Convenor!??? I Hardly Know Her? Interviews with the Faculty Convenor Candidates

Arts & Humanities Convenor: Michael Comer 

BA English and Classics student Michael Comer is running uncontested for the position of Arts and Humanities Faculty Convenor within the MSU. Silver Hand journalist Jade Hannon spoke to Michael ahead of polling day to discuss improving learning supports across campus. 

JADE: Michael, can you please tell us about yourself and the position you are running for? 

MICHAEL: I'm Michael. I'm a student [...] I'm doing Classics in English within the Arts and Humanities Faculty. Well, I've been here for a good few number of years now. Well, this is actually the second undergraduate degree I'm doing, I decided that I liked Maynooth so much I did [...] I missed out on a few things when I did my first undergraduate degree, and because I don't want to give it another shot [...] because we came around campus during COVID, and then only on campus on second year from the first undergraduate degree from then 

From that moment on [...] from second year onwards [...] I got involved with the Students’ Union as an academic rep within the Arts and Humanities and Social Science faculties. I represented students in in both of those faculties across [...] from Politics and, of course, in History and of course, I'm currently, as well representing students, of course, in Classics and English within the within the faculty. I've also been involved with a few clubs and societies [...] to name a few, I was with the St Vincent de Paul [...] I'm still with that society, but I was President of the society last year, and I'm still involved as well. One person asked me, would I consider coming back on board to help out with it again? But [...] I said, I'll think about it. Well, we'll wait and see.  

So that's how what I've come from, and I've also have been Senator as well. I'm well the same. I'm nearly a veteran senator. I was first elected to the MSU Senate in November 2021, in a by-election [at] that time. And I've [...] been fortunate to been part of every Senate session since that time, and well, I've helped to shape union policy with other members of the Union. Well, of course, there's other particular members who might have different views about certain particular matters on motions that are brought forward, and I've helped shape the union policy on that and my serving on some of the committees, like the Constitutional Representative Review Committee to help shape and change the constitution and to achieve what's right for [...] the students. I would like to continue on to bring this experience forward by running for the position of Arts and Humanities Faculty Convenor. As I said, I wanted [...] I want all the students, to know that I'm there for [...] them, and particularly I want to listen to all sides students of all views, of all different sides, like whatever, regardless of what their views are on certain matters are, without getting into heated argument or discussion about it, or regardless of their background or anything like that. They shouldn't be misfit or anything like that. I just want to say, let me just put our differences behind us and just learn to work together, and that's what I'm prepared to do. And so that's how I would say about me. 

J: So, at the hustings, on March 2, you mentioned that you worked closely with the current Convenor. Can you give specific examples of projects or initiatives you were involved in, and what you've learned from these? 

M: Yes, I've worked very closely with the current Arts and Humanities Faculty Convenor [...] who's done quite an excellent job in his role, and I have kept in contact with him. But of course, I've also worked with other particular academic reps in [...] the faculty as well. We've worked together on a number of key different ideas and plans, is that one particular issue [...] facing students is around the use of AI. It's sometimes a bit uncomfortable [for] students, some students have come to me saying that [...] they got called into the office by the Head of Department, saying that [...] they were caught using AI in their assignment, and they'd have to explain their self around it.. And of course [...] with the MSU President Charli [Middleton] as well. And I said, yes, there needs to be proper mandate or something, and [...] something needs to be done about this.  

So, I said, we need to reach out to the departments within the faculty and of course with the Dean [...], with the Senior Executive of the university, [...] we need to get this and the AI detector on a Moodle. Its [currently] only lecturers can see it, and I think that students should be able to see it as well, to see [...] how much AI is in their assignments that they do [...] I know the use of AI has become quite controversial as of later, you know, it's been used to [...] generate some inappropriate things [...], I think there needs to be very much more of awareness around that, in that particular aspect of it. I think that's one of the [...] particular issues that students are facing [...] I would like to try and [to] prepare to address that. 

S: So, just as well as that point, you just meant you mentioned improving learning supports. So, what specific changes or initiatives would you push for, and how would students see these improvements then in practice? 

M: Yes, I would like to push for improved learning supports, particularly for students. And there's. There's time and time again, and this is, it's one of these issues that keeps coming up, you know, where there's particular students who come to me and particularly other academic reps as well, to say that, you know, lecture notes and lecture slides are not being put up on a on Moodle. There are times when [...] students cannot come to campus for whatever reason [...] they might be, might be working in a job or whatever and the lecture notes or slides are not there for them to view, to try and catch up on it. [...] I want to try and improve [...] to address that [ ...]. They might be busy with their lives as well, but we might [...] we come here to get their degree [...], there might be students as well who might have some sort of difficulty with learning or so. And I think more support needs to be given to them as well, particularly students who might, mightn't sometimes students might fall behind on a certain assignment or [...] fall behind on their work [...]. More support needs to be given to them where possible. I think students, whether they're with the Access Office [MAP] on campus, whether they come through with the HEAR or DARE schemes [...], more support needs to be given to those students as well, who might be feeling left behind in that aspect. 

