Siubhán Stockman has been elected Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) housing rights officer at council this evening.
She ran uncontested for the part-time officer (PTO) role.
She is a final year geography and political science student and a class representative in TCDSU.
Stockman is also the head photo editor of the environmental magazine Evergreen Trinity, the field trip coordinator of the Proposed DU Geographical Society and a copyeditor in Trinity News.
Speaking to Trinity News, Stockman said: “The housing crisis is making the student experience increasingly unequal. It’s great to see the Union taking steps towards addressing this through the creation of this role and formalising our relationship with CATU.
“Strengthening student engagement and empowering students to take part in community organising is a key function of our Union, and this role should be central to that.”
The housing rights officer was created following a motion at council on November 7.
The PTO will represent students living in both Trinity-owned accommodation and other forms of housing.
Stockman will also “assist the president and other sabbatical and part-time officers in relation to campaigns relating to housing” and “research housing issues students are facing”.
The motion, proposed by TCDSU President László Molnárfi and seconded by Deputy STEM Officer Sé Ó hÉidhin, noted the housing crisis “is worsening, and is tearing apart the social fabric of Irish society and leading to the scapegoating of refugees and international protection applicants”.
The union also voted in favour of introducing a partnership with the Community Action Tenants’ Union (CATU).
The housing officer will be responsible for the union’s liaisons with CATU and “other housing groups considered relevant”.
