Though the past few months have forced a “steep learning curve” for Manus McLoughlin, VP for Education and Placement on the Students Union, he is “embracing the challenge.”
The role is one of two education-related positions on this year’s SU, an expansion from the single Education Officer role of years gone by.
McLoughlin will focus on supporting students doing placement and plans to release a DCU SU Teaching and Nursing Pack, a project which will be piloted during the second semester.
The pack will aim to give advice and guidance for student nurses and teachers on placement and will feature combined input from all Sabbatical officers on the SU.
As well as practical advice, McLoughlin expressed a desire to improve the mental health support services available to students on placement in his pre-election manifesto.
Also mentioned in the run up to the election was the possible introduction of pre-Christmas exams, though Manus is unsure whether students would back the change.
“During the campaign I realised that not all students were of the same opinion about pre-Christmas exams,” he said.
“I plan to release a survey to find out the exact data on whether or not this is something that most students want.”
The role of Education and Placement Officer is not Manus’ first experience in politics, having previously held the positions of Entertainments Officer and Day Time Activities Officer at St. Patricks College.
He continues to spend much of his time on the St Pats campus but swaps with another sabbatical team member once a week to occupy an office in the Glasnevin campus SU.
Rebecca Lumley
Image Credit: dcusu
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