In a race where every vote counts, first-year candidate Giovanni Li is making waves with a platform that zeroes in on the everyday issues students face.
Li, a Middle Eastern and European languages and cultures (MEELC) student whose involvement in campus life runs deep despite his short time at Trinity, currently serves as the ethnic minorities officer of the students’ union. He is also a committee member of Trinity’s Korean Society as assistant treasurer, as well as the Knitting Society committee.
His motivation to run as a presidential candidate is born from a deeply personal commitment. Asked for reasons he chose to run he shares: “I’ve made really good friends, but because of college issues such as accommodation, lack of housing accessibility, a lot of them ended up dropping out, and those were really dear friends to me.
And so I promised them that I will make sure that this never happens to anybody else or at least try to prevent it.”
While acknowledging the solid work done by the current students’ union—especially in voicing critical international issues like the Palestine-Israel conflict—Li is equally candid about areas needing improvement. He praises the efficiency of the current team, noting, “Jenny Maguire has done really well,” yet he calls for a renewed focus on the practical and logistical aspects of student life.
For Li, the fundamentals—housing, food, job security, career support, and a constructive relationship with lecturers—should be at the forefront of the union’s agenda. “I would like to bring back focus onto the big picture of things and back to the necessities,” he asserts, advocating for a leadership that understands both the academic and personal challenges faced by students.
I report to the students and only to students”
He expressed a commitment to targeting decisions made by key stakeholders rather than focusing on middle management and stressed the importance of the union remaining independent from political parties. “I report to the students and only to students,” he stated, adding that the union should work solely in the interests of the student body.
Asked about the recent referendum for the politicisation of the union he highlighted in the same spirit that:
“The referendum has caused the students’ union to be able to take a political stance yes, it does not mean it advocates for certain related parties. It’s still not able to do that. It can just take a no-confidence in government stance.”
Li concedes however that: “Yes, there are concerns that come up and I think a lot of students have those concerns as well. But I think being able to navigate through that is the most important thing. […] I think proceed with caution”
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Li has faced some critique because his Manifesto is unusually long. He asserts however that it is long because it “is based on a survey and collection of thoughts and ideas from students and addressing what they actually want and actually, what they need, rather than what we think they need. It’s easier to listen and to learn.”
In Ireland, the issue of student housing has been a persistent challenge, exacerbated by an increase in demand and a shortage of affordable rental options. Many students are forced to accept living arrangements that do not meet basic standards of comfort and safety.
Li suggests a long-term strategy in which the students’ union would lease, and eventually manage, a building dedicated solely to student accommodation.
His vision includes a “net zero” budget policy—meaning that while the union would not generate profits from these properties, it would aim to cover operating costs and reinvest any surplus back into the facility.
Additionally, Li’s proposal emphasizes employing students to manage these properties, thereby creating job opportunities and ensuring that the benefits of the project circulate within the student community.
When asked about how realistic these plans are, he responded: “How leasing works is essentially is that you pay a flat fee and whatever you do within that building is your business… Our rates are our rates and even if we need to subsidise, even take a small loss on it, we’d be able to do that because… when we look at our financial accounts, it’s completely feasible.”
Another issue Li would like to tackle is financial hardship, as a specific measure he highlighted would be increasing the interest-free loans the SU offers, stating: “Currently, the students’ union offers loans up to 100 euros. No questions asked, right? it barely makes a dent. […] With the load initiative of 500 euros, it would actually make a dent against your tuition or for whatever need you need it for.”
He also talks about making the SU a platform for students to find jobs, stating “What I want is that students would be able to work through the students’ union and this is based on the multiplier effect […] to keep money circulating within the economy of Trinity students.”
“The students’ union is not there to exploit students. It is there to make sure that students can study, they can still work, they can still live comfortably.”
Further explaining a system where students would be able to offer services, such as cleaning or tutoring to other students, he says: “You could pay someone you know, good rates where you can get Services done for you. And the students’ union would subsidise that. So, we would give you a discounted rate in a lot of scenarios.”
“The students’ union is not there to exploit students. It is there to make sure that students can study, they can still work, they can still live comfortably.”
Drawing on his extensive involvement in different societies Li would like to see increased support for the different societies from the students’ union.
“What I’ve encountered is that a lot of societies have issues booking rooms, finding good places to run their events or even have the funding accessible, or, they have the money but they don’t even know where to spend it,” he shares.
“The students’ union would be a platform where we would work with this, with societies as well, where [they] can come to us and say, for example, I’m having issues here and the CSC isn’t helping me here. What can I do?” he adds.
“I smelt the mould. I mean, the floor is creaking, there are not enough seats, it’s dirty, it’s not cleaned.
In addition to strengthening society support, Li emphasizes the need for improvements in student facilities. Reflecting on his personal observations, he states, “I smelled the mould. I mean, the floor is creaking, there are not enough seats, it’s dirty, it’s not cleaned. I mean these, are basic necessities, that the college should provide for a college to take such high esteem in their campus.”
As a closing statement Giovanni Lee appeals to the voters saying: “I think I’d urge a lot of students to consider their candidates, do their research and try to understand the politics behind it.
Because, you know, as we know some candidates are politically affiliated [Think about] what that would mean for the students’ union, if your personal goals, conflict with student goals.”
“We want to see what the students want. Please consider what you’re voting for… Experience means nothing if nothing is done with it.”
