University of St Andrews Students' Association

Last updated
University of St Andrews
Students' Association
Institution University of St Andrews
Location St Andrews, Scotland
Established1989 (as St Andrews Students Association)
PresidentCam S. Brown [1]
CEOAntony Blackshaw [2]
Sabbatical officersDirector of Education – Hitanshi Badani [3]

Director of Events and Services – Milo Hill [4]
Director of Student Development and Activities – Catriona Martin [5]
Director of Wellbeing and Equality – Caitlin Ridgway [6]

Contents

Athletic Union President – Olivia King
Affiliations Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland
Website www.yourunion.net

The University of St Andrews Students' Association is the organisation which represents the student body of the University of St Andrews. [7] It was founded in 1885 and comprises the students' representative council [8] and the Student Activities Forum (formerly the Students' Services Council). [9] [10]

Unlike many other students' unions in the UK is not a member of the National Union of Students, having rejected membership in March and October 2001, November 2012, and most recently in a referendum in April 2022. [11] [12]

The University of St Andrews also has an Athletic Union.

History

Student representation in St Andrews has a long and storied history, dating back to the formation of the Students' Representative Councill (SRC) in the 1880s. The SRC served as the representative arm of the student body, enabling elected students to voice their peers' concerns on important issues. One of the SRC’s early contributions to student life was the publication of College Echoes, a popular periodical that featured amusing anecdotes and poems about St Andrews life. Copies of College Echoes still exist today in the university’s Special Collections. [13]

The Formation of the Unions

By the 1920s, student life expanded to include distinct Men’s and Women’s Unions, which operated separately from the SRC. While the SRC focused on representation, the Unions were primarily social hubs. They organised activities like weekly dances, known as "Hops," and subsidised meals known as "Dines," which became the precursors to modern traditions like the Friday night Bop and the Scott Lang Dinner.

The Men’s Union was originally located at 75 North Street (now the site of the Old Union Coffee Shop), and the Women’s Union occupied the adjacent building, which is now the ASC. These Unions served as vital community spaces, especially in an era when social norms often dictated separate spheres for men and women. Notably, the "Old Union Diner," now used for exams and lectures, once served as a dance hall.

Unification and Modernisation

In 1963, the Men’s and Women’s Unions united, though the SRC continued to function as a distinct entity. A significant transformation occurred in 1973, when both organisations moved into the purpose-built premises on St Mary’s Place that remain home to the Students’ Association today. [13]

The final step in the evolution of student governance at St Andrews came in 1989 with the creation of the Students’ Association, which merged the SRC and the Union into a single organisation. This integrated structure was designed to amplify the student voice and streamline activities.

The Students' Association Today

Today, the St Andrews Students’ Association is a robust and unified body that represents students' interests while supporting a vibrant social and cultural life. The Sabbatical Officers reflect this dual heritage: the President and Director of Education focus on representational roles linked to the SRC’s origins, while the Directors of Events and Services (DoEs), Student Development and Activities (DoSDA), and Wellbeing (DoWell) oversee the social and extracurricular dimensions of student life. [13]

Structure

The St Andrews Students' Association is a unified body that combines representation and student activities, ensuring the needs and interests of all students are met. The organization operates through a clearly defined structure, which includes:

Representative Bodies

The Association is rooted in its historical focus on student representation, with the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) as a central pillar. The SRC consists of elected student members who advocate on behalf of their peers to the university and external bodies. It addresses academic, welfare, and societal issues, ensuring student concerns are heard and acted upon.

The SRC Subcommittees further support the representative mission by focusing on specific areas such as equality, diversity, and sustainability. [14]

Executive Officers

The Association is led by a team of Sabbatical Officers, full-time elected representatives who oversee its core functions. Each Sabbatical Officer has a distinct portfolio, reflecting the broad scope of the organisation:

These officers work closely with staff and students to implement policies and deliver services effectively.

Activities Subcommittees and Groups

The Association operates a range of subcommittees and groups that allow students to get involved in specific aspects of university life. Some of these include:

Management and the Board

The Students’ Association operates under the strategic guidance of a Board of Trustees, ensuring that the organisation remains financially sustainable and adheres to its constitutional aims. The Board is composed of:

The Board meets regularly to review strategic priorities, approve budgets, and oversee compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Operationally, the Association is supported by a team of dedicated staff members who manage its day-to-day activities, ranging from event planning to administrative support. Staff members work closely with the Sabbatical Officers to ensure the smooth delivery of services and initiatives.

Facilities and Operations

The Association also manages a range of facilities that cater to students' social and academic needs. These include:

The Students’ Union building on St Mary’s Place, which houses: Bars and Cafes: Including Sandy’s Bar and the Rector’s Cafe. Event Spaces: Used for club meetings, performances, and large-scale events like Balls and Bops. Study Areas: Quiet zones for academic work and group projects. Additionally, the Association runs services like event ticketing, room bookings, and student-focused initiatives.

