Tackling student problems

How can the students union help you in college? Layne Aston, deputy president/welfare officer of the students union at IT Tallaght, describes a typical day in the union offices

I have just completed my second year of college and I am 20 years old. I have taken a sabbatical year to work full-time for the students union. This means that I have taken a year out of my studies and dedicate my time to the students of IT Tallaght.

I have been involved with the students union on a part-time basis since I started college. I decided to run for a full-time position this year because I saw the difficulties, both personal and financial, that Irish students face daily. By ignoring student needs, our Government has chosen not to invest in the needs of this country's future.

To describe a typical day in my life is quite a task, as each day brings new challenges. Since I began working on July 1st, I have spent hours upon hours speaking to students who are dealing with severe hardship. I have also slept outside the Department of the Environment to highlight the student accommodation crises. And I spent 274 minutes handcuffed to the Fianna Fáil headquarters gates to demonstrate against the hike in the college capitation charge.

But it's not all about chanting, chainings and placards.

Being a student union officer means that you can be surprised by nothing. You must be constantly alert and prepared to deal with whatever comes your way.

On one particular day, I had three students in my office looking for accommodation and four asking for help with the outrageous capitation fee - all before 11 a.m.

One particularly city-shocked Mayo student asked me to view a flat with him and I was appalled at what I saw. The room being offered was no more than five foot wide and six foot long, with a lumpy bed, itchy blankets and a threadbare carpet.

There was no window and the landlord was asking for €120 per week for what could only be described as a glorified dog kennel. He (the landlord) was not willing to provide receipts. I advised the student against taking the flat and we kept looking until we found somewhere semi-decent. I just hate to think of the person who ends up renting that room.

I fail to understand how our Government can be so naïve to a problem of these proportions under their noses.

The system at the moment protects the slumlords and ensures that they win. Students renting in the private sector are losing out to this capitalist system in a huge way.

Landlords all over Dublin are not only taking advantage of students. Rents in the capital have increased by 79 per cent over the past three years.

This is causing problems for professionals but trying to compete in a market of this nature is causing catastrophe for many students. Hearing a student telling me that they are dropping out of college because they simply cannot afford to live at the same time as getting their education has taken away the last bit of faith I had in the system.

I have many students coming to me because they are terrified of the change from second to third-level. This transition can be daunting and, when these students talk about their fears, I explain what the union does for them.

WE represent IT Tallaght students at a local, regional and national level. Each officer here has their own office and these are treated as a confidential meeting ground between the officer and any student.

Students can come and talk to us about anything they need to and we will do everything in our power to ensure each student can enjoy their college days.

We also spend a lot of time organising social events for our students. These events offer students the opportunity to get to know each other and to form friendships that will help them to grow and develop in their surroundings.

College days are full of life lessons and full of wonderful and terrible experiences. For me, this year in particular has the potential to be the best year of my life. I have a lot to learn and all I can do is wait to see what the year brings my way.