Glasgow University Union (student union: 1885-: Glasgow, Scotland)

Glasgow University Union was founded at the University of Glasgow , Scotland, in 1885 following a meeting of representatives from the main University societies, namely the Glasgow University Athletic Club , Glasgow University Dialectic Society and Glasgow University Medico-Chirurgical Society . The Union was established as a voluntary club and men's union for 'the purpose of promoting social intercourse among the students, past and present, of the University, and of acting as a central body representing students' interests, and especially for making adequate provision for the accommodation of the various College Societies'. From 1890-1930, it was housed in the John MacIntyre building on University Avenue, Glasgow, the first purpose-built home for the Union designed by architect John J Burnet. Dr John MacIntyre, who attended classes in Glasgow but was not a graduate of the University, generously donated å£5000 for its construction in memory of his wife. The building was 1895 and 1908.

In 1930, the Union moved premises to a new building at the corner of the junction of University Avenue, Kelvin Way and Great George Street, Glasgow. This building remains as the principal home of the Union although the buildings have been extended to cater for the increase in the number of students at the University and therefore members of the Union.

Despite women being admitted to study at the University in 1892 , the Union was for ninety-five years an all male preserve which did not admit women.

In 1977, a campus-wide referendum was held on the proposal that the two single sex Unions, the GUU (male) and the Queen Margaret Union (female) should amalgamate, but the students voted against it by a reasonable margin. Two years later, in 1979, the members of the QMU voted to accept men as members and the very next year, 1980, the University forced the GUU's hand by threatening to withdraw its funding unless it too became mixed. So, at the subsequent special general meeting the members of the GUU voted to accept women as members. Thus ended the GUU's unique status as the last "all-male" Union in Britain and the University's potential breach of the Sex Discrimination Act.

In 2002, the Union was managed by a board of management consisting of 26 people, 19 of whom were student members. The other 7 are life members with strong links to the Union. The executive, who form part of the board of management consists of a president, secretary and assistant secretary. There are also convenors for entertainment, the Union's library, games and debates. These positions are all held by students who are elected by the Union membership on an annual basis.

The Union acts as a meeting place for students and is one centre of social activity on the University campus. It has a major reputation for debating and has sent teams around the world to take part in debating tournaments.

From the guide to the Records of Glasgow University Union, student union, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1885-1990, (Glasgow University Archive Services)