Membership and Participation

All matriculated students at St Andrews are automatically members of the Students' Association, giving them voting rights in elections, the ability to run for positions, and access to the facilities and activities. The Association fosters a strong participatory culture, encouraging students to take an active role in shaping their university experience.


Building

Younger Hall, where the Union's musical activities took place before the construction of the Laidlaw Music Centre in 2016. University buildings - geograph.org.uk - 586036.jpg
Younger Hall, where the Union's musical activities took place before the construction of the Laidlaw Music Centre in 2016.

The Students' Association Building (informally known as the Union) is located on St Mary's Place, St Andrews. Union facilities include several bars and the university's Student Support Services. In 2013 the Students' Association Building underwent a refurbishment. In early 2023, it was discovered that the building had been built with RACC, a material that is no longer considered suitable for construction, and the Club 601 was closed for an 18-month renovation period in which the roof was completely redone. The club officially reopened on 30 August 2024, ahead of the 2024/25 academic year.

Student Representative Council

The Student Representative Council was instituted as the legal representative body for students of the university by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889.

The SRC is responsible for representing students' interests to the management of the university and to local and national government. [19]

On the 4th December 2024, it was announced that the student body had accepted a referendum to completely alter the hierarchy of the Union. Over 80% of the vote went towards Yes, although the referendum is non-binding, as only 10% of the student body participated in the vote, far short of the required 20%. Given that fact, the details of the coming changes are yet to be disclosed. However, it is expected that the SRC will be completely reworked with three main forums feeding into one large SRC meeting for the entire student population. This meeting will be held once per term instead of once per month. [20]

The SRC comprises a number of officers, who chair the respective subcommittees, and members: [19]

Barron Theatre Closure

Entrance to the Barron Theatre Barron-theatre-entrance.jpg
Entrance to the Barron Theatre

The Barron Theatre was a 55 seat [21] black box theatre on the university campus. It was one of only three entirely student-run theatres in the UK. [22] It was operated by the Mermaids Performing Arts Fund, [23] a subcommittee of the Students' Association, notable alumni of which includes Deidre Mullins and Siobhan Redmond. In January 2020 it was announced that the theatre would be closed, despite major pushback from the student body. A campaign was launched called Save the Barron that garnered support from the student body and 2,800 signatures, but the decision for the student-run venue to close was not reversed. [22]

As a replacement for the Barron Theatre, the university granted Mermaids a residency in the Lawrence Levy Studio Theatre in the now University-operated Byre Theatre. The residency is now colloquially known as the Barron @ the Byre and hosts many of Mermaids' student-written and experimental performances throughout the year, alongside the Union StAge and the larger A.B. Paterson Auditorium in the Byre Theatre.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of St Andrews</span> Public university in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

The University of St Andrews is a public university in St Andrews, Scotland. It is the oldest of the four ancient universities of Scotland and, following the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world. St Andrews was founded in 1413 when the Avignon Antipope Benedict XIII issued a papal bull to a small founding group of Augustinian clergy. Along with the universities of Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, St Andrews was part of the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century.

Durham Students' Union, operating as Durham SU, is the students' union of Durham University in Durham, England. It is an organisation, originally set up as the Durham Colleges Students’ Representative Council in 1899 and renamed in 1969, with the intention of representing and providing welfare and services for the students of the University of Durham.

In the United Kingdom, a sabbatical officer is a full-time officer elected by the members of a students' union, commonly at a higher education establishment such as a university. Sabbatical officers are usually trustees of their students' union, in its capacity as a charity, and may also sit on or form the board of directors of the union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Nottingham Students' Union</span>

The University of Nottingham Students' Union is the students' union at the University of Nottingham, England. It is a representative body that aims to represent students to both the university and the wider community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edinburgh University Students' Association</span> Students union in Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) is the students' union at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. The Association's aim is the advancement of education of Edinburgh students by representing and supporting them, and by promoting their interests, health and welfare within the community. It is led by a team of five elected student sabbatical officers.

The Glasgow University Students' Representative Council, also known simply as the Students' Representative Council or by the acronyms GUSRC and SRC is a student union at the University of Glasgow. Unlike at other universities in the United Kingdom, the University of Glasgow operates a unique system, with four separate and independent bodies providing services to the student body. In contrast with the Glasgow University Union, Queen Margaret Union, and Glasgow University Sports Association, which provide social and sporting facilities for their members respectively, the SRC is responsible for representing the views and interests of the student body to the University.

The University of Newcastle Students' Association (UNSA) is the student organisation at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia (UON). The organisation provides a range of student services and supports campus life activities and events. UNSA facilitates the UON's elected Student Representative Council (SRC) which is the peak representative body for all students at the University.

The Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA), formerly known as Tasmania University Union (TUU), is the peak body of student representation for tertiary students attending the University of Tasmania and was established in 1899.

Leeds University Union (LUU) is the representative body for the students at the University of Leeds, England.

A students' representative council, also known as a students' administrative council, represents student interests in the government of a university, school or other educational institution. Generally the SRC forms part of a broader students' association, which may include other functions such as societies, entertainments and sports. They are most commonly found in Scottish universities.

