2020-2040

• We started the “RipOffNUIG” campaign for highlighting financial barriers to education like repeat exam fees that students pay. This included TikTok videos, petitions, letter writing, media coverage, meetings and extensive time being mentioned in the Dáil. We secured €60,000 in refunds for students doing repeat exams and students who receive the special rate of SUSI and Financial Aid Fund(FAF) will not be burdened with the cost ever again.
• We distributed 12,150 reusable masks to students in the SU Pop Up in the Quad for the starting weeks of the semester. This was the only interaction many students had on campus in person this year.
• We reduced the student levy via referendum from €224 to €140 for all students. As a barrier to education that not even SUSI covers, it’s vital to be as affordable as possible. €3 of the levy was mandated by council to go towards the Irish language and CÉIM’s found secure funding.
• The Charity Challenge had almost 400 participants raising money and challenging ourselves to do things out of our comfort zone with 6 challenges over 6 months.
• We raised €13,000 for our three chosen charities this year: Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Mental Health Helplink and Galway Autism Partnership through the Charity Challenge and other events.
• We ran and passed referendums on the creation of an Environmental and Sustainability Officer and changing of the Students’ Union Council Chairperson to an external position in line with best practice in unions across the country.
• We campaigned for accommodation refunds for any students who didn’t need accommodation when the university shut down. All university accommodation refunded students with many private operators following suit. One private operator was removed from the NUI Galway website for not cooperating.
• We ran a lot of successful events including 25 Hump Day Hoolies with the goal of creating new friendships online. Up to 200 students come for some weeks of the Hoolie. Students would stay chatting until late into the night and even kept one call going for a full week. The event was replicated by many other SU’s across the country.
• We presented and wrote regular papers to the University Management Team on student issues.
• We increased student engagement on various issues on campus through regular working group meetings on sustainability, student fees, the levy and nursing and health care staff.
• We increased voter turnout by 4.7% in the Students’ Union Elections Full Time Officer Elections.
• Delivered on a parking refund and price reduction refund to everyone in NUI Galway.
• NUI Galway SU was shortlisted for eight categories in the Student Achievement Awards Ireland including: Access Champion of the Year – #RipOffNUIG, An Gradam Éacht ar son na Gaeilge – Róisín Nic Lochlainn, Club/Society of the Year – Feminist Society, Full-Time Officer of the Year – Róisín Nic Lochlainn, International Student of the Year – Mansi Kesarwani, Postgraduate Champion of the Year – Sebastiaan Birema and Welfare Campaign of the Year –  SHAG Week.
• Received highest award of gold for Bonn na Gaeilge from USI.
• Got repeat exam capping removed, exam board leniency and deferrals for singular exams with less reasoning needed for students.
• Organised beach cleans along the Galway city coast and held Sustainable Mondays as part of campaigning on sustainability.
• Joined as champions of Galway Park City and passed a mandate at council for this to continue in years to come.
• We helped organise and participated in the third Christmas Tree Lighting celebrating staff and students coming together as part of the NUI Galway community.
• Elected nearly 600 class reps, 450 completed training, over 300 attended our first meeting and record numbers at our college councils.
• We engaged with both local and national media on many student issues including the review of SUSI, COVID-19, re-opening campus, mental health, international student issues and accommodation.
• Worked with USI on campaigns throughout the year including the Education For All Campaign, bringing a bill on student accommodation to the Dáil and a bill on international student insurance to the Seanad.
• We ran campaign weeks such as sexual health awareness and guidance, Seachtain na Gaeilge, diversity, the environment and sustainability, Substance Awareness and Wind Down Weeks before exams.
• CÉIM, our peer assisted learning programme, went online for the year with great success in connecting students together.
• Secured that Scéim Conaithe which will be starting in September to allow for Irish speakers to live with each other in on-campus accommodation.
• Weekly clinics for mature students and disabled students were setup, meet your officer events and essay workshops along with many other events were hosted by our part time officers.

