College News

25 October 2004

Royal Holloway elects new student President

Kirsty Marshall, 20, from Shotts, near Glasgow, has been elected as new President of the Students' Union at Royal Holloway, University of London. This is a full-time post in which she will sit for one twelve-month term. She is part of a team of four full-time Sabbatical officers, whose job it is to run the Students' Union to meet the needs of those studying at Royal
Holloway.

Kirsty will work alongside, Kat Morsia (Vice-President, Communications & Services); Andrew Burgess (Vice-President, Sports, Societies & Development) and Lexi Stavely-Hill (Vice-President, Education & Welfare).

Royal Holloway is one of the largest colleges of the University of London, with nearly 6,000 students at its stunning campus in Egham, Surrey. The College's Students' Union has an extremely active events programme, sports and student participation. It holds one of the most highly-regarded Summer balls in the UK, excellent sporting facilities and among the highest election turnouts in the country. There are also over 90 enthusiastic societies and sports clubs on campus.

Clockwise from back: Andrew Burgess, Kat Morsia, Lexi Stavely-Hill, Kirsty Marshall

Kirsty has been elected in to the post, taking a year from her degree. She has been studying Sociology with Management for two years at Royal Holloway, and will complete the course next year. She studied for her 'A' levels at the former Laurel Park school in Glasgow.

"It's a great privilege and challenge to be elected President", says Kirsty, who has been involved with the Students' Union throughout most of her time at Royal Holloway. She was the elected Campaigns Officer on the Executive Committee last year, and also sat on the Welfare Committee, RAG board and Societies Executive Board at various stages.

"I've always enjoyed being involved with the Students' Union, but saw opportunities for change and development where I think I can make a difference." In her new role, Kirsty says: "It is very important that students are properly represented within their university, and that's what Students' Unions can do well. And with young people now having to pay more for their education, they should rightfully expect a higher standard from the institutions they attend."

Kirsty's role as President involves being a trustee of the Royal Holloway, Students' Union, which runs as a registered charity. Her aim is to ensure that the Union with it's over 300 staff and nearly 7,000 members operates within a comprehensive constitution and is benefiting all of the students needs, educationally, socially and in regards to personal welfare. With brand new accommodation and a new state-of-the-art bar on campus, Kirsty aims to continue the trend of development and investment in Royal Holloway students.

And after her degree? Kirsty is keeping her options open and considering a number of things. She is very interested in politics, if in a more civil service capacity, rather than sitting on the frontbench.

For now, her sights are firmly fixed on developing the Students' Union to its full potential. "The students at Royal Holloway have taken the time to vote me in, and have chosen me to represent them. I hope to show them that they have made the right decision."

ENDS

For further information contact Royal Holloway, University of London, Press Office:

Christine Long
Press & PR Officer
01784 443967, christine.long@rhul.ac.uk

Vicky Cousins
Assistant Press & Communications Officer
01784 414480, victoria.cousins@rhul.ac.uk

Richard Freeman
Press Assistant
01784 414471 (Wed only), press-assistant@rhul.ac.uk