Pssst! USI Elections are Underway.

national | politics / elections | news report Tuesday March 09, 2004 19:04 by Ya Basta! - A USI In A Galaxy Far Far Away..

But Shhhhh...Keep it Quiet.

USI elections are underway, but don't tell anyone. Manifestos are flying their way around the country, but of course only to Sabats in Electronic form and in ONLY 250 physical copies! Isn't USI an organisation of 250,000?

The phone conversations begging for votes are under way and officers in union across the country are debating who to back, but even the manner in which the USI elections are run points to certain falws in how USI is run. The elections to the highest representative body for students in Ireland hardly cathces the imaginations of students around the country, but how could it with the manifestos for the campaigns are limited to simply 250 physical manifestos? An open organisation..yeah right.

Well, we're all aware of the criticisms levelled at USI so no need to go into them here...yet...read and see where our beloved candidates stand......



TONY MCDONNELL (PRESIDENT)

We need a National Union. We need an effective voice to represent us as the primary stakeholders in education, dealing with the Government, the media and vested interests in a firm, effective manner. We need our members to have confidence in their Union, and to be aware that at no stage will they be ignored. To achieve this, we need leadership. I believe I have what it takes to achieve this.

After a year as President in NUI Galway I have revitalised the Union, restoring student trust in their representatives. I have turned around the finances of the organisation, by making hard decisions, but more importantly by being careful with our student’s money. I have increased the profile of the Union on a national level – recent publicity of Rag week reflected well on Irish students as a whole.

I have worked on Campaigns Working group and seen the potential for these forums. By listening to COs and implementing achievable projects, I believe we will transform the organisation. Let’s get students involved again. It’s our Union – make it work

As a member of Finance Committee I have championed COs rights and I am committed to strengthening our role on it. We need to make it a powerful watchdog rather than a rubberstamp. Right now, more than ever, we need this.

These are the experiences I wish to bring to USI. In this manifesto I have told you what I’ll do if I am elected. I’m proud of my record in Galway, and I’m confident I can work well in USI.

At Congress we will have important choices to make – about policy, about finance and about the structure of the organisation. Most importantly, we have to decide on our direction and leadership. If you share my vision of USI, then vote Tony McDonnell as USI President. I won’t let you down.



VOTE TONY McDONNELL
FOR USI PRESIDENT

My name is Tony McDonnell and I am a candidate for the Presidency of the Union of Students in Ireland. I have been involved in student representation since my first year, when I was Chair of Class Reps Council and I am currently President of NUI, Galway Students' Union. I am running for USI because, with my experience as both a student and a sabbatical officer, I feel I could initiate some much needed changes in the organisation. Next year will be a crucial year for the third level sector - fees will be certainly back on the agenda, as will the continuing cutbacks, the attempt to privatise Universities, and the moves to place Health Sciences courses out of reach to most students through Graduate Entry. Next year, more than ever, we need a strong, united, active Union willing to fight on our behalf.

I passionately believe in the need for effective and responsive student representation at a national level. Individual Unions can operate very effectively at a local and regional level but to achieve tangible results at a national level we need a national Union. USI needs to be seen by the Government as a force to reckon with, while being recognised by students as an effective voice willing and able to get its message across.

USI is needed to keep the pressure up on our liberation and general campaigns – we need to ensure that the ongoing inequality in our education system is highlighted and that students and COs receive the appropriate support.

• Fees: The current OECD review is the first step towards the reintroduction of fees, cynically camouflaged as a move towards greater access. Unless we want to see the work of last year undone we need to stand together and oppose this. The media coverage is hugely one-sided - we need to take on the Government in the papers and on the airwaves and expose the truth about fees. USI must also continue to stand with our counterparts in the North and fight the continuing attacks on education characterised by initiatives like top-up fees.
• Support: USI provide a crucial service for local Unions – in terms of advice, research and training they are a vital component of student representation. As someone serving in a union with financial difficulties, I can testify to the necessity of the support that USI provides, support which is equally vital to Unions in smaller colleges. However, without strong leadership at this vital juncture we won’t have a USI to depend on.
• Bologna: USI are vital to represent student views on the Bologna process. We need to ensure that the process is a positive step towards standardising education, not merely used as a vehicle to privatise and commodify education. We also need to ensure that sabbatical officers are fully briefed on the potential results of the process so that students can be aware of the possible outcomes.
• LGBT: with so many colleges without an LGBT or Equality Officer, and especially in light of the disturbing results of the recent USI attitudes survey, we need, more than ever, a strong LGBT campaign. The LGBT campaign and working group should be an example of the best way to include students in a campaign, and I will ensure that this continues.
• Disability: Despite the huge proportion of students who are disabled access remains difficult on many campuses. USI need to co-ordinate a national campaign to highlight this. If elected I will ensure that the representation of the disabled will be a priority.
• Access: One of the fundamental aims of USI is widening access to education. We need to campaign to increase funding to access programmes in each CO, and reverse the damage done by cutbacks.
• Qualifications: Changes in the make up of qualifications and especially the reforms that will specifically effect the IT sector need to be monitored closely. USI needs to be at the forefront in protecting the smaller colleges and providing valued back up and resources to all its members

I believe two main issues face USI at present. The lack of grassroots support amongst students, as well as the current financial crisis are major stumbling blocks. How we deal with them will define the USI of the future.

