SU Elections

gizmo

Oh it's Ciaran, hi.

First off, thanks for the feedback, glad to see you've taken the time to read my manifesto. So now, the ATM. First off I've been talking to the folks in AIB and they are aware of the problem regarding the cash flow around campus. I then inquired as to the possibility of setting up a branch based ATM which would go a long way in alleviating the cash flow problem. Their feeling is that it would be viable but as with any such work, would require a considerable push from the Union end. As for service routines thats an issue they need to look at themselves but something that I would make sure to keep an eye on while they do so to ensure it is examined effectively.

As for the Union Shop, as I said the main problem with the concept at the moment is that the University will simply not allocate the space on campus for it. While continuing to lobby for a dedicated space will be a priority I will also act in the interim by working to expand the products on sale in the SU reception but also working with Hodges Figgis to do likewise. As I'm sure you are aware this shop is operated on a leased basis, so we would have some pull on the matter.

Events. Yes, as with every year they'll be a major priority. To answer your question, I count myself lucky to both know well and have worked with Alan and Bob throughout my years involved in Clubs & Societies work in DCU. As a result I know I will be able to work effectively with both on any and all events we run. Unfortunately we're losing Russell this year but over the summer we'll be getting as much input as possible from him on all of our plans for the year.

As for plans to do better this year, check out my thoughts on the Casino Ball/University Ball for next year on Life and see what you think. Outside of that I have several other ideas for events already, each of which I believe would be great fun and would definitely be as successful as those run this year.

Finally, as for the "same manifesto, different candidate" issue you have to remember there's a reason for this. As amz said these issues are consistently highlighted due to the fact that they are still in need of improvement (one could even say they need to be made better ) and as such need to be focused on. That said there are still other issues, sometimes smaller such as the ATM, which would simply make life on campus easier for students and it is my belief that time and focus should be given to them also.

Anyway, keep the questions coming.

KenHy

Vote Kate Fitzgerald #1 for Deputy President, Education and Welfare officer.
http://katefitzgerald.wordpress.com/
http://kate4deputy.bebo.com

Amz

Why?

<edit>

I'm considering banning accounts from this forum who sign up just to post links and images for candidates without engaging in discussion or at least posting something useful.

I'll give KenHy 'til tomorrow to get back and actually contribute to the forum otherwise I'll just consider it spam. That goes for everyone.

Evangelion

this is like an anti-popularity contest.
I've seen 4 S.U. presidents come and go, and each time they have been "the most useless president ever".....and usually this is right. They all go to big efforts in their manifesto and then it all falls by the wayside, the students suffer as a result and they get some nice CV padding. There was even mention of a vote of no confidence with one of the last two.

As a general rule, the nicest poster wins. And that poster is the biggest effort they'll make. I sugest vote for the one who looks like a waster, might surprise people.

Welfare officer is the one who does all the work. Think about this one.

Smellyirishman

That is one HUGE signature. GL Gizmo, I would vote, but I won't be in the country.

KenHy

Sorry for that, Didn't think the poster was quite so big. I wanted to inform people that kate is running. I provided a link to a website http://katefitzgerald.wordpress.com/ which has her manifesto and other contact details.

Why vote Kate? Because shes very enthusiastic about DCU and student life here, look at what shes done in the past. Shes on the SPC, got Debate soc back from near extinction and clearly has not only the interests of DCU's students in mind but also has the work ethic to get things done.

Mad_Max

Personally i don't see why KenHy should be apologizing, The thread is called "SU Elections" and Gizmo also posted a simple reply with his banner and links included. Amz has been showing a possible preference to Gizmo's campaign and i think others should be freely allow to post their campaign links and posters. May be wrong but just my opinion.

Amz

KenHy wrote:

got Debate soc back from near extension

Is extension not a good thing?

I've never heard of her before so that kind of thing doesn't make me want to vote for her, I've been here 5 years.

What will she do for me, the average student?

Will she make it easier for people not in cliques to get on the SPC etc. given her connections and her desire to help the students?

Amz

Mad_Max wrote:

Personally i don't see why KenHy should be apologizing, The thread is called "SU Elections" and Gizmo also posted a simple reply with his banner and links included. Amz has been showing a possible preference to Gizmo's campaign and i think others should be freely allow to post their campaign links and posters. May be wrong but just my opinion.

Dear Max,

Please not the fact that Kate and Simon are running for different positions, so I can *shock horror* vote for both to win their respective campaigns!

I don't appreciate people joining the forum to post once and then sod off, what if people who post here have questions about the candidates etc. the poster pushing for them to win should be willing to put in the time to answer such questions in an effort to ensure that victory.

I didn't ban/delete posters and links I allowed KenHy tiime to return to contribute to the thread. I would have been the same with gizmo, but gizmo a) took the time to come here and post himself and b) he also answered queries and posted a more substantial contribution about his campaign on the thread.

Also Max, gizmo's initial post containing the link to his site was a little more than just his link and his poster, so please try and keep the exaggeration out of the thread and get your facts straight, particularly when the evidence against you is so apparent.

KenHy

That was meant to be extinction.

Not having heard of her is no fault of hers. As I said shes involved in SPC so a lot of people in societies will know of her and her work. Besides not knowing of someone previous to an election campaign is not a good reason not to vote for them. Isn't the whole point of campaigns to raise the candidates profile. Most of the people who know them will vote for them anyway, Its the people that don't know them that their trying to persuade.

