Joe For President Handout

Strong on ExpEriEncE, paSSionatE about changE!

Joe is 24 years of age originally from Kilmore in County Roscommon. Having lived in Galway the past 7 years, Joe started in GMIT in 2006 and studied a 3-year BBS in Ac-counting (Hons.), before moving on to an MBS in Strategy & Innovation Management.

MY EXPERIENCE:President, GMIT Students’ Union, 2011-12 and 2012-13Vice-President&WelfareOfficer,GMITStudents’Union,2010-11Member of GMIT Governing Body, 2011-13Member of GMIT Academic Council, 2010-2013GMIT Institutional ReviewUSI Funding Taskforce, 2012-13USI Finance Committee, 2011-12USI Constitutional Review Group, 2011-12USI Taskforce on Graduate Employment, 2010-11USI Taskforce on Electoral Law Reform, 2010-11USI Lobby of the Oireachtas, 2010, 2011, 2012Extensive national media experience:RTE Six One News, RTE Nationwide, TV3 News, RTE Radio 1- The Marian Finucane Show, RTE 2FM - Breakfast with Hector and The Tubridy Show, Newstalk- The Right Hook, The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Sun, as well as multiple regional print and radio outlets on multiple occasions (See ‘media’ section on website for press clippings, links and videos)

My Priorities•ThirdLevelFunding•TowardsBudget2014-The National Campaign•SUSI/StudentGrants•HigherEducationLandscape•MentalHealthCampaign&Services•FutureProspects•DrivingSocialChange•Officer&RepTraining•TheValueofUSI•IrishLanguagePromotion

paSSionatE about changE!

Vice-President&WelfareOfficer,GMITStudents’Union,2010-11

JoE o’connor For uSi prESiDEnt

www.joeforpresident2013.com

Strong on ExpEriEncE, paSSionatE about changE!

THIRD-LEVEL FUNDING: A full commitment to the eventual achievement of the USI’s stated policy of a fully-public funded Higher Edu-cation system as mandated in the preferendum, and as has long been the ethos of the organisation. However this must be done in such a way so as to take into account current funding and economic constraints. We need to shift the argument, and shift the direction we are currently taking regarding third-level funding.

With Joe as president, uSi will:• EnsuretheUSIFundingTaskforceestablishedlastyearactsinaexpedientandefficientmannerin ensuring we have a long-term funding plan for Higher Education ready to present well in advance of our Pre-Budget Submission, so as to facilitate adequate consultation and public discussion.• Hireafull-timeresearcherasastaffmemberofUSI,whosesoleinitialfocuswillbeonthird-level funding and will feed and report into the Taskforce. Independent economic experts will also be sourced to input to the Taskforce’s work as a matter of priority.• WorkcloselywithourcolleaguesinNUS-USIandNUSondevelopingfuturestrategiesforfunding and campaigning, whilst also looking at other models and international best practice elsewhere. • Engagefurtherresearchonareassuchasonlinelearning,excessandwasteinpublicspending,and innovative student retention strategies as part of this process.

TOWARDS BUDGET 2014- THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN: The effective rollout and implementation of USI’s agreed year-long pre-Budget strategy, ‘Towards Budget 2014’.• AsUSIPresident,Joewillfullyutilisehispoliticallobbyingexperienceandabilityonbehalfof our members in carrying out this strategy at the highest levels• Beyondthisstrategy,shouldUSIagreeaco-ordinatedandappropriateresponsetoanypotentially negative outcomes for our members in Budget 14, Joe will ensure the delivery of this response is as timely and effective as possible. A National Day of Regional Action had initially been proposed as an option by Joe at USI National Council following Budget 2013, and may again be worthy of consideration to display national unity and purpose whilst maintaining the regional theme of the campaign• AsaMOPresident,Joehasbeenheavilyinvolvedin3nationalcampaigns.

