Vol. XXIII - Election Special - half-Berliner

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February 28th 2017 :: VolXXIII :: universityobserver.ie

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Around belfield

Bróna Kieran, Law with Philosophy

Shaangjun Zheng, Commerce

Ross Gibney, Science

How aware of the issues or candidates are you?

I only know about my friends who are running, and I’ve seen a lot of social media activity around that.

But, beyond that, honestly I haven’t gone out of my way to research different candidates just quite yet.

I’m aware it’s happening on the 8th of March. But beyond that, I don’t know.

Would you be aware of the student elections coming up next week?

Basically, I don’t really know much about that because even though it’s my third year here, I didn’t feel like I was connected to the students’ union... I didn’t pay much attention to it.

Any idea who’s running or what the issues are in the upcoming election?

Not really. I don’t really have an idea of the candidates or any of the issues.

Are there any issues you’d like to see covered?

I don’t think it’s going to be neglected but I think a key talking point, or a key issue is going to be choice and how much [they] campaign for prochoice. I think that’s going to be significant, and it might cause tension but we’ll see how that goes…

I’d be looking for a pro-choice candidate.

Do you think the union doesn’t connect with international students?

Not really with us. I don’t how other international students feel like but for Chinese students, [we’re] not really connected [with the union]

Ryan O’Donnell, Student Nurse and Children and General’s Nursing

Emer O’Hara (English and History); Aisling Brennan (English)

Do you plan to vote?

Yeah, I will.

What kind of awareness do you have of the issues and candidates?

E: I know a few people who are running personally [...] and I’m happy that a lot of candidates are running this time.

A: It’s my first year, so my first election. So, I really don’t know very much about it. I know that there are a couple of people in my course… and they’ve made pitches at lectures and things like that.

Do you know who?

No. I don’t really know who the candidates are at the moment. I’ve been getting a few notifications on Facebook about the pages that the new candidates are running so I’m starting to know more and more about it.

Any issues in particular the SU should tackle?

No, not really at the moment…They seem to be kind of tackling the topics that are quite prominent and topical now. Like we’re getting emails about the election concerning how the government is handling fees for students [...] then there’s also the Repeal the 8th, but they’re engaging in a march sometime in March as well.

So are you happy with the union?

I’m pretty happy with how the union is performing.

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Do you think you have one important topic you want them to tackle?

E: I think isolation in the BA... I think a lot of people feel like [that] when they come in... I’d like to tackle that and actually do something about it.

That’d be great!

A: [Also] sex education in general. I think that like, repealing the eighth aside, but that’s part of education.

E: Bring back the consent classes!

Is it due to a lack of interest or information?

Both parts. No real interest in the issues, I don’t really know what the issues are either.

Are there any issues you care about?

Accommodation is a big problem I think, a lack of accommodation. Like, I’m commuting this year and it’s such a struggle to come in here every day.

Nafisa Millat, Biochemistry Do you feel like you know about the candidates and issues?

No, not really. Like I might see a few posts on Facebook sporadically but you really have to look into it to know the candidates’ names and their manifestos... it’s not widely known to all the students.

Is there any issue in particular that you feel should be tackled?

Personally… for Muslim students like halal food and like prayer space. Accommodation is a huge issue with students because it’s so hard to get [it].

Should the SU do more to include more minorities?

Yeah, I think they could reach out to more minorities, societies, and clubs, [as well as] student groups. Really listen to their issues, because you have to treat everyone equally, like you can’t keep everyone happy, it’s important to reach out as a SU to everyone.

su election FAQs UCDSU ReFeRenDa: UniteD iRelanD anD UniVeRSity FeeS

WHAt AM i Voting for?

All students can vote to choose next year’s sabbatical and college officers for UCD Students’ Union. You are also being asked your opinion on two policy referenda.

eitHne dodd online neWs & feAtures editor

WHAt Are tHe sAbbAticAl officers?

Sabbatical officers are students who take a year out to work for UCDSU in certain areas. There are 5 positions open: President, Welfare, Education, Campaigns & Communications and Graduate.

THE upcoming Students’ Union elections take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of week 7; on March 7th and 8th. Along with the election of next year’s Students’ Union Sabbatical positions two referenda will be held.

FEES The first referendum will ask students to pick a stance they would like the SU to adopt in relation to university fees. Currently, the SU doesn’t have a position on higher education fees.

It will take the form of a “preferendum” giving UCD students the choice between three different stances that the SU can adopt. The options are as follows: current fees system; income-based loan system or; significantly lower fees. At the time of going to print, the returning officer for the referendums did not confirm the exact phrasing of the question.

By voting for current fees, the SU will adopt the stance that it is happy with the current situation of “free fees” with a €3000 student contribution charge. Voting for an income-based loan system will mean the SU will campaign for a change from the current fee situation to be replaced with a loan scheme,

the amount payable to be based on income. Voting for significantly lower fees will mean the SU will campaign for “free fees” with a reduced student contribution charge.

IRISH UNITY The second referendum will ask students the question: “should UCDSU have a pro-unity stance on a United Ireland?”

The petition to hold a referendum on the topic of Irish Unity was organised by UCD Sinn Féin’s O’Connor/Humphreys Cumann.

In a tweet, the society claimed it collected 1,000 signatures “in little over 8 hours of petitioning.”

In order for the SU to hold a referendum, at least 3.5% of the total registered membership of the students union must have signed a petition to have a referendum. That means 843 students must sign a petition out of 25,500. Those that signed the petition need not have wanted a United Ireland to sign but for the SU to adopt a stance on the issue.

Three other universities (NUI Galway, UCC and Trinity) will also be holding a referendum on the stance of their SU in relation to a united Ireland.

In order for the results of a referendum to be passed, 10% of the student population or 2352 students must vote.

The SU has already

held one referendum this academic year in November on the SU’s stance on abortion. In the case of that referendum, 4781 voting students exceeded the quorum considerably.

Any currently enrolled student in UCD is entitled to vote. You must have your UCD Student Card with you. Places and times of voting vary depending on what degree you’re studying for.

In order to accommodate students who wish to partake in #strike4repeal, UCDSU are coordinating with UCD for Choice to allow those students to vote between 9am and 9pm on the 8th of March. #strike4repeal will happen on the 8th of March if the Irish government does not call a referendum to repeal the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution by that time.

WHAt Are college officers?

College officers are there for each faculty and manage all the class representatives in each faculty. They also sit on the union executive, the body of UCDSU that deals with the day to day direction of the union, with the sabbatical officers. This also includes the Irish officer, who is responsible for advancing the Irish language.

WHAt referendA? There are two referenda on the table.

One calls for students’ opinion on fees, offering them three options based on the Cassells’ report. These are: a loan system, free fees or continuation of the current system (with the student contribution charge).

The other referenda is on a union stance on the unity of Ireland.

WHAt is ron?

RON stands for re-open nominations.

This is available in every race and is an option students’ can use if they do not feel the candidates currently standing are suited to the job.

Traditionally, unopposed candidates have higher RON votes though it is very rare for a candidate to be refused and nominations to be re-opened.

WHen Are tHe elections?

Elections are on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th March, or in week 7 of the academic semester.

WHere cAn i Vote?

Polling stations are opened in each faculty building, with most people voting on the second day of polling.

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Education

Robert Sweeney Third year economics and politics student Robert Sweeney is looking to lobby for funding, improvements to the library, and wider careers fairs in his campaign for Education officer.

ROBERT Sweeney is a third-year Economics and Politics student and plans to use his experiences as auditor and former secretary of the Economics society for the role of Education Officer.

One of the main issues Sweeney intends to tackle, if elected Education officer, is improving the university’s funding. He believes increased funding would lead to improved degrees, improving library resources, an improved Maths Support Centre and would help improve UCD’s worldwide rankings.

“You come to university to get a degree at the end of the day. You want to come out with a degree from a wellranked university.” “[To have] properly-funded degrees [we need] the government coming in and giving the level of funding needed to keep education going and progressing. You’ve got the government promising €100 million in funding and what they gave out was €30 million [sic – the amount was actually €36.5 million]. In the average of developed countries, we see that Ireland is behind in terms of

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education funding.”

Sweeney claims he will lobby the government for increasing third-level funding and encourage students “to write to their TDs saying look education is at a critical time, we need more funding.”

Providing more funding for the library is important to Sweeney. He quotes a 36% decrease in library funding and will campaign for “the university to assign more funding to the library. We’re seeing we have the funding to open up a dining club for VIP guests but not the funding for properly funded libraries”.

Sweeney hopes to improve resources available for the Maths Support Centre, to combat high failure rates in maths and statistics modules. “Getting more staff, advocating for more specialised statistics staff. [If no more funding is provided] I would look into sequestering staff to the Maths Support Centre.”

