University of York Swift Society

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The University of York Swift Society, known more commonly as SwiftSoc, is a student society at the University of York for fans of Taylor Swift. It is affiliated with the University of York Students' Union. [1]

Contents

History

SwiftSoc was founded in 2015, making it the first and oldest university Taylor Swift appreciation society. [2] [3] The founding president was Sara-Beth, who decided to create the society after discussions with other fans at the university at the time. [4]

In 2021, the society won the student union's award for Games and Fandom Society of the year. [5]

The society rose to prominence in April 2022 after they were sent a batch of Taylor Swift merchandise and a signed note, thanking them for their support. The society believed that they had come to the attention of Taylor Nation through TikToks made by the society. [2] [6] When the president was initially contacted, she kept the news secret to allow the whole society the chance of enjoying the fun of opening the parcel in a room in the Morrell Library after the Easter holiday. [7] The merchandise was from the "I'm Feeling '22" Graduation Collection. [8] Some of the items were put aside to be made into goodie bags for members, while others were used for the 2022 end of year formal. [8] This also helped reduce the ticket price of the formal, and saw membership more than double in the next academic year. [3]

In August 2022, the society criticised Swift for her reliance on using her private jet, and the significant environmental damage associated with it. [9]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "SwiftSoc". University of York Students' Union. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Taylor Swift sends lucky University of York fans a box of merchandise and gifts". ITV News . 27 April 2022.
  3. 1 2 Waddell, Lily (11 November 2022). "Taylor Swift recognises fan dedication with heartfelt gifts". Hello! . Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  4. ↑ Preston, Katie (22 April 2022). ""Invisible String Tying You To Me": SwiftSoc on Getting Recognition from Taylor Swift". York Vision . Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  5. ↑ Ward, Alicia (2 February 2023). "From SwiftSoc to SurfSoc, here are some of York's quirkiest societies". The Tab . Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  6. ↑ "Taylor Swift sends York fans surprise box of gifts". BBC News . 25 April 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  7. ↑ Horner, Emily (27 April 2022). "Taylor Swift surprises University of York students". York Press . Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  8. 1 2 Smith, Emily (21 April 2022). "Guys, the ACTUAL Taylor Swift has sent merch to York's Swift Society". The Tab . Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  9. ↑ Preston, Katie; Beattie-Zarb, Kaitlyn (25 August 2022). "A Swift-end to Taylor's Sustainable Stardom?". York Vision . Retrieved 13 June 2024.
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