We are not paying our Sabbats 400 euro a week to sit and self-promote themselves over tea. And I simply can’t get by that if I’m honest, Aidan.

The Sabbats are drowning in work loads, I think it’s simply naive to think that taking a few hours out every week to have tea and chat to students would not affect the job that needs to be done.

We are facing a seriously tough time in this climate as students. Fees increasing, post-grand grants removed, individual student grants cut, sexism, racism (hello Atkinson and LGBT issues..amongst other things of course.

That’s fair enough, I only knew who one of my sabbatical officers were when I was in first year. I understand where you’re coming from on the pro-active idea. However, I still firmly believe that there are many, many, many ways to involve students more in the Union. I do not think tea mornings are an effective or productive way in doing this. All you have to do is look at the Please Talk tea events to realise how few people care or get involved.

Exactly WHO your sabbatical officers is not the relevant issues. It’s that they are THERE, working for YOU and are available to YOU for guidance. I just think it’s absolutely ludicrous.

Atkinson has not got one innovative idea on his manifesto. His attempt at a website is a sham. His negative campaigning towards Paddy Guiney has been shameful for the university and students alike. His manifesto only addressed communications, it does not address one campaign outside of Road Safety. In my opinion there are way more prevalent issues affecting students outside of Road Safety.

I was actually going to give Atkinson my #2 up until all this negative campaigning came out. A lot of people have been repulsed by it and he has really shot himself in the foot there.

I don’t really understand your first paragraph there, yes it was initiated by DCU this is true. We’re the biggest university in Ireland, we have trained many famous sports men and women. Why not encourage this participation through creditation for participation?

Yes I fully accept your point regarding it favouring younger students. However surely there are more positives than negatives in this regard? We should support more rounded degrees with experience outside of the lecture theatres.

A failure? Well, listen, it seems to me often campaigns do not actually achieve their main goal. However, it is all about the awareness and the buzz you create. A mass movement of people making a point. A committee has been set up by UCD with the Athletics Board looking at the feasibility of having a new track built. I don’t know how you could not call a committee such as this being set up as a failure.

Apologies if I came across petulant, it was a rash post. Paddy is a close friend of mine and has been through a lot of personal attacks over the last weeks and I just got a bit firey momentarily.

I can confirm I am not Lacey or Paddy, I’m simply a close friend.

Don’t make me laugh, Kevin; cos Aisling Sheerin already did! She was an absolute joke in these video debates, making absolutely nonsensical points and if anything she was the most ‘rambling’ candidate -certainly not cut out for any type of debate. I mean, who actually cares where an SU officer’s political allegiance lies? Do you honestly think that even if they were a member of SWP or FF that their beliefs would permeate through to the SU? Get real, it’s not like the SWP candidate will suddenly turn UCD into a collectivised farm run by a dictatorial regime; or similarly if an FF candidate wins, do you honestly think they would all be accepting brown envelopes to allow apartments to be developed on the concourse? Saying she was totally ‘apolitical’ was just stupid. Why get involved in SU politics then? If she had said something like “I look at policies over parties”, then she could have salvage some respect in my eyes. But the whole thing is a joke to be honest; the reality is that SU elections are like watching a bunch of kids playing political dress-up.

He had an integral part in supporting an idea which UCD (NOT UCD, do you understand the difference little man?) initiated, based on something which another prominent Dublin-based University had started.

Creditation for life is completely biased in favour of younger under-graduate students. It might have its virtues but it has many problems. We’ll see what UCD will do.

Save Our Track is continually bandied about as a “success” for Paddy. It was a failure; the track is gone. UCD athletes have to either train around campus, not on a track, or off campus.

If you are saying that success is based purely upon getting an idea known, whether it is good or bad, then I think you highly under-estimate what students EXPECT from the Union.

Anyone could run around lecture theatres, disrupt the class, and ask people to support an idea and fail. Like all the previous “stop the fees” campaigns. Paddy is certainly well versed in those.