Unlike past Education officers, and other candidates running in the current Sabbatical race, Sweeney does not plan to campaign for

reduced repeat and re-sit fees.

Instead he intends to focus on capping the cost of repeat fees at the current cost. “The university is not open to reducing resit and repeat fees, capping repeat fees is the best option.”

To improve employment opportunities, Sweeney plans to continue running upskilling workshops. This year the SU ran a barista workshop, which Sweeney views as a success.

“The barista workshop worked great this year we had 4 full classes”.

He plans to continue the workshops and to add touch typing to the menu, a workshop he feels would be aimed mainly at mature students. “We’ve never had a touch typing workshop it’s more aimed towards mature students. People [of a certain] age are used to typing and have grown up with the internet, but other people haven’t and they come to college and find it quite difficult to work word and excel. Aiding students getting through college and getting a job when they come out through touch typing workshops.”

Planning for post-graduate employment opportunities, Sweeney would prefer a greater number of smaller career fairs in the relevant faculty buildings. “These big education career fairs they can be intimidating and what you get is 4 corporate law firms to the right and 5 accounting firms to the left, and it’s not that students don’t want to go into law and accounting it’s just that there are other areas available.”

While Sweeney recognises that “the career centre does organise such events,” he claims that “what they do is they have one big fair in O’Reilly Hall but not faculty-based, and by faculty based I mean in your building where you can go between lectures.”

To combat the confusion of registration, Sweeney suggests training college officers to deal with registration issues. “I think the Tierney building would definitely partner up with us, I think they’re open to it. Then the Education officer [would] train the convenors with Tierney on how to run through registration. A lot of these things aren’t run by the programme offices.

[Training college officers to] pointing students if they’re stuck in the right direction and getting though the questions that can be answered such as am I taking enough level 3/level 2 modules?”

Regarding the upcoming referenda Sweeney “will lobby for whatever students decide in the referendum I don’t think my particular view on that is important because at the end of the day I will be arguing for whatever the students vote for.”

Regarding re-joining USI, Sweeney believes “USI in its current form needs a lot of reform so my opinion wouldn’t be pro-joining USI because as it is it needs a lot of reforms.”

education Analysis THE role of the Education officer is more about working with committees and keeping abreast of the endless school guidelines than being the face of the Union. For both candidates, they stand a decent chance of doing a good job once in the role.

Nonetheless, neither candidate impressed when pressed with questions. While Sweeney may indeed

Education

Joshua Gorman Climax

Stage two chemical engineering student Joshua Gorman Climax is looking to capitalise on his prior SU experience and try to bring up the level of teaching in UCD through a variety of ideas.

JOSHUA Gorman Climax, a 20 yearold stage two chemical engineering student, is looking to build upon his prior SU experience for the role of Education officer. He sees the position as one where “maintaining” relationships with administrative staff is key, as well as one which “[makes] sure that we notice anything that might be a problem.”

Education officer is required to sit on a wide number of committees and boards. While Gorman Climax couldn’t provide an exhuastive list, he knew of a number of UMT and EDI committees and sub-committes, though he mistakenly assumed the

SU has a position on the University Management Team (or UMT).

Gorman Climax’s manifesto details a number of ways he intends to help students, one being new and more extensive training for class reps. He believes that being a class rep only delivers “so much experience” as only “one or two cases” come up. Gorman Climax wants class reps to help with issues like multiple assignments being due on the same day, but this is something that the independent module coordinators and lecturers control. In response to this, Gorman Climax cites his prior experience of solving this problem in chemical

engineering, and also stated these issues “can be organised at the start of the semester and benefit the students themselves in that class.”

In regards to using lobbying to get better resources to aid students and lecturers, Gorman Climax admitted to the difficulty of lobbying. He cited the myriad issues he sees in UCD today from massive rent hikes to the controversial Confucius Institute, stating lobbying “comes down to an ability to research to come up with the proposals to get into boards, to get into meetings, get talking to people who have this power and to convince them.”

suit the role if he’s elected, a lot of work has to be done when it comes to conveying his ideas and message.

The ideas are there, in regards to his ambitious “moving careers fair” though it will take work for it to differentiate from what the role is already mandated to do.

Sweeney pledges to lobby for more money – as does Gorman Climax – though that task is certainly easier said than done. Sweeney is quite realistic in his view of resit fees, looking to have them capped as opposed to

cut. While cuts are echoed by many candidates, Sweeney’s plan may be more attainable.

He also wants to deliver on more “up-skilling” courses. While he quotes the barista and mixology workshops that proved immensely popular, his proposed touch typing workshop is unlikely to generate that kind of interest. Other career-focused workshops like CV writing have struggled for attendances in the past.

Gorman Climax seems capable for the role, however it is clear he

needs to work on his ideas. Ideas like a “university grind scheme” proved to be a last-minute idea, and his thoughts on it quickly crumbled after some questions. He cites a number of issues he overcame in Engineering, but whether he can translate that to the Education role remains to be seen.

Much of Gorman Climax’s argument falls back on lobbying, which again, is a monumental task.

Unlike candidates in the other races, he is pushing for quality over lower fees.

Resit fees also proves to be a difficult subject for an Education officer to tackle, but Gorman Climax claims that if he successfully lobbied for lower fees, the university would make that money up elsewhere as he states it’s a “zero sum game [for UCD].” Ultimately, Gorman Climax stated “for now, priority would be on the education” to stop people failing in the first place, instead of slashing fees.

One of Gorman Climax’s ideas is having subject-specific societies help aid students by giving additional voluntary tutorials. In his manifesto, he states that MechSoc have successfully done this, though he admitted to having “not talked to societies about organising ones in the future.” He admitted that “in some cases it works very well, and in some cases the situation it wouldn’t really be that workable.” Gorman Climax stated societies such as LawSoc or SciSoc could be benefit, though, SciSoc is an entriely fundrasing and charity-based society.

Continuing on the theme of bettering the teaching experience for students, Gorman Climax also discussed his university grinds system briefly mentioned in his manifesto.

He states he started such a scheme in engingeering in first year, and spoke to current officer Lexi Kilmartin and noted she “said there’s a few grind requests every now and again.”

Gorman Climax did note however that this previous scheme in engineering failed to attract users: “I organised it and had a number of tutors lined up with all their details and [...] no one went for it.” When questioned on how things would be different this time, he stated that grinds are “something that’s in the constitution as mandated that I do, and I thought it was something that could be useful but not necessarily the best thing.” He admitted to not being sure as to how it would be funded, though he stated the system could be private.

On the topic of fees, Gorman Climax doesn’t want to push for free fees personally, as he states “we need to be sure of the funding.”

“If we end up with fees and none of the money going into actual funding and the quality... then we’re going to end up fighting for to... pay nothing to do a shit degree. And get nothing from it.”

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WELFARE

Eoghan Mac Domhnaill Science student Eoghan Mac Domhnaill believes that proper promotion and advertising of campaigns across campus will increase engagement between students and the Union.

RUNNING uncontested for this year’s welfare position, Eoghan Mac Domhnaill. a third-year science student, has previously been vice-Auditor of Cumann Gaelach, Treasurer of the Sinn Fein society, as well as the SU Residences CoOrdinator. He believes that, “the most important role for the Welfare Officer is to be the person who cares. You’re not doing it for the glamour of the job.

You really do have to give a damn.”

One problem that has consistently troubled previous Unions is a lack of awareness and engagement with the student body. Mac Domhnaill is aware of this issue, agreeing that, “It was a big problem this year. If you’re not within the union, or in this [student centre] a lot, a lot of people just forget.”

Mac Domhnaill believes that the key to improving this is to start with first years. Indeed, much of his manifesto focuses on incoming students, promoting a number of initiatives towards them. This includes Mental Health Week, which Mac Domhnaill proposes to move to the first semester. Explaining why he’s targeting first years specifically,

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he reasons that, “We all know those opening few weeks; it’s something we can all identify with. You’re coming from home and you’ve lost the support of families.”

As part of the week, Mac Domhnaill wants to, “get more prominent speakers in, especially aimed at men — the people who make you think, ‘wow, if he’s able to open up and talk, that means it’s okay for me.’ Suicide is most prevalent amongst young men. We do find that we grow up with, ‘be a man.’ I’m trying to break that down.”

Another campaign that would find itself geared towards first years is consent classes, as Mac Domhnaill wants to introduce them as part of the UCD Residences programme.

Sexual consent classes have been a contentious issue this year. First announced in February 2016, the Union decided just last month to cancel the remaining classes due to lack of interest. Mac Domhnaill admits that, “the problem this year was we went for everyone and nobody came. That’s why I went for the residences. It’s start small, get big.

In Residences alone, though, in four

years we’d have 7,000 people in UCD who’ve gone through it, so I’d look at that as a win.”

