As some of you may know, the contract for the DIT Societies Southside Development Officer, James Costello, expires on March 17th. After two long weeks of informing the heads of DIT of the importance of James' position, the Human Resources Committee meeting on February 22nd deferred the decision to the next meeting on March

14th. 

The Southside Development Officer has responsibility for -

- All Training and Leadership that occurs within the Societies Office 

- Approximately 35 Southside Societies 

- 11 Overall Societies 

- Several administration duties on the Southside 

- A range of the Special Events hosted by DIT Societies including the DIT Fashion Show 

Anyone that has worked with or in connection with the Southside Societies Office will know that the work is vital to the running of DIT Societies. Without this position, all of the services listed above and more will be severely affected. It seems that DIT have deferred this decision because the HEA have not produced 'head count' figures for this year to

instruct DIT on the number of staff they are permitted to have. It has been mentioned that finance for the position is also an issue. This is not true; the student contribution charge is used to pay for the salary of this position. This money was secured at the start of the year. Societies have already taken budget cuts this year; we should not let this happen which will inevitably affect the running of Societies. There are no other arguments and there are many of the Heads that are sympathetic and are in support of this position being filled. 

It has been stated that it is in the best interest of DIT Campus Life to fill this position, at this stage if DIT want this to happen, they can make this happen. With the large amount of retirements finalising on Wednesday 29th, DIT should not have any issue meeting headcount figures. Please help us in the fight against DIT. Student services are losing staff throughout DIT, we need to show DIT that they cannot keep cutting student services. Sign this petition to save the Southside Development Officer's position!

On behalf of Societies I wish to thank you all for your support.

Paul Conroy

President of DIT Societies Forum