The first DCU student is to run for a Union of Students in Ireland (USI) Officer Board position since DCU Students’ Unions re-affiliation to the USI in 2014.
Undergraduate Economics, Politics & Law student Seán Cassidy, has sought nomination to the position of USI Vice-President for Campaigns.
Cassidy is a former chair of class representative council and student activist.
Alongside six other USI Officer Board positions, the Vice-President for Campaign will be elected at the annual USI Congress in March. Throughout the four day Congress, delegates from all USI affiliates universities will decide on national policy, constitutional changes and the election of it officers for the forthcoming year.
Congress takes place from March 27th – 30th in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Co. Clare.
Throughout his years as a student in DCU, Cassidy has served as a Class Representative, Chair of Class Representative Council, Chair of the LGBTA Society and held positions on the Office of Student Life, Society Life Committee and Club Life Committee.
He has been a feature of the debates, policies and referendums of the Students’ Union. He also was a campaign leader in the original USI re-affiliation referendum in 2014 and more recently led the successful Yes to USI campaign that re-affirmed our membership held in semester one of the academic year.
“I’m running because I think USI needs activists in office. Student officers that understand the impact the movement can have on every student and especially those that increasingly need our support and solidarity,” Cassidy said.
To be approved to run for a position, candidates for USI Officer Board must receive at least two nominations from the Students’ Union Presidents of the 27 Member Organisations (MO’s) of USI, before Monday February 20th.
Once two nominations have been received, confirmed candidates must attend a series of hustings, hosted by USI Member Organisation prior to the Congress.
DCU Students’ Union has sent delegations to the USI Congress since 2014 and has been successful in getting policy motions passed on lgbt+ rights, education trade-union student campaigns, Irish language rights and financial support for student teachers.
“This is a singular time for the movement in terms of the establishment push behind Income Contingent loans, the slowing of Repealing the 8th and in general policies that ingrain or overlook impact the economic crises had on students and young people,” he said.
At USI Congress, candidates will take part in official hustings on the first day, followed by a day of voting. The results are due to be announced on March 29th. In the coming weeks the DCU Students’ Union Class Representative Council will select which students will form the delegation they send to the annual Congress.
If elected Cassidy will be the first student from DCU to be elected since our reaffiliation.
“I’ve a strong record of effective, dedicated activism and representation of a range of multiple student issues and I think I can progress that work ethic and perspective to a national level,” he said.
Hayley Halpin
Image: Hayley Halpin