During this time, he has:- Extensively engaged in regional lobbying and targeting of local TD’s- Been extremely active in regional and national media- Organised one of the strongest turnouts per student in USI for the National March in 2011- A well-attended and highly engaged Public Meeting and the largest Regional Protest in the country with NUIG SU as part of the Fed Up, Stand Up campaign in 2012- Developed “Kyne’s Corner” website on behalf of GMITSU to target local TD Sean Kyne and record personalised stories of student hardship anonymously. This website was very successful receiving both local and national press coverage, and has now been re-developed for launch as a National website with the same concept, called DearDeputy.ie- Been involved in a nationally agreed and mandated occupation of a government Department on behalf of the USI, and also a locally agreed and mandated sit-in protest at the Taoiseach’s constituency officeonbehalfofGMITSU

Follow me on Twitter @Jocser99 - #Joe13 Find us on Facebookemail: [email protected] - www.joeforpresident2013.comCheck out my campaign website and feel free to leave a comment/suggestion in the “contact” section of the site.

SUSI/ STUDENT GRANTS:There is no question that the single biggest issue faced by students and their families across the country this year was the SUSI grants debacle, with thousands of the worst-off people in our Higher Education system being denied their basic entitlement to some maintenance support for many months, in some cases well beyond Christmas. Some are still waiting.

AhugearrayofinefficienciesandfailureswithinSUSIandtheirprocessingofstudentgrantapplicationswasunquestionably the primary cause for this, and it should be at the top of USI’s priority list for the upcoming year that this grave injustice is not allowed to re-occur.

ServingastheGMITSUEducationOfficeraspartofhisroleasPresidentmeansthatJoehashands-on,on-the-ground experience of dealing with students who found themselves in this situation on a day-by-day, case-by-casebasis,andiswellawareoftheongoingdifficultieswhichoccurredandtheintensivestrainthatthis caused on students, and also Students’ Unions.

Throughout the crisis, Joe attempted to ease the burden on the students of GMIT whilst highlighting the scale of the crisis in every way possible- Be it through dealing with students directly, negotiating favourable terms with college management to deal with students waiting on a grant, running SUSI support sessions, ensuring adequate student hardship supports were available through both internal and external backing, and having a consistently strong media presence on the SUSI issue as it unfolded.

With Joe as USI President, no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that this never happens our students again.• ConstantmonitoringoftheworkcarriedoutbytheexternalreviewpanelandensuringthatUSI have a full and comprehensive input to the review process. Ensure satisfaction with the recommendations made and for them to be dealt with as a matter of urgency• Lobbyingforamorejoined-upapproachtotheapplicationprocessbylinkingdocumentsalready provided to other Departments to be made available to SUSI, possibly through the use of PPS numbers, and reviewing the scale of documentation currently set out as required• Lobbyingforthestudentgrantsschemetobepublishedearlierinordertoextendtheavailable timelines involved in making and processing grant applications• Investigatingtheuseofregionaldrop-incentresforstudentandparentqueriesontheapplication process and provision of documentation• Lobbyingforreformofthestudentgrantsschemetocorrect‘cliffs’intheincomeandadjacency levels which leads to inequitable treatment for students who fall outside these so-called ‘cliffs’• Fightagainsttheintroductionofanycapitalassetsmeanstestforgrantswhichtakesintoaccount productive assets used in the primary generation of income


MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGNING & SERVICES: HavingservedafulltermasaWelfareOfficer,andwitnessedfirst-handthesharpdeclineinstudentfinancesover the past 3 years in GMIT, which has had a direct knock-on implication on the mental health of our stu-dents, Joe views the protection of and investment in both on-campus mental health services and nationally as a priority, given the worrying trends particularly amongst young people in Ireland.

With Joe as president, uSi will: • Launchanationwidecampaignbasedarounda‘MoreTalk,MoreAction’theme,withtwogoals- To get the nation talking about mental health, and the Government acting on it.• WorkcloselywithMO’sinreducingthestigmacurrentlysurroundingmentalhealthissuesamongst young people and at third level, with particular focus on the use of Induction programmes to get our message across.• ThecurrentGovernmentcutbacksandunderspendsinmentalhealthservicefundingwillbe highlightedandcampaignedagainstasacentralpriorityandfocusforUSIOfficerboardunder Joe O’Connor’s leadership in 2013-14.

HIGHER EDUCATION LANDSCAPE:All member colleges of USI will be impacted by the ever-evolving Higher Education Landscape. Having being involved at an early stage of the formation of the Connaught-Ulster Alliance, heavily engaged in lengthy debate at Governing Body and Academic Council levels on potential Technological University designa-tion, whilst also engaging with GMIT’s strategic alliance partnership with NUIG and the regional clustering process in the North-West, Joe is perfectly positioned to assist MO’s in meeting the many challenges that further shifts in the HE landscape will bring about.