Finance
We need, firstly, to agree at congress on the means of dealing with USI’s financial crisis, and over the next year we need to ensure that we live within our means.
• As a member of USI Finance Committee I have been closely involved with exploring the options open to us to escape the current difficulties. Finance Committee has also given me a understanding of the Union’s finances, which will prove crucial in the coming year. Most importantly, I believe in a strong Finance Committee, one that will ensure that the money paid by COs is wisely spent, and if elected I will ensure that Finance Committee operates as a safeguard for the organisation.
• This year the financial problems in USI have been reflected in NUI Galway, where hard decisions have had to be made, but where a lot of success was achieved without huge expense. This is the policy needed in USI, and I can implement it.

Grassroots Support

The biggest issue facing USI is the lack of student ownership of the organisation. Without the support of our members we have no power, and no possibility of being listened to. Like any union, grassroots support is the key, both for ensuring we have relevant campaigns and policies and guaranteeing that they have the best chance of being implemented. To achieve this we need to rebuild confidence in the Union and ensure that students feel they are genuine members of USI. To do this I feel we need to firstly reinvigorate the working groups, National Council and other public forums of the Organisation.

• Working Groups: We need to ensure that all working groups function next year – this year only the LGBT, Welfare and Campaigns groups functioned effectively. The other working groups failed to meet regularly and students were left without a voice. The lack of consultation also left the organisation without a clear sense of direction. This cannot be allowed to happen again. As well as regular meetings we need to bring more activist students on board, and ensure that any protests organised will have active student support.
• Sector Groups: The sector groups need to be more focused and not just empty meetings – we need to formalise and prioritise the agendas because these groups are fundamental for the organisation. The attacks on nursing and teacher training need to be responded to, on a national level, as a matter of urgency.
• National Council: A functioning working group system should feed into the National Council, allowing proper debate about the way forward for the Organisation. This year, National Council was a passive forum, reflecting the lack of interaction with the students. If National Council is to act as the guiding body of the Union, responsible for implementing Congress mandates, then we need to ensure that it is vocal and active.
• Online Forums: Apart from the hugely successful USILGB site, USI have failed to use the internet to communicate with members. One look at forums such as indymedia, or college bulletin boards, should convince USI to set up an online bulletin board to discuss student matters, another step towards opening the Union up to our members. If elected, I will set up such a site.
• College Visits: Most importantly, USI need to re-establish a presence on campus, and be seen as a student organisation, rather than a distant lobbying group. USI Officers need to address Union meetings, class councils etc and answer questions on the policy and direction of the Organisation. Unless students feel part of USI we will remain an irrelevance, and both the students and the organisation will suffer.

What we need is a fighting Union, one which is unafraid to take on whatever vested interests are attacking students. With a strong Union, which knows it is representing students, and which knows it can rely on the students to back it, we will ensure that students will not be walked over and that the current debate on the third level sector will not be used as an excuse to further cut investment or reintroduce fees.

In these difficult times we need to prioritise the needs of our members and ensure that every college in the country runs comprehensive education and welfare campaigns, backed up at a national level. We need to tackle the ever-growing discrimination of students in all areas. We need to meet the responsibilities that come with being student leaders - we need a strong, confident and proud national union.

I believe I am the person to deliver this to you. At this national congress, which will be the most important in the 40 year history of USI – I urge you to Vote Tony McDonnell as President of your National Union.



VOTE McDONNELL FOR USI PRESIDENT

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LAYNE ASHTON (WELFARE)


Accommodation
Accommodation is an extremely important issue not only in the capital but also throughout the campuses of the entire country. Research carried out into why student's refuse offers through the CAO system point to the lack of, and cost of accommodation as one of the major determent factor on whether they decide to take up a place. The government's decision to abolish section 50 building projects will have a profound effect on the total stock of new accommodation coming on-line.
Also the quality of accommodation which students are forced to live in is extremely substandard. This issue must be at the forefront of USI's campaigns for the coming year. If elected Layne promises to tackle this problem through a sustained campaign of protest and information.

Support
Local welfare officers are dealing daily with very delicate student issues through their casework. They are essential to the well being of the students on their campuses. This can sometimes cause stress and worry for the individual officers. If Layne is elected, she will ensure to offer support to the local welfare officers. She will be available to offer advice and help to all welfare officers.

USI
The organisation is currently at a highly crucial stage and needs a strong officer board to ensure its survival. Layne feels she is a very strong candidate for this and believes strongly in USI. She pledges to work very well in a team atmosphere and feels she will be able to bring fresh new ideas, dedication and also the experience of someone who has been involved in the national union for four years to officer board.


