The first hints of spring stir something special in colleges across the land. It isn't just plants coming slowly to life, nor hormone levels beginning their slow climb to the dizzy heights of April; it's political ambition.

Throughout the island, budding student politicians are dusting off speeches, designing placards. They are rallying friends, acquaintances and anyone they ever met, even once, in first year, to support the cause of their career.

Already the first sparks are flying in Trinity, where polling will be on March 2nd. There, students' union development officer Ronan Harbison resigned from the union executive while running for education officer.

Harbison left after an e-mail purporting to come from him but actually insulting him was circulated to the union's executive members. He also cited differences of opinion with other union members, telling Trinity News they were too pro-college.

Whatever the ins and outs of the case, the attendant publicity will not have hurt Harbison's election prospects.

Over at UCD, the elections come early, with the vote taking place this Thursday. Lucy Michael, co-editor of the UCD Observer, says so far the campaigns have been fairly quiet, but should get more interesting closer to the day, with hustings in the major faculties. There is no danger of a Blair's babes phenomenon taking place at Belfield, however: not one female is running.

There will also be a referendum in UCD on a constitutional amendment which will lay down tasks that sabbatical officers have to fulfil. If they fail to do what is laid down, the amendment allows for a fines process.

In Belfast, nobody is running in Queen's as of yet - but Dominic Doherty, who is running the elections, says this is normal where Mandela Hall is concerned. "It's always the way, but there is a lot of speculation about."