Tia Cullen isn’t new to the Students’ Union and is not new to student hardship either. A general nursing student, SU Education Officer, and long-time class rep, she says her candidacy for president is rooted in lived experience. “I’ve struggled to find accommodation, to pay fees, to balance work and study. That’s not just background—it’s why I’m passionate about fixing this,” she tells the Tribune.
But Cullen is also part of the incumbent sabbatical team, and with that comes scrutiny. Her campaign leans on institutional knowledge and insider experience, but the question remains: Can the same structures she’s worked within deliver the change she’s now promising?
Big Promises, Bigger Problems
At the centre of Cullen’s campaign are two massive, perennial issues: the cost of education and accommodation. “UCD has the highest on-campus accommodation rates in Ireland,” she says. “They’ve filled a government funding gap by pushing the cost onto students—and that’s not okay.”
She wants to fight for a rent freeze and, if possible, rent reductions. Her tool of choice? Direct action. “Lobbying, media, protest—whatever it takes. But for that, we need a student body that’s engaged and willing to fight.”
On fees, she targets graduate entry programmes and international student charges as “extortionate” and criticises the student contribution charge altogether. “Ideally, it shouldn’t exist,” she says—but admits the path to abolition is long and murky.
Engagement: A Familiar Refrain
Cullen acknowledges the SU’s persistent “engagement crisis” and says students are right to feel disconnected. “There’s a cohort that just doesn’t feel represented. They don’t see us, and that needs to change.”
But she also offers a defence: “As Education Officer, 99% of my time was spent on casework or committee meetings. That’s not visible—but it’s necessary.” She insists the presidency would give her more room to prioritise visibility and outreach. Whether that will be enough to reverse years of apathy is less certain.
On Politics, Priorities, and the Bigger Picture
Cullen has taken a personal stance against rejoining the Union of Students in Ireland but maintains her neutrality on the referendum. “Whatever students vote for, I’ll implement it,” she says. If it passes, she promises to work with USI while holding it accountable.
She also supports cutting ties with Israeli universities in light of the war in Gaza. “There’s no academic freedom when there are no Palestinian universities left,” she says, adding that UCD should withdraw from these partnerships entirely.
Some students have expressed frustration that the SU focuses more on global causes than local issues like parking or campus facilities. Cullen’s response? “It’s not either-or. We need to do both. We have a mandate to support Palestinian liberation. But I also want to deliver tangible improvements on campus.”
A Measured but Ambitious Agenda
From reclaiming Building 71 as a dedicated student hub to expanding Health and Counselling Services, Cullen’s manifesto includes several specific goals. She says university management is open to some of them, but progress will depend on pressure and persistence.
Transport is another concern. “Connectivity is abysmal,” she says. “We’ve got ghost buses, students commuting four hours a day. We need student voices in the room with transport authorities, not just outside it.”
Financial transparency is also on the table. Responding to rival Michael Roche’s claims of SU overspending, Cullen defends her own track record but is open to change. “If students want more transparency, we should give it to them. There’s nothing to hide.”
Final Words—and a Cautious Optimism
Asked about the frequent pattern of SU candidates overpromising and underdelivering, Cullen says she’s committed to bucking that trend. “I’ll be transparent. I’ll report back. I know one year isn’t long, but you can still make progress—and students deserve to know exactly what’s being done.”
It’s a grounded answer, perhaps deliberately so. Cullen’s campaign doesn’t shy away from ambition, but it’s also coloured by the realism of someone who’s been inside the machine. Whether that’s an asset or a liability is for students to decide.
Jack Donlon – Co-Editor
