Joe O’ConnorCampaign Manifesto
GMIT Student Union Vice-Presidential Elections
Table of Contents
Page Car Parking
3-4
RAG Week
4-5
General Entertainment
5-7
Accommodation
7
Canteen Prices
8
Student Fees
8
Student Welfare
9-10
Education
10-12
Clubs and Societies
12-13
Joe O’Connor: Campaign Manifesto
This document will detail the main issues which I would seek to address as a matter of priority if elected GMIT Student Union Vice-President/Welfare Officer.
Car Parking Having conducted a student survey in the past few weeks on the key issues students felt needed to be addressed by the Students’ Union in the coming year, I was amazed by the huge number of respondents who felt the car parking issue was the main problem which needed to be dealt with. It is clearly a major concern for GMIT students which must be addressed as a matter of urgency. However, the proposed car parking protest which was due to take place on 10th of March was postponed due to a ‘lack of interest’. The results of the survey would suggest this is not in fact the case, and more needs to be done to involve the student body in a full-scale drive for improvements in the parking situation. As VP/Welfare Officer, I would lead this drive for action, lobbying for: •
An allocation of some “Yellow Zone” staff spaces to be used for either staff/student parking on a first come, first served basis, to help remedy the current difficulties regarding students finding parking spaces, while some staff spaces remain empty.
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A new code-based parking fares system which allows students to park for free for the first hour and with a reduced charge for two hours parking. I believe students should not have to pay for short visits to the college to use facilities such as printing, and would hope that this move would act as the first stepping stone back towards free student parking.
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Alternative parking arrangements to be made for buses on Fridays, to prevent them clogging up already scarce student parking spaces.
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The Gleann Na Ri “Park And Ride” bus service to be free for those in possession of a student card.
RAG Week Obviously, in terms of entertainment, the most important week in the calendar for most students is RAG week. The introduction of the RAG wristband for entry to GMIT events was this year’s main innovation, and while I welcome the idea, I feel that some major flaws in it’s implementation must be addressed. At 50 euro, the wristband’s price proved prohibitive for many students. The wristband was advertised as providing 35 euro in savings for students, however, these savings did not materialise in full. The 5 euro reduced price on the door for the Sidney Samson event and the 3 euro reduction in price for single tickets to Tommy Tiernan, combined with the availability of free entry for late arrivals to the Tinchy Stryder and paintballing events in order to fill spaces, made it possible for some students to gain access to all 4 events for less than 50 euro. This did not represent the kind of value students should have been receiving with the wristband. It is no coincidence that it was the cheap and free RAG week events that proved to be the most popular, with Sunday night’s Launch Party in the Library Bar and I’m A Student Get Me Out Of Here being great successes. Given that a great night can be had in any number of free-entry and packed pubs and clubs in town during RAG week, and also taking into account the current economic situation where students are faced with tighter budgets, I feel RAG week events as a whole need to offer better value to students next year. Taking this into account, if elected SU Vice-President, I would push for the implementation of the following 3-Step Plan to organising a better RAG week:
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The introduction of a much cheaper RAG wristband of 20-25 euro covering a number of cheaper student events, making better use of the Library Bar and the canteen, and placing a greater emphasis on student participation in RAG events.
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For the combined cost of Tommy Tiernan and Tinchy Stryder, I feel a real blockbuster act could then be attracted as a ticket-only event. Considering the low turnout and general disappointment surrounding the Tinchy Stryder event, I feel the majority of students believe that, at 30 euro, that as a leading act he did not offer value for money. Therefore, the bar has to be raised by the SU next year in booking a headline act that generates real excitement among students.
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Many first years are not even aware that RAG stands for Raise and Give. In order to help restore the reputation of RAG week and receive more support from the college, I feel the charity aspect of RAG week needs to be promoted more to students in the run-up to the week itself. Students could be offered incentives such as free wristbands to get involved in fundraising and organising charitable events. This would serve to both increase the amount we collect for charity over the week, and also provide more inexpensive events for students to get involved in.
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A RAG Sports Day in aid of charity is one idea which I feel may be worth pursuing.
General Entertainment My primary goal as regards entertainment outside of RAG week if elected SU VicePresident would revolve around the increased promotion and support of The Library as our student bar. The popularity of The Library has come on in leaps and bounds this year, and the success of recent events such as the SHAG Quiz and the RAG week Launch Party shows that with sufficient SU support, The Library can attract large crowds.
