University of Limerick student president candidates began their campaigns outside the Student Life building Tuesday afternoon.
The three hopeful candidates, Ignacio Castro, Eva McCormack and Pratyush Jhunjhunwala answered students’ questions and gave insight into what they hope to achieve if they are successful in their campaign.
The successful candidate will replace the current Student Life President, Síofra Foley, who was voted in by students in March 2025.
A look at the candidates’ manifestos demonstrates that the standout issues in this year’s election surround accommodation shortages, student safety on campus, food access, parking and North Campus integration.
Mr. Jhunjhunwala said he hopes to implement the food pantry plan that is currently in the works at UL.
He aims to provide “food that will be subsidised or free and would be available around the clock”.
The food pantry plan would be an addition to the commuter’s hub which was launched in 2022 and provides breakfast, tea and coffee to commuting students each morning.
Mr. Castro also told Limerick Voice he would like to see more support available for students.
“One of my campaign promises is to turn the old student life building into a commuter’s hub and food bank.
“If I can achieve anything at all that would support students, especially those at risk of food insecurity, that would be a concrete legacy here in Limerick.” Mr Castro added.
Student safety is another issue that has been highlighted by this year’s candidates.
Ms. McCormack mentioned that during her time on the Student Executive Board and Student Council, “there has been a dramatic increase in attacks against students.”
In response to this increase, she hopes to “push the Gardaí, UL security, UL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and UL Health and Safety to find a system that better works for students.”
Another issue highlighted by candidates in this year’s campaign trail is the need for more integration of the North Campus.
Mr. Jhunjhunwala outlines how he would like to “have more involvement from north campus,” such as having more events across the Living Bridge rather than having everything concentrated on the main campus.
Ms. McCormack describes how, for such a big welcoming campus, UL has somewhat of an “indescribable divide” between the main Campus and North Campus.
She describes her hopes to make UL “more seamless and like a giant campus.”
Mr. Castro also believes that the integration of the North Campus is an issue that needs to be addressed.
However, initially he believes the accommodation shortage would be one of his top priorities, an issue echoed by the other two candidates.
“When you have students struggling to get food, students struggling to sleep and sleeping on couches, commuting in from Galway and Clare, I think these students need support.”
“We can worry about the North Campus when we have all our students fed, watered and housed,” Mr. Castro concludes.
Voting for the 2026 student elections opens today, Thursday, March 12.
Students will also have the opportunity to vote for their Student Welfare Officer, Academic Officer, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Student Council Chairperson and Faculties Officer.