Guild of Students:Our History
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
University of Birmingham Guild of Students: Our History Contents Introduction 02 Introduction “This publication provides a captivating originally intended, to be the voice that “Think back to when you first experienced demonstrating against a rise in tuition fees 03 A Brief History account of the Guild’s history since its represents Birmingham students to the the Guild. We all have our own unique – we have all contributed to make the establishment in 1880. Over 130 years University and beyond.” story to tell - our own tale of what we did, Guild what it is today. old, the Guild of Students is steeped in how, when and where. That is the beauty 07 University of Birmingham Special Collections Guild of Students history and has changed significantly Andrew Vallance-Owen of the Guild - everyone has their own The ‘Guild of Students: Our History’ is a over the years. President of the University of Birmingham piece of its history. snapshot of what has been uncovered in 08 Democracy Guild of Students (1974/5) our archive, I hope you enjoy it.” Our History From my time as President in 1974/5, The Guild’s purpose is the same now as it has been fascinating to watch the Chair of the University of Birmingham it has always been – to make University Mark Harrop 11 Campaigns Guild flourish and grow, and witness the Guild of Students Trustee Board life for students at Birmingham that much President of the University of Birmingham development of the Students’ Union (2011 - present) better. Although the people may be Guild of Students (2011/12) 14 Student Groups The University of Birmingham Guild of Students (the Guild) into the Guild which exists today. I different, having looked at past pictures, have very fond memories of my time at clothing and hair styles have certainly represents students to the University and other organisations on the Birmingham; my affiliation is as such that changed but our values remain the same. 17 Events issues which matter most to Birmingham students. The Guild also I chose the Guild as the venue for my helps students to develop skills outside of study, have fun, meet wedding reception in 1997. A wonderful I am proud that our Guild has such a rich 20 The Guild Building like-minded people and make sure they get the best experience day, at least until I was thrown into the history, one unparalleled by many other Mermaid Fountain in my morning dress. institutions. From a founding member from their time in Birmingham. Now, as Chair of the Guild’s Trustee of the NUS, to the 1970s rent strike, 23 Keep in Touch Board, I am proud to say that the pushing the liberation agenda to the he Guild has an incredibly rich completed, the Guild is committed to essence of the Guild remains as it was forefront, helping battle apartheid and Tand diverse history (see timeline continuing to record and document pages 3-6). As a founding member of its future, and will ensure the archive is the National Union of Students (NUS) easily accessible for all. in 1922, the Guild (which is over 130 years old) has accumulated numerous The history of the Guild is plentiful and materials and artefacts including varied. For that reason this publication, photographs, video footage, meeting a snapshot of the Guild’s history, minutes, reports, building plans, and celebrates five key aspects of student publications. Today, the Guild of life: democracy, campaigning, student Students is a registered charity and the groups, Guild events, and the Guild students‘ union for more than 28,000 building. studying at the University of Birmingham. The Guild plans to repeat this exercise In 2009/10, a project was commissioned in the future and therefore welcomes to organise the Guild’s archive and contributions in the form of memories, map its history. The ‘Guild of Students: photographs and memorabilia (please Our History’ is the culmination of that see ‘Keep in Touch’ on page 23). work. Whilst this work has now been 01 | Guild of Students - Our History Introduction | 02 1960 The Guild is extended further to accommodate a ‘West Wing’ that helps to form the square. A Brief History of the Guild The University closes its Edmund Street Campus, meaning that all University and Guild operations are now based solely at the Edgbaston campus. The role of Guild President becomes a full-time sabbatical post. 1902 In the first ever recorded minutes of the Guild of Undergraduates Committee (March 11th), a 1933 sub-committee is formed, tasked with achieving Guild Council (1930/31) Plans for further Guild extension, 1959 1828 the abolition of lectures and other academic The Union commitments on a Wednesday afternoon to allow Edgbaston campus, the new Guild building Committee orders 1957 Birmingham Medical School students to participate in sport and other extra- the creation of 1930 The Guild officially moves An ‘Air Raid Precautions founded, a forerunner to the 1895 curricular activities. a ‘Black Book’ 1940 into its new building on the Committee’ is formed A fire devastates University of Birmingham. containing reports Edgbaston campus. to safeguard