ucd improvements

panda100

ok i know il be laughed at for starting this thread but want to get real views form you real ucd'ers (obviously this is excluding you mr nice guy who we all know at this stage is a 12 year old messing around on daddys computer)

Anywho i wanted to know if there was anything you could change or improve on these 7 topics in UCD what would you liked to see changed and why?
health services, counseling services, crèche services, campus safety, crisis pregnancies, financial hardship, substance abuse and issues of equality.

(and yes sangre we all know your improvements on campus security would be to throw out all the northsiders :rolleyes: but id like serious answers plese)

Mr.Nice Guy

panda100 wrote:

ok i know il be laughed at for starting this thread but want to get real views form you real ucd'ers (obviously this is excluding you mr nice guy who we all know at this stage is a 12 year old messing around on daddys computer)

WTF? LOL! OMG! ROFL! Why r you dissin' me gurl? :eek:

panda100 wrote:

Anywho i wanted to know if there was anything you could change or improve on these 7 topics in UCD what would you liked to see changed and why?
health services, counseling services, crèche services, campus safety, crisis pregnancies, financial hardship, substance abuse and issues of equality.

Crisis pregancies definitely. They were hopeless when I went in there and explained to them that I was pregnant. Gave me this BS about it being biologically impossible, I've simply put on weight, blah blah blah. Fools. Well, we'll see when I take that pregnancy test...

Riamfada

Mr.Nice Guy wrote:

. They were hopeless when I went in there and explained to them that I was pregnant.

you went without me? I thought that was somthing we were going to do together

Red Alert

health services Never used it.

counseling services - did the SU ever get a councellor again after the big row fungus and the then counsellor had?

crèche services - i've no children i'm aware of. isn't there some managerial issues in the creche at the minute?

campus safety - lighting in campus at night is atrocious. big huge floodlamps are not the answer - they can create a false sense of security by making big shadows. (take it from my stage lighting experience: a highly focused beam will play strange tricks with the eye with its shadows) we need ALL pathways to be lit at a moderate level at night, together with bright floodlighting around buildings, road interchanges, sports centre (which is actually alright) and particularly the two bars and busstop. the 'red phones' should be replaced with LUAS style emergency help points (less chance of failure) and these should be also provided in vulnerable areas outside. CCTV system needs to be overhauled - maybe also a web-based public CCTV viewer to reassure everyone that the CCTV works.

crisis pregnancies - incapable of becoming pregnant so can't help here

financial hardship - there isn't a lot of information aside from going to see your student adviser (although most these guys are sound as a bell - i've met colleen blaney, john calannan and moss garde). library fines are also no longer benefitting the SHF, why not?

substance abuse - not sure what could/should be done here. not sure that an on-campus AA/NA is the right answer. possibly should be an 'addiction counsellor'?

issues of equality - no offence to the girls here, but maybe the so-called 'womens officer' position in the SU should be changed to being an 'equality officer'.

hope that helps you panda

Vorsprung

panda100 wrote:

ok i know il be laughed at for starting this thread but want to get real views form you real ucd'ers (obviously this is excluding you mr nice guy who we all know at this stage is a 12 year old messing around on daddys computer)

Anywho i wanted to know if there was anything you could change or improve on these 7 topics in UCD what would you liked to see changed and why?
health services, counseling services, crèche services, campus safety, crisis pregnancies, financial hardship, substance abuse and issues of equality.

Whoa Elisa you haven't been elected yet!!

I'm in the incredibly forunate position of not having been in a situation that has required me to avail of the services offered by the Welfare Officer.

Anyway, from what little I know about the topics you mentioned, I do know they're a pretty big waiting list to see a doctor in the Health Centre, it'd be good if they got that sorted. And what's the story with the counselling service, did they get anyone to fill that postition?

And I'm trying really hard to state the obvious, but hours in Outlying Faculties is a must, they started something in ET before Xmas, but it was just before exams wasn't really paying attention.

If I think of more I'll be sure to post it.

PaulDoh

Substance abuse is a major problem but I doubt there's much the college could do about it - as said before by someone else. I don't know enough on anything to have an opinion really. So...
Ok, I know that it's a little off topic but what's the cost of seeing that doctor? Is it discounted, or free, or what? It'd be good to know.

Mr.Nice Guy

Grimes wrote:

you went without me? I thought that was somthing we were going to do together

Pat Paterson went with me. He gets me!!!

panda100

PaulDoh wrote:

Ok, I know that it's a little off topic but what's the cost of seeing that doctor? Is it discounted, or free, or what? It'd be good to know.