2020-21
President: Pádraic Toomey

• We distributed 7,000 reusable tote bags and 3,000 SU keep cups to students in the SU Pop Up in the Quad.
• We secured additional outdoor seating on campus.
• We raised €11,000 for our two chosen charities this year: Galway Rape Crisis Centre and BeLonG To LGBT+ Youth through different events such as Take Me Out, Sex Toy Bingo, Charaoke, Raffles, Sports Day and more.
• We organised different events such as the Hump Day Hoolie, Vintage Clothing Fairs, Bingo Loco, Taylor Swift Club Nights, Outdoor Cinema and Walk & Talks.
• We ran and passed a referendum on the creation of a full time Vice President for the Irish Language (Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge), becoming the first SU in third level to do so.
• We spoke at several launches in NUIG such as the official launch of their Stráitéis na Gaeilge (Irish Language Strategy 2021-2025) and the launch of the Speak Out Report Tool.
• We presented and wrote regular papers to the University Management Team on student issues.
• We were shortlisted for ten categories in the Student Achievement Awards Ireland including: Access Champion of the Year – Anne Marie Ward, An Gradam Éacht ar son na Gaeilge – Club of the Year – Surf Club, Full-Time Officer of the Year – Róisín Nic Lochlainn and Clodagh McGivern, International Student of the Year – Matthew Connolly, Part Timer of the Year – Eímear Nig Oireachtaigh, Sai Gujulla and Niamh McGrath, Environmental and Sustainability Campaign of the Year – Sustainable Mondays and Student Pantry, Academic Representative of the Year – Jason Sherlock, Society of the Year – Mincéirs Whiden, Outstanding Mental Health Activism – Mincéirs Whiden
• Received highest award of gold for Gníomhaí Gaeilge for USI/Conradh na Gaeilge.
• We began a partnership with the Hygiene Bank Ireland and did monthly donation drives.
• We created our SU TikTok account which had the highest engagement of any SU on TikTok.
• Organised beach cleans and held Sustainable Mondays as part of campaigning on sustainability.
• We spoke at the first Housing Rally of 2021 and attended other events such as the launch of Galway Pride.
• We helped organise and participated in the third Christmas Tree Lighting celebrating staff and students coming together as part of the NUI Galway community.
• Elected over 600 class reps, 300 attended our first meeting and record numbers at our councils which were returned to in person, and we trained over 100 class reps in JAM card training. We engaged with both local and national media on many student issues including the review of SUSI, re-opening campus, mental health, international student issues, minimum unit pricing, gender-based violence and accommodation.
• Worked with USI on campaigns throughout the year including the Cost of College Campaign, Give Us Our Grads and more.
• We worked with Conferring Office to finally get in-person graduations after 2 years for the classes of 2020 and 2021.
• We ran campaign weeks such as sexual health awareness and guidance, Seachtain na Gaeilge, Diversity, the environment and sustainability, Mental Health Awareness and Brain Week.
• We ran our first ever Consent Week in NUI Galway SU.
• After meeting with the Minister for Higher Education, we secured €9 million allocation for free antigen tests for students
• We ran our #NoInPersonExams campaign, 50% of exams were moved online as a result.
• CÉIM, our peer assisted learning programme, continued to go from strength to strength.
• Weekly clinics for mature students and disabled students were setup, meet your officer events and essay workshops along with many other events were hosted by our part time officers.
• We received a commitment from NUI Galway to provide free period products on campus bathrooms and began the procurement process for this.
• We provided free Irish classes to students.
• We officially launched the “Ask for Angela” scheme in Galway City, working with Galway City Council and local venues to roll this out.
• We launched JAM card with the University
• We held a protest outside the April meeting of Governing Authority to lobby for lecture recordings to be made available for students.
• We worked with class reps to launch the Student Pantry, the first of its kind in third level, to tackle food wastage.
• Two of our Full Time Officers, Clodagh and Róisín, were elected to the USI as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge
• We celebrated NUI Galway’s first Irish Traveller Ethnicity Week, led by our ethnic minorities officer Anne Marie Ward who was the first Irish Traveller ever elected to this position.
• We hosted USI Comhairle Náisiúnta in Galway in June.

