As of 2021, UCDSU is not affiliated with USI, having decided to leave in a referendum which was held in February 2013, 67% of students voted to leave the national union, reaffirming this in a 2016 with 74% of Students voting for UCDSU to remain outside of USI.
At present, UCDSU is not connected to USI, having chosen to break away in a vote held in February 2013, with 67% of the student body supporting this decision. This choice was further solidified in 2016 when 74% of students opted to keep UCDSU separate from USI.