Strathclyde People 2018
Let’s go back over 50 years to journey through the ages of our union, a space that’s provided a range of activities and social experiences to enhance student life for decades.
In 2020, 90 John Street will no longer contain The Union – but it’ll still hold memories. As we prepare to upgrade and move our union to the heart of Strathclyde’s busy campus, we want to hear about your memories. Were you there when Lord Cameron officially opened it? Did you sing along to The Jam in 1979? Or do you remember the days before hangovers existed after an outrageous TFI Friday with DJ Phil?
One thing we know for sure: if the next 50 years are as good as the last, our union will continue to be the best in Glasgow.
Before the beginning
Before the Second World War, a small extension was being built on John Street – an area intended to become our first student union. When the war broke out, the barely-completed extension was put on hold. By the 50s, it was clear it was no longer fit for purpose.
So in 1953, the Students’ Representative Council campaigned for a new building. They argued for a space big enough to hold a much bigger student body – and they were successful.
New beginnings
Although The Students’ Union will always adapt to meet the needs of students, there’s one thing that will never change: its purpose. It’ll always put students at the heart of the university experience, be that through representation, sports, clubs, societies, support, or simply socialising. With the new space in the middle of the campus, we think it’ll be easier than ever for the next generation of Strathclyders to immerse themselves in that experience and contribute to our community. And we can’t wait to see what happens over the next 50 years.
50s
On 18 May 1959, Lord Cameron officially opened The Royal College of Science and Technology Students’ Association Students’ Union. It’s no surprise that it instantly became known simply as The Union.
The space provided a home for many, marking the beginning of an aspirational journey to embed students at the heart of the Strathclyde community.
We have travelled far along the road – we now have a building – but that is only, in a sense, the beginning. Not until we have an atmosphere of fellowship can we claim to have a Union in the true sense of the word. That is the challenge which confronts us. And we, the students, have to take up that challenge.
Malcolm D Macintyre, Former President of The Students’ Union
60s
In 1964, both The Royal College of Science and Technology and the Scottish College of Commerce merged to become the University of Strathclyde. It was then that the University of Strathclyde Students’ Association was established, with a purpose to build student life outside of the classroom.
At this time a membership fee of £1 was set, and the building was set up to accommodate meals, study, recreation, formal consultancy and – of course – a bar.
[Our vision for The Union is to become a place] in which the student can learn and practice the art of meeting and working with his fellows. There he can eat, read, argue, play in their company and so prepare himself to take his place in the community.
Students’ Representative Council
70s
After another successful student campaign, The Union was extended across 10 levels and quickly became the ideal music venue. An already iconic decade of music saw some of the world’s most popular bands play to hundreds of overjoyed Strathclyde students, and music became an intrinsic part of the student experience.
From The Stranglers, The Kinks, and Fleetwood Mac, to Blondie, Pink Floyd, and Elton John – the list of artists who played throughout the 70s is impressive. But it wouldn’t be complete without The Ramones, who nearly didn’t get to play after the Lord Provost of Glasgow was quoted in the Evening Times as saying, “Glasgow has enough yobs of its own… We don’t need to import them.” Regardless, the band – supported by Talking Heads – played to an ecstatic crowd in 1977.
80s
The 80s was a turbulent time for politics. While Nelson Mandela was in prison in 1985, Glasgow gave him freedom of the city. The same year, we awarded him an honorary degree and honorary Students’ Association life membership. When Mandela’s daughter visited to collect the degree and membership, she unveiled a plaque in The Union – that’s still there to this day.
To mark the 30th Anniversary of Black History Month, Vice President Diversity, Taylor Wong commissioned local artists to paint a mural of the peace activist in the Mandela Room.
At the time Mandela was given freedom of the city, we felt it was really important to stand alongside Glasgow and show support. I still remember the heartfelt speech my VP, Tom Connor gave at the time. It was the perfect sign off to the end of my term in 1985.
The mural has brought back so many great memories of being in office. I absolutely love the work, it’s great to see The Union continuing to show support for such an influential figure.
Bruce M Wilson, PhD, Professor of Political Science and former University of Strathclyde Students’ Association President
90s
In the 90s, The Union became the place to catch new up-and-coming bands in Glasgow. In fact, a lot of bands who went on to find huge success started out in our union – including The Delgados and Runrig.
Strathclyde Alumna and member of The Delgados, Emma Pollock says:
Venues like this are hugely important because they’re stepping stones. Whether it’s music, theatre, comedy, it can all find a place here. It gives a chance for artists to play in front of a crowd who then tell their pals how great it was. And by the time they come back to Glasgow, they might’ve been bumped up to a bigger venue.
Runrig’s ex-keyboard player, Pete Wishart MP says:
The gig at The Union was a blast. It wasn’t that long after the release of our breakthrough album (The Cutter and the Clan) and was probably one of the last gigs we ever played without a full crew – which was especially difficult, given the gig was on level 8!
The 90s also saw the launch of the infamous TFI Friday. Held every single week, The Union’s party night was run by legendary DJ Phil for an impressive 25 years.
00s
The 00s saw The Union become famous for its festivities. TFI was in its prime, and the Christmas All Nighter was a big highlight for many students. It’s easy to see why, with world-renowned acts like Calvin Harris, Girls Aloud, Shed 7, Electric 6, Toploader and The Bluetones all playing level 8’s Vertigo over the years. Running from 8pm until 8am the following morning, it was always a true test to see who could last the whole night!
DJ Phil Reavey says:
The parties at Strath Union were more than just bar events, they were social gatherings of like-minded people. You studied hard all week, but once you got to one of our union events, it was time to let go and have fun: the music, the vibe, and the friendships you made by seeing the same people every week made sure of that. In all my time here, I’ve seen people form lifelong friendships and even met future partners. For me, it’s what makes this building such a special place!
10s
On the back of a gender review carried out by the Vice President Diversity, Simran Kaur in 2017, The Union ran an award-winning campaign to increase participation of female students in its elections. The following year, we achieved a 50/50 gender split on the Student Executive.
That’s not the only big thing that happened in 2017. The Union also started preparing to move, with Student Executive Officers securing additional space for all Student Services to flourish. Nestled in the heart of the campus, the new Learning & Teaching Building is currently under construction and will open in 2020.
To get ready for our new space, we have rebranded to better identify ourselves to current and future students. You can see how we look here.
Part of the countdown to our Union’s relocation: Join our Facebook group ‘Footprint of Strath Union’ where you can share memories and hear more about activities that will take place over the next couple of years to celebrate our move.
Strathclyders in Scotland
This October, we launched our new Strathclyders in Scotland Glasgow alumni group as part of our global alumni network, made up of 20 groups across the globe. It lets you engage with fellow alumni through events and activities – from professional networking and mentoring, to recruitment events and fundraising.
Keen to get involved? Whether you want to learn, socialise, or set up your own alumni group, just email alumni-relations@strath.ac.uk
Live in Aberdeen or Edinburgh? Look out for new Strathclyders in Scotland groups coming to your city soon!
Time for a reunion?
Reminiscing about your days at Strathclyde? We want to hear from you – what would excite you to come back and visit Strathclyde to relive your days at university?
- Could you help us organise reunions with old flatmates from your halls of residence?
- What about subject specific reunions?
- Were you a member of a club or society?
- Any other bright ideas?
We would love to try to help you organise your own reunion by reconnecting you with old friends and former classmates!
For more information on how we can support you with your reunion, please email reunions@strath.ac.uk