Another issue that Mac Domhnaill wants to raise awareness of is the increased use of non-prescribed medication, particularly around exam time. “We saw this year that study drugs are so rampant,” he explains, “It’s the fact that they’re going to be taken. It’s letting people know that if you are going to take this, this is what you’re taking — this is what can happen to you. It’s not advocating the use, but it’s just making sure people know what they’re doing. It’s not going to stop the people who are taking them already, but it might have a chance of preventing people who are thinking about doing it.”

Mac Domhnaill also raises the issue of the gender pay gap in his manifesto. While not directly concerning student welfare within UCD, he believes that, “we should be looking at when you get out of college, focusing on your welfare out there. I think we do have to be active and tell politicians to cop on, because we’re classifying ourselves as a really progressive country but some

fundamental things are really wrong.”

In terms of advocating for fundamental rights, Mac Domhnaill has further pledged his full support for LGBTQ+ issues, and promises to work closely with UCD for Choice.

“The LGBTQ+ Co-Ordinator will hopefully be a central part of the welfare crew,” he explains, while he also confirms that, “I’ve been speaking to UCD for Choice, and I’ve told them I’ll be completely behind them in everything they do.”

Keen to continue his promotion of Irish, Mac Domhnaill intends to introduce the Turas Tae. Although coffee-mornings are a regular fixture across campus, he maintains that this is, “primarily going to people and just giving them tea. It’s for the people to come to us, and we go to the people for their problems, instead of them having to trek all the way over [to the student centre].”

At the core of his campaign, Mac Domhnaill insists that raising awareness and advertising campaigns properly is key. He intends to have increased poster-ing for all his initiatives including Mental Health Week, sexual consent classes, study drug awareness, LGBTQ+ issues, UCD for Choice, as well as Shag Week, Safe Walk, and student finance issues. Ultimately, he believes, it is this promotion that will increase engagement and interest between students and the union.

WELFARE Analysis Welfare is often one of the more visible roles of the union, as individual cases demand so much attention.

The Welfare officer needs to be approachable but also well-versed in the university politics. They should offer both individual support and broader awareness of student issues.

While it is disappointing to see the role uncontested for the second year in a row, Mac Domhnaill encompasses many of the qualities needed. Relaxed in his interview, he appears approachable yet also understands how the union and UCD operate. He will not need as much time to get to know the issues as other candidates will and should be a reliable Welfare officer.

graduate

Niall Torris Psychology H-Dip student Niall Torris is running uncontested for the position of Graduate officer, as he looks to provide better integration for students and more national campaigns.

PSYCHOLOGY student Niall Torris is running to be Graduate officer on a platform integrating post-grads more easily to UCD and a focus on a national campaigns.

One of these ideas is based around his “PG Tips”, which he explains as something similar to “Dear First Year Me” for post-grads. According to Torris “being a student that came from another college to UCD to study as a postgrad there’s something that I struggled with adapting to, how things are going on in UCD…A postgrad student who has been to UCD already and continues to study in UCD doesn’t need tips…I think that that Dear First Year Me model was very successful.”

The Dear First Year Me campaign is based on older students writing tips for younger students. Torris does recognise that it might be difficult to involve post-grads to provide tips, though does believe the key is offering casual ways to interact with union.

“I think those people have made a decision in their life to come here to get a degree… so for people who would be more interested I think those

things like coffee mornings are way better.”

While Torris’ outline looks to provide more support to post-grads, he doesn’t feel that creating a stronger community feel is entirely possible for graduate students; “The dynamic way in which undergraduates interact really can’t exist [for] post-grads because you’ve got family obligations, you’re probably working… a lot of undergraduates don’t have that.”

Despite this, Torris does offer some suggestions for how post-grads can be encouraged to socialise in a more relaxed atmosphere. He outlines potential coffee mornings on his manifesto but very few specific post-grad events, though he does reference the possibility of bringing back a Post-grad Ball. Torris explains “I was trying to look at what are a couple of simple basic things that could be set up that people can engage with casually as they want.” Torris points out that post-grads can include students doing H-Dips to PhDs, so feels that it’s very difficult to unite all of these interests.

Torris does feel however, that

there are a number of issues that directly affect post-grads but not undergraduates. “I think the main national issue for post-grads is the fact that there is a lack of any real grant system at all. If you do get a grant it’s usually woefully insufficient… there needs to be more lobbying on it,” he explains.

Though he does point out that, “as a graduate officer it can sometimes look like less of a priority because all of your students who are here who are maybe here for one year they’ve already paid ‘you’re not really helping me with this, so why are you putting so much pressure into this?”

Noting that many students could be moving to Dublin for the first time, Torris sees accommodation as particularly important for post-grad, citing his own experience as being very difficult. He also sees wider social issues like Repeal the 8th as impacting post-grads.

Torris emphasises a focus on national issues for post-grads, noting the possibility of working with the Union of Students’ in Ireland and the Irish Post-graduates Forum. He

also draws attention to the mandate in the Students’ Union constitution that directs the Graduate officer to campaign on national issues.

Another aspect on Torris’ manifesto looks to get extended hours and space for post-grads in the library. He claims there should be more space for people to study, potentially securing space at busier times of the year. Torris would look to expand the designated postgrad space in the library, particularly around the times that people are submitting a thesis. Though he does note that there are many libraries in UCD; “we think of just the James Joyce Library and there’s a lot of library space on the two campuses that could be utilized better or advertised.”

Despite drawing attention to the Graduate officer’s mandate in the constitution, Torris does not detail any plans for an Education or Careers fair, which is something that is also mandated. He explains that “I didn’t put anything like that [on] my manifesto because I simply did not know enough about organizing a thing like that.” Though he did highlight the possibility of working with other bodies with UCD; “we have a great career’s office here…I’d love to work with them specifically to organize events like that and they have a great knowledge about that kind of stuff.”

On joining USI, Torris notes that there are a number of positives which he saw during his time as Carlow College SU President.

Analysis For the second year in a row the position of Graduate officer will be uncontested. The position does not tend to see much stress or individual cases the way other officers would. It’s often a role that is not very high profile around campus.

Despite this, Torris seems to be suggesting a greater focus on campaigning, though does reflect some domestic concerns. The main role of the Graduate officer should be to work for general graduate issues and be available for specific cases. However, by definition many post-grad students do not need the same level of help and attention as undergraduate students. As such, the main role of Graduate officer tends to be running more general campaigns and ensuring they are as visible as possible.

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c&C

Vikki Banach Current UCDSU Gender Equality co-ordinator Vikki Banach looks to bring in a wide array of campaigns and initiatives in her campaign for C&C. GENDER equality co-ordinator in this year’s Students’ Union, Vikki Banach has a campaigns-oriented manifesto, differing from the other candidates whose manifestoes have stronger emphasis on communications.

Banach plans to campaign for refugees to encourage “a chance for learning” and “if we set up a scholarship we will be able to have even more refugee students in here”.

She is unaware of how this could fit in with the direct provision scheme but would work on getting funding from the UCD Foundation by using the “right arguments”.

To promote diversity across campus Banach plans a colour run “with hopefully the help of Isoc to

“To do an event to promote awareness of different cultures and inform people.” do an event to promote awareness of different cultures and inform people about what colour run might mean to people in different cultures rather than just be this fun event that we

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have adopted”.

Banach also wants to run “informational campaigns” for PrEP and repeal the 8th. PrEP is a preventative treatment for HIV: “if you tell people that there is this drug

“You don’t have to be on one side or the other, you can have different views.” and it can help you to not contract HIV, their response would be well if it wasn’t dangerous it would have been something [to] use all the time anyway”.

For Repeal the 8th, Banach believes people view it as being “either pro-life: no abortions, or pro-choice: abortions for everyone always”. Her campaign, which would make use of guest speakers, information leaflets and posters, would aim to educate people to know “there’s different stances, you don’t have to be on one side or the other, you can have different views”.

The hot topic issue of this year’s SU election has been consent. Banach

attended the consent workshops run this year and “thought they were brilliant.” However she did note the low attendance; “one of the many factors why people didn’t want to go to the workshops was because they were advertised as ‘mandatory’ and people thought they were just going to be taught ‘rape is bad’.” Banach plans to introduce consent classes during orientation week to target “openminded and enthusiastic” first years, and she wants to extend the campaign beyond just workshops.

She wants to introduce “workshops for students on how to deal with SUSI effectively”. Banach believes the application system in place discourages students from continuing applications when they are entitled to receiving grants and these workshops would help students that have difficulties with the system.

Banach plans to continue the “What’s in the Pill?” campaign to educate students about harmful drugs they may be taking. The campaign has been done in the past but Banach feels “it wasn’t big enough and loud enough. If I haven’t heard being [in council] how has any other students

heard anything?”

