Sabbatical Elections

The_Minister

That time of year again, folks.
Please declare ALL affiliations when posting.
And the candidates are:

PRESIDENT
Aodhán Ó Deá

RON

DEPUTY PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT
Dan O'Neill
Isobel O'Connor
RON

EDUCATION VICE-PRESIDENT
Paul Lynam
Rory Geraghty
RON

WELFARE VICE-PRESIDENT
Ciara Broderick
Conor Fingleton
Conor Prendergast
Scott Ahern
RON

ENTERTAINMENTS VICE-PRESIDENT
Gary Redmond
RON

EDIT: Corrected spelling and added RON.

Riamfada

Gareth?

For the record im affiliated to no one. However Rory was my news bitch all year.

G

remus808

You forgot Chris and Pierce??

Riamfada

Chris is Dan's campaign manager and Pierce pulled out and is now chairing the CTN debates

Red Alert

I guess RON is a still a valid option on the other positions?

remus808

Grimes wrote: »

Chris is Dan's campaign manager and Pierce pulled out and is now chairing the CTN debates

Chris was definitely planning on running, and announced his intentions in that regard... Did he pull out as well? and Denis Ryan? Surely there's more than one candidate..

panda100

karmabass wrote: »

Chris was definitely planning on running, and announced his intentions in that regard... Did he pull out as well? and Denis Ryan? Surely there's more than one candidate..

A lot of people put there name out there to test the waters and see what public reaction to them is like.They see a negative reaction or a stronger candidate and decide not to run. I think in this case people would have been too frightened to run against Aodhan cos he's such a strong candidate.

Pres:Il be voting for Aodhan since he spoke out against the Miss UCD competiton
Deputy: Its got to be Isabelle for all the fanastic work shes done in health sciences over the years
Education:I havent decided
Welfare:Scott Ahern .I orignally thought Conor Prendegast but recently realised Ive been confusing him with someone else.
Ents:Ron



When are the elctions actually on?

redcar

I generally don't care for SU politics but did Paul Lynam run last year for Education?

Stepherunie

I'm on Isobels team.

And yes Paul ran last year, he's currently Eastern Area Officer for USI.

Riamfada

Elections are on 4th and 5th March. I may aswell plug the live Belfield FM Sabbat Debates in the Student Center , 3pm-6pm on Monday 3rd.

I dont think ill be declaring my voting preference

The_Minister

redcar wrote: »

I generally don't care for SU politics but did Paul Lynam run last year for Education?

Yes, and he came second, being beaten by Ronan Shanahan by a relatively narrow margin. He is currently USI Eastern Area Officer, and is, I think, the last officer to be elected in September, to still be in the same office.

jimi_t

Redmond definitely has ents, no one of any importance is going to run against him. +1 for Conor Prendergast in welfare.

Edit: What insane blind tart gave you Mod status [Mod EDIT:Random person]?!



Mod Edit: I've decided I don't want my name to appear too frequently on these boards.

The_Minister

Sorry, I should have said that I am on Paul Lynam's Campaign team.

mloc

Gary for ents, but RON for the rest.

IMHO, SU will be a total jokeshop next year by the looks of things. It looks like another -1 for student life; very few experienced, capable auditors in society world also.

gubbie

I'm on Izzy's team, and Pendergrasts to an extent. That extent being how well can you campaign for someone else when one of the candidates is one of four people in your class!

I'm not gonna talk much about who I'm gonna vote for. I've already gotten loads of stick (and I mean b1tchy stick) from candidates because of what they've heard what way I'll be voting. You know actually, if anyone does that to me, I'm not voting for them.

dajaffa

Well I'm affiliated with myself I suppose.... so I'm affiliated to Isobel O'Connor.

Won't be on boards too much but see you on the campaign trail

The_Minister

gubbie wrote: »

I'm not gonna talk much about who I'm gonna vote for. I've already gotten loads of stick (and I mean b1tchy stick) from candidates because of what they've heard what way I'll be voting. You know actually, if anyone does that to me, I'm not voting for them.

I've gotten that ****e from people too. When I said that I was campaigning for Lynam the temperature in the Union corridor plummetted.

pretty*monster

Four for welfare? What's wrong with these people.
I'm unaffiliated and will be chairing the Belfield FM debate that Grimes has already plugged.

Oh and Chris was never planing on running, afaik he was just taking the piss.

irish.rugby.fan

Ents - RON

Red Alert

pretty*monster wrote: »

Four for welfare? What's wrong with these people.
I'm unaffiliated and will be chairing the Belfield FM debate that Grimes has already plugged.

Oh and Chris was never planing on running, afaik he was just taking the piss.

What day/time is that on?

