Records of the College Club, staff club, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Scope and Content

  • Minutes, 1928-2001;
  • Financial papers, 1931-2006;
  • Information for members, 1973-1991;
  • Constitutions of the College Club, 1928-2001;
  • Visitors book, 1954-1956;
  • Reports, 1960-2002;
  • Staff guidelines, 1975-2001;
  • Club newsletters, 2002;
  • Lists of committee members, 1978-2005;
  • Photocopied article regarding Professor Thomas Ferguson and the Ferguson bequest, 1977;
  • File titled Wedding Info , 1996-2001;
  • Papers regarding Henry Heaney, 1996-1999;
  • Material regarding John Lenihan's research into the history of the College Club, 1977-1995;
  • Honorary Secretary's file, 1974-1978;
  • Club Christmas card, 1940;
  • Invitation to Laurence Hill Esquire to attend a college club meeting, 1827.

Administrative / Biographical History

The College Club was founded as an academic staff club in 1928. Prior to this, there had been numerous staff clubs at the University, including a previously existing College Club , founded in 1827. Its sole focus, however, was the card game Whist.

The need for a social space for staff was recognised by Sir Henry Jones from the Department of Moral Philosophy, who allowed a room in his house to be used as a common room from 1918 until his death in 1922. A room was then made available in the University's Gilbert Scott Building, by which point the need for a staff club was becoming increasingly clear. Premises for such a club were included in the plans to complete the West Quadrangle, and became the home of the College Club.

The club opened in May 1928, and by October a canteen which served a three course lunch had opened. In the following year the Club gained a drinks licence.

Membership requirements changed over the years, with reciprocal membership encouraged between similar institutions, and members eventually welcomed from all departments in the University, regardless of professional status.

In 1997, Professor Thomas Ferguson bequethed his estate to the University of Glasgow with the understanding that the funds be used to promote the social side of the University with particular reference to the College Club, which Ferguson had enjoyed throughout his life. Throughout the 1980s, the College Club were in dispute with the University with regards to how the money was divided.

The last year the club was fully operational was 2005. The club was liquidated in 2012.

Arrangement

Chronologically within record series.

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

College Club : 2012 : Donation

Other Finding Aids

None

Alternative Form Available

No known copies

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

None which affect the use of this material

Conditions Governing Use

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 0248 procedures

Custodial History

Received directly from the creators.

Accruals

None expected

Related Material

Menu from dinner in honour of Professors Nicol, James Thomson and Jebb, 1880 in YL-L10, Glasgow University Library; Rules and list of members, 1907 in Education S32 1882-A, Glasgow University Library; Menu from dinner in honour of Professor F Max Muller, 1888, in Bf_76-e7, Glasgow University Library; Rules and Byelaws and list of members, 1891 in Bf_76-e14, Glasgow University Library; Rules and Byelaws and list of members, plus menu of dinner in honour of Principal Storey, 1899 in Bf_76-e9, Glasgow University Library.

Location of Originals

This material is original

Bibliography

No known publications using this material

Additional Information

Description compiled in line with the following international standards: International Council on Archives,ISAD(G) Second Edition, September 1999 and National Council on Archives,Rules for the construction of personal, place and corporate names

Scotland is the location of all place names in the administrative/biographical history element, unless otherwise stated.

Collection catalogued by Emma Anthony, Business Archives Cataloguer, 23 August 2012. Collection converted to Encoded Archival Description by Emma Anthony, Business Archives Cataloguer, 23 August 2012. Catalogue edited by Emma Anthony, Business Archives Cataloguer, 28 January 2013.

Geographical Names