This disproves the notion that The Library is too far away from the college to be a “proper” student bar, and I see no reason why, with the right promotion and support, we can’t have a student bar with an atmosphere that rivals those in other colleges. As VP, I would set out to provide this kind of support, and have already spoke to Library Bar management about the possibility of organising weekly student theme nights. I also feel that the Library Bar could provide backing for the DJ Society here in GMIT, offering an opportunity for our up and coming DJ’s to hone their skills in a live atmosphere. Going on the standard of some of the participants in the IT Factor, along with other GMIT-based performers such as Young Mitch and The Vibes, I feel a GMIT’s Got Talent contest early next year would be a great success. It could incorporate not just our musical talent, but anyone else in the college with unique abilities. This increase in SU-backed events would be coupled with better drinks promotions and student deals such as free nightclub passes, in order to make The Library Bar more attractive for students. I also feel the SU needs to be more involved in CAFÉ IQ Bar promotions, which provides students with a great option for cheap food and a convenient few pints after college, and is crying out for more SU backing for it’s events. Finally, we need to look more at the involvement of mature students and students from the Cluain Mhuire campus in our events. While communication of all events is an issue here, the organisation of dedicated events for these student groups should also be a priority, for example, a Mature Students Party, Cluain Mhuire Ball. Maintaining the success of events such as GMIT Christmas Day and the Sports Ball should also be a priority for next year’s Student Union. Finally, I am aware that the Student Union has secured Room 509 for use as a common room next year. This ‘chill-out’ area for students is long overdue, and if
elected, I intend to survey students to find out exactly what you want in this room, and will set out to deliver this to the best of my ability.
Accommodation If elected VP/welfare officer, a major part of my job would involve dealing with students’ accommodation problems. The overcharging of deposits in student villages remains a big issue, and having lived in Glasan for three years, I have experienced this first-hand. In order to tackle this, if elected, I intend to personally head up inspections of student houses before the end of the college year, and will keep a file of notes and photographs taken at each house. I will then set up a facility for students to contact me if they feel they are getting charged unfairly, in which case I will act as a witness to their claim if what I have on file supports their complaint. I would also ensure students have access to legal advice on any accommodation-based issues, and are not unfairly charged for wear and tear and the general maintenance of their houses. I also plan to maintain the Sshhh! Campaign in order to continue to tackle the problems caused by anti-social behaviour in neighbourhood housing estates, and look into the possibility of extending it to include the encouragement of students being more environmentally-friendly, and using recycling facilities, when using student accommodation or living in housing estates. Canteen Prices I strongly feel that, given the current financial pressures facing students, more substantial price-cuts need to take place in the canteen.
5 cent reductions to items such as tea, jambons and sauce sachets are not the kind of cuts that will help ease the financial burden on students. The offering of a full carvery lunch this year is welcome, but it is priced at 7.50 euro, the same as Flannery’s Hotel just up the road. Charging restaurant prices for canteenquality food is not acceptable in the current climate. The canteen is a fundamental student service, and if elected VP/Welfare Officer, I would lobby to ensure substantial cost savings are delivered for students next year.
Student Fees The planned re-introduction of student fees by the government is obviously a major concern for students who are already struggling with the financial implications of the economic downturn. I would look forward to working with whoever is elected SU President to ensure GMIT continues to play it’s part in opposing this measure. I feel the abolition of fees has been hugely beneficial to low income families who could not have accessed the grant system, and has directly resulted in a rise in participation in third level education. Their re-introduction would likely result in a drop off in college goers and also a reduction in the quality of life of those who do attend. With the fantastic turnout of GMIT students at previous fees protests, it is clearly an issue students feel strongly about, and I can guarantee that no stone would be left unturned in displaying our opposition with me as Vice President. Student Welfare If elected SU Vice-President/Welfare Officer, obviously my primary concern would be students’ welfare.
I have several ideas for new welfare campaigns which I feel would be beneficial for students and I hope to get the opportunity to implement. This year’s welfare campaigns have by and large been well-organised and successful. However, campaigns such as Don’t Walk Home Alone, Road Safety and SHAG Week have all been implemented here in the college in the past, and the Sshhh! Campaign was more or less forced on the SU due to the troubles with noise disturbance and anti-social behaviour in housing estates. I feel a lot more can be done in order to improve students’ welfare, with several key areas yet to be addressed fully. I would propose the introduction of the following new welfare campaigns: •
Career Guidance Week: In the current recession, GMIT students are having difficulties finding work when they leave the college. I think a lot more needs to be done to aid students’ development when they leave GMIT, and hence I feel a welfare campaign dedicated to career guidance would be hugely beneficial. I would also propose that this campaign be supported by the provision of detailed job information on the SU website.
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Suicide Awareness: This is another issue which of huge relevance, particularly among younger people, here in Ireland. I think it is time the SU got more involved in addressing the delicate but hugely important issue of suicide awareness, and the whole area of mental health and depression. I feel the suicide awareness problem can be best dealt with through the encouragement of 1st years in particular to become more involved with clubs, sports and societies. More active participation in student life is paramount in attacking this problem, in my opinion.
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Exam Stress: Students’ welfare is at it’s most vulnerable, I feel, in the run-up to exams. More needs to be done to aid students at their most stressful time of the year. Although a Less Stress, More Success campaign was launched this year, a full-scale campaign to encourage and educate students on eating properly, sleeping properly and relaxing correctly is called for in my opinion, and I
would propose supporting this with the provision of information on accessing grinds and student support services on the SU website. •
Diversity Week: Like the country as a whole, GMIT is increasingly a multicultural place of study. I feel it is time the different cultures which are represented here in GMIT are recognised and celebrated. Events celebrating the traditions and music of these cultures could be organised, with all GMIT students encouraged to participate in order to promote greater integration in our college.