2021-22
President: Róisín Nic Lochlainn

• Received 9 Student Achievement Award (SAAI) Nominations and won 4 SAAI Awards – International Student of the Year, Environmental & Sustainability, Full-Time Officer of the Year and Access Champion of the Year
• Won the Gníomhaí Gaeilge Gold Award for Irish language Activism
• It was our first year of having a Full-time Irish language officer
• Developed future plans for the Student Pantry
• Held Social Events for Postgraduate Students
• Won Best Delegation, Best Speaker and Best Speech Awards at USI Comhdhail
• Secured more Outdoor seating on campus including Outdoor Pods
• Secured extra Study Spaces for exams
• Launched the SU Síbín a new Social Space in the Library Basement
• Signed the Partnership Agreement with the University around Student-Centred Decision-Making and Student Participation and Engagement
• Hosted our first ever SU Drag Race in Sult
• Seachtain na Gaeilge – Hosted the annual international festival promoting the Irish language and culture
• Seachtain Ghaelach – Weeklong events in Semester 1 promoting the Irish language and culture
• International Conferences: Attended two Enlight conferences in Göttingen and an ESU (European Students Union) Board meeting in Georgia.
• Large scale events: SOS & Hallows with the Socsbox along with Fáilte Fest, Christmas Day and Consent Week.
• Refreshers Fairs for everyone in September and January welcoming them back to the campus
• Launched the Fainne Nua Ollscoill na Gaillimhe for the University which shows fluency in, or a willingness to speak, the Irish Language
• Youth Assembly on Climate change
• Hosted USI Pink Training, Launched An Foclóir Aiteach – the first ever Queer Dictionary in Irish
• International Orientation semester 1 & 2
• Accommodation Protest, WalkOut, PhD Stipends Protest, Gaeilge4All, Cost of Living Protest, CATU Protest, BDS Palestine Protest, Ireland4All, Talk to a TD
• Increased a block of 16 to 32 rooms on Campus as part of the Sceim Conaithe dedicated to students who wish to live together and use the Irish Language
• Raised €19,000 for the SU charities – Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Galway Simon Community with events such as the Shave Off, Galentine’s Day Brunch, Take Me Out, Sex Toy Bingo and Drag Race.
• Funding secured for a Consultant Psychiatrist
• Revived the Irish language drama society An Cumann Dramaiochta
• Environmental and Sustainability initiatives such as: Global Activism Week, green careers events, Beach clean-ups, Lunch with the sustainability officer, Wasted Week, SU Climate Crew, Eco-Bricks, SDG Panel and Glassary
• Drafted and Launched the Union’s Environmental and Sustainability Strategy
• Participated in the HSE STI test campaign which was viewed over 2 million times
• Class Reps: 563 Class Reps elected; created and launched E-learning Module for Class Reps; safeTALK Training; Election reforms for Postgraduates

2022-23
President: Sai Gujulla

• Successfully lobbied University Management to reduce the repeat exam fee by €100, bringing the fee from €295 to €195.
• Through a campaign of intense media pressure, videos, press releases, and a petition which received over 1,000 signatures, we successfully managed to get a private student accommodation provider Hubble Student Living to reverse their proposed rent increases for the coming year, which would have seen students paying an increase of at least 30% cross the board, and up to €11,045 a year.
• Successfully negotiated and lobbied to protect our Students’ Union Commercial Services, and signed a contract for a further 4 years and 9 months, the longest contract achieved in recent years, to allow students to continue to enjoy the benefits of services in student union ownership.
• Raised a record €53,275 for our two chosen local charities, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Cancer Care West.
• Oversaw the return of RAG Week for the first time in 12 years, with an entire week of events to raise money for charity, a firewalk, a shave off, 5 a side soccer tournament, social event, live music, charity auction and more.
• Shortlisted for a total 21 nominations for the Student Achievement Awards Ireland (SAAI), and won 5, Charity Champion of the Year, Access Champion Latisha McCrudden, Postgraduate Champion Chris Stewart, Individual Contribution to Student Media Caoimhe Looney (SIN Editor) and Student Media Outlet of the year Galway Pulse.
• Successfully lobbied for and achieved increased student representation across committees including Academic Council,  the establishment of a student committee to report on student issues, as well as a standing item at Governing Authority.
• Election of over 500 class reps from right across all colleges.
• Made great strides on our sustainable mission, with themed weeks including Wasted Week, lots of events and informational talks, and most notably progressed the elimination of disposal cups usage on campus, in our own commercial services and otherwise, through engaging with Commercial Services and the newly established Sustainability office.
• Lobbied Buildings & Estates and Commercial Services and successfully achieved increased social seating across the University, Engineering Building, Computer Science, Concourse, Áras Moyola, as well as an additional microwave for Áras Moyola.
• Organised the 2 largest ever student social events ever held in Galway City, Hallows at Halloween and Donegal SOS in February.
• Ran a Men’s Mental Health Week with the theme “Seize the Awkward”, which was shortlisted for “Best Welfare Campaign of the Year” at the SAAI awards.
• Ran an academic integrity campaign to inform students on how to approach completing assignments in an AI influenced world.
• Received significant media coverage throughout the year on both local and national outlets, for various issues including housing, fees, campaigns, and topical issues.
• Organised and participated in several protests, a camp out on Eyre Square, national pre-budget demonstration in Dublin, Palestine Solidarity, launch of Dunlin student village, Postgrad open evening and the Fine Gael Ard Fheis.
• In conjunction with Buildings & Estates staff, established the physical accessibility forum.
• Lobbied for and successfully achieved increased bus transport on all routes students raised concerns over, particularly routes in Connemara. 
• Restoration of the T fund.
• Worked with University staff in the launch and implementation of the multi-sensory room.
• Trans day of remembrance flag raising ceremony
• Established the Student Safety Watch
• ⁠Implementation of the free Period Products Scheme
• Drug Con
• First ever kink and free expression fundraiser night in Galway City, with Rathaus.
• Hosted 3 themed Irish weeks, Gaelseachtain and Seachtain na Gaeilge, where all events were free to attend. Passed a motion at Conradh na Gaeilge’s Ard-Fheis to support the development of Scéimeana Cónaitheachtas na Gaeilge in all Universities and Technological Institutes in Ireland and passed a motion at Comhdháil 2024 to support the development of a full time Irish Language Officer role in all Unions.
• Several visits to Shannon College, pop ups, freebies at exams, and continued lobbying for increased funding.
• Several voter registration drives and information campaigns on upcoming elections.