HavingsuccessfullypushedforaspecificSUrolewithintheCUimplementationplanandrepresentationatmany other levels of the process, he now wants to help bring this about for other MO’s engaged in the process.

With Joe as president, uSi will:• Worktoensurestudentrepresentationispresentandstudentinputissoughtincollaborative discussions taking place between HEI’s across the country.• AssistMO’sintheidentificationandimplementationofbestpracticeopportunitiesinareasrelevant to students within their alliance or cluster.• EnsurethatthecriteriaforTUdesignationareinlinewithsectoralandstudentneeds,protecting the ethos and strengths of the IoT sector whilst maintaining and ensuring quality standards are met, and take into account the ever-changing nature of the Landscape.• AssistmemberStudents’Unionsintheamalgamationprocessifnecessary.


FUTURE PROSPECTS:Joe has long believed that it is vitally important that we place a considerable emphasis on the future prospects and well-being of our membership, and this is even more pertinent now in the current climate than ever.During his time in GMIT, Joe has:• SatonaUSITaskforceforGraduateEmploymentwhichdevelopedtheUSIpolicydocumentReigniting the Smart Economy, leading to the delivery of thousands of job placements for young people on a National Internship scheme• Ranthefirst-ever‘YourFuture’campaigninGMIT,whichwaslaterpassedatCongresstoberolled out at a national level, something Joe intends to deliver on if elected USI President• DevelopedstudententrepreneurshipwithinGMITthroughthelaunchofthefirst-everGMITSU Student Enterprise Awards, and working towards the implementation of an entrepreneurship module or agreed criteria to be imbedded into course programmes

With Joe as president, uSi will:• CallforafullandcomprehensivereviewoftheJobBridgescheme,particularlytakingintoaccount any areas where student interns are being exploited or low-quality work is being advertised as skilled internships, and also for USI’s further recommendations under ‘Reigniting the Smart Economy’ to be delivered upon• LobbyforthegovernmenttoengagefullywiththeEuropeanYouthGuaranteescheme,whichcould bringaboutconsiderablebenefitsforourmembers,whiletakingonboardanypotentialriskswhich may be associated with the scheme• CampaignforafairerandmoreequitableState-backedpostgraduateloanschemeinlinewiththe recommendations of the USI Postgrad Forum, whilst employing either an additional full-time researcher or external research to address solely the area of postgraduate funding• CallforthetermsoftheCrokeParkAgreementtobere-negotiatedtore-addresstheinequities which have been allowed to develop between the payment of workers in the system prior to the negotiation of the Agreement, and that of graduates and young people that have entered since it’s conception. • ContinuetosupportandplayakeyroleintheINMOcampaignagainst80%payratesforgraduate nurses and midwives• AssistlocalMO’swhowishtodevelopandadvancepolicyaroundtheareasofEntrepreneurship, Accreditation for Participation and Employability Skills


THE VALUE OF USI: In order to maintain a strong national Union, it is vitally important that USI ensures that the best possible value is being offered to our members.

With Joe as president, uSi will:• Engageaffiliatesandnon-affiliatesalikeinputtingforwardsuggestionstoimprovethevalueofthe USI as a whole and to the individual MO’s. ‘The Value of USI Membership’ will be included as a rollingagendaitematUSIOfficerboardandFinanceCommitteelevelstodiscussthesesuggestions• Prioritisethere-affiliationofanynon-membercollegesacrossthecountry,whilstalsorecognising the importance of satisfying current MO’s in the value they are receiving from USI, through ongoing engagement and referendum campaigns where necessary• InvestigateallandanyviablecommercialopportunitiesavailabletoUSI,oneitheranationalbasis or regionally working alongside MO’s, which can enhance the value of USI membership. This should bedoneonalow-riskandlowornon-costbasis,whilstefficientlydeployingoptimalresourcing practices

IRISH LANGUAGE PROMOTION:With Joe as USI President, USI will work to ensure:• TheimplementationofUSI’sbilingualpolicy• ThecontinueddevelopmentandsupportoftheIrishlanguagecampaignwithinUSI• EveryeffortismadetoestablishanIrishLanguageOfficerwithineachMOofUSI

*Some priority items on this manifesto are pending the approval of USI Congress on motions which are to be discussed

DRIVING SOCIAL CHANGE:USI have consistently been at the heart of a progressive agenda for social change throughout the history of the organisation. The current political situation, media focus and existing USI mandates all lend themselves ex-tremely favourably for USI to continue this, and take this opportunity to bring about real radical social change.

