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From Then to Now - The History of Our Student Union

Our Union has been around for 114 years. Find out about our history and how far we've come!

  • Posted Tue, Jan 14, 2025 1:30 PM

The Union as we know it today has evolved over decades, adapting to the ever-changing needs and priorities of students. Since its founding in 1911, the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union has been dedicated to making a positive impact on every student’s experience.

Let’s travel back to the 1910s, when the Union emerged in response to the founding of Portsmouth Municipal College, initially housed in the Park Building, which also served as a public library. The original Union was divided into two branches: the Men’s Union (M.S.U.) and the Women’s Union (W.S.U.), each offering different activities for students - likely held in a room within the Park Building (yes - the one and only!).

The opening of the Union was featured in the earliest edition of the Student Union newspaper, The Galleon. The name reflects Portsmouth’s naval heritage - The Galleon refers to a large sailing ship that originated in Spain, first used as a warship and later adapted for trade throughout the 19th century.

First Issue of the Galleon

How did the location of the Union change over the decades?

  • Park Building: 1911-1930s
  • Park Road: 1967-1968
  • St. Paul’s: 1969-1983
  • Alexandra House (old administrative): 1983-2002
  • Current Union building (Student Centre): 2002-present

In the 1940s, the College continued to operate during the course of the Second World War (1939-1945), though the activities of the Union likely shifted from leisure to more supportive roles.

During WWII, Portsmouth became the target for bombing raids by the Luftwaffe (Germain Air Force) due to its industrial and military importance. The city suffered extensive damage during what came to be known as the “Portsmouth Blitz”. 

In the aftermath, the College focused on rebuilding the city. With an increased demand for courses in Humanities, Engineering and Chemistry the college expanded its offerings to meet these new needs. 

Many new societies formed during the 1950s as student numbers continued to grow in the post-war period. Some of these societies, in both their original and evolved forms, still exist today. The Gay (LGBTQ+) Society, Afro - Caribbean Society and Overseas Students Society were founded in 1976, 1979, and 1956 respectively. These societies empowered students at the time and left a lasting legacy on today’s Union groups. 

In 1969, the College becomes Portsmouth Polytechnic or ‘Poly’.

The 1990s were a defining decade of change for both the Polytechnic and the Students’ Union. In 1992, the Polytechnic had grown so large and achieved such success that it outgrew its original name and was granted university status - the University of Portsmouth was born.

The University of Portsmouth became an even more powerful force in the city and local economy. The Union continued to expand, with many new clubs and societies created to cater a diverse student population.

In 2002, the Union moved into its dedicated new student centre, the one that we still know today: The Gun House and Gun House Green. In the days of Lord Nelson, this area was home to many naval facilities, including ammunition storage and training grounds. While the Union now occupies the space, the history remains, though without the ammunition.

Picture of Students outside Gun House

As the global shift to digital formats swept through the 2010s, the Union introduced its social media accounts and website, making it more accessible to a wider group of students.

In 2010, the Union also became the first in the country to gain officially registered charity status.

The Union as we know it today, is stronger than ever, offering a diverse range of clubs, events, and support services. It continues to uphold its core values while adapting to the evolving needs of students.

The Union is an independent charity committed to advancing the education of students at the University of Portsmouth. Our mission is to make a positive impact on every Portsmouth student.

Let’s celebrate how far we have come, and continue to grow and improve!

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The University of Portsmouth Students’ Union has a vision of creating a positive impact with every Portsmouth student during their time at University.

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