Principal’s Foreword
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President’s Welcome
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The Student Board
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GUU Blueprint
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The Committees
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D*** F*****
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The Union Staff
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The Union Kitchen
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FW Handbook
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Principal’s Foreword Dear GUU Members, The University of Glasgow is an institution steeped in history. We have been changing the world since 1451, and our success is in no small part down to the thousands of students we welcome to our campuses each year. Indeed, GUU has played an integral role in shaping the University’s rich history, acting as one of the UK’s oldest student unions and a pillar of our community since 1885. Today, the Union continues to play a vital role for our students - acting as a hub to meet likeminded people, hone your skills and make long-lasting friendships. However, much has changed at Glasgow since the inception of the University and GUU: we’re more diverse, we’re at the forefront of exciting new research and importantly we’re addressing our past. There’s still much to be done, but the University is committed to embracing change, and the GUU is supporting the institution to be better and ensure we continue delivering a world-class learning and teaching experience for every one of our students. Throughout the pandemic, sustaining a sense of community when we could not be together has been tough. I have been inspired by the ways our students have continued to support each other remotely, however I know now you will be eager to be together again in-person. It is our students that enrich our campuses, and who bring our history and buildings to life, so I am delighted that the Union will once again provide an opportunity to bring you together. I know there are lots of exciting plans for the year ahead, and this handbook outlines a whole host of events, services and activities designed to make your student experience among the best in the UK. By joining GUU you follow in the footsteps of many great students before you who have gone on to make a remarkable impact on the world. As you join the Union and explore all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead of you, I hope that you will make the most of what Glasgow has to offer, and that it will be a unique and memorable adventure! Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli Principal
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President’s Welcome Hello, and let me be the first to welcome you to Glasgow University Union! Established in 1885, we have come a long, long way since then, but to this day we are still proud to be the go-to social hub on campus. Our aim is to provide you maximum fun in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment. With plenty of events and committees to get involved with, there is always something going on in our beautiful building, and I can assure you that GUU has something for everyone. Think of us as your second home during your time at university! So let me give you a quick rundown. Can’t find a seat in the library or looking for a quieter place to study? Check out our two libraries. Fancy improving your debating skills and competing in events around the country and beyond? Come along to an event with our five-time world champion debate team. Have an hour in between classes to chill out? How about a game of snooker in our billiards hall? If it’s a place for intellectual or creative output that you’re looking for, getting involved with our very own magazine, G-You, or academic journal, Groundings, would be perfect for you. And for all your thirst-quenching desires we have the famous Beer Bar, where you will find the cheapest pint in the West End – or if you’re feeling a little fruity, why not try one of our iconic “Pints of Fun”? On top of all of this, we have a coffee shop, a café, a weekly pub quiz, open mic nights and two nightclubs hosting our renowned Thursday HIVE nights. That’s before I even mention the fun and mayhem of our legendary annual events (think of a 12-hour black tie ball called D*** F***** or an all-day St Paddy’s celebration), along with the frequent welfare events we host to help you navigate the more stressful times at uni. Did I mention we have everything you’re looking for? Whatever takes your fancy, I implore you to get involved in some way. If we can help make your time in Glasgow the best it can be in even a small way, we’re doing our job right. Remember, unlike venues outwith campus, every pound spent in our building is reinvested into improving facilities and the student experience for you. After all, we’re a student’s Union, ran by students for students, with your safety and enjoyment at the heart of all we do. Here’s to seeing you at 32 University Avenue sometime very soon! Amy Briggs President 2021-22
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The Student Board Asst. Hon. Sec.
President
Hon. Secretary
THE EXECUTIVE
Amy Briggs
Emilio Seifert
Vilhelm Carlsson
Joseph Hutchison
Entertainments
Libraries
Games
Debates
THE CONVENERS
Sara Matthew
Fuad Kehinde
Lewis Moore
PRESENT STUDENT MEMBERS
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Alex Hull
Amy Reid
Chris Falkingham
Duncan Armstrong-Martin
Eleanor Kirk
Lauren Lilley
Mark Sullivan
Sam Bracken
Shiona Luke
Yasmin Baker-Marshall
President: Amy is in charge of the Union and its Board of Management. She’s responsible for the long-term vision for the Union as well as being the spokesperson when communicating to both the public and the university. Honorary Secretary: Emilio is involved in organising the financial side of things for events as well as the daily operating services of the building. He organises some of the Union’s biggest events, FW and D*** F***** and is also responsible for all discipline procedures. Assistant Honorary Secretary: Vilhelm organises the Union’s Board
of Management and minutes all board meetings. He is also responsible for taking care of affiliation packages for all clubs and societies within the university. He’s the first point of contact for those looking to affiliate.
