Hi folks I hope you are all well,
I’m Cathal McStay and I am really excited to be running for this position. I am Computer Science student currently on placement with KPMG in Dublin and am honestly missing the ‘Big Shmoke’ however I hopefully will be back in Belfast next year. Some of you might know me from being a course rep, or from the widening participation scheme, or from being in and around the uni. For those of you who don’t know me, I look forward to speaking to you and getting your feedback but also for the craic which as we all know is the basis of every good relationship.
If I were elected, I would aim to:
1. Fight for Pizza Days!
In all seriousness, it is difficult to write a manifesto for a position like this because my voice should be an extension of your voice (your voice would be the parent class of my positions, you should vote for me because of my sense of humour)
I have volunteered as a course rep and represented my fellow placement students this year and on sitting in on meetings between course reps, school reps and staff. I have very quickly realised, as a course rep, that staff members are willing and receptive to our feedback and open to talking with us about issues we have. What I would want to change is to try and introduce more ways of giving you the opportunity to give us your feedback. We can only operate with the mandate of the school body’s voice.
So, for real this time!
Community (Pobal):
Across the School of EEECS and the wider EPS faculty, we have a wide array of characters, people who are very outgoing and friendly and maybe some people who are a bit more shy and, perhaps, wish to get a better experience of uni life, because that is what university is about at the end of the day, it is about going to the classroom being able to have fun and learn with the people around you and taking it out of the classroom, whether that is through sports, clubs or even a ‘quiet’ pint or two on a night out. I feel like we can all do our bit to create a tighter-knit community by being more open with students and staff, putting ourselves out there more, organising events, nights out, or sports/e-sports days.
Accessibility (Rochtain):
The past few years have been tough for everybody, but, every cloud has a silver lining I am sure we have all at one stage been, sick or otherwise, unable to attend lectures or be able to attend an in-person exam. We have seen the benefits of having an online integrated learning environment, and I believe it is important that we don’t loose this just because we are entering a lockdown free year. We need to have talks with lecturers and members of staff about ensuring all lectures and practicals are available online and recorded, and have conversations about exams and find the best solutions.
You (Tusa):
I may be labouring the point at this stage! However, you are the most important element of university. Without you, yes you, this whole system doesn’t exist. Your voice matters, your opinion maters and your wellbeing matters. Whether I am elected or not, I am here for you and so is everybody else. Don’t forget that.