Manifesto
I’m Aisling Cusack and I am your current Deputy President/Education Officer. Before being elected to this position, I spent 4 years studying Business Management. I believe the skills I learnt over those years have broadened and strengthened during my time in office and make me the best candidate for the role in 2016/2017.
Throughout the year, I have constantly made my voice heard loud and clear where needed. I have defended students, called out lecturers who have not been fulfilling their duties and have effectively resolved disputes which have arisen between students and staff.
I sit on Academic Council and several sub-committees representing the educational needs of the students. My most recent success is changing the academic policy of the college. I believe students’ hard-earned GPA’s should not be tattered by one bad exam. The changes I am introducing allow final year students the chance to achieve an Honours Degree even if they have to repeat a final exam.
Currently, the college will only award students ‘Pass’ degrees if a student fails an exam in their final year. This is an unjust and unfair system that allows for no mishaps or bumps along the way. This needed to be changed, so I changed it! This is just one example of a long line of victories.
I do not plan to stop here. If re-elected as your Education Officer, I will strive to make further academic policy changes which favour students’ progression through college. I will lobby sub-committees and Academic Council to introduce a “carry fail” where students can continue into the next year of their course even if they have failed one module. They can then take this exam the following year. This means students will no longer have to add a year on to the length of time it takes to complete their degree. This will prevent students from losing access to grants and college services that they require to remain in third-level education.
Class reps:
In the history of ITT SU, there has never been a class representative for each class group in the college. I have identified why this is the case and have a plan on how to solve it.
I will introduce a “What’s a Rep Gotta Do?” campaign which will be rolled out in the first week of college so students know exactly what the role of a class rep is and can be prepared to run for the position if they wish to do so once recruitment begins.
I will use the SU Exec to carry out in-class elections. This way the entire team is on board and working towards the biggest and best class rep recruitment drive we’ve ever seen. I pledge that every class will have a voice so that class rep council is a true representation of the student body and the students will have the opportunity to direct the SU in the academic year 2016/2017. It is essential that it is clear that we are YOUR voice and are fully committed to working on behalf of the students’ wants and needs.
With the planned launch of the Students’ Union website, there is a lot of potential to bring our services online.
-Bookshop:
By using the website, students will be able to view the number of available copies of a book, the individual condition of each copy and its respective value from the convenience of their own computer/phone. They can then reserve the book online and collect it at their convenience.
-Grinds:
I will establish a ‘Grinds Register’. Students who are competent in their area of study and have a strong exam record can have the opportunity to tutor their peers who may need help in certain areas of study. Tutors can advertise their service rate on the website free of charge. This will be a great way for students needing assistance to get the help they need whilst at the same time, benefiting tutors by supplying a route to extra income.
Graduate to Work Week:
You, as students are learning new skills every day. These are skills which will enable you to become working professionals once you leave college. I want to ensure that each students know how best to portray these skills to prospective employers. As per my manifesto last year, I said I would set up CV and LinkedIn workshops for students. This is due to happen in April.
However, next year, I will introduce a ‘Graduate to Work Week’ in week in the first semester so that you are well prepared for leaving college and not panicking in the second semester.
This will include ‘Dress for Success’, CV workshops, Interview skills, and ‘Ace that Aptitude’ workshops with the inclusion of influential guest speakers with proven track records. I have already begun talks with Heads of Departments about getting in companies who look to hire new graduates.
Exams:
Exams are the most stressful time for students and can bring on unwanted anxiety and exhaustion. Exams will never stop being a nuisance. I can’t change that. However, I can do my best to reassure students and make sure that they have all the information they need when they need it. The experience and knowledge I have in this area will enable me to help students who require assistance before and after exams. If you do not know what your options are, whether you are unhappy with your results, feel as if you have been unfairly treated or want to appeal, you can talk to me about this and I can give you advice on what to do and how to do it.
In addition to this, I am currently in talks with the Marks and Standards committee of which I sit on, to make the ‘Request for Appeal’ forms easier to follow and the information regarding what you can and can’t do more clear. This will result in students being less confused on what they are and are not allowed to do in terms of rechecks and reviews and free up time for them to go and discuss their result with their lecturers.
That first day of term….
This can be a fun and exciting day for so many students if it means getting to see your college friends again and starting off in college for the first time.
It isn’t so fun for students waiting on repeat results to come through while their friends start attending the first couple of lectures. I want to propose to Academic Council that we begin term on the Tuesday rather than the Monday so that students can access their repeat or deferred exam results and avail of services such as the Counselling service, Chaplaincy service, Registrar’s Office, the Students’ Union and meet with their lecturers to discuss their results if needs be. They could do all this without missing any lectures and without having to explain to peers why they are not in class, saving potential embarrassment.
To conclude, I believe the work that I have carried out over the year has always been in the best interests of all students. As someone who genuinely cares about the student population both locally and nationally, I will always do everything I can to ensure students are treated fairly and given the best opportunities for excelling in their education.
I ask you all to get out and use your vote on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th March. Vote for the candidates you believe are most committed to the role, dependable and will not let you down.
