James Ringland, campaign manager for the No side, writes on why students should not vote to impeach Tom Lenihan.
This week, as we all know, there will be a referendum on whether or not the student body wish to impeach our President, Tom Lenihan. As campaign manager for the NO side, Trinity News have offered me the chance to outline why I personally oppose this, but more importantly why I would urge you to vote NO.
As a student last May, Tom made a serious mistake, one for which he was punished by the college. For some people, it will not matter how many times he says sorry, how much work he puts in every day and night for the students of this college, how much it matters to him how everyone is getting on with their day-to-day routine. However for me, we are not better off impeaching our President for a mistake he made as a student. We are not improving our college experience by removing from office a man who is not only good at his job – but has the full support of his co-sabbats, who together work tirelessly to make college a better place, for every student.
Since he took office, Tom has already achieved a number of things which have improved college and ensured the SU provide you, the student body, with what you need to make your time in college as hassle-¬‐free, productive and enjoyable as possible.
Within our Students Union itself, we now have ‘Click’ – a cost effective and easily accessible phone and laptop repair service for students to avail of – right within our walls. The most class reps ever have been elected, ensuring every student is represented and has a voice speaking on their behalf. The SU bookshop has been put online for all to access at the click of a button.
€6,500 has already been raised for the Student Hardship Fund. The number of international students benefiting from the ‘Meet and Greet’ service at Dublin Airport has doubled. Library opening hours have been increased by 77 hours, the grant has been protected and we are getting closer to having our own Student Kitchen on campus.
Most importantly, one of the biggest issues facing our generation – mental health – has reached the forefront of peoples thoughts. This past week, TCD has talked – with one of the most successful mental health week campaigns (ever) to have taken place. Tom’s openness and willingness to talk about his darkest times and the inspiration and leadership he has shown to others, has led to more students being able to think about their own and their friends difficulties and find their own way of making things better.
But every day of this impeachment campaign – as Tom is forced to take leave, the work he has done to achieve these things has to stop. This week, you have the opportunity to vote NO and let Tom get back to work for you. Since February, when 2098 students voted to elect Tom, we have had a committed, focused leader – whose sole concern in every issue, is what is best for you – the students of Trinity.
This week, it is time for all of us, to get up and Stand by Tom. This campaign is not about flooding the arts block with t-‐shirts or creating a buzz through stunts. The only thing I can ask of every student is to listen to what our campaign has to say. This week, what we will be doing, is talking to you. All we can ask, is for the chance to have a conversation with you and the opportunity to convince you to vote NO.
Read the pro-impeachment piece here: http://trinitynews.ie//su-impeachment-yes/
