Day Two of College Officer Hustings - Science!
The second day of College Officer Hustings took place this afternoon with the candidates for Science convening in the Newman building (naturally)
Three candidates are contesting the race for Science College Officer; Ivan Ambep, Nick Haynes and Gemma Roche. Ambep was unable to attend the hustings in-person due to a mandatory lecture, but sent a virtual pre-recorded video stating his case for Science College Officer.
A key pillar of Ambep’s manifesto tackles the issue why he wasn’t able to attend hustings, as he wants to make it a requirement for all lectures in the school of science to be recorded and streamed. He argued that sometimes life gets in the way and you “just have to miss a lecture.” He argued that the infrastructure was already in place to record lectures, “professors just need to use it.”
He also spoke of wanting to create more softboards and billboards in science to promote society events and celebrate artworks, as well as to help communication between the SU and the school of Science. He said he has spoken with current SU President Miranda Bauer and argues this goal is possible to achieve.
Whilst he duly commended his opponents, he believes he is the prime candidate, stating “Your opinions really matter to me,” and he wants to “go out and get it!”
Gemma says she wanted to run for the role as her previous experience with UCDSU has shown her how much real change the SU can deliver. She hopes to increase collaboration between students, and between students and teachers. She says it “grinds her gears” that students pay extortionate fees to attend UCD, and then don’t feel like they can turn to a lecturer for help, and instead often turn to ChatGPT. She also hopes to improve collaborative spaces, and communication between the SU and the student body.
Nick Haynes opened their speech by taking to the floor, stating “I’ll stand and make it fancy.” They cited their experience so far, both in and out of the union, as giving him the ability to engage with administrations and advocate for students’ needs. Haynes touched on his manifesto, their three main points being: accessibility, lab report support, and unity across science. They want to see equal access to resources, online materials, and overall improved materials for all science students. Haynes says he is “ready to make a positive difference, so pick Nick for science.”
Both present candidates were asked about their stance on UCDSU rejoining USI. Haynes commented that this referendum has been proposed “every year” and believes, “it’s like beating a dead horse, for lack of a better expression.” Whilst Haynes appreciates the work carried out by USI, and understands why the group want UCD to be members, he questions the efficacy of USI and whether ot not it is what UCDSU needs at this moment. He adds, “I don’t think, where we are currently at with our own union, this is worth it for us.”
Roche comments that she “doesn’t have too strong an opinion” on the matter, happy to leave people to their personal choice. “If someone really feels passionate I completely support them, but I think there’s a lot of initiatives that UCDSU has worked on themselves that have done really well, amd I don’t see where USI could work well for us.”
The University Observer asked Nick Haynes how they plan to promote engagement with students in computer science, sustainability, and other schools of science, to which Haynes replied “the important part is making sure at the beginning of the year to specifically target those areas in lecture addressing”, and in the long term, planning events specifically for these students in collaboration with their class representatives.
The University Observer asked Gemma Roche how she plans to be a voice for students on national and international issues, which she mentions in her manifesto, to which she replied a lot would be centered around collaboration with other SU initiatives, citing their current housing petition, and spreading the word in person and online. She would also take the lead from students, and see what they want done.
The two present candidates were asked about how they would bring about a better sense of community within the school of Science. Nick wants to engage and work with class reps to figure out what specific events science students are looking for. He argued that bigger events that are more broad can help to bring all of science together, whilst smaller events for more specific school can help to foster community within schools and year groups.
Gemma points to collaboration between students, societies and indeed academics. She also argued that to tackle the issue with Events more attention should be paid to location and fostering a sense of community in a location, rather than focussing on specific timings for events. She argued that timing an event to suit all is impossible due to scheduling conflicts and commuting issues, but wants instead to bring a better sense of community by having more events in the same locations. She also pointed to more communal seating in order to bring about a better sense of community.
More SU Banners???
Both candidates are then asked by the floor if they would be in favour of having a portrait of themselves at every entrance to the science building, to promote awareness of the Science College Officer with students. Nick Haynes replies affirmatively and enthusiastically, “yes, a very large one”, suggesting it “wraps the whole way around the spiral staircase.” Haynes is quick to clarify that “in reality” the answer is firmly ‘no’. Gemma Roche also jokes she would be on board for huge print-outs of her face in every corner of the science building, but also swiftly comes back down to reality, and says, in effect, no.
Picnics
Haynes’ Campaign slogan is, “Pick Nick 4 Science”. He was then asked the incredibly serious question from the University Observer, “What is your dream picnic lineup?”
After slight confusion, Nick shared his love for cheese “to a concerning degree”, cited the importance of balancing this with some fruit, and made sure to include some Ritz crackers to add an American flare to it.
Murder?
As the great Meredith Grey once said “Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me.” Roche has used Ms Grey’s quote on her election poster, putting her own spin on things adding, “or at least vote for me.” The serious question of "shift, marry, kill” was put to Roche from The University Observer.
Those in question; Derek Sheperd, Mark Sloan, Christina Yang.
Roche immediately responded, “Marry Christina Yang because she’s my person,” in an excellent reference (which definitely did not go over the head of our Editor), before adding she would kiss Derek Sheperd because “he’s McDreamy” and would finally kill Mark Sloane citing a lack of emotional connection.
She added,
“I tend to kill people I don’t feel an emotional connection with.”
Advice to all science students should Roche get elected, form an emotional connection... or pay the price.
College Officer hustings conclude on Thursday afternoon with Health Science and Social Science hustings taking place at 2pm. Sabbatical Officer hustings and USI hustings will then take place that evening at 5:30pm.