Banach includes education on safer alcohol use on her manifesto.

However, she denied that this would a part of her campaign on safer drug use, saying “I just say students like to drink and party”.

From a communications point of view Banach hopes to re-design the website, introduce SU vlogs, and begin “Pints with the Pres”.

At present, “the Union does not have the full rights for the website” which makes things hard to change.

Banach proposes hiring “a local web designer to design the website so then we would have the rights to change stuff but even if we weren’t allowed to change some stuff it would be easier to get the designer in” than getting someone from the UK-based group currently in charge of the website.

Although Banach says she does not have “much experience” with vlogging, she is “actually vlogging [her] whole campaign”. She believes vlogs are a good way to keep students up-to-date with the SU activities, as they are likely “to watch a 2-minute video”.

Despite the title “Pints with the Pres” this is an activity which Banach aims to include all sabbatical officers, and would involve the SU

“People will see that the sabbatical team are only people” providing vouchers for drinks and an opportunity for students to “talk with your sabbatical officers in a more relaxed atmosphere”. She believes it would help “bridge the gap between the student’s union and the students”, and make the union more approachable as “people will see that the sabbatical team are only people, they were students, they might be students when they’re done”.

Regarding the upcoming referendum on fees Banach does not think “as a union if we do get mandated, we can really do much about it. I just don’t see it is going to be very effective if it does get passed”.

Banach does not feel the SU should join USI as “we are a big college we have so many thousand voices… We don’t need to be a part of it to have a voice on a national level”.

c&C He plans to do this by having drop boxes where students can leave ideas, and also by holding an open forum; a day where students could come and talk to him and brainstorm ideas for events.

Brophy also suggested having incentives for UCD artists and musicians to get involved with Ents, like competitions. He sees these as a “small incentive to bring together a nicer...more involved culture in UCD because there’s definitely so much talent in this college.”

While there is a large focus on Ents in Brophy’s manifesto there is no mention of issues such as the Consent or Repeal movements and any campaigns relating to them. With reference to Repeal, Brophy states that “I figured I wouldn’t include it

Zak Brophy An officer on the Ents forum, second year student Zak Brophy looks to translate his experience with Ents into the C&C role.

ZAK Brophy is the youngest of the candidates running for Campaigns and Communications Officer this year. The 19-year old is a stage 2 History and Politics student. To date he has been involved with the Students’ Union as a class rep in 1st year and this year as an officer on the Entertainments (Ents) Forum.

One of the main ideas he outlines for improving communication is that of “SU Hubs”. According to Brophy’s manifesto these will be

“There’s so [many] open spaces that just aren’t utilised.” “chill-out areas where students and SU representatives can hang out”.

Brophy feels that currently there is a “disconnect between the students and the Union” but that the SU Hubs idea could help bridge this gap and help to create “more open lines of communication”.

When questioned about the possible pressures that SU hubs could put on already over-subscribed social areas, within Newman in

particular, Brophy responded by saying that “there’s definitely space for more social areas around UCD. There’s spatial plans in Newman that are just terrible. There’s so [many] open spaces that just aren’t utilised.”

However, Brophy did not detail how he would go about installing hubs in these unutilised spaces.

Regarding advertising for this year’s SU campagins, he agreed that advertising for SHAG Week was poor and that he “didn’t see much about it”. He hopes to run more eye-catching campaigns next year on top of just postering. He says that, for example, walking around campus wearing sandwich boards could work well, based off previous experience.

Brophy is also concerned about the dangers of drug-taking among students. He acknowledged that “a huge amount of students use drugs”.

Brophy hopes to improve students’ knowledge of safe drug use by working in conjunction with the Irish branch of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), an organisation that promotes discourse among students about safe drug use. They currently have chapters in a number of third-

level institutions including UCC and DCU. Brophy says that it would be “a campaign to encourage being safe when people are on nights out”. In response to a query that the Union might be seen as promoting students taking drugs Brophy clarifies that “the campaign isn’t condoning or condemning drug use at all. It’s just acknowledging that there is an issue with safety there and that the Union should be doing everything they can to ensure that the students are safe”.

When asked if he has contacted SSDP about the campaign Brophy said that he hadn’t yet, preferring to wait until he may be elected.

Brophy did not know what the Campaigns Forum consisted of, a forum he will be chairing if elected.

The forum is made up of a variety of co-ordinators who focus on campaigning for particular areas of interests to students like gender equality, mental health and disability rights amongst others.

Brophy mentions that he wants to improve student input into Ents events, to increase the diversity of activities happening around UCD.

“Just because it’s not in my manifesto doesn’t mean that I’m not interested in working with it.” because...the [Repeal referendum] had already passed...Just because it’s not in my manifesto doesn’t mean that I’m not interested in working with it.”

Brophy came out very strongly on the pressures college fees are putting on some students and their families. He plans to set up a fee relief scheme for students who fall outside of the the threshold of the SUSI maintenance grant. He says the scheme is for those who “are outside this bracket of welfare but are still struggling”. He plans to do this by having discussions with both the Department of Education and SUSI, although he has not approached either of them about this to date.

Brophy also aims to run a campaign to reduce resit fees. He feels the best way to do this is to get a seat for C&C on the governing authority in UCD in order to push for a vote on lowering resit fees. However the SU Education Officer already has a seat on the governing authority. In reaction to a suggestion that C&C run a campus-wide campaign on the issue rather than trying to get a seat on the governing authority, Brophy said: “It’s a possibility but I think two voices are better than one.”

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c&C and leaflets about the union and invite passing students to have a chat with him about his campaigns or the SU in general.

Garvey plans to keep as many union events as possible on campus including the Freshers’ Ball if UCD will permit it.

“I think we need to have smaller regular events on campus in company with [the] Freshers’ Ball to keep people’s interests on campus” he said. Garvey wants to diversify the events held by the SU so that some have nothing to do with drinking or a party. He also wants to make SU events more regular.

“We don’t need a burst of one week events” he said. Feeling that the

“I think we need to have smaller regular events on campus.”

Cóilín Garvey Cóilín Garvey is running for C&C, with his goals for the next year including a pop-up SU stand and more diverse UCD Ents events.

CÓILÍN Garvey wants to create a union that is accessible and increase student engagement with the Students’ Union. His four main campaign promises are increased online engagement, bringing the SU to students in the form of a pop-up stand, to diversify ents and campaign on fees.

Second year German and Politics Student, Garvey is currently the public relations officer for UCD German Society and Student Brand Manager for Red Bull Ireland.

Garvey says he wasn’t involved much with the union in first year and only became involved in second year due to his job with Red Bull.

“That’s when I got to know Luke a lot better through teaming up to launch things or organise events on campus.” Garvey says he realised that the C&C position could be a great way of setting up relationships between the union and students throughout their degree.

“I don’t think you could really have a college without a union to support them” said Garvey.

“Students can’t go through three or

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four years of a degree without a core group of people working for their interests. I think that the students’ union needs to be there, always working for the betterment of their students and on their behalf.”

One of Garvey’s main goals for next year is increased use of the SU’s various media outlets, mainly Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter.

“I think all of the media outlets that the SU has need to be used

“I think all of the media outlets that the SU has need to be used as best as possible.” as best as possible but I think that there needs to be a lot more of consolidation… I think that the start of every week or every two weeks there needs to be a schedule of what’s about to happen outlining everything that’s about to happen in college and all the ways the students can get involved.”

Garvey also wants to increase SU production of vlogs, saying he would like to use them to introduce students to the union and provide SU council updates through them.

Although he has no experience making vlogs, he does have some experience in video production.

Garvey believes they could be a good way to give students information about the SU in a passive way as well as encourage students’ participation in future events.

“I think that the whole point of the vlogs would be a structured post as in people who would see a vlog, attend the event and then see a vlog that’s happening last month last two weeks and they go ‘oh cool I was there’… Maybe tag their friends, share it around in that way.”

Garvey also wants to introduce a pop-up SU stand. This would allow Garvey to move around to different buildings on the campus to bring the SU to students rather than the other way around. He plans to post where he will be on a given day, set up his stand with free refreshments

SU currently do events in bursts of week events such as Freshers’ week or RAG week. “I don’t think we need to box events up to a week on campus.”

Although fees are one of his four main campaign points, Garvey will wait until the students vote on fees before he will take a stance on them himself. “I think that the incoming students union needs to be prepared to address those problems [of student housing and prices]… we need to be ready to campaign on behalf of the students to regulate or at least keep the on campus accommodation fees as low as possible” he said.

Garvey is reluctant to take a stance on issues relating to students saying that he will wait for students to come to him and will work with them on whatever issues are brought to him. On the issues of student fees, a united Ireland, SUSI and sexual consent he said he did not have a stance on them. He does however “fully support” the repeal the 8th campaign.

