Faye McDonnell for Arts Convenor 2021/2022 

Faye Ní Dhomhnaill do Thionólí na nDán 2021/2022

About Me:

I’m a Second Year BA Connect studying English, Law and Performing Arts. This year I was also a Class Rep with the Student Union. I’ve always been very passionate about the issues surrounding Third Level Students. I know first-hand what the effects of poor mental health supports can be on students, and I am acutely aware of the fears students face in being priced out of education. As well as this, I worked with the Student’s Union this year to make phonecalls to incoming First Year Students, and I got to hear the real concerns students had for the year, and it made me want to act. When I became a Class Rep in 2019, I never thought I’d end up where I am now. For me, becoming a class rep was about organising hoodies and nights out. It wasn’t until I got involved with campaigning during full time elections last year that I truly realised how much the SU can do for us. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic and continuous lockdowns got in the way, and I was back to square one. However I’ve spent the past year standing up for students’ rights every chance I get, by getting more involved with councils, and attending online protests where I can.

What I Want To Do For You:

Results Reform: As Arts Convenor, I want to help reform the way Students receive their

results. Results day is nerve wracking enough without the added stress of results for different modules coming in at completely different times, leaving you waiting around the entire day. I intend to convene with the University and create a better system for the release of results.

An Anonymous Forum for Students: I understand how nerve-wracking it can be to speak to SU Officers about the issues you feel passionate about. Students shouldn’t feel they have to resort to social media alone to voice their concerns. I intend to implement an anonymous forum via Padlet where students can voice their concerns for the SU, which I can review and send to the relevant officers. 

Repeat Fees: The Covid-19 Pandemic has had a terrible impact on the Mental Health of Students. Working from home has led to student’s struggling with assignments and exams. NUIG should not be using this to profit from students with their extortionate repeat fees. I intend to use my position to canvas for the abolishment of the current repeat fee.

Social Events: This year we have seen the extreme success of events such as the Humpday Hoolie. I intend to create more social events such as this online, and in person when possible. I understand how difficult it is to make friends in a college of 18,000 students and want to do what I can to enrich the experience of others.

Consent Workshops: The topic of sexual consent is incredibly important, and deserves to be discussed outside of SHAG Week. I intend to run more workshops and provide more education surrounding this topic throughout the year, particularly in Orientation and Freshers week, so all students can start off the year on the right foot.

Welfare Calls for Incoming First Years: This year the Student’s Union created a group who worked together to call all incoming first year students to ask if they had any questions or concerns. I believe this should continue every year, as I know I would’ve been incredibly appreciative of this call when I was a first year student.

Green Campus: I intend to work on reducing the amount of single-use plastics on campus, as well as introducing more “Green Options” to the SU shop. As well as this I hope to run events such as Beach Clean Ups and Walking Groups for students to help them get out and about, whilst simultaneously working towards a greener future.

Improving Seating on Campus: As any NUIG student knows, there is a severe lack of recreational seating on campus. By 12 pm finding a seat on campus, whether its in Smokeys, Sult, or elsewhere, is almost impossible, meaning students have to eat their lunches sitting on the floor or in classrooms. I intend to ratify this issue and improve the seating available to students, particularly during peak times on campus.

Financial Guidance: College is a new time in a lot of people’s lives. I know my first year in college I was unaware of how to be responsible with my money. I hope to bring financial education workshops and talks to students of every year group to help them make wise money decisions both in college and afterwards.

Grá don Ghaeilge: Is campas dáthanga é OÉG. Ba mhaith liom cur leis an méid Gaeilge a labhraítear ar an gcampas trí imeachtaí mar oícheanta scannáin, agus céilithe a reáchtáil, comh maith le ranganna gaeilge do gach leibhéal líofachta.

(NUIG is a bilingual campus. I want to improve the amount of Irish spoken on campus through events such as movie nights and céilís, as well as Irish classes for every fluency level)

Where You Can Find Me:

You can follow me and my campaign on

Twitter: @FayeForArts

Instagram: @FayeForArts

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