G.P services are free to all students. However there are charges for some services such as:
Emergency Contraception: €10
Pregnancy Testing: €10
Cervical Smear Testing: €10
Employment Medicals: €10
Travel Vaccinations: €10
Eye Testing: €10

mng-how could you do this to me?and with grimes?i could forgive you after the whole waltons thing-but this is just one step to far!we're over!

psilocin

Emergency Contraception: €10
Pregnancy Testing: €10
Cervical Smear Testing: €10
Employment Medicals: €10
Travel Vaccinations: €10
Eye Testing: €10

The look on her face: Priceless

LovelyHurling

Not sure if it comes under welfare or what, but I think there should be a mentoring system in place where older students are paired up with freshers the vet college has something on this lines where you go out with your assigned fifth year in september, get sloshed together and be friends for life. simple really. It could make the first few weeks a lot easier for some people though

Pythia

panda100 wrote:

ok i know il be laughed at for starting this thread but want to get real views form you real ucd'ers (obviously this is excluding you mr nice guy who we all know at this stage is a 12 year old messing around on daddys computer)

Anywho i wanted to know if there was anything you could change or improve on these 7 topics in UCD what would you liked to see changed and why?
health services, counseling services, crèche services, campus safety, crisis pregnancies, financial hardship, substance abuse and issues of equality.

(and yes sangre we all know your improvements on campus security would be to throw out all the northsiders :rolleyes: but id like serious answers plese)

I think it's all fine, really.
But yeah, scrap the Women's Officer. Waste of time. An insult tbh.
This for the election campaign? Cos you should probably say that in that case.

panda100

Pythia wrote:

I think it's all fine, really.
But yeah, scrap the Women's Officer. Waste of time. An insult tbh.
This for the election campaign? Cos you should probably say that in that case.

Nah was just wonderin

Vainglory

Just wondering?

I'm not trying to start a fight or be agressive at all here, because there's nothing wrong with asking your friends or people you socialise with about ideas for your manifesto (we all do it), but I don't really buy it that you aren't planning to use replies you get on this thread as manifesto items.

As I said, there's nothing wrong with it, I'm just surprised you're denying it.

arbeitsscheuer

Vainglory wrote:

Just wondering?

I'm not trying to start a fight or be agressive at all here, because there's nothing wrong with asking your friends or people you socialise with about ideas for your manifesto (we all do it), but I don't really buy it that you aren't planning to use replies you get on this thread as manifesto items.

As I said, there's nothing wrong with it, I'm just surprised you're denying it.

Concur.

There's no way you would've asked with such specific reference to areas of UCD that you mentioned without already given serious thought to the issue. Nobody who was just idly "wonderin" would make the time to compile that list.

Plus, especially on the UCD board, saying "serious answers plese [sic]" is a pretty dead givaway that you want to use this stuff somewhere important.

Just my 2 cents, like.

Waltons

panda100 wrote:

mng-how could you do this to me?and with grimes?i could forgive you after the whole waltons thing-but this is just one step to far!we're over!

Yeah, I'm just irresistible, so you can't really blame him there :v:

GusherING

panda, does your pro-choice stance not pose some problems for you? I'm fairly neutral on the matter myself, but won't some people will find that hard to stomach if your going for welfare? Also, who's your competiton?:)

hullaballoo

health services--pretty good afaik, ex used it a lot and thought it was great, but I'm never sick so I've never been

counselling services--Never used it, but I'd say it's pretty bad if other government counselling services are anything to go by

crèche services--Never been to the crèche. Bit too old when I started college for that. I can say that I was impressed when I heard that the service was available

campus safety--Non-existent really, there are only ever a few security men around at night, and they tend to stick to the concourse which is bugger-all use. Need to have people covering the routes that lead to exits etc.

crisis pregnancies--No first-hand experience.

financial hardship--pretty good afaik

substance abuse--not as big an issue as I thought it would be before I came to college. Some people will do drugs irrespective of what anyone tells them, so I don't know what can be done

issues of equality--No problem with the standards in place, but then, I wouldn't, I'm a man.

Incidentally panda, it might not be a bad idea to think outside the box a bit here ie instead of looking at the areas where the students' union has already placed policies, you should look at what areas are as yet uncharted on the union corridor.

Good Luck with the campaign.

Chinafoot

GusherING wrote:

panda, does your pro-choice stance not pose some problems for you? I'm fairly neutral on the matter myself, but won't some people will find that hard to stomach if your going for welfare? Also, who's your competiton?:)

Uhm....can I just ask how exactly being pro-choice would pose problems in terms of going for a welfare position?