When asked how he will find out what students want him to campaign on, he said he would use his pop-up stand, push features on the website where students could give him feedback and that his door will be open for students throughout the year.

c&C Murphy is adamant that “it can’t be that difficult”, that the SU needs to argue better with UCD for them and be sterner in their approach.

In line with this, he would like to create a carpooling system for UCD

“Murphy is very keen on doing more to reduce UCD’s carbon footprint.”

Barry Murphy With a tight race for C&C expected, third year Barry Murphy looks to have a wider field of campaigns, including a new emphasis on eco-friendliness.

THE position of Campaigns and Communications Officer is hotly contested in this year’s election, following a trend from previous elections. Barry Murphy, a stage 3 Environmental Biology student, is one of the candidates. Since the role has been brought back, the office has been heavily involved in events on campus, but there is the other side of the role to do with campaigns.

He wants to make several of the events and the campaigns more engaging to students, encouraging them to bring their ideas to the union so that the union can help them. Engaging students seems to be an eternal problem of the Students Union, and engagement is very much at the forefront of Murphy’s agenda. He aims to get more people involved with the union and union activities organising forum days and discussion weeks advertising via the regular platforms of social media and with an emphasis on

lecture addressing.

He is very complimentary of the current C&C Officer and how he has performed in his role over the past year; having been known and visible from day one and for increasing the Union presence across social media platforms.

One of Barry’s campaign areas is on consent. His manifesto mentions

“I’m a complete outsider from the union… I saw how it’d be a breath of fresh air.” it briefly, saying that it is “vital for student wellbeing”. He agrees with consent classes, but in a more inviting informal context, so as not to come across as condescending.

He also places an emphasis on changing attitudes through education and discussion.

Murphy does not have an outline

as to how this attitude campaign will occur, fully admitting that consent is not an area he would regard himself as an expert in, but also that he “would much prefer to work with people who have studied it, or who are already working on campaigns in that area and give them the outreach the student union can”.

An area where he feels more comfortable of his knowledge in is that of the environment. Murphy is very keen on doing more to reduce UCD’s carbon footprint. He has not been involved in any environmental campaigns in UCD this year however he worked with UCDVO focusing on bringing visible recycling bins onto campus and providing wash stations in SU shops so that more people will be willing to use their own flasks and beakers for coffee, reducing the amount of paper cups being used on campus.

Despite the fact the current environment co-ordinator has had difficulty in getting recycling bins,

students, to cut down on costs and unnecessary hardships for students commuting to college, especially in the case of uncertain bus routes and bad weather conditions which aren’t conducive to walking or cycling.

However, he also believes that there is a need for more parking spaces in UCD and believes that some of UCD’s green spaces could be used as temporary car parks.

While Murphy is a new face to the union, it does mean that he may not understand the inner workings of the union the same way as some of his competitors. However, this is something which he feels will be an advantage rather than a hindrance to him “I’m a complete outsider from the union, I haven’t been a class rep... The more I thought, the more I saw how it’d be a breath of fresh air.”

RAG week is something which Murphy feels has died a little in UCD, and is something he would like to revitalise by having more students involved, similar to levels in UCC and NUI Galway and would like to involve celebrating successes of students, academic and sporting. While it is good to acknowledge those who may otherwise go unheralded, it is not entirely clear how celebrating student successes will contribute to raising money for whichever charities UCD decides to fundraise for.

C&C is still an evolving role, and to date each officer has brought a different angle to the position.

Murphy as C&C officer would look to be a very environmentally oriented one, not necessarily at the expense of other campaigns, but it would certainly be a shift in focus.

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c&C

C&C Analysis THE role of campaigns and communication officer is multifaceted. C&C has to act as a bridge between the student body and the SU, while also organising campaigns – both nationally and on-campus – and spearheading Ents campaigns.

More often that not since the return of C&C, it often leans heavily on the Ents side of things. This is very clear with two candidates in particular: Zak Brophy and Cóilín Garvey.

There is not much elaboration on consent or issues like Repeal on Brophy’s manifesto, and while social issues are not the whole role, his manifesto is much more focused on Ents, communication, and “SU Hubs.”

Some of Brophy’s ideas sound better than others. His drug campaign – which would see him reach out to the Students for Sensible Drug Policy Ireland – is a solid one, and he spent a fair portion of his interview on the drug issue. He stated he would prefer waiting until getting the role before reaching out to SSDP, but communicating with them before putting it on a manifesto is the more sensible approach.

Other ideas are less concrete.

Brophy’s SU Hubs idea sounds more akin to simply putting SU logos on seating areas in Newman or the Science block rather than “hubs

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for student and union interaction.”

While other candidates propose bringing their ideas straight to students as well, Brophy’s idea of having permanent hubs appears to be overkill. Brophy is also quite vague when it comes to “starting a conversation” with SUSI. While helping welfare grant aid for students is a positive idea, it may be beyond the scope of his potential position.

Though Cóilín Garvey may not be as involved in Ents as Brophy, he takes on an even bigger Ents emphasis. Indeed, much of his interview concentrated on events and his time as a Red Bull representative.

While students would undoubtedly love big varied events on campus, the Union is already running at a deficit as is, and a bigger events calendar is a massive drain on resources.

Garvey’s concentration on more events is admirable, but will likely be scuppered by the realities of finance.

His idea of a SU pop up event is a better idea, and appears to be a more manageable version of Brophy’s SU hubs. Communication was Garvey’s strong point, as he also stressed a stronger social media presence and clearer SU event schedule.

Ulitmately, Garvey presented very little in regards to social issues; with his answers on topics like running consent or Repeal campaigns becoming significantly shorter than

those regarding events. Garvey has no plans to campaign for the return of consent classes, and his views on topics like fees or the 8th were simply whatever students want.

Away from Garvey and Brophy, Vikki Banach provides the most seasoned SU name on the list.

Banach has a wide range of campaigns on her manifesto. She touches on a wide array of topics, including a number that other candidates did not mention such as continuing the SU’s support and information campaign for the anti-HIV drug PrEP as well as a return of a Diversity Week on campus.

Banach is also looking to start a scholarship scheme for refugees, though that will certainly be a difficult task. Banach looks to bring back consent workshops. While not making them mandatory, she looks to shift the focus to first years by getting it up and running during orientation week.

One of the ways Banach looks to bridge the gap to students is with her “Pints with the Pres” scheme. Echoed by all the candidates, it’s clear closing the gap between students and the SU is an eternal struggle. Whether the president, or overall sabbat crew, are okay with Banach’s idea is not clear, but the idea is nothing if not unique. Banach also wants to redesign the SU website, but the site

itself was redesigned already a few years ago, so it’s uncertain whether the budget will allow for a redesign that would likely cost a couple of thousand.

The final candidate is Barry Murphy, who offers what is likely the most unique campaign of the four candidates. Murphy – an environmental biologist – is looking for the SU to improve it’s environmental awareness. His ideas include things like a car pooling scheme, as well as a concentrated effort to get recycle bins on campaigns, something that this year’s environmental co-ordinator has been working on.

Like Banach, Murphy emphasises both the social as well as Ents side of the role. Murphy, of all the candidates, was very honest about his own shortcomings. He says he will look to his wider team when it comes to issues he is not wellversed in, such as consent. This approach is relatively refreshing and it acknowledges something that few other candidates do, in that the SU is a team, and not a series of individuals.

His emphasis on environmentalism may not appeal to everyone, but it is unique, and gives himself some individuality compared to other candidates. Like the presidential race, it is tough to see where this race will end up.

President campaigning to the Welfare and C&C officers and does not plan to march in any pro-choice campaigns.

Ascough also states that the President of the union is “the chief spokesperson of the students’ union” though does not deny she may canvass to save the 8th amendment if a nation wide referendum were called during her term as President.

On her personal stance, Ascough noted that it would be a shame for a candidate to distance themselves from their previous beliefs.

Her involvement in the Yes for neutrality campaign and with other organisations such as Students for Life or her column in Catholic magazine Alive is not mentioned on her manifesto.

On accommodation, much of Ascough’s focus appears to be the city-wide student accommodation crisis. However, she does note the potential of approaching the Irish

Katie Ascough Running on a broad platform, Katie Ascough’s campaign focuses on broad issues designed to make student day to day life better.

THIRD year science student Katie Ascough is running for president with little previous experience of the Students’ Union. One of the main aims of Ascough’s campaign “is to focus on the small domestic things to make UCD run a bit smoother for students in day to day life”.

On her reasons for running, Ascough explains “[I have] really enjoyed my time in UCD, really enjoy interacting with students…I just kind of felt it might be a good experience.”

