Ents Race: Nadia aims to be “the change that Trinity needs”

One of three entertainment officer candidates, Nadia discusses her goals for safety, diversity and student engagement

Nadia, a Senior Sophister computer science student, believes that her strong personal experience in event management and connections within the music industry gives her an edge over her competitors.

With experience in the Union as part of the communications and marketing team, and having served as class representative for two years, she aims to create an “unforgettable year for all”. Having “arguably attended more Trinity events than Trinity lectures”, Nadia considers herself well integrated into the Dublin nightlife scene, highlighting that her connections would be fundamental as ents officer: “I know parties. I know how that works”. 

Nadia expresses that she has developed “detailed plans”, and as a “creative person” she is bursting with the need to turn ideas into reality. Having attended countless Ents events, Nadia always thought of different, new or alternative event ideas, and concluded, “why don’t I just be the person to do that?” 

Proud of her diverse background – mixed-race Irish-Egyptian – Nadia believes that she can be “the person to speak for everyone”, drawing from her experiences with different cultures and environments. Nadia highlights the importance of not catering to one specific crowd, and wants to represent people like her, with “many different interests in so many different ways”. 

Nadia believes that she can be “the person to speak for everyone”, drawing from her experiences with different cultures and environments

When discussing her plans to increase inclusivity in Trinity events, Nadia outlines the importance of integrating different cultural celebrations and influences into Ents. She describes knowing “what it’s like moving to a new country and you don’t see anything that reminds you of home”, and plans to have “international and multicultural students” feel more welcome, with event ideas such as food stalls showcasing different cuisines, and celebrating different cultural festivities, such as Chinese New Year, or Eid. 

Nadia touches upon language, saying that “a lot of people are probably worried because I don’t speak Irish”, to which she responds that “international students don’t speak Irish” either.  She continues: “having moved to Ireland when I was eleven, I just didn’t have the opportunity to learn Irish”. 

Acknowledging the importance of appreciation for Irish culture and language, Nadia explains that her collaborations with societies can help her in this aspect, in the same way, they will help her to cater to and celebrate other cultures as well. Nadia describes cultural involvement as important to her, addressing that “most of Trinity is international students”. She then stated her belief that “every culture should be celebrated”, and once again outlined her promise to cater to and include as many groups as possible. 

Nadia also mentions the involvement of Erasmus students, expressing ambitions to translate her manifesto into various languages, commenting that it will be important for them to find college things written in their own language and feel included in the community. 

When asked about inclusivity regarding LGBTQ+, Nadia acknowledges the increasingly progressive culture of Trinity, yet still highlights a need to “break the barrier”, and promote “conversations with people you wouldn’t necessarily have a chance to talk to” through various events. Such includes organising a Pride Week, and Educational workshops. Another event idea outlined in her manifesto includes a Drag Show, seeking the involvement of the entire college community and involving different charities. 

In terms of welfare, Nadia expands on her attention to safety, particularly during nighttime events; “If I had a [dedicated] team that would be able to help out, we would make sure people are being safe and getting home safe”. Nadia plans to “make sure there will always be someone there” for students during Ents events, explaining that “I’m the type of person like if I see a girl drunk by herself I’ll make sure she gets home”, and ensuring that this ideology is carried out through her team members as well.  She continues to explain her integration of a Halls Bus system, emphasising the danger that first years could face when returning home after Ents nighttime events: “that’s when people are just coming to Dublin and just discovering the city, so I’d want to make sure there’s safety around that”. 

The importance of measures such as free earplugs, spiking and drug testing kits are addressed in her manifesto, as she explains that we must not “ignore the fact that drug use in college is inevitable”, but instead “open conversations and try to push for safe testing”. 

She explains that we must not “ignore the fact that drug use in college is inevitable”, but instead “open conversations and try to push for safe testing”. 

The Ents team will undoubtedly face a new challenge in the coming years regarding the organisation and location of Trinity Ball. When asked how she would lead the student body through this, Nadia acknowledges the impact of COVID-19, stating that “I obviously want to make sure it happens. We’ve already missed two Trinity Balls”.  She alludes to ideas of hosting it in the RDS, adding that it could be “bigger and better”, allowing more tickets to be sold and weather inconveniences to be avoided in an indoor venue. Nadia expresses that location is of less importance, adding that its future off-campus location is “not going to stop people from wanting to go”. She concludes that “it’s not going to be the same but at the end of the day it’s still Trinity Ball”. 

Whilst still on topic of Trinity Ball, Nadia mentions briefly her “Ents Tent” initiative, in which Ents team members could be “within reach” providing support, safety and refreshments to students who may easily be “overwhelmed” in such a chaotic environment. She adds that free and reusable bottles of water would be provided, commenting that it would be completely within range considering the price of Trinity Ball tickets. 

Nadia plans to work closely with the student body, planning to integrate a ‘student suggestion box’ into Ents event decisions and plans. To increase student engagement Nadia plans to encourage the exchange of ideas, explaining that people will most likely go to events that they themselves have thought up. 

When asked how she would guarantee that these voices are being heard, Nadia assured that she would “probably be reading them all the time”, even just to see “what people are saying”, out of both interest and as inspiration. “I just don’t want a dictatorship”, she jokes, ensuring that students would be given credit and complimentary tickets for their ideas. 

When asked about her favourite manifesto point, Nadia mentions her Flea Market idea, stating that often Trinity will bring in unaffordable vintage/second-hand sellers, and noting that accessibility would be increased with the presence of a regular student-run flea market. Additionally, Nadia promotes the sustainability side of this idea, expressing that it will greatly help to combat fast fashion, giving students the chance to give their clothes a second life while at the same time shopping for affordable prices. 

Nadia highlights the importance of removing any form of exclusivity from Ents, describing the importance of diversity

On the topic of increasing financial accessibility, Nadia also plans on introducing subsidised event tickets, recognizing the struggles that some students may face. Concluding, Nadia highlights the importance of removing any form of exclusivity from Ents, describing the importance of diversity, and adding that she will “mesh with most crowds” and be able to understand and represent the diversity present in Trinity. 

Nadia’s focus on inclusivity shapes her candidature, suggesting that what she can bring to Trinity is “not something that has been seen in the position of Ents before and it’s time that’s changed”. 

Sofia Ferrari Bravo

Sofia Ferarri Bravo is the Deputy News Analysis Editor for the 69th issue of Trinity News.