J: So, we're going to move on to the final question. So, there has been a re-open [RON] nomination campaign linked to yours. How would you respond to students who feel worried about whether you would represent them fairly as Faculty Convenor? 

M: Well, I just want to address that question. I'm myself, Michael [...] while I'm running for the position, I'm aware of this campaign against me, but I would just like them to know that I'm open to anybody. I'm not [...] here to fight with anybody; I'm not saying they are. They can reach out to me if they want to [...]. If they want to reach out to me, they can do and any misunderstandings or any questions that they have, they can put to me, and I will answer them to the to the very best of my ability [...] and I would be truthful in my answers to them 

But I would say [...] is that while I do have my own views about certain matters or so, and they might have their own views about certain matters as well [...] which in particular, is this campaign against me. I would just like to let them know that, you know, we should learn to put our differences behind us, and we should learn to work together and achieve what's right for our students without getting into a heated argument or discussion about certain matters. So [...] as I said, they [the students] can reach out to me if they want to. And as I said, I'm open to anyone. I'm open to them contacting me if they so wish to. 

J: Is there anything additional that you want students to know for the record?  

M: Well, I'm Michael, I'm here for you students. I will [...] keep fighting for you to achieve [...] what's right for you and and [...] to work for you, the best of my ability [...]. It's not a question of whether I agree with you or not. I will accept your position and stands on a certain matter, and I will bring that forward for you [...] to achieve what is right for you. And I'm hoping that I'll be considered for the position.  

Social Sciences Faculty Convenor: Celine Logan 

Between lectures, law readings, and wrangling student feedback, Celine Logan had decided to throw her hat into the ring for Social Sciences Faculty Convenor. I caught up with her to talk Maynooth life and why she’s stepping into the race. 

JADE: Welcome to Silver Hand Journal. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and the position you are running for?  

CELINE: So, I'm Celine Logan. I'm a third year LLB student, so, Bachelor of Laws, and I'm running for Social Sciences Faculty Convenor, and a part of that role would be liaising with both the academic reps within social sciences and the faculty. So, I am currently an academic rep, and I've noticed a lot of things that maybe could be improved, and I would have the power to improve if I was Social Sciences Faculty Convenor 

J: Brilliant. So, what made you decide to run for the role of Social Science Faculty Convenor? 

C: I think I have the talent for caring; so, hearing feedback from my fellow students and figuring out how to approach faculty with this feedback in the best way. Because when students give me feedback, it's not always in the way that I can just one-to-one say exactly what was said. I think I'm good at adjusting that and also knowing what can be changed and knowing what can't be changed. And sometimes people want things to change, but they can't be. 

So, one thing that I have done as an academic rep was, we had a five to six [p.m.] lecture in Callan Hall, but a lot of law students [but] a lot of us actually commute. So, the private bus is in Phoenix, people had to always leave early to get those buses. Thankfully, that was a yearlong module. We got that lecture moved to North Campus. That's something that I think I'd further on like to continue doing as a convenor.  

J: And then, could you specify for our readers what makes you uniquely qualified compared to your fellow candidates? I know you are in a race with two other candidates at the moment. 

C: One thing that I've experienced is that I've actually dealt [...] a lot with people who aren't within law coming to me with issues. So specifically, criminology, I have a lot of friends in criminology, and like, we'd be talking to a lot of people, and they were having issues, and it was actually very difficult for me to find out, okay, who's the criminology rep? Who, like, who do I contact with this? So, I think knowing the interdisciplinary and having to deal with that and deal with modules that I have no clue. I've never had these lectures, so I think that will be something that I'd have to do as a Social Sciences Faculty Convenor. 

J: So, you mentioned that the Hustings that took place yesterday [March 2] that you hope to keep lecturers accountable for the likes of absenteeism. How will you achieve this? 

C: That I'm not fully sure so far, but one thing that I was thinking of is that, a lot of the time, it's not simply just like lectures not showing up but not giving notice. So, for example, I know a lot of people have issues with when lecturers aren't, maybe, aren't showing up the next day, and they know that, and maybe they only put that on Moodle, because a lot of people don't check their Moodle off. And I was thinking maybe ensuring that all lecturers [making] the policy is for lectures to email and if there's currently issues with email lists, maybe that's something that needs to be fixed. So, that's one aspect that I think would be important, because people are showing up to lectures [that are cancelled] and I think it's a bit disrespectful. But obviously — lecturers themselves — things are going on in their lives. 

So, we're going on to our final question: you also mentioned at the Hustings about making yourself available electronically. How will you set yourself apart from past role takers who already make themselves easily accessible via the likes of Outlook and Teams? 