Personally I would much rather have somebody in Welfare who is more open to all options than someone who would be anti-abortion. Oh and just for the record....pro-choice does not equal pro-abortion.

Back on-topic:

I've never actually used the health services myself but I have heard that there is a massive waiting list for the counselling services. I think that would definitely be an area that would need improving.

humbert

I've a feeling that GusherING wasn't implying that her stance was pro-choice rather her stance with respect to pro-choice but I could be wrong.
On topic I agree with Red Alert, better lighting is needed, other than that I've no complaints.

Chinafoot

humbert wrote:

I've a feeling that GusherING wasn't implying that her stance was pro-choice rather her stance with respect to pro-choice but I could be wrong.
On topic I agree with Red Alert, better lighting is needed, other than that I've no complaints.

Ah i understand now. You kids and your "in-jokes" and your "code"

Well I'd still most definitely prefer a pro-choice welfare officer. *shrug*

rainbow kirby

peachypants wrote:

Well I'd still most definitely prefer a pro-choice welfare officer. *shrug*

Me too... if I was in a crisis pregnancy situation (heaven forbid!) and I went to the welfare officer, I'd like to know that all my options would be considered equally, abortion included.

Mr.Nice Guy

rainbow kirby wrote:

Me too... if I was in a crisis pregnancy situation (heaven forbid!) and I went to the welfare officer, I'd like to know that all my options would be considered equally, abortion included.

Would that be legal?

Chinafoot

Mr.Nice Guy wrote:

Would that be legal?

Well I don't see how there could be any massive problems with it tbh. You can discuss the option of abortion with your GP afaik. You're merely seeing all the avenues open to you and discussing it with what should be a neutral third party.
Besides the abortion itself wouldnt be carried out in this country so I dont see how it is illegal.

Vorsprung

What does it matter if a candidate is pro-choice or pro-life? The range of options available to an individual remain the same, if the Welfare Officer does present all options because of personal beliefs, he/she is failing that individual. And shouldn't be there in the 1st place I reckon. My 2c.

ozt9vdujny3srf

'Nuff of this attacking users in opening posts plz thx.

If you want to start a flame war, that's how to do it.

Chinafoot

While I don't think anyone was actually attacking panda, we should probably get back on topic.

So is there any truth in the rumour that theres a waiting list of weeks to see the counsellor? I understand that UCD is a massive college but surely theres enough money in the place to up the number of counsellors if necessary?

Sangre

peachypants wrote:

Besides the abortion itself wouldnt be carried out in this country so I dont see how it is illegal.

Heh. You made a law funny.

Chinafoot

Sangre wrote:

Heh. You made a law funny.

I'm glad you found it amusing.

Like to get back on topic now? Thanks.

rain on

peachypants wrote:

While I don't think anyone was actually attacking panda, we should probably get back on topic.

So is there any truth in the rumour that theres a waiting list of weeks to see the counsellor? I understand that UCD is a massive college but surely theres enough money in the place to up the number of counsellors if necessary?

two years ago, I was 'fast-tracked' by the doctor through the counselling system, so I 'only' had a wait of four weeks to see one. i subsequently saw him for one hour a fortnight, which IMO is not nearly enough. it was made clear to me that I wasn't going to get any more than 6-8 counselling sessions out of it. if i remember correctly, there were three counsellors and one psychiatrist for the entire student population. i felt very let down by the whole thing. seems like it was hideously underfunded at the time, don't know if it's improved since.

Chinafoot

rain on: thats an absolute disgrace. Its such a joke that a college with so many students would have such a crap counselling service.

panda100

Vainglory wrote:

Just wondering?

I'm not trying to start a fight or be agressive at all here, because there's nothing wrong with asking your friends or people you socialise with about ideas for your manifesto (we all do it), but I don't really buy it that you aren't planning to use replies you get on this thread as manifesto items.

As I said, there's nothing wrong with it, I'm just surprised you're denying it.

Sorry actually when i wrote my 'nah just wondering' i was meant to put a little smily face beside it to show that yes i was sorta asking to see what peoples views are? Sorry truckle and peachy if this is not allowed here but i just wanted to get views from different people other than my own mates,am gonna do a survey type thingy next week in the arts block but didnt see any problem in using this just to garner a general view. Soz if i caused any offence in this-panda apologises.
To be honest i cant see myself going for it anyways as there is a huge hate campaign going against me at the mo from people who have picked up wrong ideas about me from various internet forums.I'm kinda squishy and not really able to take all this stuff people are saying about me:(

LovelyHurling

Ah dont worry about it, everybody knows nobody exists in the internet really:) Just grow thicker skin and go for it

Chinafoot

panda100 wrote:

Sorry truckle and peachy if this is not allowed here but i just wanted to get views from different people other than my own mates,am gonna do a survey type thingy next week in the arts block but didnt see any problem in using this just to garner a general view.

