UCC SU Elections 2023

By James Kemmy (News Editor) and Atakan Uzun (Deputy News Editor)

Last week saw the culmination of the annual UCC Student’s Union elections. These decide who will go on to form the SU Executive for the next academic term. Voting took place online from Monday morning (March 6th) to Wednesday afternoon, with the results being announced later that evening by incumbent president, Asha Woodhouse in the New Bar. 

Seeing a much stronger polling turnout than previous, pandemic-affected years, this year’s vote suggests that the full return to campus has boosted students’ political engagement. By use of a PR-STV (proportional representation through single transferable vote) system, the same seen for local, general and EU elections in Ireland, students were able to rank their chosen candidates by order of preference, with the additional option of re-opening nominations for each position.

Following the hustings sessions which took place for the part-time reps and sabbatical roles on the 28th February and 1st March respectively, voters were able to gain a sense of what each candidate offered. Hustings is an opportunity for those running for office to promote their manifesto policies and answer questions or concerns posed by students. With a large turnout on the 1st March session particularly, there was vibrant debate and interest surrounding the future direction of the SU. 

SU Election ‘23 saw a wide range of roles filled, with the various branches of UCC student politics replaced with new faces. These categories include six full-time sabbatical officers (including President), alongside three part-time campaign positions and four college representatives. Details of the election results are categorised below:

President:

In a contested battle that generated much attention, commerce student Colm Foley was elected President over Alannah O’Connor, the current SU Welfare Officer. 

Speaking to the Express last week, both candidates discussed their manifesto priorities. O’Connor emphasised aims of removing the student contribution fee, creating a social fund for trans students in the process of transitioning and renewing a formal role for the university in college Christmas events. Foley’s campaign meanwhile focused on the promotion of the Irish language, reforming educational extensions policy and building solutions to the student accommodation crisis, primarily through incentivising digs arrangements for local homeowners.

Deemed elected on the first count after surpassing the quota, Foley will go on to assume the office of SU President following the conclusion of this academic year, replacing Asha Woodhouse who has served the last two annual terms as head of the Union. Closing his campaign, Colm stated: “I’m not representing any specific student group, but every student of UCC equally. I’m being myself, my heart is in the right place and I genuinely care. It would be an honour to serve in 54 College Road as President of UCC Student’s Union”.

Welfare Officer:

Aoibhe O’Brien, final year Government and Political Science student was successful in her campaign for Welfare Officer, a role contested by two other candidates- Brian O’Kane and Kacper Pilarek. Aiming to address a widespread “welfare crisis” being experienced by students right now, O’Brien’s messaging was centred on securing paid work placements for all students, providing specialised sexuality and gender supports and enhancing counselling services on campus by promoting the need for more university psychiatrists.

Entertainment:

Another category contested by three candidates was that of Entertainment (Ents) Officer. A race that saw the withdrawal of a fourth candidate mid-way through the campaign, Jill Mortel ultimately won a higher share of the vote than her final running mates, Es Ankum and Emily Terrie-Shannon. Jill has stated that she wants to re-build UCC’s entertainment scene as we emerge from the pandemic with an inclusive and socially conscious approach. “There will be something provided for everyone”, Mortell promised in the election lead up, emphasising vintage clothes markets, broadening Cork’s student nightlife and providing screenings of large-scale sports events. 

Education:

BA History and Geography student Ali O’Mahony was elected Education Officer, winning over Bláithín Sheehy. Basing her candidacy on three key pillars; academic inclusivity, student supports, and funding and accessibility, Ali will soon take over from current Education Officer, Stephen O’Riordan after May.

Communications and Engagement:

A campaign fielded by candidates Phillip Brennan and Hayley O’Connell, it was Hayley who was victorious on election night, surpassing the quota on the first count. Their manifesto was defined by increasing SU visibility on satellite campuses and a new town hall initiative which students are encouraged to attend to voice concerns about the work the SU is doing in representing students.

Commercial and Fundraising:

Kayley Nolan ran uncontested in the Comms and Fundraising candidacy and was elected to the role on a mandate of maintaining financial autonomy for the SU. “The role has a lot of potential to engage students in a different way through the people that I’ll be able to bring on campus”, said Kayley speaking to the Express last week. 

CACSSS Rep:

Meanwhile, four representatives were elected to advocate on behalf of their respective discipline schools, known as colleges.  Running for the role of representative for the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, unopposed, Ella Barrett surpassed the quota in the first count, and was deemed elected. She ran her campaign with a considerable emphasis on being a voice for students and liaising between class representatives and the Student Union Executive. 

Med and Health Rep:

Kacper Bogalecki ran unopposed for the part-time role of the Medical and Health representative. He exceeded the quota on the first count, and was therefore deemed elected. In his manifesto, he outlined his desire to advocate for student rights and welfare, improve student experience, and diversity of culture and inclusivity. 

Business and Law Rep:

Having run for the position of Business and Law representative, once again, a part-time role, Gearoid O’Donovan was elected in the first count, having run for the post unopposed. He placed a focus on advocating for postgraduate students in his manifesto and addressing the concerns of students in his respective department. 

SEFS Rep:

Running for the part-time position for Science, Engineering and Food Science representative, Quinton Kelly secured the position in the first count, after being elected unopposed. He promised to deliver for students in his manifesto, with communication, transparency and commitment. 

Irish Language and Cultural Rep:

Lastly, three students were chosen by voters to serve in part-time, campaign issue based roles. Katie Halpin Hill secured election in the first count after running uncontested for the part-time role of Irish Language and Cultural representative (Ionadaí Gaeilge agus Cultúir). Having been co-opted into the position in October of last year, Katie is likely to continue to build upon the work she has done so far to promise the inclusion of the Irish language across the university. 

Environmental and Sustainability Rep:

Running for the hotly contested position of Environmental and Sustainability representative, Dearbhla Richardson was elected in the first count with 2,869 first preference votes, compared to her counterpart, Martha Cashell, who secured 611 FPV. Placing a light on her passion for intersectional climate justice, she believed there was power in people coming together on the issue of climate change, and would continue to work to maintain UCC’s renowned reputation for being a green campus in her time as Environmental and Sustainability representative. 

Equality and Diversity Rep:

Competing for the position of Equality and Diversity Rep, Baromie Fullah came out the victor on the first count with 2,656 votes, compared to 1,137 for her opponent, Kevin O’Connor. Baromie’s campaign was largely centred around improving digital and physical accessibility in UCC, along with establishing new focus group initiatives to generate anonymous feedback on equality issues.

On the whole, the UCC SU Elections ‘23 witnessed strong candidate passion and widespread interest from the student body. With a host of political innovations proposed from the elected officers, time will tell if these are implemented successfully and perceived as popular.