Layne is the candidate with the experience, motivation, dedication and competence to bring a new lease of life to the Welfare brief within USI.



About the candidate
Layne Aston is a 22 year old Business & Marketing student from Lucan, Co. Dublin. She became actively involved in Students Union almost immediately after she joined first year in IT Tallaght. Her interest and dedication has continued to this day and she has remained extremely involved in both IT Tallaght Students Union and U.S.I. As well as serving as Welfare Officer in ITTSU 2002/2003, she is President of the Union this year. Throughout her time in the Student Union, Layne has taken a keen interest in student welfare issues and has taken part in very successful campaigns including Sexual Health, Mental Health, Accommodation and Drug Rape.

Student Union positions held.

2000-2001 - ITTSU Equality Officer
2001-2002 - ITTSU Internal Entertainments Officer
2002-2003 - ITTSU Deputy President/Welfare Officer
2003-2004 - ITTSU President

Through her work in each of these different positions, Layne has dealt with a huge amount of varying casework and has proven to be incredibly approachable, professional and competent. Within IT Tallaght, Layne has represented students on many different committees including Governing Body, Academic Council, Student Welfare Committee, Student Services Committee and Student Assistance Fund Committee. This has given her a wide expanse of knowledge pertaining to student welfare issues. She has stayed very much involved in welfare campaigns this year both on a local and national level. If elected USI Welfare Officer, Layne will work incredibly hard to provide an excellent service to Student Unions and to individual students.

Training
Training is essential in order to provide welfare officers with the tools necessary to hold office as they will be dealing with particularly delicate and difficult casework. If elected, Layne will strive to ensure the training offered by USI at UOS 1 & 2 will give Welfare Officers all the knowledge they need in order to fulfil their roles properly. The large amount of casework that Welfare Officers come across during the year requires a vast amount of knowledge and Layne will ensure to equip the officers with this knowledge.

Welfare Working Group
Individual Welfare Officers and others who are involved in the Welfare Campaign will be hugely important to Layne if elected. She will hold regular Welfare Working Group meetings and will use this time to communicate to the group. She will listen to ideas brought forward by C.O's and will also bring ideas to the group for discussion. She will take her lead from individual welfare officers, listen to what's going on in different campuses and cater for those needs.

Mental Health
The issue of Mental Health is one which Layne feel's very strongly about. The instances of suicide, especially in the young male population are extremely worrying. Layne will support all Local Welfare Officers in campaigns in order to tackle the problem as well as the myriad of other mental health issues which exist in the Irish Education system. She will also build on the already established USI mental health campaign and run a campaign along the same lines of the NUS-USI "Mind your Head" Campaign. If elected Layne will continue to build on the strong links which have been developed with agencies trying to tackle this scourge on our campuses.

Sexual Health campaign
The sexual health campaign over the past few years has been incredibly successful and needs to be carried on. However, this campaign needs to be broadened and, if elected, Layne would like to see the publishing of a sexual health guidance booklet to help flesh out the campaign. This will lead to a more informative campaign and will serve our students very well.


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HELEDD (WELFARE)

“Give them Hel…”

My name is Heledd, and I am currently the Education Officer at TCD. I have been an extremely active and vocal member of USI this year, not only at National Council but also at the Education and Campaigns Working Groups and Finance Committee.

I am running for USI because I believe that the students of this country deserve a strong national union. I also believe that the role of Education Officer is central to the success of the Union’s fight for students’ rights. USI is currently seen as a bit of a non-entity by many students and CO’s. I intend to rectify this by ensuring that you are made well aware of the services the Union provides, and also by organising strong campaigns that are relevant to your students.




In order to achieve anything, if elected as USI Education Officer I will be dependent on a strong Education Working Group. I vow to hold meetings regularly, so as to get the input of every CO into my daily work and campaigns. You are the ones that will be engaging with students daily, knowing what their main problems and issues are. It is therefore vital that I get feedback, rather than dream up my own perhaps irrelevant campaigns from an office in Dublin. I want students to know that USI exists, and that the organisation is taking strong steps to secure the future of the third level sector.

I also vow to give CO’s much better feedback about what goes on at various national committees, and also any relevant news stories or reports published that might be of interest. I should be there as a support service to ensure that you know of any important developments well before they become problematic within your college.




FIGHTING YOUR FIGHTS

USI has had a lot of obstacles to overcome this year, at the exact time that we’ve needed the organisation to be at its strongest. There are many issues facing the third level sector at the moment with ongoing cutbacks, the threat of privatisation, overcrowding in our colleges and consistent under-funding of the sector. It is therefore vital that we have a strong national union, with an Education Officer that isn’t scared of tackling the government and leading strong campaigns against the cuts.

WE NEED TO BRING OUR ISSUES TO THE GOVERNMENT AND BRING USI BACK TO THE STUDENTS.