Convener of Debates: Joseph organises the debates committee and all show debates within the Union. He also sends debates teams all across the U.K. and world, as well as organising all competitions we hold throughout the year. Convener of Games: Sara runs the games Committee which is responsible for the weekly Beer Bar Quiz on a Monday, as well as looking after the games machines and Billiards Hall tables. In February she hosts the Union’s “Month of Games” which has a whole bunch of competitions. Convener of Libraries: Fuad heads up the Libraries Committee. They are in charge of maintaining the Union libraries, and producing the Union’s official magazine, G-You. The convener is also in charge of the Union’s undergraduate academic journal in the arts, humanities and social sciences, Groundings. Convener of Entertainments: Lewis runs the weekly open mic night
on a Friday, and also organises special promo open mics throughout the year. He is responsible for booking all the killer acts for Freshers’ Week, D*** F*****, and the weekly club nights!
Present Student Members (PSMs): This group of board members make up a number of operational committees that help with the day to day running of the union. These operational committees are: HIVE, Kitchen, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), Welfare, Student Safety and PR & Marketing. They are who ensure everyone on campus knows the awesome events we have going on.
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The Committees Debates Since the Union’s founding in 1885, debating has been an integral part of Union life. Trophy cabinets outside the debates chamber celebrate our storied history as a central part of the union. We are the winners of: five World University Debating Championships, eighteen British and Irish championships, the 2017 European Championship and the current Scottish Championship. All of which has secured our position as the most successful debating institution in the United Kingdom, and one of the most prestigious in the World. Competitive debating allows you to test your logic, rhetoric and argumentation, all whilst (in a normal year) travelling across the UK and the World, the costs of which are covered by the GUU. This is a unique feature to any debating institution in the UK and ensures debating is accessible to anyone who wants to get involved regardless of background. Our dinners, socials and other events also help contribute to a vibrant and varied community unique to debating that offers the opportunity to make friends and memories for life. We pride ourselves on taking those with no experience and turning them into world class debaters, so if you would like to try your hand we would love to see you at speaker training, held every Tuesday at 6pm in the Birdie Library. If you’d like more information about us and what we do, get yourself a copy of debating’s own handbook to be found sitting around the union.
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Games The Games Committee run a wide range of events focused around providng all GUU members as much fun as possible. Be it our weekly pub quiz, our action packed Big All Day Games Event (B.A.D.G.E) or any of our events throughout the year, the Games Committee have an event for you! From darts to dodgeball, pub quizzes to scavenger hunts. We not only put on action packed events, but also provide some great prizes too! Kegs of beer, food vouchers and cash are up for grabs year round! Come down to the GUU and chat to our committee - wanna play?
Entertainments Do you enjoy live music and entertainment? Fancy yourself a tech wizard? Or love to organise and run events? Then the Entertainments Committee is for you. Here at GUU the entertainments committee (or Ents as they are more commonly known) are the ones who organise and run all the wonderful live entertainment that the students are provided. From booking acts for huge events such as Freshers’ Week and D*** F***** to the weekly running of Open Mic, we offer something for everyone, creating unmissable and unforgettable nights.
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Libraries The Libraries Committee is much more than our namesake. Part of our responsibilty is maintaining the two libraries in the Union: The Elliot and The Bridie. However, our main responsibility is the creation, designing and distribution of the Union’s 2 student publications, G-You and Groundings. G-You is an opinions magazine with sections covering politics, lifestyle, arts, science and so much more! All the content is produced by students, giving many people an amazing platform to try out their writing and design abilties. Alongside the magazine, we also publish articles on our website! Groundings is an undergraduate peer-reviewed academic journal in the arts, humanities and social sciences. We’re one of the few universities that give students a chance to officially publish their own work. Whatever kind of writing you’re interested in, if you want to find out what we’re all about come to our weekly contributor’s meetings in the Drawing Room on Wednesdays at 6pm. We also host events like magazine launch parties, Open Mic Slam Poetry, and Bob Ross n’ Booze throughout the year. Make sure to like our Facebook page for all the updates!
