Jenny Maguire has been elected Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) President, defeating opponent Ralph Balfe.
Polling conducted by The University Times last week predicted a likely win for Maguire, which the final result reflects. The poll, which used a representative sample of 274 students, saw 82 per cent of voters give Maguire their first-preference vote, compared to 15 per cent for Balfe.
Maguire, whose campaign centred around advocacy, accessibility and representation, pitched her activist background as a co-organiser of Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin.
The English Studies student has previously served as a class representative, the LGBTQ+ Rights Officer and the Gender Equality Officer for the Students’ Union.
Maguire’s campaign advocated for a system that better supports students who work alongside their degrees, with the President-elect promising to create a first-of-its-kind working students policy to provide resources and accommodations to students who work.
She also emphasised the need for affordable housing, promising to campaign for reduced rent on campus and to continue the work of her predecessor László Molnárfi in growing the renters’ union.
Inclusivity was another cornerstone of Maguire’s campaign, and she intends to advocate for student parents, gender minorities and students with disabilities throughout her tenure.
Her manifesto additionally promised a “bold and confrontational” approach to the Irish language and an improved Union presence at Freshers’ Week.
