Your leaders.

Every year the student body elects four Sabbatical Officers to work full-time in the Students' Union for a year.

They work on a range of issues relating to student life, listening to your thoughts and opinions while running campaigns and working with the relevant people and bodies to implement positive policy changes.

Often referred to simply as 'The Sabbs', they are either students who have interrupted their studies to take a year out of their course, or individuals who are undertaking the role in the year after they graduate.

Each officer has a portfolio area that sees them take on responsibility for a different area within the organisation, together deciding its strategic direction. They are here to represent your views, so if you see them around campus, don't be afraid to stop them and say hello!

olivia davies - President

The Students’ Union President is the Chair of the Board of Trustees, sits on the highest decision-making committee at Royal Holloway, College Council, and is the figurehead of the Students’ Union.

Matthew paterson - VP Education

Not only is the Vice President Education the Deputy President of the Students’ Union but they also sit on a number of high-level committees including Academic Board where the academic strategy of the College is decided.

vaishnavi vajja - VP Wellbeing & Diversity

With a focus on liberation campaigns, mental and physical health provision and general wellbeing issues, the Vice President Wellbeing & Diversity is a key voice for campaigning on campus.

david gallardo gonzález - VP Societies & Sport

The Vice President Societies & Sport has joint overall responsibility for developing the support the Students' Union offers to student groups on campus.

Officer Priorities

Each year your Sabbatical Officers are elected on manifestos setting out their objectives for when they are in post. Below are their priorities for the change they want to advocate for students for the 2024/25 academic year:

For this priority, Sharanya, SU President ,plans to lobby for a harm reduction approach towards drug and alcohol abuse. As well as this, Olivia, VP Wellbeing & Diversity, will be introducing Wellbeing Workshops in collaboration with the University, organising Wellbeing Walks and deliveirng a body positivity campaign.

Sharanya, President, plans to implement a points-based rewards scheme that recognises student achievements throughout the year. Olivia, VP Wellbeing & Diversity, and Maddy, VP Education, are planning to empower student leaders to understand how your roles teach you valuable skills and make you more employable. Olivia is also working on supporting the Community Officers in building their communities as well as supporting Wellbeing Secretaries. Bana, VP Societies & Sport, is focused on streamlining event proposal processes for student groups and introducing strength and conditioning classes for sports teams.

Sharanya, President, and Maddy, VP Education, are lobbying for the creation of a Commuter Students Common Room on campus and are launching a policy inquiry into the Commuter Student experience.

Sharanya, President, and Olivia, VP Wellbeing & Diversity, are relaunching the NeverOk campaign to continue lobbying for the safety of students. Olivia will be delivering a Stamp Out Spiking campaign to increase awareness on campus and Sharanya will be lobbying for manadory consent and active bystander training as well as to reopen the back gate and for better lighting in the local area.

Olivia, VP Wellbeing & Diversity, is lobbying for the introduction of women's only hours at campus gym. Sharanya, President, and Bana, VP Societies & Sport, are also focused on improving the gym and facilities for all students.

Maddy, VP Education, will be advocating for a clear AI policy that includes support for students so they know how to use it.

Sharanya will be continuing the Union's Cost of Living campaign, and will be implementing a free food initiative on campus to help with cost-of-living pressures.

Sharanya, President, and Olivia, VP Wellbeing & Diversity, will be delivering a campaign to celebrate diversity on campus. This will be Campus Unity Week, taking place w/c 14 October. An insight report exploring the experience of international students will also be launched.

Maddy, VP Education, will be working to foster a better connection between the University's Careers service and our academic societies. As well as this, Maddy will be encouraging employability-focused modules to be embdedded into the curriculum

Your part-time officers

School Reps

Representing your academic interests at a School level, your School Reps are the highest level of voluntary posts within the academic representation structure.

Meet Your School Reps