The YouX Students Representatives Council, formerly the Adelaide University Union Students' Representatives Council, is the student representative body at University of Adelaide. Until a restructure in 2007, the students' representative council had been named Students' Association of the University of Adelaide (SAUA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common room (university)</span> Student organisational body in university colleges and halls

A common room is a group into which students are organised in some universities, particularly in the United Kingdom, normally in a subdivision of the university such as a college or hall of residence, in addition to an institution-wide students' union. They represent their members within the hall or college, operate certain services within these institutions such as laundry or recreation, and provide opportunities for socialising. There are variations based on institutional tradition and needs, but classically the following common rooms will exist:

Dundee University Students' Association (DUSA) is the students' association, legal representative and students' union for matriculated students of the University of Dundee. It is known locally as 'The Union'.

Aberdeen University Students' Association is the students' association of the University of Aberdeen, an ancient university in the city of Aberdeen in North East Scotland. It organises recreational activities; provides welfare and employment services for students; promotes equality and diversity of students; advancement of education; and provide facilities and support for student societies and sports clubs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Southampton Students' Union</span>

The University of Southampton Students' Union, branded and commonly known as SUSU a contraction of Southampton University Students' Union, is the students' union at the University of Southampton in southern England, United Kingdom. SUSU operates a number of facilities for students at the university, represents the students to the university and at the university council as well as providing support services and social activities. The union is financed through its operations, a grant from the university and additional benefits brought by its charitable status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's University Belfast Students' Union</span>

Queen's Students' Union (QSU) is the official representative body for students at Queen's University Belfast. Membership of the union is automatic and currently totals 24,560, making it one of the largest unions on the island of Ireland and in the United Kingdom. The Students' Union derives its existence and authority from the University's Statutes, and so is not entirely independent of it. Therefore, it must have amendments to its constitution approved by the University Senate. It aims to represent students' interests both with the university and the wider community, to create a sense of student spirit and provide services that aid its student members during their time at Queen's. The Students' Union can trace its origins to the nineteenth century, and has been based on University Road, directly opposite the University's main 'Lanyon Building', since it opened in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byre Theatre</span>

The Byre Theatre is a theatre in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. It was founded in 1933 by Charles Marford, an actor and Alexander B. Paterson, a local journalist and playwright, with help from a theatre group made up from members of Hope Park Church, St Andrews.

In universities in the United Kingdom students' unions are constituted under Section 2 of the Education Act 1994. The ultimate purpose of students' unions is to democratically represent the interests of their members. Students who resign their membership may still use union social facilities provided since they are for the benefit of the students of the institution, not just union members. The vast majority of UK students' unions are affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS).

The La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) is a representative body for students at La Trobe University. The LTSU is located at the Bundoora campus. It is made up of elected student representatives who provide advocacy, services, events and support for La Trobe Students, also operating the Rabelais student newspaper. The Union also runs a food bank on the Bundoora campus.

The Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) is a student union at Flinders University, South Australia. It provides free welfare services, academic advocacy, grants for clubs and societies, and funding for the student newspaper, Empire Times. It also organises an O'Week each semester, as well as various social events throughout the year.

References

  1. 1 2 "President". www.yourunion.net.
  2. ↑ "Staff". www.yourunion.net.
  3. 1 2 "Director of Education". www.yourunion.net.
  4. 1 2 "Director of Events & Services". www.yourunion.net.
  5. 1 2 "Director of Student Development & Activities". www.yourunion.net.
  6. 1 2 "Director of Wellbeing & Equality". www.yourunion.net.
  7. ↑ "Publication Scheme – Category 13 – Class: Relationship with Students' Association" (Press release). University of St Andrews. 24 January 2006. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2007.
  8. ↑ "Universities (Scotland) Act 1889". www.legislation.gov.uk.
  9. ↑ "Students' Association History". University of St Andrews Students' Association. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "St Andrews and the NUS: career communists and bad governance". The Saint. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  11. ↑ "'No2NUS' - but for how long? - Education News, Education - The Independent". Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  12. ↑ Jodi Burkett (22 September 2017). Students in Twentieth-Century Britain and Ireland. Springer. pp. 139–140. ISBN   978-3-319-58241-2.
  13. 1 2 3 "History". www.yourunion.net.
  14. ↑ "Subcommittees". www.yourunion.net.
  15. ↑ "Societies Committee". www.yourunion.net.
  16. ↑ "Charities Campaign". www.yourunion.net.
  17. ↑ "Mermaids". www.yourunion.net.
  18. ↑ "St Andrews Voluntary Service". www.yourunion.net.
  19. 1 2 "Student Representative Council". University of St Andrews Students' Association. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  20. ↑ "Change starts today". www.yourunion.net. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  21. ↑ "Barron Theatre". The Skinny . Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  22. 1 2 "The Closure of the Barron: A Lament". STAR: St Andrews Radio. 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  23. ↑ "HOME". mermaids-st-andrews. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.