Róisín Costelloe

 

 

Hi Everyone! Dia daoibh!

About me:

I’m a 24-year-old from the Gaeltacht in Donegal. I was part of the Donegal Youth Council, Foróige National Council and gave the European Youth Parliament a try as well. I’ve always been passionate about advocating for others. I have an undergraduate degree in Law with Politics from Queen’s and I’m undertaking a Masters in International Commercial and Business Law.

My time at Queens wouldn’t have been the same without my involvement with the Students’ Union. I was PR Secretary and Treasurer for QUB Knights Cheerleaders (club), Secretary and Treasurer for QUB Swiftsoc and a member of QMTS (socs). I was a course rep at UG and PG level and sat on the School of Law PGT Education Committee which I received a Head of School Contribution Award for. I was an elected student councillor for AHSS, Postgrads and All Students and sat on the CLubs and Societies subcommittee as a member for 2 year which I now chair, as well as being on the SU Management Board for one year. I've volunteered with homework clubs and worked as part of the SU Operations and rReception team as a purple shirt.

Being elected as Activities & Engagement Student Officer last March and starting the role in July has allowed me to build ties and relationships within the university. This is increased by my role as a student council representative on Senate which is the governing body of the University. This experience has proved to me that university is more than just academics. The SU covers student voice, clubs & socs, enterprise,  volunteering, advice, mental health and wellbeing with a place for everyone within it. Every Student deserve a transformative student experience that they're told they'll get at Queen's.

 

Why I’m Running:

Students are struggling more than ever between university, work, cost of living and mental health. I will aim to support students and reduce the barriers they face. I’m passionate that students should enjoy the ‘best years of their life’ without additional stress. I’m running for President as I believe the SU deserves a leader with experience who cares and embodies the spirit of the SU. The SU is a core part of my university experience and I want to be able to give back, represent, and advocate for better for our students on a higher level having gained insight during my term as Activities & Engagement Officer and a new senator.

 

What a vote for me means:

 

Increased clubs and societies support

This year there were vacancies and movement within the C&S team which was felt by committees. Clubs and societies are the heart of the SU and deserve the most support they can get. It's helps you network, build skills and make memories you will remember forever.

-Reduced PEC fees for Queen’s athletes

·      If elected I will continue my work on getting a student club PEC membership brought into effect as a step towards reducing the barriers to sport. Our athletes should feel appreciated when they are representing Queens University Belfast and be able to use the PEC to get stronger and be the best athlete they can, which can be positively reflected in their sport and/or team.

 

-Continuation of Doubled Free PEC Access for Freshers

·      I will seek to continue the doubled free PEC club access that I received for students during Freshers in September/October 2025 for those in September 2026.

 

-Digital Transformation: Membership & Finances

·      Adding membership details manually can be time-consuming for committee and often lead to inaccurate numbers as student life is busy and members may join some C&S at any time. Member registration should be easier, like that of joining associations where it has a join button on the association web page which will register you as a member when you check out. This could remove underreporting, extra admin and reducing stress on committee. Clubs and Socs that charge membership fees could have this deposited to their account.

 

 

 

Cost of living support

It’s imperative that we continue with the cost of living support the SU currently offer and expand where possible. Placement students are having to pay to travel for mandatory placmeent which is not ok.

-Free meals

• This is paramount. Funding will be secured for this as it is a necessity to supply our students with. Students shouldn't have to choose between eating and heating. I was the Student Officer in charge of Big Brunch which hit record numbers in September.

-Expand the Pantry

• The pantry continues to have record numbers as students have no choice but to attend and get supplies. The SU should be a place that removes barriers and I aim to continue with this and elaborate where I can.

 

 

Student Safety: Ending violence against women and girls

• Leading on this topic this year I was able to sit on the end to end violence against women and girls and the tertiary sector working group as well as the training subgroup. I've been leading the green dot bystander intervention training within the SU. We all have a part to play in calling it inappropriate behavior at the ground level before it progresses to worse. I requested White Ribbon Training to be moved to the 16 Days of Activism which it was. I organized self-defense classes during lunch time throughout November and hosted an  Inner  STrength conference on womens health and safety funded by the QUeen's UNiveristy Civic Contribution Fund.
• No student should miss out on the transformative university experience due to feeling unsafe. Be it male, female, international, or a home studnet we are all people who deserve respect.
• Green Dot Bystander Intervention rolled out to more students.

 

  Academic Support

·      Individual Student Support Agreements are laid out in advance. Your school should follow them. Remove the stigma about taking what you’re entitled to. These are not exceptional circumstances, they are ongoing. Any issues please let us know.

·      Lecture Recordings- So long as people opt out of lecture recordings, students will be missing out on education and disadvantaged in scenarios of sickness, menstruation, work, familial commitments and grievances. The lecture part of a seminar should be considered to be inclusive of all.

 

Overall:

I’m running for SU President as I believe the SU deserves a leader with experience who cares and embodies the spirit of the SU. The SU is a core part of my university experience and I want to be able to give back, represent, and fight for better for our students on a higher level having gained insight during my term as Activities & Engagement Officer. Every student deserves a transformative student experience.

 

Other

• More study spaces for our students in the SU. We only have one room in the SU with a acpacity of over 36. We need better spaces for individuals and groups.
• Support the use of Irish language on campus in line with QSU Council policy, following the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 and Belfast City Council Irish Language Policy.
• Support Staff working conditions are students’ learning conditions. PHD students shouldn't have to operate in poor conditions.