All three nominated candidates for president of the students’ union chimed in during a debate over whether to lobby for new student space in the Business School this evening.
A motion brought by Business School Convenor Patrick Keegan sought a mandate from the union to lobby to reopen the Jolt Cafe as a student space “with facilities to reheat food”.
Union Archivist Seán Thim O’Leary joined the discussion to suggest that other relevant convenors and class reps be included in the mandate, which was accepted.
Creative Arts Convenor Tia Lam questioned the necessity of reviving the Business School space, and asked whether this would “affect the resources put into other [student spaces]”
“There are other departments and faculties that are terribly underfunded”, Lam said.
“The instruments are falling apart, the pianos are untuned; there are only two spaces for music students to rehearse.”
“We as film students don’t have studios, as a creative arts as a whole, we don’t even have any of these like educational resources.”
“I respect the education of the business students, but I just want to know how necessary this space is?”, Lam concluded, to exceptional applause from members of council.
In response to this, Keegan said “I definitely understand your point and couldn’t agree more”, and went on to say that he was in favour of “simply adding a few microwaves”.
In the midst of the debate, third presidential nominee and current Ethnic Minorities Officer for TCDSU Giovanni Li introduced the issue of disparities between Arts Building (Arts Block) and Business School bathrooms.
Li’s suggestion to “reconsider and refocus” the aims of the students’ union on this issue gained little traction among members of council.
Thim O’Leary later spoke again in opposition to a motion brought by Education Officer Eoghan Gilroy that sought to wrap up discussion surrounding the motion.
“I think there’s still room for conversation to be had about the merits of the motion”, Thim O’Leary said.
The motion ultimately passed after going to a vote among members.
As such, Keegan, as business school convenor, will be mandated to lobby for the proposal which he brought.