Vote for experience, continuity and most importantly,
vote AISLING CUSACK #1 for EDUCATION!
Throughout the year, I have constantly made my voice heard loud and clear where needed. I have defended students, called out lecturers who have not been fulfilling their duties and have effectively resolved disputes which have arisen between students and staff.
I sit on Academic Council and several sub-committees representing the educational needs of the students. My most recent success is changing the academic policy of the college. I believe students’ hard-earned GPA’s should not be tattered by one bad exam. The changes I am introducing allow final year students the chance to achieve an Honours Degree even if they have to repeat a final exam.
Currently, the college will only award students ‘Pass’ degrees if a student fails an exam in their final year. This is an unjust and unfair system that allows for no mishaps or bumps along the way. This needed to be changed, so I changed it! This is just one example of a long line of victories.
I do not plan to stop here. If re-elected as your Education Officer, I will strive to make further academic policy changes which favour students’ progression through college. I will lobby sub-committees and Academic Council to introduce a “carry fail” where students can continue into the next year of their course even if they have failed one module. They can then take this exam the following year. This means students will no longer have to add a year on to the length of time it takes to complete their degree. This will prevent students from losing access to grants and college services that they require to remain in third-level education.
Class reps:
In the history of ITT SU, there has never been a class representative for each class group in the college. I have identified why this is the case and have a plan on how to solve it.
I will introduce a “What’s a Rep Gotta Do?” campaign which will be rolled out in the first week of college so students know exactly what the role of a class rep is and can be prepared to run for the position if they wish to do so once recruitment begins.
I will use the SU Exec to carry out in-class elections. This way the entire team is on board and working towards the biggest and best class rep recruitment drive we’ve ever seen. I pledge that every class will have a voice so that class rep council is a true representation of the student body and the students will have the opportunity to direct the SU in the academic year 2016/2017. It is essential that it is clear that we are YOUR voice and are fully committed to working on behalf of the students’ wants and needs.
With the planned launch of the Students’ Union website, there is a lot of potential to bring our services online.
-Bookshop:
By using the website, students will be able to view the number of available copies of a book, the individual condition of each copy and its respective value from the convenience of their own computer/phone. They can then reserve the book online and collect it at their convenience.
-Grinds:
I will establish a ‘Grinds Register’. Students who are competent in their area of study and have a strong exam record can have the opportunity to tutor their peers who may need help in certain areas of study. Tutors can advertise their service rate on the website free of charge. This will be a great way for students needing assistance to get the help they need whilst at the same time, benefiting tutors by supplying a route to extra income.
Graduate to Work Week:
You, as students are learning new skills every day. These are skills which will enable you to become working professionals once you leave college. I want to ensure that each students know how best to portray these skills to prospective employers. As per my manifesto last year, I said I would set up CV and LinkedIn workshops for students. This is due to happen in April.
However, next year, I will introduce a ‘Graduate to Work Week’ in week in the first semester so that you are well prepared for leaving college and not panicking in the second semester.
This will include ‘Dress for Success’, CV workshops, Interview skills, and ‘Ace that Aptitude’ workshops with the inclusion of influential guest speakers with proven track records. I have already begun talks with Heads of Departments about getting in companies who look to hire new graduates.
Exams:
Exams are the most stressful time for students and can bring on unwanted anxiety and exhaustion. Exams will never stop being a nuisance. I can’t change that. However, I can do my best to reassure students and make sure that they have all the information they need when they need it. The experience and knowledge I have in this area will enable me to help students who require assistance before and after exams. If you do not know what your options are, whether you are unhappy with your results, feel as if you have been unfairly treated or want to appeal, you can talk to me about this and I can give you advice on what to do and how to do it.
In addition to this, I am currently in talks with the Marks and Standards committee of which I sit on, to make the ‘Request for Appeal’ forms easier to follow and the information regarding what you can and can’t do more clear. This will result in students being less confused on what they are and are not allowed to do in terms of rechecks and reviews and free up time for them to go and discuss their result with their lecturers.
That first day of term….
This can be a fun and exciting day for so many students if it means getting to see your college friends again and starting off in college for the first time.
It isn’t so fun for students waiting on repeat results to come through while their friends start attending the first couple of lectures. I want to propose to Academic Council that we begin term on the Tuesday rather than the Monday so that students can access their repeat or deferred exam results and avail of services such as the Counselling service, Chaplaincy service, Registrar’s Office, the Students’ Union and meet with their lecturers to discuss their results if needs be. They could do all this without missing any lectures and without having to explain to peers why they are not in class, saving potential embarrassment.
To conclude, I believe the work that I have carried out over the year has always been in the best interests of all students. As someone who genuinely cares about the student population both locally and nationally, I will always do everything I can to ensure students are treated fairly and given the best opportunities for excelling in their education.
I ask you all to get out and use your vote on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th March. Vote for the candidates you believe are most committed to the role, dependable and will not let you down.
Vote for experience, continuity and most importantly,
vote AISLING CUSACK #1 for EDUCATION!