C: So, next semester, when I get my timetable, ahead of time, letting people know what times I will be on campus and available for people on campus, but also times that I'm not on campus. Also, keeping on top of emails, that's something [...] I try to keep on top of everything. And yes, that's how I'd kind of work on it and keep note of everything. 

J: Is there anything else do you want to clarify for students, or do you want to add yourself that wasn't discussed here?  

C: I'm not sure. I've got both the experience of being a computer student and being a student living on campus, so I have a kind of a wide age experiences. I've been a Student Ambassador since 2024, so I'm very familiar with the university and also, I've been very active within my year group. So, I actually started the group chat for our like LLB. So, I'm very active. I solicit feedback as much, and I've created surveys for my fellow like year group [for] if they have feedback, makes it as easy as possible for people to engage.  

Next academic year, there's a shortage of academic reps in some departments and one reason that I suspect might be is that there are issues — and there's been issues since last academic year with the system —  people just couldn't vote it, like the website [...] I believe they're working on the website, definitely. But that's something that, if I became Social Sciences Faculty Convenor, something that I would work on. 

Social Sciences Faculty Conveyor: Joshua O’Connell

Joshua O’Connell is aiming to progress in his role with the Student Union, previously working as the DARE senator for two years, he is now running for the Social Sciences Faculty Conveyor. 

SALLY: Joshua could you please tell me a bit about yourself and the position that you are running for. 

JOSHUA: So, I’m from Longford, I commute in every day, I've been the DARE senator for the past two years and I’m on the access society. I’m quite involved with the university in general. And I am running for the Social Sciences Faculty Conveyor. 

S: Perfect, and so what made you decide to run for this position? 

J: I was the DARE senator for the past two years so I’m looking to be on executive this year, I’m really happy with the team so I wanted to work with them to keep moving and do more. I have a few ideas on what I want to do, and I guess that is kind of the next progression within the student politics. So, I feel like I want to be on the executive team and be more involved in what happens. 

S: At the Hustings you discussed your priority in an equal addressing of issues in your role, due to the social sciences being a mixture of many different departments, how do you plan on addressing this?  

J: So at the minute I’ve heard that there can be a big concentration on the larger departments, especially law in particular, and because it is such a large department there are more academic reps, obviously, so I want to make sure that more time is delegated not per academic rep but more to be per department. So, just making sure that it’s equally distributed among departments not just academic reps. While it’s important to have a number of academic reps in the law department, because there are more students, it's also important to make sure other departments aren’t forgotten about. There might only be four academic reps for example in a different department but there might be ten law ones, so obviously the law ones are going to speak more. So, I want to ensure that everyone’s voices are heard. Because at the minute I find that it can be kind of one-sided conversations, which isn’t ideal, because the law department isn’t going to have same issues as the geography department or then the anthropology department.  

S: Another issue you discussed at the Hustings is that of accessibility in making lectures and tutorials accessible to students online, what are your short- and long-term goals in realizing this aim? 

J: Working with department heads, the current Arts Humanities faculty conveyor has done a lot of work on this, I’ve been very appreciative of his work, and I want to replicate what he’s done in his department, in his faculty, and bring into social sciences, and he’s been talking to the department heads working with that, and making sure that we are moving along and catching up. Other universities have done this, it is doable, I don’t see why we can’t do it either. So yeah, just talking to department heads, it is possible, why aren’t we doing it? And just general lobbying of this needs to be done because it isn’t fair, we are a campus of I think seventy plus percent of commuters, we need to catch up with the times really, we’re not all staying on campus anymore. We need to address that. People miss trains, I miss trains often, people get sick, you need to be able to catch up, just because you miss out on one lecture because you couldn't be there you can’t catch up because there’s nothing available. It’s just making sure that resources are available for people so that they can engage even if they aren’t present. So, they can still have access to their learning, they are paying for it at the end of the day.  

S: At the end of your term, what will success feel and look like to you? 

J: Making sure that all departments are heard is one of the major things. And I want everyone to know we are there. I want 100 emails, honestly, I love emails, and I want as many as possible, because I feel like at the minute people don’t know the Social Sciences Faculty Conveyor exists. They don't know that they are there to help. And I think that's the major thing, I want everyone to be able to recite off the email address. So yeah, that’s the plan, emails, emails, emails, I love emails. I just want more communication. Because the big problem with the Union at the minute, is people feel the union doesn’t do anything for them, but the union doesn’t know what people want to do unless it’s told what to do. And that’s the major issue. Because we’re not mind readers at the end of the day, we don’t know what to do unless you tell us. 

We could not knab David Alade and Michael Slattery at the time of interviews but we wish them the very best with their campaigns.

Voting will be available both online (from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and in person- at booths (open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) in the Arts Block, TSI, Library, MSU Club Foyer, and MSU Info Centre, this Tuesday and Wednesday, the 10th and 11th of March respectively. Whether voting today online or in person, students are encouraged to take the time to review each candidate and make their voices heard.