2023-24
President: Dean Kenny

• Surveyed over 1,700 students on accommodation and compiled a report titled “Generation Emigration, A Call on our Government to End the National Accommodation Crisis”, which was launched in Leinster House with help from Máiréad Farrell, TD.
• Raised €29,443 for our two chosen local charities, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Galway Autism Partnership.
• Launched Spéir, the Student Pantry’s permanent brick and mortar location on campus, opening twice a week to distribute food to students.
• Shortlisted for a total 15 nominations for the Student Achievement Awards Ireland (SAAI) and won 6 awards including Large Union of the Year.
• Successfully lobbied for and achieved a pedestrian crossing on the Salmon Weir Bridge.
• Oversaw the reestablishment of An Cumann Drámaíochta.
• Successfully reestablished the T-Fund under a sustainable funding model with 3 years of funding committed, giving autonomy to students to make their own informed decisions on what they feel is necessary for their social transition.
• Election of over 400 class reps from right across all colleges.
• Aided our Sustainability mission through Bottle Return Scheme Bins on campus, Battery Recycling now available in An Siopa, holding our first Paper-Free SU Election, and running a Swap Shop on Campus.
• Lobbied Buildings & Estates and successfully achieved increased social seating in the SU Síbín.
• Organised the 2 largest student social events ever held in Galway City, Hallows at Halloween and SOS in February.
• Received significant media coverage throughout the year on both local and national outlets, for various issues including housing, fees, campaigns, and topical issues.
• Organised and participated in several protests, including a protest against Údarás na hOllscoile, Palestinian Solidarity, Tóg Raic, the National Student Walkout, and more.
• Hosted 3 themed Irish weeks, Gaelseachtain and Seachtain na Gaeilge.
• Passed 2 motions at Conradh na Gaeilge’s Ard-Fheis to support the implementation of Gaeltacht Semesters in all Universities and Technological Institutes in Ireland, and to support the development of an Irish Language Common Room in all third level Institutions in  Ireland. Uachtarán Faye Ní Dhomhnaill and Leas Uachtarán don Ghaeilge Julieanne Ní Mhullaoidh were both elected to Conradh na Gaeilge’s Coiste Gnó.
• Further developed and implemented An Gradam Gaelach, extending it to Clubs as well as Societies.
• Won Gold in Conradh na Gaeilge’s Gníomhaí Gaeilge award scheme.
• Submitted and passed 7 motions at USI/AMLÉ Comhdháil 2025, as well as receiving nominations for Best Speech, Best Speaker, Best Gaelgeoir, and winning Best Large Union and Best Quote.
• Several visits to Shannon College with pop ups, freebies at exams, and continued lobbying for increased funding.
• Queer take over night “Gays and Dolls” in Sult with Annie Naggins, Blondielicious, and Inspect her Gadget.
• Hosted our inaugural Rose of Tralee Style RAG Event, crowning Aisling Magner Univesity of Galway’s first RAG Rose.
• Hosted USI Pink Training, Europe’s Largest LGBTQIA+ Conference, as well as the European Students’ Unions European Student Convention 49.
• Saw our highest voter turnout ever with 4,895 votes cast.
• Developed and launched our General Election Guide with assistance from our class reps.
• Hosted a Renters Rights Day in the SU Síbín alongside Threshold and spoke at CATU’s Public Meeting for their campaign “Homes not Holiday Lets”.
• We piloted an Eco-Café, a venue for students to discuss their Eco-Anxieties.
• Launched a new Survivor Informed Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy.

