DCU SU elections candidates.

irish_boy90 · 31-03-2009 12:06AM

Alanthroneus wrote: »

www.vote4alan.com

nice site

Daysha · 31-03-2009 12:35AM

I've a question for any of the nominees going up for election for next year if they're reading this:

Everyone I've been talking to regarding the bar has said that while Super Tuesday has all been well and good, do this TriSpace company not actually realise that big name bands aren't what people look for in a good bar? First and foremost on top of most peoples list would be drink promotions, something which we haven't seen for years.

Considering the economic climate and all that, if you gave people a choice between the Coronas live or some offer like 3 on all pints (and not just that shíte Amstel), they'd go for the drinks offer in a heartbeat. I know it's the job of the SU to bring in the bands, but surely the money they spend on bands would be of far better use if they help subsidise the cost of drink promotions with Trispace instead.

So, my question is will this ever be considered by next years SU, and how much effort will they be putting in to ensure Trispace understands what is really needed to be done to get the absolute best of the Old Bar again?

DemocAnarchis · 31-03-2009 01:06AM

Daysha wrote: »

I've a question for any of the nominees going up for election for next year if they're reading this:

Everyone I've been talking to regarding the bar has said that while Super Tuesday has all been well and good, do this TriSpace company not actually realise that big name bands aren't what people look for in a good bar? First and foremost on top of most peoples list would be drink promotions, something which we haven't seen for years.

Considering the economic climate and all that, if you gave people a choice between the Coronas live or some offer like 3 on all pints (and not just that shíte Amstel), they'd go for the drinks offer in a heartbeat. I know it's the job of the SU to bring in the bands, but surely the money they spend on bands would be of far better use if they help subsidise the cost of drink promotions with Trispace instead.

So, my question is will this ever be considered by next years SU, and how much effort will they be putting in to ensure Trispace understands what is really needed to be done to get the absolute best of the Old Bar again?

Not a candidate, but as regards to ensuring Trispace do what needs to be done, it really needs to be stressed how little power the union have to do anything about how the bar is run. The HMC runs the hub, and the SU president is one of only 8 members on it http://www.dcu.ie/info/hub.shtml. A pretty big problem is that Trispace don't really have much of an incentive to turn a profit, as any profit made by the bar goes back into the Hub, not to DCU, and Trispace are a DCU subsidiary, and for all intents and purposes == DCU. Coupled with the fact that any external companies have run a mile after seeing the accounts, the situation isn't that rosy. So while I do agree that the bar situation is sh1t, for the purposes of these elections it shouldn't be a major selling point for any one candidate - If anyone is promising they are going to bring the bar back to its former glory 4/5 nights a week with drink promotions etc etc, they are either naive, misinformed or just full of sh1t.

*Disclaimer: some of the details are a bit sketchy, but what I have said is broadly accurate

Cy_Revenant · 31-03-2009 01:22AM

I'm glad I brought popcorn to this election, it looks like it'll be fun.

Fuhrer · 31-03-2009 02:04AM

Elections will happen, bad people will get elected and the College will continue to implement their plans on the Bar, the Hub and Fees no matter what the SU says.

You think when they make their decision on what to do with their Fees they are going to care what the SU president has to say?

Daysha · 31-03-2009 02:05AM

DemocAnarchis wrote: »

Not a candidate, but as regards to ensuring Trispace do what needs to be done, it really needs to be stressed how little power the union have to do anything about how the bar is run. The HMC runs the hub, and the SU president is one of only 8 members on it http://www.dcu.ie/info/hub.shtml. A pretty big problem is that Trispace don't really have much of an incentive to turn a profit, as any profit made by the bar goes back into the Hub, not to DCU, and Trispace are a DCU subsidiary, and for all intents and purposes == DCU. Coupled with the fact that any external companies have run a mile after seeing the accounts, the situation isn't that rosy. So while I do agree that the bar situation is sh1t, for the purposes of these elections it shouldn't be a major selling point for any one candidate - If anyone is promising they are going to bring the bar back to its former glory 4/5 nights a week with drink promotions etc etc, they are either naive, misinformed or just full of sh1t.

*Disclaimer: some of the details are a bit sketchy, but what I have said is broadly accurate

So basically we're left with a bar run by a company that doesn't care if it makes a profit, that doesn't care of the students opinions on how it should be run and that hasn't a hope in hell in selling to anyone else in the distant future.

Lovely :rolleyes:

Fuhrer · 31-03-2009 02:19AM

Im not voting for the opposition out of spite, im voting for them to stop him getting in.

gizmo · 31-03-2009 02:35AM

*sigh* Same shit, different year. Right, the thread has been cleaned up to remove personal attacks and some pointless spammy posts. If your post was edited it was to remove quoted text that was deleted. Apologies for this but, as DemocAnarchis said, some people are using this thread as a means to share views and inform themselves about the candidates in a useful way, and I intend to keep it that way.

While I'd love to comment on some of the more "humorous" posts, in the interest of keeping the thread on track I'll refrain, instead can we have more posts like Daysha's please?

haus · 31-03-2009 02:44AM

Fuhrer wrote: »

Im not voting for the opposition out of spite, im voting for them to stop him getting in.