Chakar

Grimes wrote: »

Elections are on 4th and 5th March. I may aswell plug the live Belfield FM Sabbat Debates in the Student Center , 3pm-6pm on Monday 3rd.

I dont think ill be declaring my voting preference

There you go.

AngelofFire

Campaign Manger for Dan O'Neill Deputy President Candidate

Advisor to and Assistant Campaign manager of Rory Geraghty in the Education Race.

Supporter of Aodhán O'Dea.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Campaigning for Dan O'Neill (Deputy President), Ciara Broderick (Welfare), Aodhán Ó Deá (President) and Rory Geraghty (Education).
I'll probably end up voting Gary for Ents, as opposed to RON, but I won't be campaigning for him.

From the manifestos I've seen, there are definitely some stronger candidates running this year, than in the last two years. Should be an interesting 2 weeks ahead.

panda100

CaptainNegative wrote: »

From the manifestos I've seen, there are definitely some stronger candidates running this year, than in the last two years. .

LOL the only think worth reading on the manifestos is the experience bit after that you can just put the manifesto in the bin. None of the stuff on it will ever actually happen.

I never get the welfare interviews in the college media. Why do they consistently ask the candidates views on abortion like this is the most important topic that defines a good welfare candidate from a bad candidte.
Year after year the abortion question is asked,yet it couldnt be more irrelevant to the position. There wasnt even one crisis pregnancy in the year that Dan Hayden was welfare officer.Its not a highly pressing issue for the majority of people on campus.A welfare officers own views on abortion are completly irrelevant. I doubt very very highly that a pro life candidate would push their view on a student. All the candidates are going to give the same answer anyway so whats the point of even asking the question!

More important questions would be how do you plan to tackle the lack of councillers, their views on the proposed health service levy,what do you think causes so many students on campus to commit suicide? Now there relevant,intresting questions that will define good candidtes from bad candidates.
It shows shoddy journalism to ask such an untopical irrelevant question and reeks of trying to be 'controversial'.

Stepherunie

To be fair we've no idea if the sabbats are ever contacted about a crisis pregnancy.

Confidentiality is one of the key aspects of welfare and I hate the way people go on like they know everything, at the end of the day we don't know half of what goes on in welfare and no point saying we do.

panda100

Stepherunie wrote: »

To be fair we've no idea if the sabbats are ever contacted about a crisis pregnancy.

Confidentiality is one of the key aspects of welfare and I hate the way people go on like they know everything, at the end of the day we don't know half of what goes on in welfare and no point saying we do.

Of course confidentiality is important but you can be confidential and still inform people what the key aspects in welfare are.

My point is even If the sabbats are contacted about a crisis pregnancy its pretty obvious what theyd do. Offer a shoulder to lean on and direct them on to the IFPA or another agency that can help. Its hardly the controversial question its made out to be and doesnt matter if your pro life or pro choice. Asking this lone question year after year doesnt help students decide whose the better candidate and thats the whole point of these interviews,for students to dceide whose the better candidate.There are a lot more pressing issues and you dont have to know 'what goes on in welfare' to see them.
The three most most important issues facing welfare candidates this year is their views on the health service levy,why there is a huge increse in suicides among students on campus and how to tackle the councilling crisis? But not one of these questions were asked only the ususal 'whats you view on abortion'.

Het-Field

The most welfare officers should be doing in a crisis pregnancy situation is referal. There should be no question of offering advice as to what to do in the situation. Welfare Officers are not trained councellors, or psychitrists or psychologists. Anybody who does otherwise is too arrogant for the post

Jonny Arson

the UCDSU has left such a wonderful impression upon me during my 4 years here than i'll be either voting RON in all contests, spoiling my votes or burning my voting slips

i think this is the 2nd year in row the president position is uncontested, i don't buy this "oh such such is such a great candidate that no one will run against them", it sends a strong signal of union weakness that that so many active members don't have the balls/or what it takes to run for the most important position

out of interest could someone in the know post any political party memberships of the candidates? i spot a Labour and Fianna Fail member but i dont know who the rest are

Stepherunie

Isobel - None
Dan - Labour Youth Chair

Rory - Labour Youth
Paul - Fianna Fail - not sure if he's an active member at the moment, I know he's never been involved in the KBC

Conor Pendergrast is chair of UCD Greens.

To be fair to everyone else, i'm not sure of there situation regarding their affiliations so I'm not going to comment.

Chakar

Scott Ahearn is Chair of the UCD Young Fine Gael. Paul Lynam is a member of Fianna Fáil in Dublin South Ogra although he never joined the KBC.

Vorsprung

Maybe I'm just cynical in my age, but what have political party affiliations got to do with the SU elections? Apart from an FFer throwing lefty jibes in the way of Labour member of course, but do people invovled in the campaign actually think it makes a difference?

