We’ve had a busy summer at #51Richmond with events, welcoming a new Exec team and celebrating society and sporting achievements!  

We’ve taken a look at all that’s gone on and here’s some highlights to catch you up before the new term:

MardiGla Celebrations

In July your VP Welfare, Lewis, alongside VP Community, Justyna, and VP Inclusion, Kathy, led a group of Strathclyde students in Glasgow’s flagship pride march, MardiGla. 

MardiGla also hosted a Pride Hub full of activities at #51Richmond. With stalls from LGBT+ organisations and charities including Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, HIV Scotland and the Strath Pride Network getting involved and sharing information with those who attended the hub. 

Pictured: Strathclyde students participating in the Glasgow Pride March 

It was a great day filled with celebration and support for the Strathclyde and Glasgow LGBT+ community. Lewis was delighted to join this year’s celebration and had this say after getting involved with the march and hub,

"Seeing all of the excitement, buzz, and joy everyone was feeling at Strath Union during MardiGla was so fantastic. I am so grateful to have been there and to have helped the Union in organising an honest celebration of everyone's different identities and experiences of life as an LGBT+ person. Leading a group of Strath students in the march, having fun and letting the world know that we students are happy to be who we are, was such an important experience and really reaffirmed that not only am I not alone, but that the organisation I am part of knows that too and puts in the effort to celebrate our differences as students. I, like everyone else, had such a brilliant time at the Union after the march; seeing everything that Glasgow has to offer for LGBT+ young people at the dozens of stalls, and partying with friends in the bar and venue - in a space we could be ourselves and call our own - was such a joyful and liberating experience! I hope that next year we can do the same - and make it even bigger and better!"

It was a privilege to be able to host the hub and organisers from MardiGla at #51Richmond. We’re proud to welcome all LGBT+ staff and students at Strath Union and provide a safe space on campus for individuals to thrive during their university experience. 

First Month for New Exec Team

The 2022/23 Exec team took up their roles at the start of July and have been busy working on ways to improve the student experience ahead of the new term. Read all about the highlights of their first month:

Adam - President

• Delivered manifesto promises to secure better student staff contracts
• Attended the NUS: Lead and Change conference in Leeds meeting SU Presidents across the UK

Check their post for more updates

Lewis - VP Welfare 

• Continued work on provisions for Student Carers at Strathclyde
• Hosted a takeover of the Union Instagram to cover MardiGLA events happening in Strath Union

Check their post for more updates 

Justyna - VP Community

• Attended COP26 Legacy Committee and attained space for student representation
• Contributing to Freshers planning 

Check their post for more updates

Pictured: New Exec team out in Rottenrow Gardens

Ronan - VP Sport

• Secured additional space for the Sports' Fair to return to being a one day event
• Restructured the club Comittee Training week

Check their post for more updates 

Arran - VP Education

• Working with the Student Voice team to establish an Education Committee
• Negotiating Academic Rep discount cards

Check their post for more updates

Kathy - VP Inclusion

• Fed into Inclusive & Accessible Student Travel meeting
• Supported the BAME Rep's first social event

Check their post for more updates

USM Competition Win

One of the many success stories from societies over the summer comes from the team over at University of Strathclyde Motorsport.

In July they attended the Formula Student UK (FSUK) competition at the Silverstone Circuit achieving some outstanding results! This included their first event victory in eight years in the Cost and Manufacturing event.

They also placed 9th in their Business Plan presentation and 12th in the Design event. These results meant they ranked 14th out of the 54 teams competing. 

Pictured: USM Team down at the Silverstone track competing at FSUK

Congratualtions to the team on the successful competition! We spoke with Oliver, Team Manager, who was delighted with the result, 

"After a monumental effort from all team members over the past year, the team completed our first electric car to compete in Formula Student at Silverstone this July.  The team had a very successful competition with great results in static events and great progress in completing and qualifying our electric drivetrain. This was capped off with the first event win in eight years in the cost and manufacturing event, a true team effort!"

Freshers’ Week Preparations 

We’ve been gearing up for a busy Freshers’ Week all throughout summer. From announcing the programme of events including a Comedy Night with Rosie Jones, get your £5 early bird ticket until September 2nd, to updating our website.

Whether you’re into Live Music and Quiz Nights or Ceilidhs and Karaoke we’ve got something you can get involved with over the week!

Pictured: You thought we were going to explain the duck...think again 

We’ve got events on during the day too from the Plant Sale and Vintage Fairs to Freshers’ Fairs and a trip to IKEA. You can explore the programme of events online now.

We're here to give you the best opportunities to kickstart your time at University! All that’s left to say is welcome to the Union, we’re excited to meet all the new and continuing students at #51Richmond