Katie Martin, Manifesto
The People’s President
Hi, my name is Katie Martin, your current Student Communities Officer, and I am asking you to vote Katie for President on March 14th.
I studied Marketing, Consumption and Society in Kemmy Business School, but you may know me as the girl who shaved her head for charity in Stables, or the Student Officer who runs around campus asking you questions with a tiny mic.
Vote Katie #1, a President who understands your needs
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New Student Centre
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Parking
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Bus Shelter
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Accommodation
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Commuter Students
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Events
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Postgraduate Support
My Wins This Year as Communities Officer
You chose me as your Communities Officer and I have not let you down.
I have spent a year listening to and understanding your needs as students, bringing in positive change and representation for ALL communities on campus
Representation
- Fought for a student-led Union and University
Community Building
- Worked with Ukrainian refugees, Sanctuary Students, LGBTQI+ community, Student Parents, International Students
Sensory Room
- Chill out space for Neurodivergent students
Charity Week
- A week of events, activities and student engagement
Support for Palestine
- Attended protests, donation collaboration with societies, passed BDS motion
Postgraduate Engagement
- Hosted events, collaborated with and supported the PSU
Vote Katie for: The New Student Centre
As your Communities Officer, I have listened and been fighting for the New Student Centre to be pushed over the line for September 2024.
I understand your frustration and questions, which is why, as President, I will ensure the space is open and ready to use for students by September.
I have sat in talks as the voice for students, ensuring the centre has policies prioritising student use and NOT commercial, which I will continue to uphold as your Student President.
If elected President, I promise an engaging student centre, with lots of activities and space - open late and on weekends/during holidays
Vote Katie for: The Old Student Centre
The current Student Centre was built for students, by students.
As President, I promise to lobby for this building to remain a space for students and NOT University staff/offices.
My experience this year has shown a dire need for student social space, study space and front-facing services.
As President, I will sit on the Student Centre Management Committee and push for this building to be kept for students’ needs, as the UL population continues to grow, with less and less facilities to fit the needs of the growing student community.
If I am elected President, I assure you the courtyard will remain THE STUDENT COURTYARD
Vote Katie for: Events
As Communities Officer, I have worked very closely with the Student Life Events team to bring you lots of experiences and memories this year - including Welcome Back Wolfpack, THE TUMBLING PADDIES and ABBAESQUE.
As President, I will use that relationship to bring more diverse acts, small and large scale events year-round.
I will be a President who listens to students, giving you what you want from your events team, Clubs and Societies and more...
I promise that no courtyard gig will cost you over €15
Vote Katie for: Electronic Student Card
As President, I will lobby UL to develop an easy and accessible Electronic Student Card for students which can be used for all student facilities - including the Library!
Vote Katie for: Parking
As President, I will push the University for FREE STUDENT parking across campus.
UL are currently unable to build more parking due to the City Council. As President, I pledge to lobby Limerick Council to grant UL emergency planning permission for parking, empowering students to lobby local councillors in the run-up to the Local Elections.
I will force the University to install card machines on paid car parks, as they have previously promised - no more rooting for coins in a cashless college!
Vote Katie for: Accommodation
Enough is Enough!
We all know the accommodation crisis is a minefield. As President, I will do everything I can to advocate for homeless students, commuter students and all those affected by the lack of accommodation and increasing cost of living.
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Continue to fight for the building of more student accommodation on campus
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Create plans for more commuter-friendly events, facilities and opportunities year-round
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Organise information sessions on tenants’ rights
Vote Katie for: Commuter Students
As the team who brought you a bigger and better Commuter Hub this year, I will develop a permanent space for commuter students, with more food and supplies to keep you going every day.
Vote Katie for: A Bus Shelter
As President, I will hold UL buildings and estates accountable to the rising number of commuter students and their needs by mandating a new bus shelter.
I will lobby UL for a permanent evening commuter space in the First Seven Weeks Hub, year round
Vote Katie for: Therapy Dogs on Campus
As Communities Officer, I have learned to listen to and understand your needs as students.
Positive Mental health is vital to a student’s experience in UL, so as President, I will provide a safe space for you to destress and chill out with visiting puppies and dogs.
I will have Therapy dogs visit campus every two weeks, a partnership I am already working on with the Library team.
Vote Katie for: Postgraduate and PhD Support
I am the first postgraduate to be elected an officer in UL Student Life. I have hosted multiple events for postgrads this year, and been an active voice for Postgrad Students in UL
As a postgrad, I care deeply about representing postgraduate needs, supporting day to day struggles from accommodation to financial stress
As President, I will hold Student Life accountable to their constitutional obligations as a Union for ALL, ensuring the postgrad voice is always represented, especially when planning events, campaigns and student supports
As Communities Officer, I have worked closely with the Postgraduate Student Union and as President, will continue to build strong inter-union relations, to the benefit of postgrad students.
As President, I will continue to lobby hard and fight fiercely for PhDs to be recognised for their contributions to UL
I will go above and beyond to raise PhD student stipends to an actual living wage during this current cost-of-living crisis
Vote Katie for: Clubs and Societies
If there’s one thing I know, it’s UL Wolves! I have considerable experience in Clubs and Societies from starting as a student on several committees since my first year and as last year’s Societies Officer, to your current C&S Council and Executive Chair. I want to use that knowledge to help grow and educate the Wolfpack.
As President, I commit to lobbying for funding from UL in line with increasing membership numbers - a process I have already begun. I will continue representing Clubs and Societies issues at University level and I will work my hardest to encourage, develop and rebuild the community spirit of C&S and the Wolfpack.
Vote Katie for President on March 14th
As Student Communities Officer, I have spent a year working with YOU, for YOU.
I have organised events, workshops, and protests. I have given you quiet spaces, gigs you loved, and support when you needed it. I have stepped up and provided student supports that the university has been failing to supply.
I have worked with sanctuary students, Ukrainian refugees, student parents, LGBTQI+ students, disabled students, and every single student who has asked me for support. I’ve attended your protests and I’ve danced at your parties.
I know what UL students want and need, and I know that far better than candidates who haven’t ever engaged with Student Life and don’t know what it does, or candidates who haven’t spoken to you all year.
I’ve been here for you all year, and I want to be a President who is here for you all next year.
Vote Katie for President on 14th March
@Katie4PrezUL