So your policy is anyone but Alan? Without even taking a look at his policies or plans if he wins?
It's because of people like you that "bad people" (as you said) with bad policies get into office.

I hope there's not many more like you, otherwise we really are all ****ed

Fuhrer · 31-03-2009 02:48AM

haus wrote: »

So your policy is anyone but Alan? Without even taking a look at his policies or plans if he wins?
It's because of people like you that "bad people" (as you said) with bad policies get into office.

I hope there's not many more like you, otherwise we really are all ****ed

You just signed up and this is your first post?

Oh, I wonder who you are...

lil_cain · 31-03-2009 02:52AM

Fuhrer wrote: »

You just signed up and this is your first post?

Oh, I wonder who you are...

Maybe, just maybe, someone interested in the current debate? Or is there some post quota that you have to reach before you're allowed comment on anything contentious?

haus · 31-03-2009 02:57AM

Fuhrer wrote: »

You just signed up and this is your first post?

Oh, I wonder who you are...

Yes, I'm a DCU student, first year CA if you must know and yes I did just sign up. I generally stay away from boards, but I was reading through the thread and had to post to point out how stupid your method of deciding who the next SU president is going to be.
Perhaps i should have waited til I had a vast amount of posts, like yourself, to enter this debate

gizmo · 31-03-2009 03:19AM

A quick note to all posters, if you feel someone is being a troll or if you've been flamed do not respond in kind. The mods will take care of this and you run the risk of being warned yourself otherwise.

D3UC3 J3 · 31-03-2009 04:03AM

Fuhrer wrote: »

Elections will happen, bad people will get elected and the College will continue to implement their plans on the Bar, the Hub and Fees no matter what the SU says.

You think when they make their decision on what to do with their Fees they are going to care what the SU president has to say?

Who would be a good person in your view Fuhrer? Would you run???

...no matter what the SU says.

So should we give up in that case? "Cant win - dont try"

...care what the SU president has to say?

Of course they will, the SU president is representitive of the Student population.

I would concede that Students dont have as much say as they should have though.

corkkaz · 31-03-2009 04:17PM

I have to admit, I would be one of those people who say what in the hell do the student union do. This is my 4th year and I must say the best student union was in my 2nd year I think with Charlene and Mickey and the other lad. There was atmosphere around campus and sumthing to look forward to (the balls) which is seriously lacking over the past two years.

TheDeparted · 31-03-2009 08:01PM

corkkaz wrote: »

I have to admit, I would be one of those people who say what in the hell do the student union do. This is my 4th year and I must say the best student union was in my 2nd year I think with Charlene and Mickey and the other lad. There was atmosphere around campus and sumthing to look forward to (the balls) which is seriously lacking over the past two years.

I'd echo this.

Also, I'm voting for Mortimer, just to annoy all the losers. Ah, it'll be funny when he wins. Good to have an outsider in the SU you for a change.

corkkaz · 01-04-2009 12:15AM

everyone ive talked to are voting for the mort. I havent heard what anyone is standing for, most will probably put the bar in their " elect me and il do promises" but i doubt any of them will succeed if the present ones couldnt.

gizmo · 01-04-2009 03:46AM

corkkaz wrote: »

I have to admit, I would be one of those people who say what in the hell do the student union do.

This is unfortunately a problem which still exists and without some decent info out there it's not going to change any time soon. What I will say is outside all of the stuff the general student body sees, the SU does a lot of important work for both individual students and classes as a whole. The former is something you'll probably never hear of as it's usually personal issues but the latter is far more evident. For instance, we had major trouble with one of our classes in final year and if it hadn't been for the effort put in by Eoin Byrne at the time then a lot of us would have been left standing with far inferior degrees. That's just one example of course but if you ask around you'll be guaranteed to find similar stories.

TheDeparted wrote: »

Also, I'm voting for Mortimer, just to annoy all the losers. Ah, it'll be funny when he wins. Good to have an outsider in the SU you for a change.

If you think he's the best person for the job then fair enough but I'm curious, who are these losers you speak of?

giveliberty · 01-04-2009 12:43PM

Hi Folks

Just to make a correction to the first post.

The DCUfm Presidential Debate will be aired on Monday 6th April at 3.15pm on the News Crew Show NOT at 1.25pm.

This will be an indepth discussion based on candidates manifestos, student issues and the Students' Union.

tnkrbell · 01-04-2009 01:30PM

ahh elections!forgot all about them cause i'm on my internship

Any chance we could get some more links up to candidate websites Have only seen two and out of those two I'll be voting for them (that's if my off duty gives me the day off!)
Great to see competition for the positions. Wonder will candidates be elected on manifestos or on their popularity???

Also to what TheDeparted said about outsiders being voted in. Do you really think that will help?? IMO people who are involved in the SU and C&S know the day to day runnings of the SU and are aware of the problems going on etc That way they have something to base their manifestos on and something to work with. Outsiders well... you decide

haus · 01-04-2009 04:08PM

Any chance we could get some more links up to candidate websites

www.vote4alan.com
www.voteandrew.org
www.alanmchale.com

I don't know any others off hand.

yellowcurl · 01-04-2009 06:31PM

So for anyone who was at the hustings today, what were the general thoughts about it all??

