What is the Governing Authority?

The Governing Authority is the key decision-making body in UCD bringing the President to account, and deciding on fee increases, new building, private sponsorhip, and all kinds of college policy. Among the membership are:

3 Elected by UCD graduates
3 Nominated by Minister of Education
8 County councillors to be nominated by the General Council of County Councils
2 members nominated by the NUI
Lord Mayor of Dublin
2 from organisations eg INO, Aontas
1 Elected by postgrads
3 Elected Officers of the Students Union
3 Elected by Non academic Staff
5 Elected by the Non-Professorial Academic Staff
6 Elected by the Professorial Academic Staff
Registrar of the College
President of the College

http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=64996 outlines the members of the outgoing GA who voted to increase postgrad fees by 10%.
Notice that there are 2 graduate candidates among them, Matt Harmey and Cliona De Bhaldraithe. Maurice Manning failed to attend the crucial meeting.