Aidan  Coffey’s  Med  &  Health  Manifesto  

Hey!  I’m  Aidan  Coffey,  in  2nd  Medicine,  and  I’m  running  for  the  position  of  Rep  for  the  College  of  Medicine  and  Health.  I’ve  worked  as  a  Class  Rep  for  the  past  year  and  know  the  ins  and  outs  of  the  Students’  Union  –  what  needs  to  be  done  and  who  to  go  to  get  it  done.  Our  College  is  pretty  good  I  think,  but  I  think  we  can  make  it  even  better,  and  if  I’d  be  honoured  to  get  your  vote  on  March  11th  and  12th,  so  we  can  get  the  show  on  the  road!  Thanks  

Library  Reform  

Plans  to  extend  Brookfield  Library  opening  hours  have  become  a  staple  of  many  the  SU  candidate  over  recent  years,  and  understandably  so.  Who  wouldn’t  want  more  library  hours?  But  would  we  use  those  hours?  Library  funding  has  been  cut  significantly,  so  I  believe  we  need  to  find  out  when  and  where  people  study,  in  order  to  maximise  library  resources.  To  do  this,  I  propose  a  short  but  targeted  survey  of  all  students  in  the  College,  asking  these  questions.  We  would  then  find  out  what  students  want  from  our  library.  

In  the  short  term  though,  I  want  to  establish  a  room  where  students  who  arrive  in  college  before  9am  can  study  before  the  library  opens.  Such  a  room  would  not  need  library  staff  supervision  and  therefore  shouldn’t  get  caught  up  in  funding  and  wage  issues.  A  simple  solution  for  a  simple  problem.    

Common  Room  

For  too  long,  UCC  SU  has  been  content  to  maintain  a  common  room  on  Main  Campus  while  ignoring  the  needs  of  students  in  the  Western  Campuses.    We  need  a  room  to  unwind  after  a  bewildering  pharmacology  or  physiology  lecture,  or  after  solid  cramming  session  in  the  library,  or  to  stay  in  touch  with  Alf  and  the  gang  in  Summer  Bay.  I  want  this  room  to  have  a  microwave  and  a  kettle,  so  we  can  finally  wave  goodbye  to  the  cold,  stodgy  tubs  of  pasta.  Who  knows,  we  might  even  get  a  game  of  Scrabble,  (or  Monopoly,  if  you  want  to  see  your  entire  evening  of  study  go  down  the  tubes).  Brookfield  is  the  most  suitable  location  for  such  a  room,  as  most  M&H  students  have  lectures  here,  in  addition  to  the  library  being  downstairs!  Our  past  College  Rep  has  made  great  progress  in  this  matter,  and  I’m  going  to  finish  the  job,  by  demanding  full  support  and  commitment,  emotionally  and  financially,  from  the  Students’  Union.  

Supporting  our  Professional  Colleagues  

We  are  the  nurses,  dentists,  pharmacists,  midwives,  doctors,  clinical  therapists  and  public  health  professionals  of  the  future.  As  College  Rep,  I  would  strive  to  make  students  aware  of  the  challenges  facing  current  workers,  as  they  will  be  our  challenges  quite  soon.    

We  need  to  have  our  voices  heard,  and  I  will  make  sure  they  are.  

Events  and  Ents  

Unfortunately,  the  layout  of  Brookfield,  WGB  and  Cavanagh  buildings  does  not  lend  itself  to  creating  a  main  campus  vibe.  Yet  this  does  not  mean  that  M&H  students  should  feel  isolated  from  the  craic,  caper  and  shenanigans  on  main  campus!    

I  want  to  install  a  ‘What’s  on  Now’  feature  on  the  screens  in  Cavanagh,  Brookfield  and  WGB,  which  would  be  a  simple  ticker  showing  the  society  events  on  in  Main  Campus  on  a  particular  day.  A  simple  idea,  allowing  us  to  know  what  fun  and  games  are  going  on  ten  minutes  up  the  road.    

In  addition,  I  would  like  to  use  that  lovely  open  space  outside  Brookfield  main  doors  used  for  occasional  lunchtime  (12-­‐2)  activities,  like  table  tennis  or  twister  or  hopscotch  or  whatever  you’re  having  yourself.  I  hope  to  do  this  in  collaboration  with  UCC  clubs  and  societies.  In  conjunction  with  a  Common  Room,  this  would  provide  M&H  students  with  at  least  some  lunchtime  alternatives  to  sitting  in  an  overflowing  canteen  day-­‐after-­‐day.  

Visibility  

For  many,  the  SU  feels  like  a  separate  entity,  which  many  have  heard  of,  but  never  seen.  I  believe  everyone  in  the  college  should  know  that  we  have  a  representative  working  on  our  behalf  with  the  Students’  Union  and  with  UCC  management  and  staff.  I  hope  to  address  every  class  at  the  start  of  the  year,  just  to  let  ye  know  I’m  here  to  work  for  ye  and  with  ye.  I’ll  also  put  up  a  notice,  once  a  month,  on  the  noticeboards  in  our  buildings  to  fill  ye  in  on  the  work  I’ve  been  doing,  so  that  everyone  is  in  the  loop.  

Leadership  on  Health  Related  Issues  

As  healthcare  students,  we  are  among  the  best  educated  on  health  related  issues.  I  would  like  to  see  this  College  take  leadership  on  controversial  topics  like  organ-­‐donation,  alcohol  consumption,  abortion  etc,  and  lead  Students’  Union  policy  on  these  issues,  so  that  students’  opinions  are  heard  at  a  national  level.