Thursday, February 24, 2011

UCC Student Union Presidential Hustings

The race has begun! The candidates have declared.  Signatures are being collected. Manifestos will be released on Monday. And to kick start the week leading up to voting on March 8th and 9th the Philosoph are hosting Presidential Hustings.

Keith Moynihan O'Brien is running again. He thinks he deserves another term in office. But what is he promising? What has he failed to do in this term that we should allow him another term to succeed at?

Ben Honan has returned from the Belfast ghettos and feels that this gives him the experience to lead the Student Union. He empathises with us because he too is a broke frustrated student. So why does that exactly make him a better candidate than Christian boy Keith or Tory Greg Higgins?

Higgins, current SU Education Officer will run if 1000 join his facebook page http://ko-kr.facebook.com/group.php?gid=243786302276&ref=mf. But does being good at cricket, being an "avid" arts student and having good tatse in cigars qualify him to lead our Union?

Make up you own mind on Monday when we take their manifestos apart and discover the depth behind the facebook pages. Everyone is welcome to Kane G19 at 19.30 on Monday, February 28th!!!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

UCC Comedy Competition

The Philosoph have teamed up with Comedy Soc to bring you the biggest and best yet UCC Comedy Competition on Monday, February 14th at 19.30 in Kane G19.

The competition is open to all UCC students. E-mail auditor@uccphilosoph.com. Competitiors will be afforded up to 15 minutes on the stage but there is no minimum requirement. There are substantial prizes courtesy of the UCC Cummings Library Humour Bequest. The winner will receive €650 and a slot at the City Limits Comedy Club. First and second runner up will receive €450 and €250 respectively while there is also a prize for the best new comedian. So if you have never done stand-up comedy before, now is the perfect time to start. There will be a panel of three judges and a guest MC.

We hope everyone can make it! Entry is free but donations will be taken at the door for the RnG Charities.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Upcoming Events

The Abortion Debate was a phenomenal success with great guest speakers and an oustanding and controversial floor debate. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the nights success. In teh end the motion, That This House Would Not Legalise Abortion, was defeated. Before reaching its conclusion, however, the debate explored many of the different facets of the issue in a revealing insight into this ever complex topic.

On the weekend of January 28th and 29th a delegation of judges and debaters traveled to Trinity College Dublin. Not only was the weekend immensely enjoyed by all but superb success was experienced by the Philosoph teams. Well done to Sophie Scannell, Sean Butler, GearĂ³id Wrixon, John Beechnoir, Kieran O'Sullivan, Becky West and Anne O'Donovan for breaking. Congratulations to the Law Society who also performed exceptionally with Jesse Harrington, Aaron Vickery and Jolene Quinn breaking to the quarter finals.

Turning to the week at hand, the Philosoph are extremely busy.

On Monday, February 7th the Philosoph are hosting their annual Charity Quiz in the New Bar at 19.30. Renouned as the Hardest Quiz on Campus this is a must for all. Test your knowledge to win some of the great prizes. However, for the less seious types there will be great deals available throughout the quiz and prizes for the best named team. Teams will be of four and cost €2 per head. So do your good deed this week and participate in the fun on Monday in the New Bar at 19.30.

On Tuesday speaker development will take place as usual at 19.00, meeting outside the Kane. Development has gone very well over the last few weeks with exceptional improvement made by many. There will again be a huge pool of experienced speakers to team up with and help new speakers this week. Everyone is welcome whether you have never spoken before or just want to brush up on old skills.

This Wednesday, February 9th Alastair Campbell, Directr of Communications and Strategies for former Prime Minister Tony Blair will address the House and the E and S Society in Devere Hall at 11am. Mr. Campbell is a renouned strategist and innovative speaker. He is currently touring Ireland promoting his book The Alastair Campbell Diaries, copies of which he will be signing afterwards. The Philosoph are delighted to announce that they will be presenting Mr. Campbell with an Honorary Patronage for his contribution to the world in encouraging and opening up public discourse. Make sure to come along to see one of the most prestigious and stimulating guests UCC will have the honour of hosting this year.

On Friday, February 11th the Philosoph are sending a delegation to compete in the Galway Inter Varsity Debating Competition. Galway is considered one of the best Irish IVs of the year, the highlight being the massive social they put on after the final. Sign up is still open on facebook or if you e-mail Sophie at competitive@uccphilosoph.com.

The folllowing week is UCC RnG week. The Philosoph are contributing to the week with a Comedy Competition in Kane G19 at 19.30 on Monday, February 14th. Entry is open to all UCC students. E-mail auditor@uccphilosoph.com if you are interested. Cash prizes are up for grabs as well as a slot at the Cork City Limits Comedy Club. There will be a panel of three judges and a guest MC. Every year this is a seriously entertaining event so make sure you are there. Donations will be taken at the door for the RnG Charities.

The Philosoph look forward to seeing you over the course of the week. It is going to be AMAZING!!!