{"id":21687,"date":"2019-03-05T11:55:53","date_gmt":"2019-03-05T11:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/?p=21687"},"modified":"2019-03-05T11:55:53","modified_gmt":"2019-03-05T11:55:53","slug":"student-life-host-election-hustings-ahead-of-thursday-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/index.php\/student-life-host-election-hustings-ahead-of-thursday-vote\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Life Host Election Hustings Ahead Of Thursday Vote"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Shannon Sweeney<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Jean Monet theatre hosted the Student Union election hustings last night.<\/p>\n

The event, chaired by Declan Mills, was an opportunity for students find out about the candidates for the Student Life offices before voting day.<\/p>\n

Welfare candidate Serena Hare says it\u2019s important for students to use their vote.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever you vote for, it\u2019s your choice but make sure you use your voice, your vote, make sure you are heard this Thursday,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Jack Scanlon and Leo Mckenna are running for President.<\/p>\n

Serena Hare and Susan Sheehan are running for Welfare officer.<\/p>\n

Colin Lynch is currently running unopposed for Academic Officer, but students can vote to reopen nominations.<\/p>\n

Among the issues put forward by the candidates in their manifestos were funding for the counselling service, accessibility, sensible drug policies, accommodation charges, inclusion, and student engagement.<\/p>\n

Some of the candidates intend to continue the campaigns started by this year\u2019s Student Life officers namely the campaigns against Direct Provision and Sexual harassment on campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cI endeavour to ensure that every student who passes those flagpoles feels a sense of belonging,\u201d said Jack Scanlon.<\/p>\n

Some campaign promises have been controversial; one such promise was by Welfare candidate Susan Sheehan<\/p>\n

Susan has promised to introduce take-home drug testing kits, which while she says they won\u2019t stop students taking drugs, they will make it safer when they do.<\/p>\n

The kits will help students to make sure that what drugs they buy are what they are taking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have heard horror stories of people not getting what they bought, and that has led to health problems,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Students also had the opportunity to question the candidates about issues on campus.<\/p>\n

The candidates were asked recent rebranding of the student union to UL Student Life.<\/p>\n

Most candidates were positive about the rebranding, saying that it was a more inclusive name that better represents all that the organisation does.<\/p>\n

However, Presidential Candidate Leo McKenna says the money could have been spent elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have had my ups and downs with the rebrand, it was a lot of money that could have gone elsewhere, like the counselling service,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The candidates were all concerned about the level of student engagement with Student Life.<\/p>\n

When asked how they might tackle the problem, Academic candidate Colin Lynch said:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get out there and ask, simple as.\u201d<\/p>\n

Voting will take place this Thursday online and in polling stations in the Student Centre and the Kemmy Business School Library.<\/p>\n

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By Shannon Sweeney The Jean Monet theatre hosted the Student Union election hustings last night. The event, chaired by Declan Mills, was an opportunity for students find out about the candidates for the Student Life offices before voting day. Welfare candidate Serena Hare says it\u2019s important for students to use their vote. \u201cWhoever you vote […]<\/p>\n

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