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Other welfare issues which I would be looking to tackle head-on if elected SU Vice-President/Welfare Officer would include the threat of gambling addictions, and also the possibility of quicker health-related appointments and more efficient medicare for students.
Education I feel that one thing that needs to be addressed in terms of the standard of education provided here in GMIT is that it needs to be modernised in many ways. In order to do this, I would propose: •
All lecturers should use Moodle in some way in delivering their module. We live in the era of technological growth, and Moodle has proved hugely popular among students. Even if only to deliver additional resources to students, I believe it is a facility that GMIT should encourage lecturers to use universally.
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A text message system needs to be introduced to inform students of lecturers’ absence. In this day and age, there is no reason why entire classes should not be informed if their lecturers will not be present for classes, to prevent unnecessary journeys, particularly with the current issues with parking.
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As I have mentioned earlier, the SU website needs to be updated to include grinds and jobs information, and better use should be made of the SU forum for our Union to communicate with students, and encourage discussion on key issues.
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The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) system should continue to be developed, with the goal of being able to offer this service to all students entering college here in GMIT.
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More support must be provided for mature students who are struggling with a return to the education system. I feel a support group can be set up to help address some of these issues. Financial worries relating to the grant being cut is currently a key issue among mature students, and more information must be provided by the SU in relation to funding for mature students. A general welfare issue relating to grants exists and must be addressed.
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An improvement to the timetabling system here in GMIT also needs to be looked at. Class timetables should be more balanced in terms of daily hours in order to promote maximum attendance and convenience for students, while exam timetables need to be more equally spread out for different courses in order to promote fairness and equality of opportunity. Class timetables should also be made available for access online off campus.
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I would attempt to tackle some of the current registration issues by encouraging all students to use the online registration system, as human error can play a part in students’ registration difficulties.
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I would also lobby for a reduction in the charge for exam re-checks.
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And of course, library opening hours remains a massive problem here in GMIT. If elected Vice-President, I will lobby for an increase in library weekend opening hours. GMIT students being forced to use NUIG facilities at weekends to study for exams is a disgrace and must be addressed urgently. This year also saw a decrease in opening hours for the first few weeks back after the Christmas break. With many students having projects due over this period, this is not acceptable and the Student Union must push for action on this issue.
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The final major educational issue which I feel strongly must be dealt with by the SU next year is that of lecturing incompetency.
A proper complaints procedure for students who regard the standard of lecturing they are receiving from certain staff members must be set up, as students should not have to organise class petitions in an attempt to get their voices heard on inept lecturing. Students must take responsibility for their actions when attending college in GMIT, and it is about time lecturers are forced to take responsibility for the quality of lecturing they are delivering when on them payroll here in GMIT. Clubs and Societies There are several clubs and societies which I feel would be welcomed here in GMIT which are not currently in existence. If elected Vice-President of the Students’ Union, I would propose the introduction of the following societies: •
Parent/Child Society: Re-introducing this society here in GMIT is something which I feel from a welfare standpoint must be looked into. This is particularly important in the sense that while the prevention of unwanted pregnancy is tackled with our SHAG Week campaign, not enough is done, in my opinion, in terms of providing support services to those who are already single mothers or struggling with unexpected parentage.
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Horse Racing Society: The Cheltenham festival which is currently ongoing is proving very popular among GMIT students once again. Several GMIT students travelled over to NUIG for their horse racing society’s Cheltenham preview night. Given the popularity of the sport here in the college, there is no reason why we can’t make a success out of a GMIT horse racing society, organising trips to race meetings and exchanging tips.
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LGBT Society: Again, from a welfare standpoint, I feel it is important we have an active LGBT society here in GMIT. LGBT students face many difficulties, and these would be best addressed in my opinion through an active society with full SU backing.
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Comedy Society: I think the re-introduction of this society would be an excellent addition, which could serve to organise performances from
accomplished comedians, and also allow some of the college’s wittier students to develop and showcase their talent. •
Pro Evo Society: The popularity of the game in student villages and also in Barbarista would suggest that a Pro Evo society would also be a success. Leagues and communities could be set up over the course of the year with students grouped by year and faculty, with a grand tournament to be held towards the end of the year for the college’s best players.
The student survey I conducted threw up many interesting ideas for new clubs/societies here in GMIT. The level of interest in other sports-based societies such as golf and boxing, and also potentially a society dedicated to healthy lifestyle, could also be gauged with a view to their introduction. Finally, I will seek to ensure that the offer of joining GMIT gym and the Carlton Leisure Club for 80 euro which was offered this semester will be in place for the beginning of the academic year 2010-2011.
In conclusion, if elected SU Vice-President, I would hope to bring a high level of dedication and commitment to the job, in looking after student welfare and implementing the proposals contained in this document. I would hope to be an enthusiastic and able student representative, increasing e-mail and face-to-face communication with students to involve them more in SU activities. I promise to give everything I have to make these policies become changes for the better for GMIT students, so I hope you can get out there and Vote Joe O’Connor No. 1 for Vice-President on March 25th!