Chakar

bigjimthefirst wrote: »

Maybe I'm just cynical in my age, but what have political party affiliations got to do with the SU elections? Apart from an FFer throwing lefty jibes in the way of Labour member of course, but do people invovled in the campaign actually think it makes a difference?

It won't make a difference in these elections. Although the candidates should ideally declare their political affiliations in the interests of transparency regarding their candidacy.

The political affiliations of the candidates did come up during the candidacies of hard-left Labour Youth activists. Although I won't mention names as a matter of courtesy but it's clear to anyone paying attention to SU politics in the last three years who I'm referring to.

stereoroid

bigjimthefirst wrote: »

Maybe I'm just cynical in my age, but what have political party affiliations got to do with the SU elections? Apart from an FFer throwing lefty jibes in the way of Labour member of course, but do people invovled in the campaign actually think it makes a difference?

I am just cynical in my age, and I see these people as budding mainstream politicians. In future years they may run for office, out there in the real world, and will want SU positions to put on their CVs.

What kind of human being is comfortable plastering up posters with his or her face on them, spamming lecture theatres with waste paper (environment? what environment?), and delaying the start of lectures to exhort people to "vote for me"? A Politician, that's who, and (by definition) someone who wants that kind of job is not someone who deserves any of your support. IMHO, of course. :rolleyes:

Stepherunie

And what's wrong with wanting to be a politician?

Sorry I just fail to see the issue.

If it was policy that there would be no posters like there is in my home town there'd still be people going for election, still people wanting to run, still people wanting to be pres, dep, ents, welfare and education officers.

NUIG have one day of electioneering - that would be cool but UCD doesn't subscribe to that system.

Trinity have t shirts and stuff.

UCC can have as much publicity material as they want.

Every college is different, you follow teh rules set out by the college for these things. I very seriously considered running for Education this year but couldn't due to academic committments. Am I a politician? Not really, yes I enjoy politics, and I keep up to date but i'm not sure if I am one.

In saying that I'm a class rep, I work the system to get things done for my class, i'ts a game of politics to keep it all nicey nicey with staff whilst still getting your way.

Oh and the idea of having posters all down teh college was the thing that freaked me out most about running.

PennyLane

stereoroid wrote: »

A Politician, that's who, and (by definition) someone who wants that kind of job is not someone who deserves any of your support.

Douglas Adams, anyone?

remus808

Firstly, If you didn't know, there are elections for the SU officer positions taking place next week on the 4th & 5th of March. (There is also a referendum on the new SU constitution taking place at the same time)

I'v noticed the general trend of apathy towards all things UCDSU, which I feel is an awful shame (It's also something alot of candidates have paid lip service to in their manifestos, but however), and as such am interested to know how many of you out there plan to actually use your votes. I'v heard previous elections have had turnouts lower than 20%.




*I'm aware UCD boards users are probably above average in their propensity to vote.. so this is an optimistic estimate at best.

edit:
also for discussion: how does this compare with other colleges?
and also: it would seem this years sabbat team is held in high regard in comparison to previous officers, will the quality of this years officers be reflected in increased interest in the SU? (im highly skeptical of this even as I write it..)

Stepherunie

Eh, held in high regard? about average to be honest.

A lot of colleges are apathetic, completely normal to be to be honest. Unless you have a tiny college where it really does need to be there on an intricate level the SU just doesn't impact.

I've been here four years and been involved in the SU for two - and yet to me it's alway seems a bit distant from the grass roots, for a college like UCD it's pretty standard because it's just so big.

As for paying lip service? Where? I've read all of the manifestos, from what I saw most had some good ideas and knew where things were bad and where they had to be worked on.

BobbyOLeary

I plan to vote for the Jaw in education and RON for everything else. To be honest the only things the UCDSU have done for me are give me a list of digs and put on some nice events this year (Quinlavan has done a good job). What difference does it make who our deputy president is can anyone tell me?

I don't mean to rant but the whole thing is made to seem more important than it is. It provides a group of people with a year off and a something nice to put on their CV. If I'm wrong about that then please tell me, I would really like to be wrong.

passive

Don't suppose there's an absentee ballot? =/

wandering_star

O'Leary, I'd have to agree with you, nice bonus for the cv, bout it really.

Been in UCD for about 4 years, went to the SU for help/advice on 3 occasions-e.g. once for education(had a particular problem with admin, and I wasn't the only one at the time), got nice smiles when I was at the office, and "yes of course we'll help", but got nothing after.

I've nothing against them, just, what exactly do they do? Sponsor a fashion show....woo...(another rant which I shall leave for another day)
Yes, it is good to to see events on campus, but whatever happened to that night bus back to town after 11.30 for those of us who don't live near ucd?

