Cathal Walsh Comms Manifesto 2015 16 (PDF)

SUMMARY
My priorities for the academic year 2015/16 will be:
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To DELIVER an SU-driven student jobs portal.
To CREATE an online SU TicketHub for the sale of tickets to UCC events, along with
student-priced tickets to third-party sporting, musical and theatrical events.
To RECOVER the ‘Deal of the Week’ for students.
To LEAD a policy of ‘Green Communications’ across all SU correspondence.
To MAXIMISE potential revenue available from the sale of SU-branded goods via
UCCShop.ie
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ABOUT ME
Hi, my name is Cathal Walsh and I am an MBS Information Systems for Business
Performance student. This year is my fourth attending UCC and these four years have
treated me to some fantastic experiences, both as a student and whilst working in all areas
of the Student Centre, in particular The New Bar with Colin, Brian and all the crew. I have
also had the privilege to play at Turners Cross whilst representing UCC Soccer.
What experience do I have relating to Comms? Well, I currently run The New Bar’s social
media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat) and feel that I have helped each of them
expand their reach enormously. I have promoted live music events, alternative nights and of
course UCC R&G Week. This has allowed me to work closely with some extremely talented
DJs and musicians.
Furthermore, the Masters I’m currently undertaking is intensely focused on commerce and
IT, two key facets of the role that I am applying for. Our projects have involved constructing
effective, engaging social media campaigns and showcasing the business value of IT and
business models.
I did not seek nomination for this role for the craic; I am doing so because I believe that I
possess the skillset to serve as a driven, capable Comms Officer.
I hope, having read my full manifesto below, that you will feel the same and vote
#CathalForComms on the 9th and 10th of March.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathalForComms
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CathalForComms

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MANIFESTO
Commercial
STUDENT JOBS
Having worked my way through college, I am a firm believer in part-time jobs for students,
both for the financial freedom it allows them and for the crucial real-world experience it
provides. Previously, promises have been made by SU candidates to roll out a website
connecting students with local employers, thus increasing the rate of part-time employment
among students.
However, such promises have not been delivered upon. As the economy continues to
recover, I see no reason why the SU would be unable to provide such a service to link
students with employers.
In addition, despite the fact that the Student Centre provides 80/90 part-time jobs annually
to UCC students, the SU choose not to publicise these employment opportunities to any
great extent.
In simple terms, if elected, I plan to play an active role in helping students to find jobs.
STUDENT DEALS
One thing I have noticed this year is the disappearance of the student ‘Deal of the Week’. I
know many students (including myself) have lived off such deals in the past, primarily when
the deals have been for dinners.
There are a whole host of local cafés, bars and restaurants who would welcome increased
student footfall and custom at lunchtimes. I am certain that these businesses would be
happy to offer competitive deals to facilitate such footfall. It’s a win-win for students and for
local businesses.
I will strive to ensure we see the return of the DOTW for the academic year 2015/16.
STUDENT TICKETS (UCC EVENTS & THIRD PARTIES)
Presently, the tickets in advance of most UCC balls/events are sold individually by class reps.
The ‘UCC Shop’ website is part-owned by the SU and has the resources to operate an online
ticket hub.
An SU TicketHub would allow for a much smoother sales process than is currently
experienced by students. It would cut out the large quantities of cash being carried by class
reps and allow for watertight ‘first come, first served’ sales.

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However, this would only be the beginning of what could be a very financially rewarding
system. Once the TicketHub is operational for UCC Events, the SU could invite third parties
to take advantage of the system, charging a sales commission in the process.
We have a sports-mad student population here in UCC, with high levels of participation
across our multitude of clubs. Those who participate often follow local teams like Cork GAA,
Cork City FC and Munster Rugby.
Student tickets are available for games involving each of the aforementioned teams. I
believe that the SU has the capacity to act as an intermediary between students and the
major sporting teams in the region. Ticket allocations could be secured by the SU for various
sporting events of interest to students and sold through an SU outlet. The same can be said
for plays in the Granary Theatre or gigs in Cyprus Avenue.
The SU’s cut from third-party sales would represent a new revenue stream which could be
invested in SU initiatives.
THE STUDENT CENTRE
Áras na Mac Léinn is YOUR Student Centre. Given that the Comms Officer has a position on
its Board of Management, I will be looking to further increase the amount of services it
offers to the student population. For example, I will seek to install a Smartcard Printer in the
Computer Room; a simple installation but something that I think would be of benefit to the
many students who avail of these computers every day.
Allied to this, I will seek to promote the Student Centre’s lesser-known but very useful
outlets, such as CollegeGear and LowerCase Books, whose existence many students may be
unaware of.

Communications
IMPROVE CAMPUS-WIDE COMMUNICATIONS
I firmly believe that the SU can do more to communicate the happenings around campus to
its 20,000+ followers on social media. Preference should be given daily to club/society
events taking place on-site in the New Bar, Old Bar or outside the Boole Library, among
other things.
I know from experience that (outside of R&G Week) the SU gives insufficient coverage to
these events on Facebook, their largest social media outlet. Often, preference is given to
events occurring in the regular nightclub haunts in the city centre. It is my opinion that this
goes against the spirit of the university, whose clubs and societies are the lifeblood of the
university social scene.

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DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
UCC possesses Ireland’s only 24/7 Student Radio Station: UCC 98.3FM. For the most part, it
has been a resource very much untapped by the SU. Its capabilities are multi-faceted and
could be availed of by the SU to advertise and for live broadcasts in suitable situations.
UCC 98.3 has, for many years, allowed students with interests in music, broadcasting and
journalism to cut their teeth at the microphone. This in particular is something I would like
to see more of and, if elected Comms Officer, I will take the necessary steps to ensure it
happens.
Furthermore, if elected as Comms Officer, I will seek administrative privileges in relation to
all digital signage on campus. Digital signage is criminally under-used on campus and, as an
administrator, I will endeavour to keep screens ticking over with SU info and campus events,
whilst working in co-operation with the Entertainments Officer.
GREEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY
As part of my campaign, I will be employing a strict ‘no-flyers’ policy. Let’s face it; flyers are
an annoyance and a littering hazard in most cases, whilst also lacking the requisite space for
candidates to properly expand on their campaign priorities.
A minimal amount of posters will be employed during my campaign. My primary
campaigning tools will be social media outlets and the voices of my campaign team, my
friends and myself.
If elected, I will continue in this vein of ‘green communications’. For example, a ‘no-flyers’
policy will be strictly adhered to across all SU communications and I will seek to arrange for
the printing of SU info on the recycled coffee cups currently sold throughout campus.

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