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Meet DCU's new Students' Union

After weeks of training, introductions and settling into their offices, Dublin City University’s new Students’ Union sabbatical officers have officially started work in their roles. Kenneth Browne, President of DCU’s Student Union, Eve Kerton, Vice-President for Welfare, and Gary Gillick, Vice-President for Education, were elected by students to represent DCU attendees at university and national level, manage services for the support and wellbeing of the students as well as organise events and activities to cater to the student body’s tastes.

Kenneth Browne – DCU Students’ Union President

Kenneth Browne, a 22 year-old Wexford native, was elected to become President of the Students’ Union after two years on the Union’s Executive committee, spending a year as convenor for the Humanities faculty and one year as Clubs Officer. A Communication Studies graduand, he has spent time as a class rep as well as holding the position of DCUtv station manager for the past year.

Kenneth hopes to place a bigger focus on mental health throughout the coming year and plans to campaign and promote awareness surrounding the issue on a constant basis, rather than just one focused week. The new President also plans to ensure DCU’s clubs get first preference when it comes to the use of the redeveloped sports grounds on Ballymun Road, introduce mobile phone charging stations around campus and promote several non-alcoholic events on campus.

Gary Gillick – DCU Students’ Union Vice-President for Education

Gary Gillick is a Carlow native who has just completed his final year of Biotechnology at the University. Despite this being his first executive role in the Students’ Union, Gary has been hugely involved in society life throughout his time at DCU. He has been particularly involved with the Raising and Giving society, holding the position of events officer, co-chairperson and volunteer co-ordinator during the past three years.

Throughout the coming months, Gary aims to create easy and accessibly tutoring systems, introduce more peer-to-peer mentoring from class reps and, overall, make the Students’ Union a more approachable body.

Eve Kerton – Vice President for Welfare

Eve Kerton is a 21 year-old student from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary who will graduate this autumn with a degree in Communication Studies. She ran for the position of Welfare Officer this spring after her tenure as Societies Officer in the Union as well as having an active involvement throughout her time in DCU with the Media Production Society, Africa Society and Dance Society.

Throughout the year ahead, Eve hopes to build on the solid foundations of past Students’ Unions and increase awareness on-campus surrounding matters such as mental health and sexual health. She also hopes to promote diversity on campus, endorse Irish-speaking as well as make DCU a greener campus.

The Students’ Union face a much busier year in the coming months as students voted in February to re-affiliate with national representation body, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). Affiliation with the USI means more training for the sabbatical officers and a voice at USI congress.