I agree that they have lost touch with their grass roots, without looking up the website now, how many people can name the current officers? Also imho the manifestos are not overly inspiring and at times just idealistic-one guy wants to abolish registration fees...yea...

Anyway, apathetic rant over. No I won't be voting, what's the point?

daboyfergie

I think we should all vote RON, and elect new officers that have absolutely no past dealings with the union. We need to start afresh. Apart from provide us with sweets at exams(that are probably bad for concentration), the Union does very little. They organised an increased levy on the current students to help pay for a student centre that we won't be here to use. Its crazy, getting poor students to pay for college infrastructure. Apart from Quinliven, the union has been quite useless this year. I know a few students who have experienced personal tragedies this year and the union has done nothing to help them.

PennyLane

I don't even know if I have a vote, as I'm a Damnforeigner, but even if I technically do I don't think there's any point in me using it as I don't even fully understand what the Students' Union does (we're not unionized in the States, you see). However, we've got some shambles of a student government back at my home university, and it's widely considered to be a joke. That said, some people do take it seriously; one jerkwad wrote an article in the school paper about a presidential candidate's Facebook photos of underage drinking -- and she was the only one running. I still think she got the votes of all two people who voted.

Dave!

No I won't be voting... I've only got 1.5 years left in the college and tbh I can't see m/any significant reforms coming in in that time, regardless of who is elected to the SU.

It's irrelevent really.

Raphael

BobbyOLeary wrote: »

I plan to vote for the Jaw in education and RON for everything else. To be honest the only things the UCDSU have done for me are give me a list of digs and put on some nice events this year (Quinlavan has done a good job). What difference does it make who our deputy president is can anyone tell me?

I don't mean to rant but the whole thing is made to seem more important than it is. It provides a group of people with a year off and a something nice to put on their CV. If I'm wrong about that then please tell me, I would really like to be wrong.

It has the potential to be a lot more. However the impression I've got in my time that it has become highly ineffectual, which is a great shame. I have, however, had some positive experience's in my time, I found the SU to be of great help when I was trying to find accomodation, and I've heard great things about the current education officer.

The main point of argument I would have against the SU being nothing more than a year off and a point on your CV is historical - Look at some of things the UCDSU did in the past. The SU accomodated the creation of the LGBT society when the college refused to fund them. They put the trap, the SU shops, the bars, the observer in place. They raised large amounts of money for charity through rag week.

You might argue that that was then and this is now but, honestly, that comes dwn to the people, not the organisation. And it also comes down to the apathy that students feel towards the union.

remus808

Wow, this thread = can of worms

Stepherunie wrote: »

Eh, held in high regard? about average to be honest.

That's just the impression I got.. I haven't been around long enough to know personally.

As for paying lip service? Where? I've read all of the manifestos, from what I saw most had some good ideas and knew where things were bad and where they had to be worked on.

I remember reading plenty of "I will bring SU to the fore, making students aware of it and care about the union" type of stuff. Which I think is perfectly noble and all, I'm not slating anyone, It just seems to have been bandied about somewhat.

Assets Model

I think its all pretty pointless apart from Ents and as I've heard the ents guy is crap I shall be RONing them all.

Stepherunie

Have you read a manifesto?

Hear say is a different thing to truth.

Karmabass - to be honest you need to look at the individuals - I mean class reps are so weak in arts this year because the incumbant PRO this year failed to actually go and lecture address and get people to run.

Then you have Health Sci where the PRO got a record number of reps elected because she got out there and got people running in what used be an apathetic area.

Same can be said of engineering - a good PRO will get people going - but you need the support of a good sabbat team to get things really moving.

It is true to say it's said every year - but a lot of tiems it's said without giving solutions and many have actually some good ideas this year.

daboyfergie

I believe that we, the students of UCD should initiate a RON campaign. The candidates are crap and the union irrelevent. We should start an environmentally friendly RON campaign across bebo. Only one candidate for president from 22,000 people come on!!! This could be an epiphony!!

Bubs101

Stepherunie wrote: »

Have you read a manifesto?

.

Have you ever read an ents manifesto? It makes a joke of the entire thing. TBH, most of the turnout is only because the voter knows the candidate or is in the L and H or whatnot and the candidate is in it to. Very little to do with what they stand for. No offense to the man, but Viv Rath would have won last year regardless of his policies

stereoroid

Is Ron any relation to "Bob", he of the Church of the Subgenius? I might vote for him... :rolleyes:

Assets Model

daboyfergie wrote: »

I believe that we, the students of UCD should initiate a RON campaign. The candidates are crap and the union irrelevent. We should start an environmentally friendly RON campaign across bebo. Only one candidate for president from 22,000 people come on!!! This could be an epiphony!!

Hell yeah i'm on for it.