Clare Austick, the current vice president for welfare of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) will run uncontested for the position of president of the union, after her opponent removed herself from the ballot.
Marie Lyons, USI’s equality and citizenship officer, confirmed to this newspaper today that she would no longer be contesting the presidential race.
In an email statement to The University Times, Lyons said: “I would like to thank the wonderful Students’ Unions who placed me on the ballot for the position of USI President. I was honoured to be nominated for the position of President and upon seeing my name on the ballot, I had a lot to consider. I have loved my time in USI representing the students from across the island.”
“I have spent a number of years representing students from my time as President of St. Angela’s College Sligo, Students’ Union to now, on my second year on the USI Executive Team”, she continued. “I have given my all to each role I was elected to and over the past few weeks I spent a lot of time considering the nomination but I believe my time in USI has come to an end.”
“I will always hold my time in the Union of Students in Ireland and St. Angela’s College, Sligo Students’ Union close to my heart and I look forward to supporting the incoming USI executive team. I look forward to my final few months USI working with an incredible team led by the exceptional Lorna Fitzpatrick. “
Lyons concluded: “I want to wish everyone running in the USI elections the very best of luck and in particular Clare Austick, who I have had the pleasure of working alongside this year.”
Before serving as USI’s vice president for welfare, Austick was a sabbatical officer in NUI Galway Students’ Union for two years, first as vice president for welfare and equality, then as president.
Elections for next year’s USI executive team will take place at USI congress, which will be held virtually from April 6th to 8th.
Three senior members of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union have launched campaigns to run for positions the USI executive.
Two of this year’s sabbatical officers, Megan O’Connor and Hugh McInerney, are running for Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President for the Dublin Region respectively.
McInerney is the current TCDSU Ents Officer and O’Connor is the current Education Officer.
Muireann Nic Corcráin, a postgraduate student in speech and language processing and a former Oifigeach na Gaeilge in the union, is running for Vice President for the Irish Language.