University 1950 large parts of the A canvassing of all incidents that 1922 property. The Guild Guild’s Edmund sub-committee take place. Included Street building. The new Mermaid Fountain statue The management of the closes at 7pm each The Guild is lowered into place, 1961 is formed in 1895, 1905 The ‘University Club’ is an entry ‘involving The National Union of Students (NUS) is Guild of Undergraduates night in order to save opens a marking the (subsequently the the unauthorised created after the Inter-Varsity Association and its policies passes costs, and obey the catering beginning of the Guild Club) opens distribution of and the International Students Bureau from the ‘Guild of blackout regulations service 1961 The Mermaid Fountain, Union’s official in Great Charles Communist 1875 agree to merge to promote, defend and Undergraduates during the Battle of providing food designed by William James lobbying element. Street. literature’. extend the rights of students. The Guild is Committee’ to ‘Guild Britain. for over 1,000 Bloye, an English sculptor, Josiah Mason founds the a founding member. Council’. students every active in Birmingham either Mason Science College, lunchtime. side of World War II, is based in Edmund Street. installed, thus completing Mermaid Square. 1880 1900 1948 1907 1909 1928 1958 1963 Mason Science College opens. Joseph Chamberlain MP 1939 Construction work successfully secures a Royal The first female A compulsory annual 1921 Construction work 1932 begins on a ‘South The University The Student Executive sends begins on the Guild a letter of condolence to Mason College Students’ General Meeting Charter for the University of Guild President, subscription fee is introduced for Guild News runs Wing’ extension to Chancellor building, which is the White House signed establishes an ‘Association of Students’ known Birmingham (an amalgamation Miss E.S Impey, is students to gain access to Union The ‘Birmingham The ‘Saturday numerous front page the Guild building, and former located on the east by over 1,000 students, as Mason College Union; seen as the birth of of Birmingham Medical School elected. buildings. University Hospital Hop’ launches articles castigating the made possible by Prime Minister side of Edgbaston following the assassination the modern Guild of Students. and the Mason Science College) Carnival’ begins. at the Guild. Guild for its perceived a £20,000 donation Anthony Eden campus. of President Kennedy. and becomes its first Chancellor The University King Edward opens the University favouritism towards its from Sir Charles congratulate Guild News on Josiah Mason is Life President. (March 24th). authorises a grant buildings at Edgbaston. Edgbaston building Hyde, proprietor of £40 per annum over its Edmund Street of the Birmingham its 21st birthday Mason College Union becomes to the Guild. building (March 1939). Post and its (February 1958). ‘Birmingham University Union’. The associated papers word ‘Union’ however refers to - who provided 1962 the facilities used by the students, £100,000 for the rather than the student body itself. Guild news article original Guild 1959 The ‘Mermaid Bar’ opens within the The Union is overseen by a Union 1936 building in 1928. Guild (formerly on the Edmund Committee, who are tasked with An Elections Street Campus). The bar is later running the Union and organising The Guild employs a permanent member Guild Theatre Committee is named ‘Fingals’, and then social events for students. of staff, and is the first student body in the Group (GTG) is formed to oversee ‘Beorma Bar’ (2000). country to do so. formed. Guild elections. A ‘Guild of Undergraduates’ is Construction work on the Guild building ‘Guild News’ renamed as ‘Redbrick’. formed, see page 11 for more Guild Council unanimously passes a motion Miss E.S Impey information. King Edward opens the University buildings at Edgbaston. to introduce seminars for all students. 03 | A Brief History Josiah Mason A Brief History | 04 The Community Warden Guild Officers organise a campus demonstration 1974 Junior Common Room (JCR) 1996 2004 2006 2009 Scheme is established in against rising Hall Fees. Committees are established in Students’ Union The Guild celebrates its 1979 1980 partnership with the University. 1967 Halls of Residence to provide financing is changed centenary year. The Birmingham University Radio After concerns of competition with the new ‘Hub’ The scheme employs students social activities and political to automatically Network (BURN FM) is founded social area on the Vale run by the University, Guild The Guild opens its own student lettings agency, who proactively work to Carnival RAG representation to students. include a Students’ and begins broadcasting. Council approves a motion allowing the Executive the SHAC, a new business venture designed to A ‘Rent Fund Account’ is improve the standard of living cause chaos Union fee in the to look into relocating the Guild elsewhere on both improve housing standards in the local area set up by the ‘Rent Strike for both students and local in the city student grant, rather campus (this idea is eventually scrapped).