Gary Mulcahy Mature Student Equality Officer

I am a mature student myself so I have first hand experience of what it is like trying to tackle the academic with the personal and trying to fit in with your younger class mates. As this is the first year of my position so my role has not been previously defined. My aims for the year are to deal with any issues concerning mature students in UCC, revive the dormant Mature Student Society which will give a social outlet for any students who wish to partake in events throughout the year, and introduce workshops for incoming mature students.

The reviving of the society is already under way and the AGM, to vote in the officers of the club, will be announced in due course. The workshops are specifically for incoming mature students so that they may be afforded an equal start to their third level education. The idea is to organise workshops such as science, languages and other Leaving Certificate equivalent subjects that may correspond to UCC courses, but these will depend on the amount of mature students coming into the college in 2011 and the amount of students willing to take part in the workshops.

The subjects will depend on the key problem areas that mature students have fallen down in over the last couple of years. I am also aware that basic computing skills is a major issue and I intend on organising workshops in basic computer and Microsoft office skills, such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

I am available to all mature students throughout this academic year, whether it is to discuss academic issues, social issues or just to talk and I can be contacted by email on mature@uccsu.ie or feel free to stop me on campus and introduce yourself. My details can also be seen on www.collegeroad.ie which is the student’s union website. I wish you all a productive and happy year in UCC and remember, no matter what your problem, there is always someone available to help.

Originally published in the 23/11/2010 edition of the UCC Express