College Club (staff club : 1928-2012 : University of Glasgow, Scotland)

The College Club was founded as an academic staff club in 1928. Prior to this, there had been numerous staff clubs at the University, including a previously existing College Club , founded in 1827. Its sole focus, however, was the card game Whist.

The need for a social space for staff was recognised by Sir Henry Jones from the Department of Moral Philosophy, who allowed a room in his house to be used as a common room from 1918 until his death in 1922. A room was then made available in the University's Gilbert Scott Building, by which point the need for a staff club was becoming increasingly clear. Premises for such a club were included in the plans to complete the West Quadrangle, and became the home of the College Club.

The club opened in May 1928, and by October a canteen which served a three course lunch had opened. In the following year the Club gained a drinks licence.

Membership requirements changed over the years, with reciprocal membership encouraged between similar institutions, and members eventually welcomed from all departments in the University, regardless of professional status.

In 1997, Professor Thomas Ferguson bequethed his estate to the University of Glasgow with the understanding that the funds be used to promote the social side of the University with particular reference to the College Club, which Ferguson had enjoyed throughout his life. Throughout the 1980s, the College Club were in dispute with the University with regards to how the money was divided.

The last year the club was fully operational was 2005. The club was liquidated in 2012.

From the guide to the Records of the College Club, staff club, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1827-2006, (Glasgow University Archive Services)