#MakeASmartVote Not sure how the voting process works? We’ve got all the information you need.
Love is all you need:
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Be prepared for Valentine’s Day with our eightpage pullout. Page 13
Society News Inspiration rooms and Slam Poetry: read all about the recent Writers’ Convention. Page 21
Celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer with Relay for Life By Jessica Thompson
FREE STUDENT NEWSPAPER | VOL 17, ISSUE 09 | 09 FEB 2016
“The Union of Students in Ireland is encouraging every student to go to smartvote.ie, a website that will compare your own political outlook with that of candidates in your constituency. It’s Tinder for politics. “And most importantly, we urge students, and young people, to go out on Friday the 26th of February, and #MakeASmartVote, and have your voices heard.” Smartvote.ie, a student-focused app christened the ‘Tinder of Politics’ has proved itself to be a useful tool for making politics more accessible for students. Smartvote asked all candidates running in the General Election to give their stance and opinion on 30 key issues.
NUI Galway’s Cancer Society will be holding a Relay for Life on Wednesday 9 March, where teams of participants will run for 12 whole hours as a way of showing they will not stop fighting against cancer. Relay for Life is a global event that started in the States and aimed to ‘celebrate, remember and fight back’ for all those affected by cancer. The 12-hour, non-competitive event will take place on 9 March from 6pm to 6am in the Kingfisher Hall and, according to CancerSoc Auditor, Ashita Dutta, one member of each team (teams of five to 20 people) will always be on the track, “symbolizing how we won’t give up against cancer”. “Relay for Life is quite a large-scale event, as it unites all corners of the college in this cause; this year we are projecting an attendance of around 500 participants – hopefully even more,” said Ashita. “Having so many people that are passionate enough to join the event allows for an arena in which we can highlight the importance of funds raised. “Personally, during my first Relay for Life experience a few years ago back home, I was taken aback by how many people were touched by cancer, either first hand or through loved ones. So many people remembering lost ones, but then conversely, so many beautiful survivors celebrating their lives, all thanks to cancer research and advancements, early detection and preventative methods. “Thus, attending Relay really does make one aware of how every little bit makes a difference in the fight against cancer.” Throughout the night, there will be spirit-raising activities, including yoga, interactive dancing, competitive games, choir and band performances, and themed laps. The night will also feature a number of fundraising stalls and activities. There will also be a ‘Candle of Hope’ ceremony, which will take place after the sun has set. During this ceremony, the track will be lit with candles dedicated to the memory or celebration of loved ones. This, according to Ashita, is one of the more emotional parts of the night. The NUI Galway Cancer Society was set up in the second semester of last year and celebrated its one-year anniversary in January, with 900 members within the society actively receiving updates on upcoming events and opportunities for involvement. “[The society] was set up by a group of students, including myself, who wanted to unite the college in the fight against cancer, a disease that affects everyone in one way or another,” Ashita explained.
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Students get ready to #MakeASmartVote
as General Election is announced By Jenna Hodgins Queues of students gathered outside Garda stations across the country last week, to get their names on the register for the General Election following last Wednesday’s announcement that #GE16 will take place on 26 February. Students from NUI Galway, Maynooth University and IT Tralee were pictured outside their local Garda stations on the morning of the announcement. The Union of Students in Ireland has registered over 80,000 new student voters over the past two years, and at the time of print were making a final effort to get as many as possible on the register before the deadline. USI President Kevin Donoghue commented: “The amount of students who are registering to vote for the upcoming general election is just outstanding. Students are really energised to vote in this election and to make sure their voice is properly heard.” This surge in student interest is a continuation of the student movement voter registration drive and the #MakeASmartVote campaign. The USI’s ‘Rock the Register’ campaign registered 10,000 students in just one day back in November with the support of SpunOut.ie. “The message from students is one of impatience. We expect the student vote to be a powerful contributor to the outcome of the general election 2016,” said Mr Donoghue. “Students will vote for parties who prioritise education by increasing student support and grants, and who reduce the registration fee. Ireland has the second highest college registration fee in Europe. That’s not good enough. It’s unaffordable for so many young people. Education should be a basic human right, not a privilege.”
President of NUI Galway Students’ Union Phelim Kelly urges students to #MakeASmartVote on 26 February. Photo via Twitter: Annie Hoey (@hoeyannie). Following the General Election announcement, USI Vice President for the Border, Midlands and Western Region (BMW) Feidhlim Seoighe commented: “The students’ appetite to vote, to have their voices heard, has to be understood by candidates. The Marriage Equality Referendum was won because of the youth vote, and this shows young people that their vote matters, and that it can effect change.” The biggest issues for students and young people to be discussed over the course of the next few weeks ahead of polling day will be repealing the eight amendment of Bunreacht na hÉireann, safeguarding education and “ensuring that a day’s work receives a fair day’s pay”, Mr Seoighe added.