Activities and Engagement Officer – Róisín Costelloe

My name’s Róisín Costelloe, I’m an International Commercial and Business Law student, running for Activities and Engagement Officer.

“Uni is more than just academics. Let me help you find the right activity for you and be your advocate for more: Funding for Clubs&Socs. Cost of Living Support. Safer Environment. Support, workshops and initiatives you want to engage with. Postgrad inclusion. Reduced fees for Queen’s Athletes & More!”

How do you aim to lead the SU to help students in financial hardship?

I think my main goal is to remove financial barriers so that students can fully enjoy their university experience. As an athlete and a cheerleader with QUB Knights, I want to reduce participation fees for Queen’s athletes. If we are representing Queen’s, we should at least get a discount, whether that’s a full membership at off-peak prices or a general discount. Students shouldn’t be paying full price when they go out of their way to represent the university.

Additionally, I want to push for more cost-of-living initiatives, such as free events, lunches, and community food projects like the Pantry. If elected, I’d work on expanding these initiatives, reaching out to more providers, and potentially increasing opening hours.

I also want to improve funding for clubs, societies, and associations by simplifying application processes and ensuring students receive guidance. Sometimes, students struggle with funding applications because they don’t have proper handovers or prior experience. I want to make this process easier, offer support, and help students get the financial assistance they need to engage fully in university life.

What do you think isn’t being done by the SU in terms of activities and engagement for students?

I think the SU needs to focus more on clubs and societies. While the SU does great work, there is room for improvement, especially in funding and support. They have started offering workshops on things like running formals and nutrition, but I want to expand these and ensure they are accessible to all students. This means hosting events on multiple days or making materials available online so students who can’t attend in person don’t miss out.

Another major issue is advertisement. The SU does have a marketing team, but many students are unaware of what’s available to them. Cost-of-living initiatives, for example, aren’t always well-publicized—students often find out about free meals or events only when they happen to walk by and see a queue. I think the SU needs to communicate more effectively and fight harder for funding, especially since Queen’s is in a financial deficit. The SU officers need to advocate more strongly for students’ financial needs because, at this point, it’s not just a matter of want—it’s a need.

What experience – in SU and general student involvement – can you bring to this role?

I have extensive experience in student involvement, both within the SU and beyond.

• Student Union & Representation: I’ve been on the Student Council for three years, serving as All Students Rep, AHSS Rep, and Postgrad Rep. I was also a Course Rep during both my undergrad and postgrad. Additionally, I sat on the Postgrad Taught Education Committee and received recognition from the School of Law for my contributions.
• Clubs & Societies: I have held multiple committee roles, including Treasurer and Secretary of the Taylor Swift Society, as well as PR Secretary and Treasurer for QV Knights Cheerleading.
• Volunteering & Fundraising: I volunteer at a Homework Club, helping kids with their studies. Last year, I organized a fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation, raising £535 by walking 150 miles in April.
• SU Management & Funding: I was on the SU Management Board, so I understand how the SU operates financially. I also served on the Clubs & Societies Committee, meaning I know what it takes to start and run a society successfully.

With all this experience, I know the SU inside and out and want to use my knowledge to support students and make engagement more accessible.

Tell us about yourself!

In my spare time, I’m a cheerleader, training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and currently competing on Saturdays. We are in competition season, and in March, we will be traveling to Nottingham to compete.

When it comes to music, my favorite song is hard to choose because my taste changes frequently.

As for my favourite bar, I’d give a shout-out to the Union Bar—gotta keep it local!

In 5 words or less, what is your campaign about?

Uni is more than academics.

You can read Róisín’s manifesto here.

Click here for more SU election candidates!