James Heath (20), originally from Christchurch, has been elected Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) president for 2019 after sitting on the executive for two years.
The politics, philosophy and economics student, who has also interned at Dunedin's Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust, was keen to combine his interest in politics with helping people.
This year there had been a "major step up in student engagement" on issues affecting students, with 150 people attending an OUSA executive meeting, which was good to see, he said.
Between 500 and 600 people marched on the clocktower after the proctor took bongs from a student flat, and hundreds of students also marched after copies of the Critic Te Arohi student magazine's "menstruation issue" - with a graphic front cover- were taken by a Campus Watch member, a move the university said was a mistake by a staff member.
A smaller rally organised by students who wanted to prevent the art history programme being cut took place last month.
Next year Mr Heath said he was planning to lobby the Dunedin City Council on issues affecting students, and would encourage students to vote in the local body elections.
He also wanted to push for greater student participation in the university's decision-making process, for instance increasing their representation on the senate, which is only four seats at present.
The close result of 32 votes to 31 on whether art history should remain as a minor subject (a majority subsequently voted for the removal of the art history programme altogether) was a surprise and came after students presented their own ideas on how to save the programme at the senate meeting last month.
Although they were unsuccessful, it was proof OUSA did have some power, he said.
"No-one expected that response."
The association has indicated it will keep fighting for the programme when the decision goes before the university council.
Mr Heath said he wanted to see Campus Watch and the proctor move into a "pastoral role" rather than acting as a "headmaster".