With Joe as president, uSi will:• Campaignvigorouslyonissuessuchaslegislatingforfullsame-sexmarriageandforthe‘Xcase’ Supreme Court judgement to be applied regarding abortion rights, working towards being at the centre of the debate on these hugely topical social issues• Include‘SocialCampaigning’asarollingagendaitemonCampaignsWorkingGroupat USI National Council• EngagefullywiththeConstitutionalConvention,includingthedeliveryofUSI’smandateona wholly secular Constitution

OFFICER & REP TRAINING:Joe believes that an integral part of the value and importance of our national Union lies in not only the con-tactsandnetworkingopportunitieswhichcanbebuiltupbyfull-timeofficersworkinginMO’sthroughUSI,butfundamentallyinthequalityoftrainingprovidedtobothfull-timeandpart-timeofficersaswellasclassreps. It is of vital importance that this is maintained, developed and enhanced.

With Joe as president, uSi will:• ContinuetoofferacomprehensiveSUT(Students’UnionTraining)eventwhichwouldalsoallowfor theparticipationofpart-timeofficersandstudentactivists/classrepsononedayofthetraining.Feed backonareasofimprovementforthistrainingwillbesoughtfromformerofficersandactedupon• MoveawayfromthecurrentfailingsystemofonestandalonecentralisedPart-TimeOfficerand Activist Academy event, towards the ongoing delivery of on-campus and regional training modules, events, seminars and debates, which should serve to both increase participation in these training events and engagement with the USI• Offerone-to-onecomprehensivecrossovertrainingtoMOofficers,aswellastheprovisionof relevant materials, to assist them in adjusting to their new roles

More about Joe

JoehasspentthepastthreeyearsinGMITStudents’Union,servingonetermasVP/WelfareOfficer,havingtopped the poll in a 6-candidate race, and is currently in his second term as President, getting elected with a GMITSUrecordof1,721votesthefirsttimearound,beforegoinguncontestedonthesecondoccasion.

In his spare time, Joe enjoys following his beloved sports teams, Chelsea and the Buffalo Bills, trying to keep fitwhilsttakingpartinfundraisinginitiatives,readingandcurrentaffairs,andasmallbitofsocialising!

Joe’sfavouritemoviesincludemostoftheQuentinTarantinocollectionandalotofsuperhero/comicbookfare, his favourite TV shows are Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Lost and The Sopranos, and he listens to a diverserangeofmusicbutpredominantlyalternative&indie.(TheNational,Muse,BonIver,BellX1,Elbow)

JoE o’connor For uSi prESiDEntFollow me on Twitter @Jocser99 - #Joe13 Find us on Facebookemail: [email protected] - www.joeforpresident2013.comCheck out my campaign website and feel free to leave a comment/suggestion in the “contact” section of the site.

WHAT CAN I OFFER AS USI PRESIDENT?: 10 REASONS TO VOTE JOE

• Confidentpublicspeakerwithextensivemediaexperience; Highly capable at selling and delivering a message.• Soundleadershipanddecision-makingskills• Skilledinbuildingrelationshipsanddevelopingrespect• Wide-rangingroleinGMITallowedforparticipationandengagementin all areas of USI• In-depthknowledgeastotherunningofalocalUnion,provencontributor at a national level• Experienceinmanaginganeffectiveteam• DedicatedtoandpassionateaboutreformandchangeofUSI-Have displayed this over past 3 years of involvement in the organisation• Variedrangeofcampaigningstyles-Anexperiencedandskilledstudent lobbyist, but equally comfortable in engaging in more direct action where deemed necessary• Quicklearnerandefficientatconsumingdetailedinformation;Flexible and open to new ideas• Anunparalleledworkrateandlevelofcommitmenttotherole

YOU direct USI policy for the year at USI Congress, not any one candidate. Vote Joe for President for

the person best positioned to sell, deliver and implement your decisions

JoE o’connor For uSi prESiDEnt


Documents

Joe For President Handout