As for what will she do for you, read the manifesto to find out, If you then have further questions ask them.

Mad_Max

Like i said, might be wrong but "shock-horror" i am entitled to an opinion, as i said it was. I know they are running for different posts but for me it seemed like you shot KenHy down almost immediately. Again could be wrong!

Also why should my lack of posts make a difference? What is the minimum number of posts i need to catch your attention?

Edit: Sorry, just realised it was kenHy's lack of posting you were talkin about.

Amz

That's why I was asking the questions and taking an interest, in an attempt to get you to convince me to vote for her.

Amz

Mad_Max wrote:

Like i said, might be wrong but "shock-horror" i am entitled to an opinion, as i said it was. I know they are running for different posts but for me it seemed like you shot KenHy down almost immediately. Again could be wrong!

Also why should my lack of posts make a difference? What is the minimum number of posts i need to catch your attention?

Wow you really have some kind of inferiority complex going on.

Did I mention your lack of posts anywhere? No.

I never said you weren't entitled to an opinion either, I was just pointing out that your assumptions about me and my actions were incorrect.

Mad_Max

Amz wrote:

I was just pointing out that your assumptions about me and my actions were incorrect.

Fair enough, like you with KenHy i await to be convinced.

Amz

If you have a particular axe to grind this thread isn't the place for it.

:|

I think alan flanagan would stand a better chance if he hadn't shaved his head.

I haven't seen any posters for the 3rd president. I'll vote for the person who can get me onto life

gizmo

What problems are you having getting into Life ?

rugbug86

i think i remember him saying before that his account was deleted or something.

i'm sure it'd be easily fixed by front/csd system update...

robnubis

I like the method of voting by who's hotter on their poster

cooker3

robnubis wrote:

I like the method of voting by who's hotter on their poster

You mean people use other methods?

rugbug86

one thing i would like to see on a manifesto (apologies if its already there, i haven't had a proper chance to read through them yet) is the issue of online voting - if a union can get the ball rolling in september, or july when they start, then it might be feasable for the su elections in the following year.

Amz

That's a good idea, if it could be placed on the portal page or something.

rugbug86

yeah, there's a few threads about it on life already.

its to facilitate students who are on intra and may not make it back, or are on placement, or on erasmus. they have just as big a right to be represented.

i'm lucky, i'll make it to dcu in time to vote. but what about my friend who's on intra in philadelphia?!!

rugbug86

oh and it is possible. i dont know what experience anyone currently has with the present voting system, but as far as i remember its a passworded system and its based on student numbers. i presume it could work on your own username/password.

no different to a poll really. sure just run the election on life!

gizmo

How odd, while over talking to the lads in CSD today the issue of online voting came up when I mentioned those students on INTRA. It's something that has interested me for awhile as I believe that we would have a much higher "turn out" if online voting was an option. I'll talk more about it later and we can get some feedback here and on Life.

By the way people...use Life.dcu.ie

griffdlk

Yeah, theres quite the large thread already on online voting and all the conspiracy theorists going mad at the thought of it!

As for Al Flanagan's hair ... he raised rakes of money for charity shaving it off ... but like samson has it sapped his strength?

Lil_cian

There was a (rather long) thread about this on RB's boards a couple of years ago, when someone proposed it for similar reasons, and Colmmac went through(at an awful lot of length) the reasons why e-voting is either A: not at all private or B:not at all secure. 90% of it went over my head, since web type stuff isn't really my forte, but it all sounded right, and all the other techie types agreed with him.

The toher thing is, that even if we could get a normal system secure, there's constitutional issues, and one very large issue with security, that being life.dcu.ie, and the fact that it doesn't use secure logins. Because of that, I could go around, collect everyones log in details, without much trouble, and then go give myself a hundred or so votes. Which would almost certainly make the difference in any election.
The constitution says that voting can only do by presenting either a student card or a letter from registery as well. Obviusly, doing either of these things is rather difficult if you want to vote over the web...

rugbug86

not if you have to put the info from your student card in, ie the number on the bottom.

and using separate passwords to the "normal" ones, which people couldn't get off hacking life. which, speaking of, would be a v. childish and immature thing to do.

Evangelion

I'dbe curious how you'd go about collecting peoples login details?

As private goes, no it isn't, but then it would be your choice to vote online.
Secure, hard to argue this one, except why would any one go to the effort to hack the system? the elections result in CV padding, theres no real power there. (did the SU try to ban coke the other year?)

rugbug86

Evangelion wrote:

I'dbe curious how you'd go about collecting peoples login details?

You would have to ask Lil_cian that. I presume it'd be the same way that some people hacked onto life.

Evangelion wrote:

As private goes, no it isn't, but then it would be your choice to vote online.

there's ways to make it private. the current system has its downfalls. i honestly don't see the problems. in fact some students offered to help with this on life. its an issue that i have raised every year of my 4 years in dcu. nothing has been done. online voting is the way to go!

Evangelion wrote:

Secure, hard to argue this one, except why would any one go to the effort to hack the system?

ask the people who hacked in a few months ago

Evangelion wrote:

the elections result in CV padding, theres no real power there.

beg to differ here, i've seen some of the differences made by SU's in my time here. Including some changes that people won't notice/hear of.

Evangelion wrote:

(did the SU try to ban coke the other year?)

yea, there was a motion at UC last year. it was shot down though.