Well I have absolutely no problem with it. We have a good mix from the different faculties/schools so what better place to do it? You've stated your reasons for doing so, so don't worry about it.

panda100 wrote:

To be honest i cant see myself going for it anyways as there is a huge hate campaign going against me at the mo from people who have picked up wrong ideas about me from various internet forums.I'm kinda squishy and not really able to take all this stuff people are saying about me:(

Don't let people like that dictate what you do. If you feel you would do a good job then go for it.

panda100

GusherING wrote:

panda, does your pro-choice stance not pose some problems for you? I'm fairly neutral on the matter myself, but won't some people will find that hard to stomach if your going for welfare? Also, who's your competiton?:)

thanks peachy and lovely hurling-needed a bit of a boost-me mates and loads are telling me to go for it cos i know ive got the experience and knowledge and stuff since knocking around since 2001 doing my medical thang.Just cant take the ucd lefties anymore-for people who profess hippy love and peace there very unloving and unpeaceful untowards others with differnt points of view to their own.

Anywho in response to mr/mrs gushering-dont think my pro choice can stand against me.I'm not gonna lie and say that i think abortion is great and should be legal up and down the land.Howver,i do think that there should be a controlled clinic in dublin perhaps for specific cases.I dont want to see abortions abused as they are in England where women book themselves in for an appointment during their lunchbreak.I dont want to see it used excessively like plastic surgery clinics are over here now as like plastic surgery there are both physical and mental consequences to an abortion. Saying this if i fell pregnant in 1st year,i wouldnt know what to do and would just like a nice caring welfare officer who could give me a cuddle and let me know what i could do and what my options are.

Chinafoot

panda100 wrote:

Just cant take the ucd lefties anymore-for people who profess hippy love and peace there very unloving and unpeaceful untowards others with differnt points of view to their own.

All the more reason to go for it I'd say. You're certainly not the only one who would be tired of the current situation in the SU.....I'm sure a quick search of this forum alone would show you that. You would most definitely be able to launch a very intelligent and worthwhile campaign and, as your mates have pointed out, you do have the experience. I know I'd vote for you.

panda100 wrote:

Anywho in response to mr/mrs gushering-dont think my pro choice can stand against me.I'm not gonna lie and say that i think abortion is great and should be legal up and down the land.Howver,i do think that there should be a controlled clinic in dublin perhaps for specific cases.I dont want to see abortions abused as they are in England where women book themselves in for an appointment during their lunchbreak.I dont want to see it used excessively like plastic surgery clinics are over here now as like plastic surgery there are both physical and mental consequences to an abortion. Saying this if i fell pregnant in 1st year,i wouldnt know what to do and would just like a nice caring welfare officer who could give me a cuddle and let me know what i could do and what my options are.

That sounds like the perfect stance for a Welfare Officer to take. As I already said, pro-choice is not pro-abortion. Once you would be open to the option for other people and offer advice on that then I don't see why it would be an issue. If anything I think pro-choice would be a lot more desireable in a Welfare Officer than being staunchly anti-abortion.

blondie83

panda100 wrote:

as there is a huge hate campaign going against me at the mo from people who have picked up wrong ideas about me from various internet forums.I'm kinda squishy and not really able to take all this stuff people are saying about me:(

A hate campaign - did I miss something here? Ah don't mind them Panda sure they were probably just bored and looking for something new to moan about, you should definitely go for the welfare post

Red Alert

you really should go for the post. i'll vote for you simply because from what i know of you you'd make a great welfare officer: you're intelligent, approachable and have a good amount of cop on. you can listen to viewpoints different to your own. you've experience of the UK which has much more social/racial diversity, more people attending college far from home etc. all this means that you've the right qualities and the right experience to be a great welfare officer - GO FOR IT.

it's about time real students with real views like Panda took back the SU, after all we are all paying for it, so it'd be nice to know it's in safe hands.

that 'hate campaign' is not very nice to hear about. who are all these little people dissing our Panda? that stuff's really just not on. :mad:

Stabshauptmann

This thread is definitly about your intention to run for office. Nothing wrong with that, but am annoyed you're denying it. For shame panda;)

But since I have met you in person and think you're a cool person...

health services
Free, well staffed, easy yet discrete access. I like it

counseling services
Not the role of a SU...

crèche services
A matter for the college not the SU...

