ULSU Elections 2012 (Voting Thursday March 22)

eldorro88 wrote: »

Where did you get this info from? Are these the final candidates?

roro1neil0 wrote: »

I think it's actually a great shame and injustice that there is no RON / none of the above option on the ballot. I think the risk is lessened now but there is a chance a candidate will be elected unopposed. There should always be an option in my opinion, at this level certainly, for students to reject everyone on the ballot.

Issued by Lorna Bogue, Campaign Manager for David Hartery

I’m a 4th year Law Plus student. I’ve been active the last 4 years in UL Clubs & Societies and ULSU initiatives, written for An Focal for the last two years and present a show on ULFM.

Experience
Experience is so important for the SU at the moment with the trouble and turbulence it has experienced in the last year and with the obstacles the coming year will undoubtedly provide. I have wide experience of existing in an organisational structure like that in the SU and I will bring control and stability to the role. I've sat on the C&S Exec, chaired C&S council, been a member of the C&S Working Group into the Students' Union finances, been a PRO, Treasurer, Intervarsity Convenor and Auditor of the Debating Union.

Accountability
I want monthly status reports from the ULSU executive. Everything going on in the Union will be available to students via the website and other media. If it's impossible to send out the minutes of Exec meetings (due to confidentiality of issues discussed or other factors), then status reports which summarise the position of the Union will be published to maximise transparency. Management accounts and audited accounts will continue to be published and available, just like they were at the end of this year.

An Focal will be preserved, especially important now that the Communications Officer is abolished. A strong student newspaper is invaluable in uncovering what is going on, as this year has proven. It is in the interests of everyone to have a strong news media. Editorial independence will be protected if you elect me. If I or any of the new sabbats are doing something that An Focal shouldn't be able to run then perhaps we shouldn't be doing that. If there are any obstacles to An Focal being as critical of the Union as it can be, I’ll remove them.

Good Governance
I firmly believe the president is a representative primarily and an administrator second. In the Union there’s a democratic deficit, insofar as the neutering of Class Reps council and uncertainty over how the new constitutional changes will reflect in daily procedure has lead to many students feeling the Union is not working for them but against them. I will institute policies or procedures that maximise the voice of students within any new constitution. The president is a position that needs to constantly be aware that they serve at the pleasure of the students, making decisions for students in a way students can get behind. Too often have we seen decision made up on high and then it being communicated poorly by disconnected sabbats. I will absolutely endeavour to prevent such a thing from happening. Any decisions I make as president will be within the mandate of the electorate, with consultation from all affected parties. My first step when undertaking a policy decision will be communication, not unilateral decision making based on my own perception of what is best or what the rules are.


Costs
While I understand that a more rigorous budgeting system is being introduced currently, I will work to ensure that there is complete accountability for SU Sabbats under any new system and that there is a stringent budgeting and allowance system to control costs. This budgeting system will be published in full, so that you know exactly how much your officers have to spend on your interests every year.

New Ideas
Job training - a similar idea to the one that recently took place in Trinity College Dublin - basically, getting jobs in bars or cafés is really hard right now without experience. The SU could run some training courses in bar skills or becoming a barrista in the Stables or Scholars, people could pay a small amount of money for some useful life skills. Perfect for J1, summers jobs or something to do after graduation.

Laptop rental scheme - in the UCD library they have a number of laptops you can take out on your student card. Something like that for UL would be a great scheme to have, no more dragging books down to the computers on the ground floor or carrying a laptop into college just to leave it at your desk all day. If elected I will work with the library to try and bring about this plan.

We need to heal the divide between SU and C&S. Get SU more involved in aiding C&S by holding things like themed weeks (perhaps Arts Week, SU promotion and support of the weekly Music Soc Open Mike night, the Comedy Soc Open Mike etc, Rainbow Week) or large sporting events on campus. C&S are still the cheapest and effective way to have fun on campus.

Clubs and Societies
Clubs and Societies made my UL experience over the last 4 years. Dramasoc, the Debating Union, the Kayak Club or any of the other countless societies I either joined or attended events of have been the most fun in college and all my best experiences are linked to C&S.

This year has been difficult for both the SU and Clubs and Societies. In the new world of budgetary constraint and money troubles, Clubs and Societies will be more important than ever since the SU ability to hold events will be curtailed. We need to heal the divide between SU and C&S. Get SU getting more involved in aiding C&S by holding things like themed weeks (perhaps Arts Week, SU promotion and support of the weekly Music Soc Open Mike night, the Comedy Soc Open Mike etc, Rainbow Week) or large sporting events on campus. C&S are still the cheapest and effective way to have fun on campus.

With concerns over the C&S autonomy and standing within the new constitution, I believe that the C&S should maintain complete autonomy over their own matters. I will work tirelessly to preserve it.

Lastly, with regard to the 4 year temporary financial assistance agreement, I will ensure that the Students Union hold up their side of the deal for as long as I am in office.