As part of the wider issue of healthy food on campus, Ascough states “I have a few ideas about microwaves because it is actually something I’m quite passionate about”. She further explains “I think it’s ridiculous that we

“I have a few ideas about microwaves because it is actually something I’m quite passionate about” don’t have better DIY food facilities in UCD” and that there needs to be more healthy food options on campus.

Mental health is also a priority listed by Ascough as she plans to

work with the Students’ Union mental health co-ordinator on facilities in UCD. “That’s [the] role as the mental health co-ordinator, he’s obviously going to be involved with the mental health services… we would have frequent meetings because obviously it is a matter of great concern to myself and to all the students of UCD.” However Ascough was unaware of all details of the student health service and was not aware of the campaigns forum.

Speaking on other areas of mental health in UCD, Ascough noted the potential to work with societies to raise funds and awareness through events like the Fashion Show or other pub quizzes. She also drew attention to other fundraising activities in UCD “the rally for life [sic] is coming up, I know that’s a separate issue but all these great things happen in UCD. If we can communicate with the societies we can co-ordinate something that can make a difference”.

Consent is also a prominent part of Ascough’s manifesto, with plans for workshops and campaigns on the issue. On the recently cancelled consent classes by UCDSU, she states “I believe the Students’ Union

was trying to run them but they had problems with attendance numbers and I know there’s been discussion of potential mandatory classes.”

Ascough outlined plans to review the classes and “tweak” what didn’t work, to organise the classes again.

Despite previously being publicly open about her own decision to remain chaste until marriage, Ascough doesn’t feel that this would hinder any campaign she would run.

“I don’t think it particularly matters what one’s personal experience is when it comes to this issue, I think what really matters is they’re willing to do something about it.” She agreed that the students’ general opinion consideration of an issue is more important than the candidates’ own.

However, one of the obvious omissions from Ascough’s manifesto is her position on repealing the 8th Amendment. A prominent pro-life campaigner, Ascough has been involved in the “Yes for neutrality” side of the union’s preferendum on abortion last semester.

Contrasted with a union that has a mandate to support repealing the 8th amendment, Ascough claims this will not affect her role as President.

Ascough asserts she will “delegate”

“Whatever way the students vote is the way the President will act” Strategic Investment Fund to fund more accommodation, “they have a mandate which is to invest in student accommodation they see it as an area of investment.”

She also noted that “accommodation is a huge area for many students when it comes to being able to afford college, to access college.” However Ascough was not aware of the most recent hikes in on-campus accommodation or that the UCDSU had already lobbied the University for this funding in 2015, though did indicate her intention to continue this position.

Like most of the other candidates, Ascough is opposed to the level of resit and repeat fees. She suggested include reviewing the cost or trying to arrange subsidies.

On the general fees referendum Ascough states that she will work with the mandate that students choose but they her focus will be on trying to ensure the best deal for students.

“Whatever way the students vote is the way the President will act”.

This is echoed in her stance on USI and the unity referendum, saying that she will continue to follow the student lead.

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President wants to introduce new alcohol and drug awareness workshops during freshers’ or orientation week. When questioned on whether people would actually attend such workshops, he said “people going to orientation

“People going to orientation week are under the impression that most of the stuff… is mandatory.”

Rónán Bartley Ronan Bartley, a third year English with Drama student, wants the union to reconnect with students and he wants to break down, what he calls, “the feeling of apathy toward the SU. FINAL year English with Drama student Rónán Bartley is one of the several candidates running for president with no prior experience inside the union. Despite this, he maintains that “politics is the one profession where the longer you spend in it, the worse you get at it” therefore he will be “a fresh pair of hands and a fresh pair of eyes”.

On the topic of why he wishes to run for president in the first place, Bartley feels the SU have become too “apolitical” in recent years. He feels this is due to the (now settled) debt that the SU accrued at the turn of the decade: “you can’t really a stand on something [when] you’re indebted to the college. You can’t be

“Politics is the one profession where the longer you spend in it, the worse you get at it.” too radical or pushing for change…”

Bartley looks to reinstate an activist attitude to UCDSU.

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On a topic like the increasing accommodation fees, he stated “it would kind of be a nice opportunity to create this activist base within

“[We speak] softly and carry a big stick, [but] we don’t have a big stick at the moment.” in UCD that could be used for other causes that would come up as obviously relevant to students.”

Regarding accommodation fees, Bartley also stated that the cost of building more accommodation should not be passed directly to the students: “[students] shouldn’t be expected to be saddled with this massive price just to justify something they may not even see the end product of.”

A key issue for Bartley would be for the president to have their voting rights reinstated on a committee like Finance Renumeration and Asset Management Committee. FRAMC dictates where most of the money

goes in UCD, and the President had a vote on it until a couple of years ago – but now just has a seat. Bartley doesn’t want to “just kind of nip at their heels and say “oh maybe we should do this.” “[We speak] softly and carry a big stick, [but] we don’t have a big stick at the moment.”

On an issue like mental health, Bartley wants students and the SU to persist on better funding in order to cut queues, instead of using money “to spend on the Confucius Institute.”

One of the smaller issues Bartley makes note of is the student bar.

He wants to look to see cosmetic changes done to the UCD Clubhouse, as he states “I’ve always felt going in there that it’s kind of... it’s a little bit anonymous... it doesn’t feel like a student bar.” The Clubhouse is privately owned, so when Bartley was questioned on how this could be done, as well as food or alcohol price reduction days, he simply stated “careful persuasion.”

Bartley wants to work with the Campaigns and Communications officer to bring more events to the opening weeks of semester. He

week are under the impression that most of the stuff going on during it is mandatory.”

Bartley was not specific on bringing back solely consent-based workshops, instead he looks to put it together alongside sexual health.

“With sex ed workshops […], you can package up stuff to do with consent and consent issues within a sexual health workshop rather than just doing a consent workshop.”

Bartley’s manifesto states he wishes to bring more microwaves to campus, and he stated that even if he can’t get them in various faculties, he would like a number available “on the SU corridor, or in one of the SU rooms.”

Resit fees is something Bartley would like to address, having experienced the system himself personally in first year. It’s a topic that Bartley is “really baffled why it hasn’t been routed out by now” though Bartley was not definitive on who he would contact to help get fees lowered.

Bartley mentions an expansion of the peer mentor system in his manifesto. This is not under the purview of the SU, and he sees this as “more so a suggestion.” He also wishes to see a number of art murals added around campus, similar to the electricity boxes in the city centre.

He admitted that campus services are rarely okay with permanent changes, but that he would like to see “pillars of the walkways in front of Newman, library, science basically painted with, for example, literary figures, figures from science.”

On the issue of fees, Bartley feels free fees are “the fairest way to go.”

President Hart also notes the need for a review of the extenuating circumstances policy which she states was “last reviewed in 2005” and is long overdue as a result.

She intends increasing awareness of the UCD WalkSafe program,

“Try and increase awareness but not necessarily have mandatory consent classes”

Rebecca Hart Nursing student Rebecca Hart discusses what she would do as SU president, which includes a “Reveal for 8” campaign, improvements to accommodation, and making life easier for students.

THIRD year nursing student Rebecca Hart is running on a platform that focuses on student community and campaigns.

In her manifesto, she mentions, though does not expand upon, a campaign called “Reveal for 8.”

This would be a campaign where people would wear, for example “crop tops and shorts” and “have an 8 printed on them somewhere.”

She states “it is to show as much as possible of you repealing the 8th.”

The campaign would be to show that “we can do what we want with our own bodies.”

She denies that it would be like the Slut Walk which was a consent campaign held last year where people marched across

“It is to show as much as possible of you repealing the 8th.” campus wearing revealing clothing bearing signs with messages such as “My Dress is not a Yes” and

“By definition you cannot ask to be raped.”

Speaking on fees, Hart states in her manifesto that “I personally believe the system we have works” but in conversation with

“I personally believe the [fees] system we have works” the Observer she said “I would personally love [the contribution charge] to be lowered but I believe between the three systems that are offered to the students that’s probably the best one.”

The three options are those mentioned in the Cassells’ report, which will be options in the upcoming SU referendum on fees.

Hart states she doesn’t believe in entirely free fees because she doesn’t believe that it is fair on students “to know that when they go out into the workforce they’re going to have to pay ridiculous tax to compensate the fact that they didn’t pay fees.” Speaking on the

possibility of free fees, Hart states “the government just doesn’t have the funding to sustain that.”

On accommodation, Hart states that while inflation may increase prices, to reduce the financial burden she would like more “cheap and cheerful accommodation” like Belgrove. She would like accommodation to feature the “bare essentials”. Hart would also look for accommodation payments to be “broken into instalments” instead of one lump sum.

