The Candidates 5 news@trinitynews.ie
welfare
Darren O’Gorman
vs
Russell Bryce
vs
vs
Caroline Keating
Louisa Miller First up is Louisa Miller, a Senior Sophister Social Work student, who has gained her qualifications for the position of Welfare Officer through her course and her work with St Vincent de Paul. Joining up in fourth year of secondary school, Miller is now VP of the Trinity branch of the organisation and is involved in all of its activities. Miller believes the benefit of the Welfare service in College is that students feel it’s approchable. If elected, she hopes to promote accessibility and
awareness of the services offered, by setting up after-hours clinics in offcampus locations and advertising the facilities for students: “A lot of people don’t know about them.” Next is Darren O’Gorman, a Senior Freshman Science student, who is hoping to bring his experiences with the LGBT community to the position of Welfare. Auditor of the LGBT society, O’Gorman also runs a sex talk-show on Trinity FM. His main campaign points focus around the accessibility of
welfare services to those in off-campus areas such as St. James’ Hospital: “They really suffer from being out there through no fault of their own.” He believes that many students on campus remain unaware of the services available to them, identifying a friend who did not know that the College doctor was a free service. On why student’s should vote for him, O’Gorman says: “I really, really, really want to do the job!” Caroline Keating is hoping her
experience with the Students’ Union and her Occupational Therapy placements will win her the position. Keating has been involved with the Students’ Union since being a class representative as a Junior Freshman. She is now Health Science School Convener and a “welfairy”. Keating wants to spread awareness of eating disorders and set up workshops similar to those in the UK: “I want to try and have more support there for people with problems in that area and also to increase people’s awareness of what to do if they suspect that a friend may have it.” On what gives her an edge, Keating says: “I feel I bring something a bit new, a bit fresh to the position.” Finally, Russell Bryce, a Junior Sophister BESS student, is the only Welfare candidate studying Arts to run this year. Bryce says that his experience from his course will give him the skills to motivate the “stagnant” committees through which the Welfare office must work. “A lot of these committees, they do nothing and what they need is a kick up the arse.” Bryce hopes to expand the position of Welfare Officer beyond mental health, by setting up financial planning, CV guidance and interview skills workshops. “The Careers Service do a good job but most people don’t read the careers email.” He emphasises that the Welfare office should not be a replacement for professional counselling: “ I don’t think it should be the role of the student to discuss these types of issues.”
voxpop
What are the issues? Jack Marshall asks students what changes they want to see the election candidates discussing
Grace, TSM, JS “Maybe they could make the Library open later on Saturdays and possibly Sundays.”
Oisin, Pharmacy, JS “Tri-colour flag at the entrance, convert cricket pitch to GAA.”
Communications
Eleni megoran
vs
Ronan Costello
Running for the role of Communications Officer are final-year students Ronan Costello and Eleni Megoran. Megoran says she wants to restore trust in The University Times and improve its quality: “I’m different, and I like it. I can make a change to the role of Communications Officer, without any cliques or censorship.” Megoran is currently College Sport Editor for Trinity News. Costello is News Editor for The University Times and has contributed to the Law Society’s Law Shock and former Union tabloid The Record. “This has given me the skills in newspaper editing to take on Communications.” Megoran says the role of Communications Officer has a “lot more potential.” The Politics student plans to create
a “digital media hub” associated with UT. “Uploading videos, updating the web, Facebook and Twitter, can make it easier for students to know what’s going on in College”. “Before the campaign, a friend said: ‘You have two ears, and one mouth.’ I want to focus my campaign on listening to students to find out what they want.” Costello says he has already chosen his potential Deputy Editor, current Deputy News Editor Ronan Burtenshaw. Costello assures other positions on UT staff will be open to new students. Costello proposes holding “town hall meetings” as a forum for students. “This means students can have a real impact on SU policy.” Both candidates want to ensure UT is editorially independent.
Katherine, TSM, JF “Having events to promote college cohesiveness and getting people to go out to the games.”
Education JOHN COONEY and Rachel Barry are going head to head for the position of Education Officer. Both are involved in the SU: Cooney as a class representative and Barry as Assistant Campaigns Officer. Cooney says he is a “genuine guy who just wants to make a difference.” He wants to improve transparency in the Union: “We can do this through the website, and the Communications Officer.” Barry has made a name for herself campaigning for the Student Support Bill, which was passed last month. “I’ve been calling up politicians, making sure the Bill gets passed. They’re probably sick of me by now!” Cooney expressed his support for the Bill, describing the current grant system as “awful”. Barry has been encouraging Trinity students to register to vote, and has
accumulated 2000 new registrants from Trinity Hall. Cooney points out the “ridiculous” sum allocated to class rep training. “At the moment, we’re putting the reps up in a hotel for two days, and they are there to have a good time. I don’t want the training to be directed at a lot of people with a hangover!” As for tuition fees, Cooney says, “My view is irrelevant on the matter: it’s the opinion of the student body that I want to represent. That’s why I want to hold a referendum on the issue.” Both Barry and Cooney support longer Library opening hours. Barry says, “If the staff unions in College are made unhappy by an unpopular decision regarding Library hours, they might be less willing to compromise in other areas of student services.” Both are against student nursing pay cuts.
Rachel Barry
vs
John Cooney
Entertainments
Elaine McDAid
vs Chris O’Connor 8 February, 2011
Ben, TSM, JF “Make sure that there are no fees. Third-level education should be free.”
It isn’t just studying Law that Elaine McDaid and Chris O’Connor have in common: they both have a background of events and club promoting that they want to take to the role of Entertainments Officer. McDaid is currently in her fourth year of being an Ents Crew member. “I know the formula for running ents. I’ve already got good feedback from organizing €6 entry at Mezze. I run Andrew’s Lane as well where Trinity students get concessions. I want to use this experience to make Ents affordable to everyone.” O’Connor also wants to create cheaper student nights: “Ents shouldn’t just be for those who have the money.” O’Connor has organised club nights at Dandelion, D2, Reynard’s and Pygmalion. “I want to keep entry to
€5 or below, and I want that to be for decent clubs as well.” McDaid wants to create an Ents Executive, with more specialised roles: “Music students can get involved with gigs, and arts students getting involved in photography and design.” McDaid says she will take a professional approach to the position: “People underestimate the role of Ents. It’s not just a party role. It’s a business, and a profitable business as well.” O’Connor wants to expand the Deal of the Week: “I’m talking about exclusive Trinity deals in clothes shops and paying as little as €4 for naggin in an off-licence.” O’Connor plans to organise a European mystery tour: “I have been talking to some ferry companies to see the most cost effective way to go somewhere more exciting.”
Aislinn, HisPol, SS “The most important issues are services.”
Paddy, Economics, JF “Deals on food and drink.”