The big interview: Laura Harmon
[lead]Conor Shearman speaks to USI President Laura Harmon on graduating from UCC, alternatives to the current fees system and where we would be without the USI.[/lead][hr gap="2"]It is an exciting time for the USI. Pre-budget plans are well underway in anticipation of the October the 8th nationwide rally whilst eyes are already being drawn to next spring’s referendum for marriage equality; this alongside a host of regular annual campaigns.Laura Harmon is not one to be overawed by her situation though. A confident, breezy manner reveals that for the UCC graduate, being USI president is an opportunity to be seized rather squandered. Indeed it is her time in UCC which she feels had a large part to play in where she is today, “being part of the LGBT society in particular really politicised me I feel,” she explains, “it was such a fantastic society and resource to have in the college.”It was student politics which captured her attention following graduation. Harmon was elected equality and citizenship officer in the USI for two years, before being elected President for the current year, the first female president of the USI in twenty years. It is a point which many have been quick to criticise and one she readily acknowledges is telling; “I certainly feel that it does have to be questioned why there hasn’t been any female presidents in the last twenty years. I do think that student politics can be maybe not as representative as it should be. At times very similar to national politics, there is a gender imbalance there, but I certainly think things are improving.”Countering the trend is something the USI is addressing. A women and leadership campaign will be launched in January, aiming to promote running for elections to female students, although it may be that a more deep-rooted cultural change is required.The budget is where the current priority dwells. For the first time in three years the USI is organising a national pre-budget rally in Dublin on the 8th of October, something that is hoped will maximise student engagement.
"The USI has been overall as effective as it could be given that we’ve gone through one of the greatest recessions that we’ve seen in this society.”
The tone of the event is changing too, moving away from the negative slant of a protest, it is hoped more students will get involved as artists play on the day, whilst a number of other organisations including the TUI and IFUT are involved in the ‘Rally for Education’. The idea Laura explains is that it will be “not just about students but the contributions students make to society and the value of education to society as a whole.”
Questions remain though over the effectiveness of protesting, challenged on whether she believed lobbying to be a better alternative she remained balanced. “The two approaches work well together; it maximises student engagement this way. A public event allows for students who may not directly lobby their TD to get involved.” The desperate nature of finances amongst students is something which may prompt more to take to the streets this year. The student maintenance grant which was not cut for the first time in five years last year is a worrying target for students this time around.The issue of falling third level funding is another budgetary concern of great significance. Directly impacting on the quality of Irish education; it has triggered a widespread decline in the global rankings of Irish universities. Alternative approaches touted for funding such as full fee student loan schemes and graduate taxes are dismissed, “people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more debt averse, so they’d be less likely to take on the burden of a loan.” The pragmatic reality of the situation she explains is that “neither student loans or graduate taxes will provide any immediate funding into the system.”Instead Harmon advocates Ireland should continue with its system of progressive taxation, promoting education as the means by which the economy can lift itself out of the recession. It may be that the changing of the guard in terms of Education minister may also provide an impetus to the ailing third level system, there is a sense that third level was neglected by Ruairi Quinn in favour of secondary and primary education. Jan O’ Sullivan Harmon believes, “has a huge opportunity now to really make an impact in third level education”Although the USI’s main aim, the protection of the maintenance grant was realised last year, a vague sense of disenfranchisement still greets its leadership. UCD’s disaffiliation from the USI in 2013 was a major blow to the organisation whilst UCC plans to hold a referendum on USI membership in spring 2015. For Laura it is a divisive topic, “If the USI didn’t exist what kind of situation would we be in now? I believe that things would be a lot worse for students if we didn’t have a national organisation to represent them to Government and to lobby on their behalf. The USI has been overall as effective as it could be given that we’ve gone through one of the greatest recessions that we’ve seen in this society.”
"I do think that student politics can be maybe not as representative as it should be."
It may be that small scale adjustment rather than widespread reform is in need for the USI. Informing students of the role of the USI and how it impacts on them personally will be key to creating a better dialogue. Fresher’s packs provided to 30,000 students highlighting exactly this, is an attempt to remedy this situation. The referendum in UCC she believes is a challenge to be engaged with and is optimistic that the college will remain part of the USI. It is well represented she believes, pointing to the college’s close ties with the union in terms of producing officers, alongside having a relatively large vote in its annual congress and national council.In spite of the negativity surrounding students’ financial woes, the USI hopes to bring a positive sense of purpose around campuses this year. The upcoming referendum for marriage equality is a chance for students to act as a force of positive change, “I think we’ve a huge opportunity, not just to pass marriage equality but to show the Government that students can get out and vote in high numbers. We’ll be coming up to a general election in 2016 that will really show the Government that students are a force to be reckoned with.”A large part of the USI’s campaign will focus on getting students to register to vote, something which is already well underway.For Laura Harmon a sense of possibility dawns for the year ahead. A year may be a short time is make your leadership count but she hopes that it will be a campaign to remember.