As stated in her manifesto she would like “all union representatives” to be SafeTalk and/or ASSIST trained. These are suicide prevention training with SafeTalk teaching people to spot when someone may be suicidal and ASSIST training focusing on how to deal with such a situation. Hart is SafeTalk trained.

She would like the SU to produce a book of “handy tips for living on your own” with “a diary and a cookbook” among other things, based off a book that was produced in previous years by the SU.

which is run by campus services so that students do not have to walk across campus alone at night.

Noting that there are phones in many buildings, Hart would like to put phones in more places such as “the gym,” “the bar,” and “the library.”

Despite claiming consent is a priority, Hart does not mention it in her manifesto. Although she says that consent classes “were a good idea” but “people just weren’t interested.” She adds that she could “try and increase awareness but not necessarily have mandatory consent classes…I don’t know if classes are the right way to go about it” and “it’s really hard to say something is mandatory.” She suggested that class reps “encourage consent.”

Hart is also the Health Sciences College officer and the Ents crew coordinator, though she does not mention these roles in her manifesto.

She was Health Science College Officer last year as well ,though she was on Erasmus for the second semester of that period. Hart explains that her reasoning for keeping the role whilst in England was based on a “chat with the sabbat team at the time.” She states that her elected deputy was “trained in to understand what I do everyday.”

It would seem that Hart may have considered other sabbatical roles but settled on the role of president because, in her own words, “when I put up the roles and worked out what my strengths were I had more in the presidential box than any others.” She says that she’d be able to make sure that student voices were heard “as loudly as possible.”

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President split into sections where students can rate landlords, and also search for emergency and temporary accommodation.

Another idea that he proposes in his manifesto is working with external “stakeholders” to possibly increase development in and around campus. He has implemented a policy similar to this in the last year with the LGBTQ+ society: “We’ve brought in three different organisational partners who have increased opportunities for our

“UCD for choice is a part of the SU so we need to be working with them more actively”

Philip Weldon Current LGBTQ+ Auditor Philip Weldon looks to return to a more activist-focused SU, as well as a concentration on social issues like consent and student mental health.

WITH a successful year leading the LGBTQ+ society under his belt, Business student Philip Weldon believes that he has the skills and enthusiasm to breathe fresh air into the Students’ Union next year as President. His policies include a more activist SU, opening up more to external stakeholders, and fighting for students on issues like consent, accommodation, and campaigning to repeal the 8th.

One of the central tenets of his campaign, and a theme he keeps

“The role needs somebody who isn’t afraid to stand up for students” returning to is increasing the sense of activism and willingness to confront that he feels the SU lacks.

“The role needs somebody who isn’t afraid to stand up for students and isn’t afraid to engage the university and challenge them when there’s issues that need to be brought to their attention.”

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He mentions that the SU up to now has been too corporate, and that “there’s been certain issues in some areas where we could be a bit louder.

“There’s nothing wrong with bringing a louder voice” There’s nothing wrong with a bit of activism and there’s nothing wrong with bringing a louder voice”.

Consent is a high priority issue for Weldon. “I know from speaking to [students], consent is a number one item. Your body is your realm, it’s your domain. Nobody else has a right to that.” Weldon would reintroduce the consent classes that were dropped by the SU this year, and he supports making them mandatory for freshers students. “We need to inform them what consent is, and we need to be very clear”.

To combat a possible repeat of the low turnout we have seen with this year’s classes, he proposes using student’s college ID cards “to scan them and make sure that

they’ve attended, and if they don’t then you follow up on the reasons why not”. He accuses the University of “censoring” the sexual assault figures for campus, and states that consent classes would be better with more accurate statistical information.

In terms of accommodation, Weldon feels that this is an area where the University has let students down badly in recent years: “Its almost like students are second”. In his manifesto he proposes an online database, similar to UCD’s existing “accommodation pad” service.

The main difference with this new site, is that it would be on the SU website itself as it has “a good bit of [online] traffic going through that”

“We need to inform them what consent is, and we need to be very clear” and there are better opportunities “to engage on social media more as well”. His new database would be

members”. It is this opening up to external institutions that he hopes can unlock new opportunities for the SU. On the student health service, and the wider issue of student’s mental health, Weldon feels that more can be done. “I think positive campaigns around the mental health issues and engaging people on the stigma issue is probably the main focus we should have next year”. He also says that the long waiting lists for the UCD counselling service are unacceptable. “We can’t really afford to have waiting lists when, for many, mental health is a creeping issue”.

Weldon is a staunch supporter of the Repeal the 8th movement, and has plans to promote the issue more next year. “There is a lot more that could be done, and one of the first steps is organising really concrete discussions, think-ins, and teach-ins to raise awareness and engage the student population”. He believes that working with other groups is key. “UCD for choice is a part of the SU so we need to be working with them more actively to organise a campaign around that”.

On the subject of his stances in the upcoming policy referenda (run concurrently with the elections), Weldon says that he is against the proposal to have a stance in favour of a united Ireland. He is in favour of the “free fees” option for the fees policy preferendum.

President

President Race: Analysis THIS year there are four contenders for the role of President of the UCDSU, an improvement from last year when the race was uncontested.

The role of President is possibly the most stressful and contentious of all the sabbatical officers. Head of the union, the President acts as the face and spokesperson for the union. For that reason most of students feel that the President should have similar views to them and be aware of the main issues that are affecting them.

However, with President it’s not just being aware of the issues, the candidates should also be aware of how exactly these things affect students, what causes them and who is making the decisions. The SU constitution calls for the President to sit on all the senior boards of the University, including FRAMC. As the union remains outside of USI, the main weapon that UCDSU can wield is speaking for students on these boards. As such union President in particular needs to be direct and always question how any decisions are going to affect students.

Katie Ascough is running on a platform of “Back to basics” and focusing on issues within UCD. While she is aware of the general

issues that students’ are dealing with, it seems more to come from people that are telling her what they are rather than personal experience. Listing mental health and accommodation on her manifesto as particular areas she wants to tackle, Ascough was not aware of the latest increases in on-campus accommodation cost or who is the head of the student health service.

While this can be learned, it does seem contradictory for a candidate focusing on life in UCD. However, her manifesto is broad and will impress many students and she is at least nominally aware of the main student concerns. Ascough’s main stumbling block will be her pro-life stance. She does not mention repeal the 8th on her manifesto and also neglects to mention her involvement in the Yes for neutrality side in the abortion referendum last semester. Ascough also refused to deny that she would canvass to save the 8th if a referendum was called in the next few months.

As chief spokesperson of the union it will be very difficult for students to reconcile a pro-life president with the majority pro-choice opinion prevailing across campus.

With the push to repeal the 8th in UCDSU and nationally over the last year, a referendum is likely in the next few months. This will become a

prominent issue for students.

Ascough’s stance is in direct contrast to all of the other candidates standing for President, such as Rebecca Hart who suggests a “Reveal for 8” campaign on her manifesto.

Hart is the only candidate with previous SU experience and details a very light manifesto with not many developed ideas. She stated in her interview that consent was a priority, yet neglected to put it on her manifesto. Her ideas on increasing community seem very small yet this is not always the role of the President.

Hart was aware of the President’s role on some of the higher university boards however, and did want to push for a stronger union position.

She was also well versed in how the union works but she is definitely the establishment candidate.

Though he has no direct union experience, Philip Weldon also suggests an establishment position.

Though aware of issues that need to be fought for and possessing a distrust of the university, in the running of the union Weldon does not present any dynamic new ideas.

Suggesting that the union needs more corporate sponsorship is contrary to the meaning of a union, an organisation there to solely to work for the benefit of students. However, he is one of the only candidates that

seems to be aware of the current deficit in UCDSU. Weldon’s general policies seem broad and could easily appeal to students. Supporting free fees and aware of the most recent hikes in on-campus accommodation, Weldon does touch into most grievances.

Though he does seem unaware of the unions’ current structures, misunderstanding the campaigns forum. Weldon presents an antiestablishment manifesto, however, it is unclear if he will be able to live up to this.

In contrast to the other three candidates, Rónán Bartley is the most surprising candidate. Unlike the others, Bartley has no experience running a society or campaign. A left of field in every sense, the third year English and Drama student appears to have become fed up with how the university treats students and decided to run to combat this. While he is aware of all the different boards in UCD and the presidents’ role on them, it is unclear if he will be able to actually manage a body as large as the union. With no society or union backbone he will also find it difficult to assemble a campaign team.

This is one of the most open races for President in years. Students are being offered a diverse range of candidates and it is difficult to see a clear winner.

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editoriAl QUinn’S eleCtoRal biZZneSS Microwaves for some, human rights for others; Jess We Can launches her election campaign.

I have plans. Big terrific plans.

