Dean Kenny

What made you apply for the role?

After returning to college from teaching placement last semester, I found that the issues facing students four years ago are still the same. I was fed up complaining to my friends about these issues, so I said I’d get off the sideline and nominate myself. We are going through a tough time with this cost-of-living crisis, the price of groceries, fuel, and rent have all skyrocketed. Students are facing enormous difficulties, and I want to help role in this regard. I believe there are small changes which could make a big difference to student’s experiences in the University. I also feel that there is a disconnect between the wider student body and the SU. I would like to bridge this gap to ensure all students are represented.

Talk us through your manifesto, and the main thing you’ll work on if elected. If elected, I have 3 main goals that I will work to achieve;

A Better Deal for students: This means pushing for cheaper clamping fees and more student parking, a fairer approach to repeat fees, and not allowing pints to become too expensive in Sult.

Craic on Campus: It also means showcasing the talent of the student body through concerts in Sult, a festival on campus, and a wide variety of events encompassing many different areas.

A President for all: I believe the SU needs to become more accessible to the disengaged students; and I will be a President for All. I will have weekly Pints with The President meetings in Sult, to allow students to access the president; whether to complain, vent, propose an idea, or discuss a problem. Students can come along and have a pint, a hot chocolate, a mi wadi, whatever they want, the main thing that they are listened to and respected.

I will also look to tackle areas such as student accommodation, cowboy landlords, mental health amongst students, drug use awareness, building a sustainable campus, to name but a few.

What do you think the greatest obstacle will be in your term, if elected?

I believe the biggest obstacle would be reaching out to students who have become disengaged and disenfranchised with the SU. Previous SU’s have done great work, but I think one area where many previous Presidents have failed is basic interactions with the larger student body. The pandemic is also partly to blame as many students do not feel as if they have a place in this university. I strive to be the most present President this SU has ever seen at the most basic level by interacting and liaising with the student body as much as possible, and I believe Pints with the President is a small step to achieving this.

What is something you hope to carry on from the previous officer, if elected?

I wish to carry on the great strides made by the previous SU in making Sult a go to party destination for students. But techno isn’t for everyone. As a President for All, I will campaign to have a whole host of different events in our student bar, such as open mic nights, stand-up comedy, trad, drama, live sport screenings, and other social activities, as well as advocate to keep the price of drink down.

Finally, why do you think people should vote for you?

I am an ordinary student, who plays music and studies maths, loves sport and drinking pints. I have a wealth of experience in leadership roles, and I believe I have the drive, the skillset, and the understanding to represent UG students as President. People should vote for me to tackle the bread-and-butter issues facing students; for A Better Deal for Students, Craic on Campus, and A President for All, UG students can definitely #CountonKenny on 2nd March.