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PR and Marketing Committee The PR and Marketing Committee is responsible for making sure you know about GUU and what we have to offer, from our weekly nights to our special events! They create the Union’s PR material, from posters to Tiktoks, and run the social media accounts to make sure you’re always up to date with what’s going on in the GUU! If you’re creative, enthusiastic, and love getting involed this could be the committee for you!
Daft Friday Committee This committee is split in two, one half - The Painters who create all the wonderful artwork used during D*** F*****. The other half - The Builders who build the props and giant boards and frames used by the Painters. If you are artistically talented then The Painters is the group for you. If you vaguely know how to hold a hammer, The Builders group is the one for you. These groups work had together throughout the first semester and are rewarded with free tickets to Daft Friday.
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D*** F*****
DAFT Friday (referred to as D*** F*****), is the Union’s biggest and most glamorous event of the year, celebrating it’s 112th year this year. Held in honour of the President of the GUU, this end of term ball is like no other. Running from 8pm to 8am, as tradition dictates, the entirety of the Union is decked out in beautiful canvases and boards created by our own students. A committee of dedicated students decide on a theme for each year and then work hard throughout the first semester to see it completed. The theme is kept a complete secret, so much so that the Union building is closed to everyone except those working on the decorations until the night of D*** F***** itself. In past years
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we’ve had scenes from Alice in Wonderland, Shrek and Harry Potter all take over the building. We even had a 12 foot Darth Vader take over the entrance hall one year. Dressed in your finest black-tie, your ticket grants you not only entry to the 12 hour party, but also the biggets guest acts on campus all year, a swing band, a ceilidh, a casino and so much more, all culminating in a free breakfast for those who make it to the morning. With past guests including the Hoosiers, Newton Faulkner, Bombay Bicycle Club, Arcade Fire and guest DJs including Basshunter and Bondax, this is an unmissable event and truly has to be seen to believed.
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The Staff While the student Board of Management does a lot of work to make the Union a fun place, they can’t do it alone! Along with the board, we have many staff members who are even more deserving of praise for the successful running of the building. Here are some of they key names amongst our staff! Anne Marie Bennett - AMB is our General Manager, so she manages... well pretty much everything. She is the boss, and all the board members try their best to keep on her good side. She always wants to see the best for the Union. Stevie and Claire - Stevie, our Bars Manager, and Claire, our Commercial Manager, oversee the sale of all the Union’s lovely alcohol as well as the Kitchen and Drawing Room Café, and make sure all the bars are running smoothly. Stevie also heads up the organisation of our clubs and all their bars!
Gemma and Tom - As the Functions Managers, Gemma and Tom organise and run the Union’s bookings and functions. Gemma may be rather familiar to some students, as she is the point of contact for society bookings. Grace, Kathleen, Sharon - Senior administrative Assistant, Internal Services Manager, and Accounts Assistant respectively, this trio can be found in the Front Office, and dealing with all the Union’s dollar. You might even see Grace doing a karaoke stint during one of our club nights too! You’ll definitely get to know these folks at some point or other, but everyone here at the GUU is friendly and always looking out to keep the Union a safe and fun environment for you!
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The Union Kitchen Fully refurbished in 2017, the Union Kitchen is a modern, smart spot to have meals on campus. Whether dining in, eating off dishes with the Union crest, or enjoying a meal on the go, the Union makes meals easy for students. If you decide to tuck in at the Union, the buffet area and the Drawing Room are both popular places to eat.
The staff are always welcoming, with Jameel, the talented head chef, striving to make healthy, varied and tasty food at a good price. As a university student, eating well on a tight budget can be tricky, but The Union Kitchen has low prices, and is extremely good value for money. The menu can vary from light snacks and toasties, to stir fry and the always popular burgers. The menu changes weekly, with updates shown on site as well as the Union Facebook page. Each week will have a different dish “From the Wok” as well as “One Good Bowl” such as stew or chicken and leek pie, and our chicken burger is beloved by many students and staff members of the University. The Union Kitchen also always offers a vegan alternative and gluten-free meals, to cater for all dietary requirements. Bon Appetit, we hope to see you soon.