He didn’t hit up Richview. He’s a nice chap, don’t get me wrong, but his petulance in the face of criticism is matched only by Brendan Lacey or you. Are you Lacey or Paddy?!

When I was in first year, I wouldn’t have been able to name 2 of the sabbats, never mind the C&C officer. Surely a pro-active policy such as this can only heighten student involvement in the SU and help educate students on what their paid officers can do for them. Maybe getting out and finding out what the average student cares about is something that should be encouraged, rather than be referred to as demeaning.

Karl Gill, well fair play to admitting to failing the leaving cert, not sure how well that will stand to him though. He’s part of a group who bully people constantly and accuse honest hard working people of cheating and lying when they happen to have become successful the right way just because they like to tar everyone over the breadline with the same brush. I am fully in favour of free fees but where else is the 1 million debt going to come from Karl?! Maybe make the not stuggling students pay for everyone else as you would have the country do?! No, I refuse to put someone like that in any sort of powerful position. He also will listen to no-one once elected.

Paddy, who I actually met recently held his own under attack from the other three. Can’t say I agree with the insinuation he’d have anything to do with the parking situation but it would be the elected officer’s job to try at least. He comes across courteous mostly in person however the KBC thing really bothers me and I’m not sure I can trust anyone from there any longer given the situation we’re in now. He fits into the same category as Pat de Brun for me – nice guy etc but ultimately what are they doing for us Vs what the job is doing for their CVs.

James Atkinson came across collected and in my opinion, very well. He seems like he had researched a lot of his arguments, he was realistic in his goals and points he made were very valid for the most part. I’m not sure he would be able to cope in the position and remain friendly with others and have a positive image for UCD. I have to say after this debate my vote has changed significantly and I now believe James Atkinson to be the best of an average lot, as he might actually get the job done.

Hey Aidan,

Personally I would think that campaigns would be the more integral part of the position due to student’s circumstances at the minute. Postgrads suffer heavily due to grants being taken away, they pay about 30k a year in fees. Fees are looking to be hiked again. Furthermore, there are plenty of student issues in every day life which need addressing such as the taking away of IT Services in the science building.

Personally I would rather see my future C&C officer working on campaigns than having tea with a few students and self-promoting himself. Having a stand with tea will bring about as many people into the Union as saying “come into my office”. The Please Talk tea and breakfast mornings are not particularly successful in bringing new people into the Union. I don’t know why a C&C tea stand would be any different.

Campaigns are the more integral part of this position considering the times. Therefore I find it demeaning to the position!

Hey Aidan,

Personally I would think that campaigns would be the more integral part of the position due to student’s circumstances at the minute. Postgrads suffer heavily due to grants being taken away, they pay about 30k a year in fees. Fees are looking to be hiked again. Furthermore, there are plenty of student issues in every day life which need addressing such as the taking away of IT Services in the science building.

Personally I would rather see my future C&C officer working on campaigns than having tea with a few students and self-promoting himself. Having a stand with tea will bring about as many people into the Union as saying “come into my office”. The Please Talk tea and breakfast mornings are not particularly successful in bringing new people into the Union. I don’t know why a C&C tea stand would be any different.

Campaigns are the more integral part of this position considering the times. Therefore I find it demeaning to the position!

Sorry Sinead. I’m talking about the “Save Our Track” campaign. The Athletics Board joined forces with the Sports Crew and ran around college, disrupting classes and raising awareness in a way that has not been done for a long time in UCD. Most students would have heard about Save Our Track and be able to say “oh yeah they ran through my lecture theatre!”

Here’s the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa1Kr96Cwbs

Here’s the campaign page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/UCD-SAVE-OUR-TRACK/253464394710434

I don’t think any of the candidates are promising anything when they cite ideas outside of the Campaigns & Communications Officer role. What they mean is that they will lobby, campaign and work to get these things implemented. Or at least set the groundwork for future officers. This is what is meant when we talk about parking, moving the bookshop etc.

Great idea regarding the stickers etc. Brian.