President of Union Affairs

Alice Hodges smiles in the President of Union Affairs gown. The gown is faced gold with the Association and University crests emblazoned.

Alice amplifies your voice, improves Union services, and supports leaders to drive meaningful student change.

About my role

Read the President of Union Affairs' full role description.

Hey! I’m Alice, your first-ever President of Union Affairs—a role created to make sure your voice shapes every decision. I’m the bridge between you, the Union, and the University, fighting to turn your feedback into real action. My time as Union Affairs Intern showed me how vital this role is, and I am ready to build on the strong foundations of the Change Program to deliver even bigger wins for you.
 
So, what does my job involve? It’s about representation, strategy, and holding power to account. That means amplifying your voice in Union and University decisions, improving services to work better for you, and supporting student leaders in driving change. I’ll push University leadership on critical issues, from affordability and housing to wellbeing and postgraduate support.
 
My manifesto, Plan-A(lice) Is built on transparency, fighting for affordability, elevating postgrad voices, and ensuring we secure the future of the Union without a need for a plan B. This means transparency you can trust through open consultations and live updates, fighting for affordability with free breakfast initiatives and sustainable Campus Larder funding, and holding power to account on housing costs, as well as a better postgraduate experience with dedicated spaces and representation. I’d like to build a Union that fights for our future by embedding sustainable practices, while backing our leaders & volunteers with real support. 

Liaises with external relations

National Representation

The PresAffs responds to consultations run by Westminster, Holyrood, and Fife Council on behalf of St Andrews students.

They monitor developments in policy and are responsible both for making external bodies aware of student concerns/views as well as for informing students about policy changes which directly impact them.

Our Wider St Andrews Community

The PresAffs is the first point of contact in the Students Association for issues affecting students in the town.

The PresAffs sits on the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council.

 

Previous holders

 

 

Year Name Resources
2025/26 Alice Hodges