If elected, I want to engage students in the debate about cuts and the future of the third level sector. Participating in one protest annually is not enough. Students need to feel that they are being listened to, and I propose to do this in a number of ways:

 Organising an awareness campaign in every CO that will feed into an education forum in each region. This will culminate in a national conference to present to the public how students feel about the state of their education.
 Resulting from the conference, I propose to work with the Education Working Group in updating USI’s education policy document and also to publish various papers regarding students views about the future of the third level sector in Ireland.
 Work on local campaigns and demonstrations to raise awareness about the impact of cutbacks until college authorities and the government take notice and realise that students will not tolerate the deterioration of services that are vital to their education, such as library opening hours and inadequate computer facilities.


WHAT I INTEND TO DO IF ELECTED

• Help CO’s with the preparation of class rep handbooks and class rep training.

• Provide better training for Education Officers at UOS I and UOS II.

• Fight for the formal recognition of extra-curricular activities on every student’s transcript.

• Help develop a strategic plan for USI that will mean that the organisation has definite aims, goals and a vision for the future rather struggle from officer to officer year in year out.

• Work with the other working groups to ensure that no sector is left underrepresented.

• Help strengthen and restructure the working groups in order to strengthen the future of USI.

• Represent every CO, not just those based in Dublin.

• Prepare briefing documents on issues that are important for Education Officers to be aware of, saving them research time.




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IAN MCGAHON (WELFARE)


Accommodation

• Student Accommodation is still very much an issue in Ireland with rogue landlords and overpriced slums still existing
• All students who live on campus should have basic tenant rights – there are colleges in this country which make student contracts that they can be given 24 hours notice to leave
• The USI rent book needs to be again published so that students are made aware of their rights as tenants

Mens Health and Womens Health

• There are specific areas of health, which affect both Men and Women and Just men or women. Ian will work to ensure that where there is a deficiency in one area this will be rectified so that necessary resources are given to campaigns for both genders

Training and Assistance

• The job of a Welfare Officer is possibly one of the most difficult in any Student Union. High Quality training is essential to deal with case work, accommodation issues etc. Training such as that of welfare training at UOS needs to continue and to be of excellent quality
• Welfare Officers can to a certain extent be left on their own with no support structure in place for them individually. They need to be given support assistance at all times, in order to ensure that the job does not cause unnecessary anxiety or pressure on them as individuals. Ian will ensure that this is prioritised





Vote
Ian McGahon
For USI Welfare officer 04/05



About the Candidate
Ian McGahon is a 24-year-old Graduate of Business from the National College of Ireland (NCI). He is currently studying a part time course in managing community and voluntary organisations. He has been actively involved in his own Students Union since his first year in 1998. Since then he has shown a strong interest in Welfare issues including campaigning and helping to organise NCIs SHAG week

• 98/99 – Class Representative, Awarded NCI Fresher of the year
• 99/00 – President of 2 college societies – Caring in Action – A charity based society, Journalism society
• 99/00 - Editor of Student Newspaper in NCI
• 00/01 – Chairperson of NCI Student Council
• 01/02 - Final Year Class Representative
• 02/03 – Vice President, NCI Students Union
• 02/03 – Member of NCI Health and Safety Committee
• 03/04 – Elected member of USI Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual working group

Ian McGahon has highlighted and campaigned on Welfare Issues throughout his time in NCI and believes passionately that Welfare Issues should be a high priority for USI. If elected Welfare Officer Ian will fight strongly to ensure that Welfare is given the priority it deserves. He believes in USI and it what we can achieve as an organisation for the welfare of students.

Sexual Health
• The Sexual Campaign in USI needs to be continued to highlight information and awareness on Contraception, Crisis Pregnancies and STIs. Ian McGahon has campaigned on these issues not only in NCI Students Union but also doing volunteer outreach work with Johnny, a group which supports health and well-being for gay and bisexual men.

• Ian McGahon will work hard at this campaign so that Students all over Ireland are aware of the risks of unsafe sex, STIs and options in the case of a Crisis Pregnancy. He believes that many students are badly informed on these matters and that it is up to USI to address these issues.

Mental Health and Depression
• Promoting positive mental health is something that Ian feels very strongly about. He has suffered from Depression. He is willing to clearly state this because he would like to see a destigmatisation of issues surround Mental Health.
• Ian will fight hard to not only raise issues on depression, suicide and mental health but will also campaign to have increased investment in Student Counselling services nationally. He would also support COs in highlighting their own existing services.
• In a USI survey last year only 13% of students felt if they needed help they would go to see a counsellor. This is a shocking statistic that Ian will fight hard to overcome.

Alcohol/Drug awareness
• It is clear that there are huge negative consequences of Alcohol and drug abuse amongst students in Ireland.
• Campaigns need to continue on these issues to raise awareness and to provide help for those suffering from addiction problems


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RORY HEARNE (PRESIDENT)

TIME TO CHANGE OUR APPROACH—
A UNITED STRONG, ACTIVE, CAMPAIGNING UNION
More of the same will not do.

