Andrew Byrne, welcoming 3,500 freshers to Trinity College in Dublin
"I have a list of things to do for freshers' week, and it's the oddest-looking wish list you've ever seen," says Andrew Byrne, incoming president of Trinity College Students' Union. "Eight firebreathers, 50 volunteers, 5,000 goody bags, an ice-cream truck, an inflatable judo ring, the comedian Jason Byrne, an illusionist and a monster céilí. And that's just the first half of the week."
Byrne took over as president in July, but his baptism of fire begins on Monday, when more than 3,500 wide-eyed first years will walk through Front Arch to begin college life. "I did my final year in history and political science this year, so this is a strange limbo land between student life and being an adult," he says. Byrne heads an organisation that represents more than 12,000 students, employs five full-time sabbatical officers (he is one of them) and runs two shops, a cafe, a travel agency and an employment and accommodation bureau. It also publishes a newspaper. "It's a daunting challenge to be head of such a large organisation for a year, and it's a very steep learning curve," he says.
Getting elected was no mean feat, either. The 22-year-old recruited 60 volunteers to go around the campus in T-shirts emblazoned with his name as part of a highly charged campaign. So what was in his manifesto? "We are looking to implement a green charter for Irish universities, a list of targets to help us reduce our carbon emissions. The union also needs to give real help to students on practical issues as well as promoting the big issues. So, for example, we are lobbying for a proper student recreation area and to have the library opened on Sundays."
In freshers' week student societies take over Front Square, with society reps trying to snap up first years. There are nearly 100 societies, for everything from chess and photography through Brazilian dance, martial arts and jazz to debating. Byrne encourages freshers to get involved. "It can be a daunting week for them, and it's a big transition, so we encourage them to throw themselves into freshers' week. I joined about 20 societies in my first week, although I only stayed involved in about three of them in the end. One of Trinity's strong points is that there is something for everyone. We have their attention for the week, so it's about informing and entertaining them and letting them know the union is there for them." Michael Kelly.