SU22 – Our questions to Students' Union president candidates
Questions to Students’ Union president candidate, Emma Murphy. Owain Phillips did not respond to our questions.
What’s your number one priority?
Emma: I want to liberate the learning of all students at Queen’s University, as many of my other priorities are in tandem with this. For too long students’ experience has been oppressed by a lack of accessibility. Students need and deserve high-quality lecture recording, free education and the right to a private life.
Should the SU be more independent of the University? If so, how would you make this happen? If not, why not?
Emma: The SU should be more independent of the University, and we should have full autonomy as a separate body. Under the Education Act of 1994, Students’ Unions in the North are an outlier as it is not applicable here, meaning that Queen’s Students’ Union is still linked to the University financially. As president, I would seek to renegotiate our Relationship Agreement and once the NI Executive resumes, lobbying for it to be extended to the North. It’s important to be able to truly hold the University accountable without financial ties.
This year Queen's experienced an accommodation crisis. How would you prevent this from happening again?
Emma: The accommodation crisis in September should never be repeated. As president, I would demand a change in policy, for students to have confirmation of their accommodation room at least two weeks before term beginning for them. I would also continue to advocate against the rise in accommodation prices, to ensure it is affordable for all students. In the private rental sector, I would demand an international student housing guarantor scheme, host sessions to educate students on their renters’ rights and also lobby for the Executive and University to invest in building more purpose-built student accommodation in Belfast.
If staff strikes continue during your presidency, will you continue to support them?
Emma: Yes, I would continue to support the staff strikes if they continued into my presidency. I recognise that students may have concerns around missed classes disrupting their studies, and so I would bring a motion to Student Council to ensure it was a democratic decision. The results from the referendum held this year show a mass student consensus for supporting the UCU strikes so I don’t believe Students’ Union resources would necessitate another referendum. It is important to show solidarity as a Students’ Union and recognise that learning conditions for students are tied to staff’s working conditions.
Would you share a stage with the chancellor of Queen's University, Hillary Clinton?
Emma: The SU is currently mandated by Student Council to refuse any meetings, receptions or events with Hillary Clinton except for graduations, and so as president, I would follow that motion.
How have your personal experiences shaped your manifesto?
Emma: My manifesto has been shaped by my experience as a Queen’s student. I’ve faced the struggles of isolation during online learning without resources, I’ve lived in student housing with a flooding bathroom, I’m a climate activist that wants to improve our sustainability and I’ve faced the stresses of financial burdens. My manifesto has also been shaped by the experience of students. Through my experience as Education Officer, I have heard time and again how many of the same issues are facing all students. In weekly meetings with course, School and Faculty reps I’m aware of how widespread the desire for lecture recording is, how stressful exam periods can be and how signposting can be improved. Therefore, my manifesto is built from the ground up by collective student issues, and will be able to deliver tangible change for them on the issues that matter most to them.
If you could have dinner with three famous people, dead or alive, who would they be?
Emma: I would love to have dinner with Oscar Wilde because I’m an English literature graduate, Malala Yousafzai because she inspires me and my Nana Murphy again.