What has been missing in USI is a lack of real campaigning, a lack of involvement by the general student body, and unwillingness to take on the government - USI has become weak and now is the time for strong and active leadership.

The issue of finance is never an excuse for inactivity.

I was elected in Trinity on the basis of taking on the college and the government and I did - talk followed by action! I organised successful boycotts of the college canteen and effective protests over accommodation rent increases, which halted price and rent increases in their tracks. I organised TCD students in the USI campaign for increased grants and led a successful referendum to re-affiliate Trinity to USI. This shows an ability to organise, co-ordinate and carry through effective campaigning action.

I am doing this not to further any career but because I believe in education as a right that should be free and available to all. I have actively campaigned on these issues for several years and I have recently been involved in the Irish Education Forum. I am committed to the principles of equity and social justice. I believe education is a right and should not be a privilege or a marketable product.

FOR A USI THAT BELONGS TO STUDENTS
I will not change USI on my own.

These plans are only my ideas and proposals. The saving of USI will come down to you and all students in this country as we fight together for a decent education system. USI must become democratic through open meetings and improved communication with students. I will work with everyone to come up with a strategy upon which we can take on the government. It is only through working together and using our strength in numbers that we will win. There needs to be a culture change within the organisation; we need to build a national Union which bases itself around the active participation of students. National Council needs to be a genuine decision making body and not just a rubber stamp.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE—

Rory Hearne is a 24 year-old postgraduate student of Geography at Trinity College, Dublin.

Rory was President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union from 2000-2001. As President, Rory gained invaluable committee experience sitting on TCD Finance Committee, the Board of TCD and other bodies such as the Catering Committee, Building and Services and Entertainments. As TCDSU President, Rory managed over 20 Union staff and was the driving force behind Trinity’s reaffiliation to USI through referendum in 2000.

Rory Hearne has a perspective on Irish education unique to this èlection, given his experience as a teacher at both primary and secondary level. He has been heavily involved in anti-war and anti-racism campaigns, and was the Chair of the One World Society in Trinity College. Rory co-ordinated the Trinity Access Programme and set up an Intercultural Exchange in which international students from Trinity visited schools across Dublin.

As TCDSU President Rory organised a successful boycott of the canteen to lower prices and a successful drive to stop on-campus accommodation rent increases, amongst other campaigns. Rory enthusiastically supported a host of USI campaigns and marches, and is a strong supporter of USI’s Autonomous Campaigns.

A keen surfer and hurling fan, Rory hails from Tramore, Co. Waterford.

oUR CONDITIONS ARE DETERIORATING—
OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS UNDER ATTACK

If you are a student on the island of Ireland today you are more than likely suffering poverty.

The rising costs of attending college (increase in registration fees, books, rent, photocopying) and the lack of government financial support mean that most students are now forced to work part-time in order to get by. This means it is much more difficult to fulfil your potential at third level. Noel Dempsey’s recent decision to impose an effective 10% cut in day-to-day college spending has meant deteriorated conditions at third level with courses cancelled, overcrowded lectures, cutbacks in student services and rising costs.

The introduction of top up fees in the North has been yet another attack on education. That is for those of us fortunate enough to be in college, as the cost of education means access to third level remains the preserve of those who can afford it.

If we think this is bad, what the HEA, the government in the south and the OECD are proposing will make things even worse. They are proposing (or have already introduced) the return of fees, further cutbacks (nicely put as ‘streamlining’) across the sector, privatisation of third level institutions and inter-institutional competition for funding. Hibernia teacher training college represents the government’s vision of education - courses run by private companies at a profit and charging huge fees.

We now see the effects in the Health sector of the cutbacks in the 1980’s; what education system will be left in ten years after these cut-backs?

A PLAN TO SAVE USI—
MAKE USI STRONG, RELEVANT AND FINANCIALLY VIABLE

To solve the financial problems of USI I will work for a solution on the principle of openness, transparency and democracy.

I will offer strong financial management, drawing on my experience as President of TCDSU.

I ran a high number of campaigns on a very small budget and understand that we need to run a tight ship in USI; cutting wasteful expenses for 2-3 years, and then building back up again. USI has thought too narrowly about funding possibilities. Diverse campaigns can be funded through innovative and imaginative ways e.g. sexual health - using the Department of Health, fundraising from supportive groups in society, such as trade unions. Initiatives like CE Schemes should also

be utilised. Thousands of students participate voluntarily in college societies. It is this energy and enthusiasm that can form the backbone of a strong student union movement.

I do not agree with the idea of taking part of the registration fee to fund USI. This would mean accepting fees, which I believe the Union should oppose on principle.

The way to save USI is by making it strong and relevant to students - the only way to do this is through an active union, open to all students and involving them in a united fight for a better system of third level education. With this type of USI the possibilities of non-affiliated colleges (especially Cork IT, Maynooth, UL, DCU) working with us and re-affiliating will be very real.

If we continue with more of the same and with no change, USI will continue to be irrelevant and will die.




A REAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST CUTBACKS & PRIVATISATION, DEMANDING EQUAL ACCESS

I believe USI need to produce a policy document we can all agree on that sets out our vision for education.

We will use this document as the cornerstone of a campaign for the media and for all members. This will be a united, active campaign to defend third level education. Central to this campaign will be...

1. Defend public education - no to privatisation - increase funding for third level education now;
2. Stop the cut-backs;
3. Abolish the top-up fees;
4. Increase the grant to social welfare levels and extend the threshold—ensure education for all;
5. Guarantee fair treatment for all students—especially international and LGBT students, students with disabilities, travellers and others who feel they are discriminated against;
6. Tailor campaigns against cutbacks to suit the needs of students in different regions and sectors - teacher training, art colleges, PLCs, FEs, etc.

UNITY IN ACTION— A STRATEGY TO WIN

I believe the key to achieving change is implementing the idea that change comes not from one individual but from the greatest number united in action.

We need to use all tactics to defeat the government. The time for talking is over! Talking with the government alone has not worked- they are pushing an agenda of cut-backs and privatisation that we must oppose with all our forces and with our one strength- OUR NUMBERS!

Neither sweet words nor lobbying alone will stop the avalanche of cutbacks and issues that face students today. The only way forward is undertaking a mass campaign that includes lobbying and taking our message to the streets and campuses. USI has a potentially huge force when it unites all students and unions across the third level sector. This strength was shown when mass mobilisation defeated the government’s plans to reintroduce fees.

If elected I will begin immediate consultation with all Student Unions on the island to come up with a united campaign against cut-backs, privatisation and fees, tackling student poverty and promoting access.

• Work with all the colleges in a campaign beginning with meetings of union reps to agree a plan of action;
• Produce a policy document aimed at saving third level education, then present it to media;
• Organise public forums from the start of term in the colleges to democratically involve all students in the campaign, and collect emails to keep open communication and agree action;
• Co-ordinate lobbying of TDs and MLAs, not just on one day but on an on-going and local basis;
• Plan a series of actions—marches, sit-ins, student walk-outs and stunts—not just one march a year;
• Unite with other unions, lecturers, college staff (in Britain students and lecturers are striking together-we will stand shoulder to shoulder with staff and lecturers) trade unions, parents and other social partners who support our aims.

ANOTHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IS POSSIBLE
The current OECD review is likely to recommend the reintroduction of fees and the privatisation of some of the third level sector.

We need to have a strong USI which makes sure that students have a say in how their education is run. USI should make a strong and sustained case for Education to be publicly funded through general taxation.

We need to make use of our international links in the European Union of Students (ESIB) to fight the corporate agenda of cutbacks at an international level. We also need to build links with the European Education forum.

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JP MCARDLE (PRESIDENT)


Vote J.P Mc Ardle No 1 for President

Objectives Continued

• In order for USI to be a truly national organisation USI needs to be less Dublin oriented and focused. As President of USI J.P would work towards greater inclusiveness for colleges around the country and would ensure that colleges not in close proximity to Ceann Aras Na Mac Leinn are also able to avail of USI’S services and support.

• USI needs to be more active on all issues. Key areas which J.P would see as needing a lot of work on would be the college cut-backs, the Back to Education allowance, registration fees, a significant anti privatisation of colleges campaign, the increase and extension of grants and top and grants and the provision of the medical card for all students.

• Full support and whatever help possible must be given to NUS USI for its various campaigns and activities.

Summary


A vote for me is a vote for Experience for the past 3 years I have been a Student Union officer. I have worked on a huge variety of local and national student issues. I have the relevant Presidential experience, officer board experience and very importantly financial experience as I have a business degree; I ran I.T Carlow Student Union finances last year and have been on USI’S finance committee for nearly two years.

A vote for me is also a vote for hard work, determination and for someone who knows the issues facing the various colleges in USI and I understand and appreciate different colleges points of view. As an Area Officer I work with Universities, Institutes of Technology, Teacher Training Colleges and Art and Design Colleges all of this will be of huge benefit to me if I am USI’S next President. I want to make USI more active, more efficient and more inclusive. I would therefore ask you to give me your vote and elect me President of USI.

J.P Mc Ardle


VOTE J.P Mc Ardle No 1 for President

About J.P Mc Ardle

• USI’s Southern Area Campaigns Officer 2003/04

• President of I.T Carlow Students Union 2002/03

• An elected member of USI’s finance committee 2002-04.

• A member of the board of management of the South Leinster Rape Crisis Centre since January 2003.

• Chairman South Leinster Rape Crisis Centre Funding Committee 2003.

• I.T Carlow Students Union Societies Officer 2001/02

• Class Representative 1999-2001.

As Societies Officer in I.T Carlow J.P was responsible for increasing the number of Societies from 13 to 23 and the number of people involved increased from just over 250 to 650.