Leedcu · 01-04-2009 07:01PM

My website is www.vote4leeanne.com

c0rk3r · 01-04-2009 07:13PM

As long as your not from the collegeview looking for quotes heres what i thought. I was there for Vice President: Campaigns and Information speeches

Melanie Farrell
Andrew Harford
Alan McHale
Michael Mone

Didnt Catch Michael Mones speech. He was probably talking before i popped my head out of the canteen.

Heres the gist of what i heard

Melanie Farrell. Final year communications student. Calm, sharp to the point and knows how to get her message across. What the message was i dont know wasnt listening. She seemed comfortable talking to an audience, had the skills that one would expect from a Campaigns and Information officer

Andrew Harford: Confident, self assured, to the point, impressive speaker. Actually paid attention.Authoritative manner about this guy. Doesn't seem like he takes any nonsense. Made some very valid points about online resources that reach out to students. Lost me when he mentioned rejuvenating the bars atmosphere (let it go its dead). Anyone talking about the bar is an instant loser.

Alan McHale: Public speaking isnt for you. being nice, you blew it.

All in all my vote goes to Andrew even though he talked nonsense about the bar.

After McHale i had to head of.

disclaimer* i don't know any of the candidates and am not affiliated to any clubs or society's so im unbiased

*if your from the collegeview write your own ****ing story.

Diarmsquid · 01-04-2009 07:43PM

Here's my take of the Presidential candidate's speeches.

Cillian Byrne:
Alright speech. Nothing too surprising really. "I will do my best" this, "I have loads of experience" that. I get the impression that he's smart and a hard worker, but maybe not that much of a leader.

Alan Keegan:
Most impressive I thought. Confident. Knows his stuff. Good track record. Actually understands the situation with the bar and has an actual plan on how to make progress, as opposed to the "I will work towards fixing the bar problem" line that other candidates gave. Very involved with his societies and all that.

Conor Mortimer:
Seemed to have a bit of a chip in his shoulder about the current SU. Speech starts with a load of cheering from the GAA head in the corner and goes on to accuse the election committee of purposefully putting him as the last speaker, when everyone is tired and not paying attention, to affect his chances. (it wouldn't be because his surname begins with M). Very confident. Hasn't had much SU involvement at all, but now wants to go for Pres?

tnkrbell · 01-04-2009 08:53PM

Diarmsquid wrote: »

Here's my take of the Presidential candidate's speeches.
.....
Conor Mortimer:
Seemed to have a bit of a chip in his shoulder about the current SU. Speech starts with a load of cheering from the GAA head in the corner and goes on to accuse the election committee of purposefully putting him as the last speaker, when everyone is tired and not paying attention, to affect his chances. (it wouldn't be because his surname begins with M). Very confident. Hasn't had much SU involvement at all, but now wants to go for Pres?

He obviously didn't read the bit in the constitution regarding the order in which hustings would take place.He's also going to be a bit upset when he sees the ballot papers!

yellowcurl · 01-04-2009 09:18PM

c0rk3r wrote: »

*if your from the collegeview write your own ****ing story.

Most definitely not from the College View, missed the hustings due to being ill so just wanted to hear what other people thought.

Katniss everMean · 01-04-2009 10:06PM

been out of the country for the last few days so I have missed most of what has been going on, just reading various candidates sites and college view articles, still not sure who I am going to vote for for some positions and I wont get to go to the debate because I wont be back from my intra job on time

Anyone know how the convenor speakers went?

02-04-2009 12:35AM

angelkat wrote:

Anyone know how the convenor speakers went

Pretty much okay, was only really paying attention to the Computing and Humanities ones, both candidates in each faculty came across pretty well.

yellowcurl wrote:

So for anyone who was at the hustings today, what were the general thoughts about it all??

Went to it not sure who to vote for and left it still not sure but a bit less unsure...

Really don't know about the Education & Welfare one, all 3 candidates came across very well and had their own styles which they all seemed quite comfortable with. All of them making valid points.

Campaign & Information on the other hand was different...it seemed to be very much one person who had well thought out, realistic, ideas and plans in their head and not just the usual "I will work hard for you" "I will fight for this that and the other" BS that you usually hear...Thought Andrew Harford's answer to the college view writer was quite impressive - the other 2 just sort of mumbled a reiteration.

As for president, went into it sort of close minded about who I was going to vote for but after hearing the speeches realised that in all fairness, I don't want someone without any realistic plans to be running the Student's Union and although there were one or two things I disagreed with in Keegan's speech, altogether I think he would be a good choice.
Cillian came across quite well also but I think he might be better in one of the other positions.
Mortimer made some valid points and somehow I think that if he was president, the social scene could be pretty good but I think the rest of the job might be a stumbling block...

haus · 02-04-2009 12:51AM

If anyone would like a question put to the presidental candidates in the upcoming debate pmemail: presidentquestions@gmail.com
The debate is on in the Venue at 6:30pm on Monday.

DCU SU elections candidates.

Comments