100 Years of Bristol SU
We’re officially a century old this October!
Come and look back at what we’ve achieved together, and help us celebrate this remarkable achievement.
Bristol SU will officially be a hundred years old in October 2024. That’s one hundred years of representing academic interests, empowering generations of students to fight for their rights, and bringing students together to enjoy themselves and get away from any pressures they’re facing.
Whilst Bristol SU’s history extends beyond the last 100 years, we’ve chosen this moment to celebrate as in 1924, the University Guild joined together 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.’.
Since we became a student’s union in October 1924, we’ve campaigned for what’s important to you and advocated for your needs and rights. As we look back over the last 100 years, you’ll notice a lot of repetition, showing that students throughout the years have faced similar issues – namely tuition fees and financial support, and space on campus.
Despite the similarities, and all the many changes over the years, we’ve brought together lots of different student groups, enabled and supported lots of different student events, and we also look after spaces for you to come together, like the Bristol SU Living Room. We were also a founding member of NUS, the National Union of Students. That’s an incredible history of enabling student excellence in Bristol.
“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!” Katie Poyner, Union Affairs Officer said.
“Over the past hundred years, the Students’ Union has made a significant impact on the lives of countless students, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of that legacy. As a recent history graduate and now your Union Affairs Officer, it’s an honour to continue that tradition.”
Student-led initiatives, such as lobbying for change, enabling change and providing feedback to the university so you’re receiving the best possible academic experience on your course and in your faculty, have shaped student experience for decades.
Over the years we have -
Campaigned to keep student fees as accessible as possible, which is absolutely vital to ensuring that as many people as possible have access to higher education.
We have a proud history in doing so —
- In 1977, students occupied Senate House after the government introduced plans to hike up tuition fees.
- In 1981, students hosted a protest march against the rise of International students’ fees
- In 1998, students staged a funeral procession for the 'death of higher education' due to the ending of free tuition. The march included students from Universities across the South West.
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).
Fostered inclusion, to make your student union as representative as possible.
- In 1958, George Odlum became the first black president of the Students’ Union.
- In 2009, Sam Budd appointed as Chief Executive - our first black female CEO.
- Since 2019 we have had an International Students' Officer role as part of the elected officer team.
As a charity, we provide a free service, and we’re a democratic organisation.
Bristol SU was also officially granted charitable status in 2009, which means we’ve been able to maintain impartiality and make our support and advice as accessible as possible. You elect the students who lead Bristol SU, and represent you to the university. Which means you can directly influence — or even lead — the changes you would like to see, throughout your time at university. This organisational setup also means we’re fully independent, and can provide impartial advice and support.
Bringing students together to enjoy themselves is important to us.
- In 1987, the first Bristol Students' Half Marathon was set up by the SU President.
- In 2019, the SU Living Room, a space to relax, share experiences and get away from any academic pressures, opened its doors and has welcomed students ever since.
We also host a myriad of student events, groups and gatherings to make sure you can come together and share experiences, rather than always pushing for academic excellence.
The Students’ Union has had its home in several iconic buildings over the years, from the Victoria Rooms to the Richmond Building. We moved across to the 5th floor of Senate House in April 2024. We’ve grown into a multi-site organisation, making sure students have the spaces they need all over campus.
RAG photograph by British Council. Staircase photo: DM508, Caption/credit: Students Union, c.1963. Photograph by C and E Photography. Image courtesy of University of Bristol, Special Collections (DM508).
Bristol SU has made a significant impact on students’ lives over the last decades.
“I first met my wife at the 2011 Freshers' Fair when we were both volunteering for Burst Radio,” Rob Griffiths a former student rep and trustee, said. "We married 10 years later, and now have a little baby girl called Daphne Josephine - or 'DJ' for short.”
Nick Fox, another former elected representative shares fond memories, too. “From my first evening at University, I fell in love with the student union,” he said. “The building, the bars, the restaurants, the theatre, the porters and the catering staff. And above all, all the friends I made from every possible corner of the university.”
Really encouraging your potential is absolutely vital to us. “I stood for election in 1994 and won the General Secretary role, a paid sabbatical. I had practically no experience, but I was granted a brilliant opportunity to learn and develop. I owe a lot of my future career to the opportunity granted to me by my fellow students. I owe the SU,” Jonathan Phillips - a former Student Group Committee Member said.
You can join us to celebrate our 100th Birthday with free cake in the Bristol SU Living Room on Tuesday 29 October from 14:00-16:00. See you there!