As President of I.T Carlow Student Union J.P led a constitutional review which revamped the Students Union and introduced a third sabbatical officer responsible for Welfare and Education.

• Under J.P’S Presidency he campaigned on a wide range of local and national issues including the fees and accommodation and successfully succeeded in having the property management company of the local student village in Carlow replaced after a lengthy campaign.
• On the area of finances J.P increased I.T Carlow Student Unions commercial income by 38% and overall turnover by 17%.

As Southern Area Officer J.P led anti fee protests in Tralee & Limerick. He also held a successful Southern Area Class Rep training last November, which was attended by just over 200 class reps and has increased the media profile of the Southern Area Officer and the South as a region.


Vote J.P Mc Ardle No 1 for President

Objectives

• The provision of an efficient, effective and first class support service to USI member student unions.

• More use of the media as a means to highlight student issues, increase awareness of student problems among the general public and as a method of putting pressure on politicians.

• To increase the awareness among member colleges of the services provided by USI.

• To make USI more proactive and less reactive. This should be done by taking a more long term view in regards to all issues and by identifying now problems that will arise in the future and attempt to have them remedying before they become a major negative issue for students.

• To make a pre-budget submission to the government listing what the students want in solid financial terms. For example a grant increase and how much it will cost, the provision of the medical card for all students and its cost, return of back to education allowance and its cost and so on. Other Unions do this, charities do this and so should USI. This would demonstrate to the government, the media, the students and the general public that USI can be a professional organisation that is actively working for the betterment of its members.

• Implement and bring a common sense approach to USI finances. USI can no longer spend money it does not have therefore USI has to achieve as much value as possible for that it does spend. If elected President J.P will actively seek new sources of finance and funding. This will be done by getting sponsorship for all USI training events and posters and the seeking of commercial activities.

If elected President J.P Mc Ardle is determined to provide more support and back up for USI’S Area Officers. The Area Officers are key part of USI but the at the moment they are not either properly resourced or supported. Properly resourced and backed up Area Officers will be able to provide a better service and support to the colleges in their regions they will also then be able to contribute more to USI as a whole and hopefully become what they are truly supposed to be which are campaigns officers for their regions.


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JOHNATHON TIERNAN (DEPUTY)

THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN
If elected Jonathan aims to consult heavily with CO’s on the way forward for the National Campaign. Over the summer he intends to hold ‘Strategy Weekends’ where all Colleges will get the chance to have an input into the direction of the National Campaign.


USI - A STRONGER TOMORROW
The last year has been one of the most turbulent in USI’s history. With the move to try and re-introduce 3rd Level Fees and the internal problems that surfaced the organisation is at a crucial point in it’s history. Jonathan believes that he has the experience and drive to be part of a strong Union that will build the organisation into a force to be reckoned with by Minister Dempsey and the Dept. of Education. He believes that if we move forward together we can create a stronger USI. Given the chance, Jonathan will work tirelessly for the organisation, for the local unions and for all members of USI. Jonathan’s record on voting at National Councils shows that he is a strong believer in the importance of a national union and he hopes that this strong belief and faith in USI will be core to his role as Deputy President / Campaigns Officer.


WHO IS JONATHAN?
Jonathan Tiernan is currently serving as the President of the Student’s Union in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. Prior to being elected President, he served the student’s of St. Pat’s as their Vice-President/Welfare Officer. Both positions are full-time sabbatical positions. He graduated with a B.A. in Humanities in 2002 having studied English and History.

WHAT HAS JONATHAN ACHIEVED?
Jonathan has worked tirelessly for the student’s of St. Pat’s over the last two years. In his year as Vice-President/Welfare Officer he successfully got the College authorities to raise the level of welfare payments by 200%, which saw it go from €10,000 to €30,000. He also travelled to Belarus as part of the Student’s 10K Familiarisation Trip and on returning played a major role in fundraising for the charity. During his year as President, he negotiated a six-figure deal with a leading Irish bank for exclusivity rights to operating on campus. He also ran a major protest campaign against Minister Dempsey’s recognition of Hibernia College’s on-line teacher training course. This protest culminated in 2000 student’s taking to the streets in opposition to the course. The campaign achieved national radio, television and newspaper coverage and was a key factor in the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation issuing a statement in opposition to the course.

VOTE TIERNAN FOR EXPERIENCE, ACTION AND SUCCESS

POLICY
Jonathan believes that the national union needs to stand up and show that it is not an empty vessel only capable of making noise. We need to formulate policies on a wide range of issues including 3rd Level funding and the possible re-introduction of fees. By doing this we will be offering credible solutions, become pro-active not re-active and strengthen our hand when it comes to lobbying.

LOBBYING
One thing that Jonathan hopes to introduce if elected are monthly meetings with the opposition spokespeople on Education. I don’t believe it is good enough that we lobby them once a year at the Lobby of the Oireachtas. By constantly keeping them briefed and informed on national as well as local college issues I believe that we can put added pressure on the government as the spokespeople will be in a position to sing off the same hymn sheet, our hymn sheet! I will assist the Northern Area Convenor and Northern Colleges in fighting New Labour’s Top-Up Fees and preventing them from making it across the Irish Sea.

THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN
If elected Jonathan aims to consult heavily with CO’s on the way forward for the National Campaign. Over the summer he intends to hold ‘Strategy Weekends’ where all Colleges will get the chance to have an input into the direction of the National Campaign.



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BEN ARCHIBALD (PRESIDENT)

The USI we need is one that's responsive to changing student issues and ready to take seriously the concerns our members have about the issues they're dealing with. That means you in the driving seat, and fewer divisions between USI and you. It means that you are truly a partner in the national union. That’s the way it should be.
As leaders of mass membership organisations, you want to be informed of, and capable of directing what the National Movement is doing, but not bogged down in doing it yourself. But there must be room also for the students to take a ‘hands-on’ approach to running the national union.
As partners who understand the nature of the movement, care about its future and know our mutual needs and capabilities, we can get things moving again.
I offer you a year of hard work.

About Ben Archibald:
Five years activity in Students’ Unions:
• Three years on Student Representative Council, Queen’s University Belfast Students Union,
• Deputy Convenor, NUS-USI, (2001-2002)
• Northern Area Officer/ Convenor, NUS-USI (2002-2003)
• Re-elected Northern Area Officer/ Convenor, NUS-USI (2003-2004)
• Five years’ Delegate to USI National Congress




Thank you for taking the time to read my manifesto; it’s a document which sets out my vision for the student movement in Ireland, how I feel USI should deal with the restructuring challenges ahead of us, and how I think USI should answer the Government’s plan on reintroduction of third level fees.
There can be no doubt about the financial situation of our Union; this next year will be about compelling campaigns and excellence in money-management. I’m committed to securing the long-term survival of the organisation and the support of our members. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s the right thing to do.
Let’s rise to the challenge. Let’s work together to make USI work.
Ben Archibald, March 2004



USI is at its best when at its boldest, when our campaigns capture the imagination of our members. Campaigns don’t have to be expensive, but they do need to be accessible and innovative. Our greatest asset is our membership, and unity is our greatest strength.
Fees present a barrier to education, whether they’re collected before, during or after a course. I believe in access to third level based on the ability and willingness to learn, not on the ability to pay, and I’ll defend access as I have in the North.
• Sometimes, action has to be taken on the streets; Governments listen when mass movements emerge to offer resistance to their plans. We must stand firm against cutbacks in education, and must be ready to oppose fees when they’re threatened.
• Nothing is off the table as far as action is concerned. We need the Campaigns Officer to concentrate on innovation, with an eye to what worked in the past. We shouldn’t be afraid to take direct action.
• I want partnership to mark this next year; state agencies, trades unions, charities and non-governmental organisations must all be met and allied with to win the fights ahead. I’ve used this approach in the North, and it works.
The coming months are about making sure USI doesn’t lose its edge, and that Ceann Áras is able to serve our member unions, while Congress mandates on restructuring are implemented.
During that time, we must be vigilant to ensure that our capacity to campaign is maintained. I’ll form a unit for rapid rebuttal of pro-fees arguments, and I’ll be in constant communication with our partner organisations to make sure any action we take has effect. action we take has effect.

• Every cent spent by USI should further the aims and objectives of USI as we define them at Congress, whether raised through affiliation fees, or not. It's the job of the President and the rest of the Officer Board to successfully and sensitively implement our policy objectives; on top of that, it would be my job as President to make sure the finance is in place and that any money we do raise is wisely spent.
• We must secure the future of the union while we rebuild it.
• If I'm elected, this year will be marked by a greater determination than ever before to ethically fund-raise and keep to our constitutional principle of independence. We're a Union in the proudest tradition, a union of people, and we should be proud of our roots. If we get money, it will be for hard work, not a hand-out.
• USI does a lot. It's up to you to let the Officers know if it's doing well enough. If it's not - it's up to you to let us know so we can support campaigns facing challenges.
• I'm not scared to stop the rot and call the Officer Board to account if it's not working well enough with your money; at the same time, I want to support our officers to do their job better for your students.


• Officer Board members must be educated as to best financial practice, and the new regulations we're going to need to protect the Union against future failures.
• I promise that I'd never make any deal with a union that would unfairly or inappropriately disadvantage any other. I want USI's membership to have pride in their national organisation.
• Our actions will lead to a more stable National Organisation with all the power and kudos in the National Education debate that it needs and deserves for its members.


• I believe that every student should live free from discrimination on the grounds of status, belief or lifestyle, whether that relates to gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, political preference, religion or financial means, and that USI should be ready and able to support them.
• I will support, to the very best of my ability, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students campaign, Students with Disabilities campaign, Women’s campaign, Feachtais na Gaelige and Environmental campaign, and honour their right to autonomous self-organisation.
• Pink Training must happen this year, and working groups will continue to be facilitated according to the constitution.