campus safety
Theres a little side road near the crehe, goes out into clonskeagh. Think its nick named "rape lane". I know girls who wont go down it any time of day no matter who they're with. I like to use it but its 100% pitch dark after about 5 (summer) because of all those trees. Needs lighting and cameras

crisis pregnancies
If the SU could lauch a campaign about the availability of the morning after Id be happy my money was going somewhere. You cant get the morning after without the girl visiting a GP. Thats the law and TBH this can cause problems. Most GPs are total pricks and can reduce girls who are already distressed to tears.
More free condoms would be nice too. And start selling them in the SU shops.

financial hardship
The Student bar doesnt seem like a non-profit organisation to me, tbh things could be cheaper...

issues of equality - no offence to the girls here, but maybe the so-called 'womens officer' position in the SU should be changed to being an 'equality officer'.

Concur.

GusherING

panda100 wrote:

thanks peachy and lovely hurling-needed a bit of a boost-me mates and loads are telling me to go for it cos i know ive got the experience and knowledge and stuff since knocking around since 2001 doing my medical thang.Just cant take the ucd lefties anymore-for people who profess hippy love and peace there very unloving and unpeaceful untowards others with differnt points of view to their own.

Anywho in response to mr/mrs gushering-dont think my pro choice can stand against me.I'm not gonna lie and say that i think abortion is great and should be legal up and down the land.Howver,i do think that there should be a controlled clinic in dublin perhaps for specific cases.I dont want to see abortions abused as they are in England where women book themselves in for an appointment during their lunchbreak.I dont want to see it used excessively like plastic surgery clinics are over here now as like plastic surgery there are both physical and mental consequences to an abortion. Saying this if i fell pregnant in 1st year,i wouldnt know what to do and would just like a nice caring welfare officer who could give me a cuddle and let me know what i could do and what my options are.

I'm a he. Panda, you know who I am, I helped you with the table quiz for alcohol awareness week.:rolleyes:

BTW, I wasn't attacking you. You'd be a good welfare officer, you would definitely get a lot of support. I think at the moment, the policy is non-directive, you tell the poor girl in crisis what her options are, in a neutral way. The hate campaign you speak of anyway is just by those far left socialists. The way this years elections are shaping up, they're not going to win many (if any) positions. They're rattling cages, threatening to run when they definitely won't. Just ignore them. Give it your best and get a team organised!:)

panda100

Kaptain Redeye wrote:

This thread is definitly about your intention to run for office. Nothing wrong with that, but am annoyed you're denying it. For shame panda;)



health services
Free, well staffed, easy yet discrete access. I like it
QUOTE]

soz wasnt denying it-but wanted to garner just general views then really make this thread about my intenetions in running a campaign.its just sorta led that way,this thread,gone off on a bit of a panda tangent.
Cool guys thanks for help,and kaptainredeye the health services are far from discrete-everyone cramped together in that little waiting room right beside the reception desk with the seceraty heralding to everyone when your next appointment is bout that ingrown toenail!:)

ah gushering-quizmaster extrodinare!i still feel sick after all those sweeties we ate that night!hmmmm wham bars.....

Mr.Nice Guy

Red Alert wrote:

you really should go for the post. i'll vote for you simply because from what i know of you you'd make a great welfare officer: you're intelligent, approachable and have a good amount of cop on.

Get in my son!

Let's get some campaign slogans going though...

'A vote for a panda is a vote for blacks and whites...'

Vainglory

Actually, after a bit of reflection I think that the union's non-directive policy is essentially a pro-choice policy. So that wouldn't be a problem at all.

Red Alert

I think pro-choice/non-directive is the way to be. personally i'm actually quite against abortion, but on the other hand i'm not a girl and would never have to make that decision. given that the union is supposed to be for all's benefit, non-directive/pro-choice is the one and only answer.

Stabshauptmann

well I didnt notice that.
Went once for a sick cert, liked that the enterance isnt really visible like if it was say, opposite the blob in arts where everyone saw you go in.

And while I was seen very quickly, I didnt realise that staffing was such a problem for counceling services

Korvanica

all i wanna see done is something put on rape lane.. like tarmac or at least some gravel... its way too muddy down there and its a handy shortcut

Mr_Roger_Bongos

I think you should address more important issues, like why isn't U.C.D. being used as Commercial Wind Tunnel, or Wind Farm. It's surely the windiest place on earth! A funnel at the clonaskeagh end, would reduce 'on campus wind' and we could rent it out to Boeing and Airbus, possibly lookheed martin, and with the revenue you could sort out all the other minor issues, like crisis pregnacy!