students wishing to seek support in relation to dignity and respect, can contact a member of the Dignity and Respect Support Service . If UCD community members encounter a Dignity & Respect issue, they should email (opens in a new window)respect@ucd.ie to make an appointment with an Adviser. 

Estate Services provide 24/7 support that can be used to request assistance or to report any issues regarding personal safety and security of property on campus. Assistance will be immediately provided in response to your call to 01 716 7999.  A (opens in a new window)walk safe service is also available through the same number.

All UCD students on a formal exchange programme, are provided access to resources and services from ISOS to assist in preparing for travel and to support while abroad. In the event of a risk, threat or emergency while abroad, the ISOS team will reach out instantly to the affected students. ISOS is a global company which provides resources and assistance services to people who travel internationally.

We are aware that some students affected by a global crisis, conflict or incidents may face difficulties relating to their studies which may necessitate availing of some of the facilities available in the University such as adjusting your course load, taking a leave of absence, exploring flexible study arrangements, extenuating circumstances or other support that you may find useful and can be discussed. If you need to take some time away from your studies or are concerned about an upcoming examination for example, we encourage you to firstly engage with your Student Adviser, your Programme Director, and the Programme Office in your College who will be able to advise further, and to guide you through the relevant option, processes and policies available to you in the University. You may also find it useful to talk to individual Module co-ordinators if you are concerned about particular modules.  

If you are in a region impacted by a crisis and you are unable to access online teaching or resources, you should speak to your Programme Director or Student Adviser about how they might support your learning.  Again, you may also wish to contact individual module coordinators. 

Postgraduate research students concerned about the impact on your research should speak to your supervisor and Student Adviser. You can also seek guidance from your Research Study Panel.

Support for Employees

Firstly, it's important that your line manager knows if you are affected by a crisis situation or an incident(s) has/have occurred that may directly impact members of a particular minority group where and are adversely affected. Your line manager can offer you support and make reasonable adjustments if needed: please speak to them and/or your HR Partner in the first instance. 

There are a number of welfare services available to provide support to you at this time, confidentially and free of charge. If you feel anxious or in distress and want to speak to someone, the following are some supports you can reach out to but are not an exhaustive list:

  • Employee Assistance Service (Freephone 1800 814 243) is a 24/7 free and confidential support service designed to assist you in dealing more effectively with any personal or work-related problems you might be facing. 
  • (opens in a new window)Samaritans is an independent listening service – always available 24/7 by telephone or online chat.
  • HSE Mental Health Helpline (1800 111 888) is open 24/7 for people who need mental health care when their situation is not life threatening.
  • (opens in a new window)Crisis textline 50808 is a free, 24/7 text service that may help individuals with a range of issues.
  • Pieta House (24/7): Text “HELP” to 51444 or call 1800 247 247 
  • St Vincent’s Emergency Department Phone: 01 221 4000
  • EastDoc (Out-of-hours GP) Phone: 01 223 4500 Hours: 6 pm - 8 am (Midweek), & All Weekend
  • Additionally, you may find the WHO's illustrated guide, (opens in a new window)Doing What Matters in Times of Stress'', helpful. We encourage everyone to explore these resources for well-being and support during these challenging times.

Other information that you may find helpful can be found on the Mental Health and Wellbeing website including a link to the UCD Mental Health and Wellbeing e-learning programme for employees. 

During challenging and difficult times, we urge all of our community to behave in a way that is respectful and supportive of one another, and in line with our policies on dignity and respect. These policies apply to interactions that take place in both the physical and the virtual world and make it clear that there is no place for any forms of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct in our community.

Employees wishing to seek support in relation to dignity and respect, can contact a member of the Dignity and Respect Support Service . If UCD community members encounter a Dignity & Respect issue, they should email (opens in a new window)respect@ucd.ie to make an appointment with an Adviser. 

Estate Services provide 24/7 support that can be used to request assistance or to report any issues regarding personal safety and security of property on campus. Assistance will be immediately provided in response to your call to 01 716 7999.  A (opens in a new window)walk safe service is also available through the same number.

Estate Services provide 24/7 support that can be used to request assistance or to report any issues regarding personal safety and security of property on campus. Assistance will be immediately provided in response to your call to 01 716 7999.  A (opens in a new window)walk safe service is also available through the same number.

If you are a People Manager, check in with any staff members to ensure that they know what support is available to them.

Additional Information and resources

If you are planning any travel to a region affected by a crisis, you must keep up to date with (opens in a new window)government travel advice. You must also speak to your supervisor/manager before travelling for work related purposes. This is particularly important during any global crisis. 

We are all affected, in different ways, by conflict, terrible loss of life when it occurs and incidents that occur which may directly impact members of our community who are from minority backgrounds. UCD is committed to supporting all employees and students to feel safe and supported in their learning, work and wider engagement at our University. One of our most fundamental commitments as a University is that all members of our community have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. This is more important than ever at a time of division and polarisation in the wider world, when it is vital that we as a community maintain an environment of civility and mutual respect within UCD.

It is not University policy to express positions on behalf of UCD in respect of geopolitical issues. Members of our University community have the absolute right to express a diversity of viewpoints within the law, mindful of our commitment to dignity and respect, and one of our most fundamental obligations as a University is to uphold this right. Were it to be our practice to take an institutional position on geopolitical matters, we would be inhibiting the freedom of members of our community to express their individual positions and suppressing our ability to sustain and respect a diversity of views. 

That UCD does not issue statements on geopolitical matters should not be interpreted as indifference to suffering of those within our community or in the wider world. Rather, in the face of what will often be conflicting views and local and global tensions, it is a path to focusing on the particular responsibilities of the University and maintaining both academic freedom and an inclusive intellectual community where civil discourse on divisive issues is possible.

Off-Campus Emergency Services Phone: 999 / 112

Donnybrook Garda Station Phone: 01 666 9200 

St Vincent’s Emergency Department Phone: 01 221 4000

EastDoc (Out-of-hours GP) Phone: 01 223 4500 Hours: 6 pm - 8 am (Midweek), & All Weekend

Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre is a national non-governmental organisation comprised of Travellers, Roma and members of the majority population working in partnership at national, regional, local and international levels using a collective community development approach to addressing Traveller issues and promoting Traveller rights.

Phone: +353 (01) 8780255
Email: (opens in a new window)info@pavee.ie

Transgender Equality Network Ireland

Gender Identity Family Support Line: 01 907 3707

Akidwa

Akina Dada wa Africa-AkiDwA (Swahili for sisterhood) is a national network of migrant women living in Ireland. 

Phone: 01 8349851

INAR (the Irish Network Against Racism) is a (opens in a new window)national network of anti-racism civil society organisations which aims to work collectively to highlight and address the issue of racism in Ireland.

Women’s Aid (24/7): 1800 341 900 / (opens in a new window)www.womensaid.ie

Men’s Aid: 01 554 3811 / (opens in a new window)www.mensaid.ie

LGBT Ireland: 1800 929 539 / (opens in a new window)www.lgbt.ie

Report Hate Crime / Racism: 01 666 3150 / garda.ie/hatecrime   

Report harmful online content or image abuse: 086 811 6273 / (opens in a new window)www.hotline.ie

Rape Crisis Centre Helpline (24/7): 1800 77 88 88 Free 24/7 

Contact UCD Equality Diversity and Inclusion

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
E: edi@ucd.ie