2024-25
President: Faye Ní Dhomhnaill

• Raised €27,000 for our two chosen charities, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and GOAL.
• RAG Week fundraisers included the dunk tank, Firewalk, RAG Run, Charity cup, RAG Rose and Shave Off.
• Spéir, the University of Galway Students’ Union Pantry, redistributed over 50,000 kilograms of surplus food in 2025. This is equal to 121,881 meals and has saved 118,761 kilograms of CO_2.
• Shortlisted for 9 awards at the Student Impact Awards and won 2 awards – Postgraduate Officer of the Year: Buddila Wijeyesekera and Individual Contribution to Student Media: Emma van Oosterhout
• Recieved the Gradam Óir for Gníomhaí Gaeilge 2025/2026
• Nominated for a Re-Turn award.
• Nominated for the LGBTQ+ Ally Award at the GALAS, Ireland’s annual awards ceremony honouring the LGBTQ+ community.
• Hosted AMLÉ Pink Training, Europe’s Largest LGBTQIA+ Conference.
• Saw our second highest SU Election voter turnout ever with 4,412 votes cast.
• Launched the Gael-Ollscoilaíocht campaign with AMLÉ at Oireachtas na Samhna 2025.
• Ensured more Society Badges were available as Gaeilge, such as Leadership and Participation badges.
• Designed a new digital badge for the Gradam Gaelach for both societies and clubs.
• Supported the STEM as Gaeilge campaign throughout the year, attending events such as the Oíche Olaíochta and Léachtaí le linn Lóin.
• Leas-Uachtarán don Gaeilge now has a seat on the Teaching and Learning committee.
• Spoke at the Comhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge on behalf of students to further promote Third Level Education though Irish.
• Attended the CEARTA protest in Dublin to ensure Irish language issues were heard and promoted.Spoke on behalf of Gaeltacht housing at protests with Tinteán.
• Attended Oireachtas na Mac Léinn in Cork, debating Irish Language Issues that directly affect students as well as further promotion of our Celtic Connections with Alba (Scotland) and Cymru (Wales).
• Attended the Interceltique Festival Youth Forum Planning Group in Lorient to discuss the important issues minoritised Languages face, the shared Celtic Cultures and what we can do to ensure they flourish.
• Increased the number of registered Class Reps by 20%. Elected the first ever Class Rep for the Cumas class.
• Saw library fines abolished with over €70k worth of fines being forgiven.
• Held a Queer night at Sult – The Big Gay Lock-In.
• Spoke on a housing panel with the Galway Trades Council.
• Strengthened our relationship with ICTU and local unions.
• Represented the student voice during Lit&Deb’s In Conversation with Catherine Connolly event.
• Hosted a Performative Male Contest.
• Held a Rodeo night during SHAG Week.
• Engaged with Médecins Sans Frontières in supporting Palestinians.
• Called for a boycott of the Alumni Awards Ball as part of the continuing campaign calling on the University to break its ties with Technion.
• Took part in the national Fees Protest.
• Met with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science.
• Met with the Galway West By Election candidates to ascertain their positions on key student issues.
• Set up new supports at the SU Office with regular Drug & Alcohol Support Drop In Clinics and a pop up clinic from the Citizens Information Service.

2025-26
President: Maisie Hall

2026-27
President: Seán de Búrca