Student Unions are an integral part of a university’s campus and student experience. They serve as one of the main social spaces for students to meet with friends on campus. Most importantly, they can create an amazing feeling of community, especially when they are busy and teeming with fellow students. Thus, excitement about the re-opening of Teviot has been clear among students and staff alike. After two and a half years of renovations, it at last opened its doors at the beginning of the month. First opened in 1889, it boasts the title of the world’s oldest purpose-built student union, meaning that it has been important to generations of students. In the past few weeks since the union’s re-opening, the facilities have been packed, and the general enthusiasm about what the venue has to offer for student life is clear. But just how relevant are student unions to life at the University of Edinburgh?
When it comes to student activities and events, the EUSA, Edinburgh University Student’s Association, are responsible. Run by students, they provide the spaces for and also organise events and opportunities across campus. I asked Vice President of Activities & Services John Rappa about what the EUSA is doing to keep students engaged. They highlighted that keeping price points accessible for students is important to them, which is reflected in comments I heard from some of the students I spoke to. Nina, a second-year Philosophy student, said that she often chooses the union over other pubs in the city because of the reasonable prices. This is something that will always be important for Edinburgh students living in a city where prices can be expensive. John also said that the EUSA supports Edinburgh’s hundreds of student societies, and that EUSA events allow for friendship building and creating community on campus.
Student societies are definitely popular for giving students the space to socialise with like-minded people. However, I have noticed that many societies choose to host events off-campus more often than not, specifically in pubs and bars across Edinburgh, rather than utilising the venues that the university provides. The university has dozens of its own venues; for example, Hangar 5 in Potterow puts on student club nights, such as the famous Big Cheese. Teviot Underground is another venue that will also now be on offer for these club nights. But what are student perceptions of these kinds of events? Over half of the students responded that they rarely or never attended EUSA events. Grace, a second-year English and Classics student, said that when she has attended previously she has been disappointed by the turnout, while Nina also said that with Cowgate being only ten minutes from campus, it doesn’t often cross her mind to go to EUSA events.
Do these answers reflect a lack of interest in Student Unions as a whole? It does seem that many students prefer to opt for an off-campus night out, especially after first year. As Edinburgh is a city with a diverse and varied nightlife, exploring these options and making the most of what the city has to offer is an essential part of the university experience. Most students will want to explore the city fully in the time they have, and since they spend their days on campus, it might feel more exciting to go elsewhere at night. However, this doesn’t detract from the importance of the union. We must not forget that not everyone has the same experiences of the wider city nightlife. The union can provide an accessible, inclusive and safe space where some of the issues that can arise at other off-campus venues are unlikely to be encountered.
To find out if the re-opening of Teviot has renewed interest in the facilities that the student union offers, I talked to some students in the Gallery Café and Commons. One group of four agreed that they prefer Teviot to Potterow for its size and that it offers a variety of rooms. A few tables also praised the decoration and interior appearance, particularly of the Library Bar and Gallery café, saying that the openness and aesthetic made it an appealing place to be. Golnoush, a masters student, praised Teviot for the quality of the food and the multiple outlets to choose from. Everyone that I spoke to said that Teviot has renewed their interest in the student union and EUSA events.
Student unions will always have a role to play in campus life. They provide a focal point where you can bump into friends and fellow students. In Edinburgh, there will always be competition from the wider city’s attractions, but an iconic building like Teviot, with its history and facilities, will likely continue to stay relevant for a long time.
Photo by Isabel Beiboer for The Student
