SU21 - Courtney Girvin for Postgraduate Officer

I’m Courtney Girvin and I’m studying an MA in conflict transformation and social justice. It’s probably not too surprising that I’m running for election… again. I am passionate about helping others, whether that be actively engaging in social justice movements, or helping a friend in a crisis. I am a keen believer in starting where you stand and making a difference in your own community.

Queen’s has been my community for the past four years and I am ready to give back to current and future students. I decided on the VP Postgraduate role after first-hand experience of the immense financial hardship as a result of the unequal financial system. So much so I had about six pounds left to last me a month after paying my first instalment of fees.

This is unfair, inaccessible for working class students, and mentally damaging. Therefore, my manifesto has five key themes; accessible education for all, better mental health provision, better conditions for student workers, accountable supervision for all levels of education, and to modernise the campus post-Covid to ensure important learning innovations remain in place.

Accessible education is not just about tuition fees. However, I will lobby to ensure that universities cannot charge more than the maximum NI Student Finance loan of £5500 with the aspirational aim of the abolition of tuition fees entirely.

The hidden living costs of university have undoubtedly increased as a result of the move to online learning: increasing Wi-Fi use, the need for personal devices, and increased utility bills as a result of being in lockdowns.

Students who relied on the library for access to these resources have been left in precarious positions.

Therefore, I will lobby to ensure the university has increased funding that can act as maintenance grants, ensure PG Research students are entitled to funded extensions, and secure more funding for vulnerable student groupings such as those from low-income backgrounds and those with caring responsibilities. But money doesn’t grow on trees, you say - it seems to when it comes to the Vice Chancellor’s housing, despite being on a triple figure salary.

There is a symbiotic relationship between mental health, and financial pressures. The Queen’s OMNI survey found 78 per cent of students have poor mental health, with the main contributors being academic and financial pressures.

As someone with lived experience of mental health difficulties I know all too well how academic and financial pressures can exacerbate mental health conditions. While puppy petting days are nice, they fail to fix the systemic issues.

Therefore, I propose to reform exceptional circumstances so that it is compassionate, empathetic, and trusting of students post-Covid particularly in regard to bereavements and student illnesses. I will also work to ensure a Safety Net is implemented for as long as students face Covid-related detriments.

I will work to ensure transitions to higher education does not negatively impact students at all levels and create spaces for those more vulnerable to mental health difficulties to meet up and socialise.

Increasing financial pressures has led to increased part-time work and external bank loans especially for postgrad students. The treatment of student workers in relation to furlough and back-pay was appalling. We need a strong force on campus to fight the increasing casualisation of student workers. I will work to ensure campus zero-hours contracts are reformed, that student workers and PhD candidates are paid monthly rather than semesterly, and work with the Universities and Colleges Union Queen’s branch to ensure the university cannot take advantage of student workers.

Why me?

I have two years’ experience representing students as the IR course rep, activist experienced in the fight for decriminalisation of abortion and equal marriage. Currently I’m an active member of Project Choice and the co-founder of the Belfast Girl Gang, a supportive network to combat isolation and loneliness among women and our trans sisters. These voluntary roles illustrate my commitment and passion for issues facing many students. Imagine what we could achieve if elected.

If you want achievable change, vote Courtney #1 on the March 1 to 4.

To see all the candidates running for this position, visit the QUB SU Website.