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At GUU, our members's safety and enjoyment is our top priority. If you have any problems or see any kind of behaviour that makes you uncomfortable, ask a member of staff for 'Duty Board' who are on hand to help out in any way they can or head to G12 during our club nights. Take a look at our safety information posters for ways GUU can help if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Staff and duty board are here to make sure you all have the best experience possible. Everyone has a responsibility to make GUU a safe place for all. Please be kind and respectful to each other!
#WE HAVE MORE FUN 18
Membership Entry to Membership Only Events like Beach Party, Halloween & Oktoberfest
£2 off Hive Thursday entry
Buy DAFT Friday tickets
Food Loyalty scheme in the Union Kitchen VOTE and stand in all GUU Elections
FREE for all Glasgow University Students
Drink loyalty scheme across all our bars Access to Debate Training with funded trips outwith Scotland
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Monday - 13th September Intro to Debating - 1pm to 3pm - Drawing Room Come and join us for a taster of competitive debating at the Glasgow University Union. Come down and meet our training team of Alexander, Emma, Ananya, and Sophia and see if it’s for you!
G-You Launch Party - 4pm to 6pm - Reading Room G-You magazine is the official student magazine of the Glasgow University Union. Join us at our Fresher’s Week launch party to meet our editorial team and some of our contributors! Perfect chance for some drinks, food and a photo booth with our committee mascot.
Big Fat Fresher’s Quiz - 8pm to 10pm - Debates Chamber To get a taste of what your future Monday nights could look like every week, grab a team and join us at the Big Fat Freshers Quiz on Monday at 8pm in Debates. With 5 round including general knowledge, sport, music and more, our quizzes are the most fun! Prizes to be won for 1st , 2nd and 3rd place. Foam Party - 10pm to 2am - HIVE Splish, Splash, Splosh. You’ll soon find out that in Glasgow rain runs through our veins, so get off to the right start by washing your sorrows away with some good old fashioned suds. Our main room will be open till 2AM with enough foam to slide you home, whilst our other rooms offer our classic club experience. Entry from 8pm with a freshers’ band only.
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Tuesday - 14th September Dodgeball - 2pm to 4pm - Debates Chamber Dodge, duck, dip, dive - and dodge! The 5 D’s will come in handy at our annual Dodgeball Competition. Organise yourselves into teams of 5 and be prepared to fight to the death with soft-bouncy-balls. Sign up from 1pm at the Fresher’s Desk in the entrance hall.
Intro to Debating - 3pm to 5pm - Reading Room Come and join us for a taster of competitive debating at the Glasgow University Union. Come down and meet our training team of Alexander, Emma, Ananya, and Sophia and see if it’s for you!
Open Mic: Slam Poetry 5.30pm to 7.30pm - Drawing Room Come along to the GUU Dining Room for an evening of drinking and poetry. Perform a poem you’ve written yourself or dramatise a Plath poem you read online. This is your time to shine as an aspiring poet (or just your time to have fun with new friends). Support Local: Joshua Grant - 3:30pm to 2am - Debates Chamber To say the last 18 months have been difficult for musicians would be an understatement, so we’ve pulled the stops out to introduce local artists to our iconic gig space, The Debate Chamber, which hosted Becky Hill, The Hoosiers, Krystal Klear and The Magician just before the pandemic hit. Local DJ talent will keep our entire HIVE nightclub open till late. Our local jazz band will be playing in the Drawing Room from 3:30pm. Glasgow uni talent Joshua Grant will be performing at 10pm. Entry from 8pm with a freshers’ band only.
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Wednesday - 15th September Parliamentary Public Speaking Exhibition - 1pm to 3pm Reading Room Come on down for a preview of what the legendary Glasgow University Union Parliamentary season has in store. in five spectacular and grand parliamentary debates, we fight amongst five fictional political clubs as to how the world should be. Come and meet the club leaders and see what the all the fuss is about! Bob Ross & Booze - 5pm to 7pm - Dining Hall Kick off your new Uni life the right way by coming down to the GUU Dining Room and painting along with everyone’s favorite afro-sporting, tree-loving art guru. We’ll provide all the materials you need and some booze to get get your creativity flowing: all you need to bring is your artistic talent!