Wonderful, the biggest plans you’ve ever seen. Some will tell you my I am proud to announce that I am plans are nonsense and impossible. running to be President of the UCD Whoever said nothing is impossible Students’ Union. They say if you is a liar. I’ve been doing nothing for can’t beat them, join them, and sure what else would I be doing. I have all years.

I’m going to have attractive people the qualifications that make me the in the nude calendar, which as we ideal candidate. I can spell UCD. I know where the Secret Lake is. I am know is essential to the Union. It was only running for this for something to a terrible shame this year’s SU did not waste your student contribution put on my CV, I actually do not care about you student cretins. Politics is money on making a calendar no one asked for. just show business for ugly people.

I plan to refurbish the Arts I am going nowhere in life, so I students. I understand there may have a year to waste. be a human rights violation in there Finally, I am below average intelligence, and therefore being a politi- somewhere. However, if they do not cian is my only career option. Politics comply, I will build a wall around Newman, and make Mexico pay for it. is the art of looking for trouble, I have already drawn up plans that finding it, misdiagnosing it and then will install electrical sockets in every misapplying the wrong remedies. student’s SU A4 pad, replace all the I am a nobody, nobody is perfect, books in the library with electrical therefore I am perfect. sockets. I also plan to provide a free For too long the SU haven’t been procedure to every UCD student, doing enough. This is a problem, for me personally, as they are not giving where they can get an electrical socket surgically implanted in a body me any material to insult them with part of their choice. and belittle their ideas. I don’t apSpeaking of choice, I plan to repeal prove of political jokes, as I’ve seen not just THE 8th, but all 8s. There far too many of them get elected. As will be no number 8s to be found your SU President, I will encourage anywhere on campus. Also, if you are everyone one of my slaves, I mean sabbatical officers, to work hard. I am registered for a level 8 degree, you are not allowed drop out. You must a great motivator, everyone always says they have to work twice as hard complete your course, regardless of your physical health, mental health when I’m around!

HELLO friends / subordinates,

E ÁT

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ac léinn ar fáil do 24 m Scoláireachtaí 17 - 2018 inn as don bhliain 20 e do mhic lé ilt ca Comórtas os coile chuid na hOlls gach cúrsa de

e

Foirm iarratais ar lín

nag www.ucd.ie/b iridh d’iarratais

m) an dáta de Márta 2017 (5p

facebook.com/BordnaGaeilgeUCD - twitter.com/BordnaGaeilge - instagram.com/ucdbordnagaeilge/

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Anyways give us a vote, will ye, be sound. I’d vote for you!

Thanks for reading, Jess We Can

OBÁ

BAIL

LIA

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And finally, dissolve the SU so we can focus on what really matters; leave UCD with a qualification, without losing the will to live and without being financially fleeced by the university.

CD Bord na Gaeilge U Teach na Gaeilge, Belfield s pa eilge ar Cham Ionad Cónaithe Ga

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or financial circumstances.

The only exception to this is if you study abroad for a year in a country that offers basic human rights to all its citizens.

In order to maintain UCD’s Air Of Respect, there will be only one smoking area on campus.

This area will be found on the artificial island in the middle of the Main Lake. If you are willing to risk your health by smoking, then you must be willing to risk an ugly encounter with the swans.

Here are the rest of my ideas, limited to one sentence because I haven’t thought through the logistics of them, despite them being the backbone of my campaign. Empty the lake and fill it with plastic balls. Replace all mental health services with rooms filled with puppies in every building.

Get a giant chicken statue to go with the giant egg.

Remove the stench in Newman.

Replace the IN/OUT signs on doors with motivational quotes about following your dreams. Install a spiral slide alongside the stairs in the Science building. Increase the microwave to student ratio to 2:1.

HA C

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editoriAl eDitoRial IN this year’s Students’ Union elections there are a number of diverse candidates, particularly for President. With the highest number of candidates running, for a number of years, students are being offered a diverse selection of options.

In direct contrast to last year, instead of only one candidate running for President, there’s now four, each with different views. The union is now at a crossroads on its future. It’s now out of debt, though still running a deficit. While finances are still tight, the union has more options now than it did even five years ago.

The SU is now faced with the option of pushing back against a university that has become increasingly corporate and neglected the interests of students.

Issues like consent, accommodation price hikes and cuts to funding for essential services have shown

this University to have a much lower consideration for their students.

These issues are growing and the union needs to be at the fore front of these discussions to present the student voice. However, there are no student seats on the highest board in UCD, the University Management Team, and only a non-voting role on its finance sub-committee FRAMC. The union now has an option to push for greater roles, which it needs to do if it can accurately argue for the benefit of students.

In most of these interviews, we asked each candidate what they thought the point was of UCDSU. Though there were some variations, most of them claimed that the union is there to represent students and benefit their lives.

However, these definitions are futile if the union cannot be on the top boards making the top decisions.

No matter what candidates are elected, it is vital that they push for these changes.

The candidates on offer are varied.

There is a strange echo of the general populism in worldwide politics.

Students can vote for candidates that don’t run large scale campaigns but focus on the background work.

Or there is an option for candidates with a focus on more populist but general issues. This is something seen across the selection of candidates.

Students need to decide how they want the union to develop, not only over the next couple of years but potentially the next decade. The union has emerged from a tight financial situation and must now return to its focus on fighting for students.

But the electorate must decide on whether that will take the form of background but valuable work, or

widespread and obvious campaigns on issues.

A direction is vital as issues like accommodation, repeal, consent and fees become more pressing. The numbers of students is increasing, putting more pressure on private and university accommodation. A referendum to repeal the 8th amendment is on the horizon and as an issue that affects particularly young people, students’ unions positions and campaign will be vital.

At the same time the issue of funding in higher education is yet to be properly addressed by any government.

These are things that will need to be addressed to ensure that students do not get the short straw.

As UCDSU remains outside USI, it is incredibly important that students chose how they want their union to operate and fight for their issues.

talleyRanD AHOY WORMS! It is with infinite displeasure that Talley returns to assess the bastion of democracy and political power that is the UCD Students’ Union Hack Festival 2017. This years’ crop of candidate seem as ridiculous and thoughtless as ever. Talley assures you it could be so much better.

From the half-considered manifestoes to the rallying cry of MICROWAVES!! It’s sure to be as bland an occasion as ever.

For that all-powerful, omnipresent, influential, dominant role of President we have a record FOUR idiots lining up to take the crown.

Talley has to wonder why.

Firstly we have Katie “Not Just Pro-Life” Ask-For-Microwaves. With her lack of management experience,

union knowledge or awareness of anything in the university, she will surely be a fantastic President. That is if she can convince students that she’s really not too pro-life. What’s that? Whispers of connections the Iona Institute are surely just vicious rumour-mongering. Though completely true of course.

Next up for the useless throne, we have Ronan Bernie. The completely left-of-field candidate in every sense, Talley gets the feeling he just rolled out of bed one day and decided running for President would be gas craic. The student body is sure to place all of their trust in someone who compares leading an English group project with running a union of over 25,000 members. Yes Bernie, doing none of the work in a group of three mangy arts students is

Volume XXIII SU Election Special Telephone:(01) 716 3835 Email: editor@ universityobserver.ie

Editor Roisin Guyett-Nicholson Deputy Editor Martin Healy Art & Design Editor Louise Flanagan

totally the same as doing none of the work for UCDSU. Meanwhile Rebecca Hartless Hillary is trying to assure students that just because she picked President at the last minute doesn’t mean she won’t put all her very limited talents into the job. Surely someone who forgets to put their priority campaigns on their manifesto is somebody you want running the union. Can’t be much worse than the last lot you say. Oh, Talley assures you, they really can.

Bringing up the rear of the President race, we have Philip “not just a corporate hack” Weldon. If you haven’t heard anything about him, Talley suggests you look up his Facebook page, where he has handily summed all his main promises with random words. REPEAL. FEES. ACCOMMODATION. He’s down

Contributors Eithne Dodd Aoife Hardesty Seán Hayes David Kent David Monaghan

Ruth Murphy Niamh O’Regan Jessica Quinn Melissa Ridge Talleyrand Billy Vaughan

with the kids, right?

For Education, students can choose Enda Sweeney, who still needs his O’Mammy to teach him manners. Just the kind of person you want fighting for your education.

Sweeney is up against Joshua “No Nickname Necessary” Climax, the democratic equivalent of choosing between getting kicked in the stomach or being punched in the face.

With C&C, the choice is between SU hacks with Ents experience, or society hacks with Ents experience.

For the uncontested races Talley suggests you RON for the fun of it.

They’ll win anyway.

Doesn’t it all make you feel alive with the power of democracy?

TALLEY OUT! XOXO

Happy Birthday to Niamh O’Regan Special Thanks and Congratulations to Aoife Hardesty, who submitted her thesis last week.

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