Bristol SU celebrates 100 years of being a students’ union this month

Bristol Students’ Union is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this month.

In October 1924, it officially became the University of Bristol Students’ Union, working to make student life better and enjoyable.

The SU have released a timeline of significant events after their founding, to reflect on how far they have progressed.

1924 was significant as it marked the joining of the University Guild with the University Club to form the Students’ Union. According to the student newspaper at the time: “The New Constitution of the Union will present fewer difficulties to freshers than to those whose minds are muddled with the hitherto entirely separate functions of Guild and Club…Now the Guild and the Club are one; together they constitute the Union.”

In 1958, the SU hit an important milestone as George Odlum was appointed as the first black president of the Students’ Union. In 2009, Sam Budd became Chief Executive, the first black female CEO.

The SU was originally based in Victoria Rooms, but in 1965, after 41 years, they moved to the Richmond Building – a permanent change as it is still partly located there now, providing more space for students.

Since its formation, the SU has brought together different student groups, giving financial support and empowering generations of students to fight for their rights during their time at university. They’re also a founding member of the National Union of Students (NUS). That’s an incredible history of enabling student excellence in Bristol.

Credit: Student lecture walkout against £1000 tuition fees, 30 October 1998. Photographer unknown. Image courtesy of University of Bristol, Special Collections (DM2165/24/3/2).

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In 1968, Bristol University students staged a sit-in to support calls for a greater say in its running. Their protest in June followed meetings in the Winston Theatre promoting a national movement to widen access to the further education system and increase student representation in university governing bodies.

The protestors called for their union to be opened up to students from other educational establishments in the city.

In 1977, students occupied Senate House after the government introduced plans to increase tuition fees. This was followed by a protest march in 1981 against the rise of international students’ fees.

Credit: Union sit-in, 1968. Copyright Tony Byers. Image courtesy of University of Bristol, Special Collections (DM2269/2)

To celebrate this milestone, the SU is hosting a birthday party on Tuesday, October 29th, in the SU living room (fourth floor in Senate House), from 2-4pm. If you want to be part of this marking of history, anyone can drop in and talk to SU staff.

Some Bristol University alumni have shared their stories on what it was like to attend the university in their time. Jonathan Phillips, a former student, trustee and committee member between 1991-95, said: “As a student, the SU was the heart of the student experience but to appreciate its importance, we need to step back in time. The early 90s was a time without mobile phones and email so organising social get-togethers was complicated. The SU solved this in two ways. Firstly, the Epitome existed. Epitome was the what’s-on guide for all the clubs and societies. Published weekly, it was all we needed to know where to go to meet up with folks.”

He added: “The other was the Epi Bar in the SU. 1000 people there every night – it was loud, messy, hot, but so good. Without mobiles, the only way we could operate was on a “same time, same place” basis and so if you had a great night one Wednesday in the Epi, you just came back every Wednesday. Same crowd!

“I stood for election in Feb/march 1994 and won the General Secretary role, a paid sabbatical. I had practically no experience to speak of but I was granted a brilliant opportunity to learn and develop. Without hyperbole, I owe a lot of my future career to the opportunity granted to me by my fellow students. I owe the SU.”

Katie Poyner, the Union Affairs Officer said: “We’re proud to support over 900 student reps and 350+ societies, all working to make your Bristol experience the best it can be. None of it would have been possible without the dedication of our students, staff, and other supporters. I’m sure for everyone who’s been at Bristol over the last 100 years, some of their best memories were from societies in the Students’ Union!

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Featured image credit: Student protest march in the rain, against an increase in international students’ fees, 10 March 1981. Photographer unknown. Image courtesy of University of Bristol, Special Collections (DM1926/21/4/1).