Pool & Snooker Tournament 7pm to 9pm - Billiards Try your hand in our pool and snooker tournaments, held in the Billiards Hall on Wednesday at 7pm. The more players, the more rounds, so bring your flatmates and new pals down for chances to win delicious crates of VK and beer. If you find that smacking balls about is your passion, then you can join the snooker club to play tournaments every Wednesday evening.
GUSA Fight Night - 6pm to 2am - Debates Chamber 2 teams, 4 fighting styles, bouts from 6pm. Our legendary debates chamber and balcony are transformed to host an exhibition of Glasgow’s best combat sports clubs which YOU can join. Once the fighting concludes the night will just be beginning at the official after party, hosted across the entire HIVE nightclub. Entry from 8pm with freshers’ band only.
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Thursday - 16th September Darts Competition - 5pm to 6pm - Billiards With a refreshing pint of fun in one hand and a dart heading for the ceiling in the other, come down to the Alcove in Beer Bar at 5pm for a fun time playing in the darts tournament. Individual players can play against each other to try and win some class prizes. All skill levels are welcome! Debates x Dialectic Launch Party - 7pm to 9pm - Reading Room Dialectic and GUU debates are back and ready to launch another action packed year of debating. Come and meet everyone involved and celebrate with us as we embark on a fantastic year of talks, socials, debates, and all-around good times! Massaoke - 10pm to 2am A crowd favourite! Expect the biggest hits from every genre, with everyone singing and dancing to two DJs at the same time. There’s only 250 headphone sets, so make sure you come down early! From 9pm, Jägermeister will also be handing out a free shot to the first 200 people through the door - so make sure you start your pres early! Our iconic nightclub space will be open until 2am, allowing you to finish your Freshers’ Week the right way. Entry from 8pm with a freshers’ band only.
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Friday - 17th September Zine Making Workshop - 2pm to 4pm - Drawing Room Join the G-You team and let your creative juices flow whilst making your very own personalized zines to take home as a fresher’s week souvenir.
Show Debate - 7pm to 10.30pm - Debates Chamber Glasgow University Debating is delighted to present our annual Freshers Week Show debate! We’ll be bringing together prestigious speakers from public life to debate: This House would abolish the monarchy. Iron Stomach - 7pm to 9pm Beer Bar Games’ best and most disgusting game, Iron Stomach will have you either hurling your guts or cheering those on that are doing so.
Silent Disco - 10pm to 2am A crowd favourite! Expect the biggest hits from every genre, with everyone singing and dancing to two DJs at the same time. There’s only 250 headphone sets, so make sure you come down early! From 9pm, Jägermeister will also be handing out a free shot to the first 200 people through the door - so make sure you start your pres early! Our iconic nightclub space will be open until 2am, allowing you to finish your Freshers’ Week the right way. Entry from 8pm with a freshers’ band only.
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Saturday - 18th September B.A.D.G.E - 11am to 5pm Drawing Room A fun one to bring new friends closer – teams of min 3 people must come together for an all-day scavenger hunt across the West End of Glasgow. Get to know your new city the fun way! The Games Committee will be in the Drawing Room on Saturday from 11am for teams to come collect a scavenger sheet. Prizes will be given to the team that scavenges the most items, please note that said items must be deemed satisfactory by the Games Committee.
Photography Walk - 2pm to 5pm - Reading Room It’s almost the end of FW, and we’ve all spent a lot of time on campus. Why not spend this Saturday afternoon exploring the West End in our photography walk! Visit iconic locations around the West End chosen by our committee and take pictures to compete in a mini competition! Keep an eye out for our comittee mascot strutting about the West End in a disguise.
Drinking Games - 7pm to 9pm Reading Room If darts and snooker isn’t your thing but you’re a pro sinker of pints, the Games Committee offer many individual and group drinking games that are bound to get you drunk with joy! Including the Strawpedo Sprint, Boat Race, and more - the prize for drinking lots of booze? More booze! Hive - 10pm to 2am HIVE is our legendary nightclub space with an iconic podium and an incredible Funktion-One sound system, providing the most popular and iconic student night in Glasgow. Come early and catch a game of snooker, embark on a fancy dress sub crawl from beer bar and ending in HIVE, attend a black-tie dinner and boogie the night away in your most fancy outfit, or show up later (and join the snaking queue around the building) and join for a late night boogie.
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KEY DATES Oktoberfest Halloween D*** F***** Hustings Elections St. Patrick’s Day End of Term Party Beach Party
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