Manifesto Summary

I'm Aoife, and I'm running to be your next Campaigns and Engagement Officer!

I am studying a Masters in Politics, work as a Civic Action Intern in Queen’s Student Union, and I am a course rep

When I was an undergraduate student, I didn’t get involved with my Student Union at all.

A large part of why I didn’t get involved was that I wasn’t aware of what the Union actually did - until I began working as Accommodation Support Officer at the UCD Students’ Union. Here, I supported students with issues they were having with accommodation from having poor heating on-campus, to referring them onto the necessary supports to help them find emergency accommodation.

The reason why I am standing for Campaigns and Engagement is not only based of my experience in Students’ Unions - one of my fondest memories is attending a protest for the closure of Guantanamo Bay during the G8 in Fermanagh, and continued to advocate in Amnesty International Society at UCD.

The importance of student mobilisation cannot be understated - we are studying on the grounds where students historically mobilised on the basis of civil rights for all in Northern Ireland.

1. Cost of Survival Supports

Statistics are crucial in demonstrating to those who have the power to change circumstances for students. Speaking to students on-campus, we all know what it feels like to be worried about affording the basics with education on top. Recent statistics from NUS UK show that 42% of students are travelling to campus less due to the rising cost of fuel, and 52% of students are spending less money on food. It is unfathomable to imagine a situation where a student is cutting costs just to be able to study at university.

• Introduce long-term, cheap food options for students on campus
• Guarantor scheme for international students and greater focus on renting rights and protection for students
• Introduce A strike financial support fund to help reimburse students for any financial losses that occurred with striking
• Lobby for refunds for students on strike days
• Improve communications with students on the issue of strikes and how they can take action 

2. Mobilise Student Life Clubs and Societies are the backbone of student life, and this year’s Freshers and Refreshers Fairs demonstrate the passion and excitement that students have to be back on-campus again. The greatest memories I have as an undergraduate student were with the societies I was on the committee of - one of the facets of student life I want to work on as Campaigns and Engagement Officer is ensuring that clubs and societies are well-equipped throughout the academic year.

Similarly, the introduction of Associations as part of the Democracy Review is an exciting new territory for the Union - and a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved!

• Create effective resources for Associations to mobilise and engage with students and promote Associations on-campus
• Promote defunct student societies and nurture new societies to provide opportunities and skills to students
• Encourage and foster cooperation between societies 

3.Transform democracy and campaigns

Students are automatically a member of Queen’s Student Union when they enter as a student. Students should have opportunities to be educated on how to run an effective campaign and be given the resources to create and run their own campaigns on-campus.

The introduction of Campaign Groups this year was the right step towards putting democracy and politics back into the hands of students - it is now time to fully mobilise and engage students in our campaign groups to create effective change on campus.

• Introduce more deliberative means to ensure every students voice is heard; through Queen’s Student Union and nationally
• Create a Campaign Leadership course, accredited with DegreePlus; education and awareness on how to campaign effectively and opportunities for students to create their own campaigns should be an essential resource for every student. This is your Union - students need to be empowered to run their own campaigns and be educated on how to actively and effectively organise
• Connect with organisations outside of QSU to give opportunities to students - the fantastic Volunteering team here at QSU have numerous opportunities for students to volunteer at local organisations across Belfast.
• Encourage on-the-ground change through the Make It Happen Fund to allow students to create their own campaigns and engage with advocacy online and on-campus

4. Climate Change: Road to Net Zero

The Climate Emergency is the most pressing issues facing humankind. It is crucial that we keep momentum and encourage further change within Queen's to prevent and climate disaster.

• Promote the use of public transport to queen's and nationally
• Lobby to end single-use plastic on campus
• IMPLEMENT A WEEKLY FOOD REFILL VAN ON CAMPUS FOR A CHEAPER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR ESSENTIALS
• secure further investment for climate literacy on-campus
• Work with the climate action group to promote a more sustainable campus