Strong union the difference according to Presidential candidates | Audrey Ellard Walsh

The final debate of the evening took place between the Presidential candidates; Colm Collins, Padraig Houghney, Mark Stanton and Marcus Yarrow.Unusually, none of the Presidential hopefuls have been members of the Students’ Union Executive in the past.The candidates each asked the group one open question which their opponents had one minute to answer. Colm Collins asked the group about their plans fordealing with the grant system, specifically, their plans for helping students who are struggling due to their grants being delayed. Mark Stanton emphasised the importance, whoever gets elected, that there be a push to register students to vote as a powerful message to put to the Government. “120,000 students register to vote. I think that sends out a strong message to the government.” He was keen to note the difference between pensioners and students: “the pension hasn’t been hit in recent years, while the grant has been hit heavily. That’s the difference. Pensioners vote.”Marcus Yarrow spoke about introducing a tracking system for grant applications, allowing the Students’ Union to assist students in keeping tabs on their applications, rather than finding out six months after submission that they are ineligible or have missed an important piece of documentation. He also discussed ensuring that students are aware of the supports available from the Welfare Officer in relation to financial hardship.Mark Stanton’s question was in relation to the careers service difficulties in enticing students to attend career events. He asked the candidates how they would encourage students to attend recruitment events. Padraig felt that hosting monthly graduate events in Devere Hall would be a way to make students more aware of graduate opportunities after they leave UCC.Colm believes that a lack of information about services and events is to blame and would go about advertising through emails and the digital signage on campus as a way to ensure that student uptake improves for the Careers Service and others. The fact that many members of the Careers Service work part-time was an issue that the candidates disagreed with and something they felt was detrimental to the student body as a whole. Ensuring the best possible qualifications is not enough for graduates anymore, rather the necessity to be adequately informed and prepared to enter a graduate programme or further study is essential and this is something the candidates are seeking to address.Padraig Houghney addressed the point of SU interaction with students in his question and asked what candidates would do as representatives to interact with students in UCC. Marcus believes that there should be a more open forum available to students where they can meet and greet their officers and if elected, would have an open door policy to students. Mark Stanton would introduce weekly clinic hours where students could come in and air their views. He also proposed a text service which would guarantee a text back within 24 hours no matter the question.Marcus Yarrow had the final question to the group and questioned them on what attributes they felt makes them the best person for the job. Colm says that he has the welfare of the students at heart and wants to promote a “caring union that you the students of UCC would be proud of”. Padraig believes that his status as a UCC graduate means that he “know(s) what it takes to graduate from a UCC programme” and in his fourth year in UCC having lived both at home and away believes that he knows what the student lifestyle is like and what students need.