MTU Cork SU President’s Welcome

Fellow students, welcome back to the newly established Munster Technological University! To all incoming students - a huge warm welcome to the best years of your life! There’s no denying that the whirlwind of change that came with 2020 caused quite a stir to your learning experience. With the hope of this lingering pandemic coming to an end, I pledge to you, the students, to make this year as exciting and ‘normal’ as possible. I’m extremely proud to be returning to MTU Cork Students’ Union this year, to serve you, as your SU President. My name is Aisling O’Mahony and 6 years ago I emigrated from the mighty North Cork town of Mallow to the big smoke of Cork City. For four years I studied International Business with French and in my third year travelled to France on Erasmus (serious craic, 10/10 would recommend!). For the past two years the students of Cork have put their trust in me to represent them on over 47 boards within the college. First, as Vice President Education and this is my second term re-elected as President. I am privileged to continue to fight your corner and make sure that your voices are heard on every committee in the college. I sparked an interest in the student movement way back in my first year of college, as an enthusiastic Class Rep. I organised serious sessions but also worked with college staff to resolve any concerns that my class had. It was a huge learning experience and I would highly recommend students to run for this role at least once during their time in college. There’s no better privilege than representing your classmates and making small differences to help make college lives a little easier! My role as President is a strategic one whereby I oversee the overall management of the Students’ Union to make sure we are all working towards improving your quality of life here as an MTU student. One of my main roles is to represent you, both locally in the University and nationally alongside the Union of Students’ in Ireland (USI). I am honoured to be your chief representative with USI this year. Where we aim to lobby government ministers and politicians to pass bills that enhance the student experience across Ireland. Last year we lobbied the government to pass a Bill in the Dail, to allow students to pay rent monthly in student accommodation from now on. I am really looking forward to accomplishing more goals to help make your student life the best it can be! Every decision that is made within the college, from hiring a new member of staff, to acquiring land to building and improving resources, to changing exam regulations, is all done by committees which ultimately report into the Governing Body of the University. The Students’ Union is in the unique position that it contributes to the strategic decisionmaking process within the college by sitting on a number of committees. As the

President of the Students’ Union I hold a seat on all of these committees. Some of these include: The MTU Governing Body, Academic Council, Student Services Company, Student Finance Committee and all MTU decision making committees. On each and every one of these boards I ensure that the rights of the students are represented and that any decisions made ultimately benefit the student population. One of my main areas of responsibility in the Students’ Union is ensuring that you receive the best standard of education possible. You worked hard to get here, and it’s my job to ensure that you get bang for your buck! You tell me what you need, I’ll do my utmost to make it happen. I hope MTU is as good to you as it has been to me. My door is always open, so anything that I can do to make your life better, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Chin chin party on.

UP THE STUDENTS!

Email: SUPresidentCork@su.mtu.ie Tel: 021 433 5277 087 900 5554