Guild President Sam Butler at his desk in the Guild’s temporary home on Abercromby Square
The University of Liverpool’s Guild President, Sam Butler only visited the city to keep a friend company but “fell in love” with campus and decided it held the key to his future aspirations.
Originally from Preston, Sam’s Liverpool connections stretch back to his docker grandfather. He said: “It was the perfect decision. I didn’t really know what I wanted to study, I just knew that I wanted to come here. I started doing English and then was very fortunate to be able to switch at the end of the first year on to the second year of a history degree.”
Student politics
It was while studying that Sam got involved in some of the University’s 170 societies, particularly the Drama Society, and came into contact with the Guild. This contact increased his exposure to issues affecting students at a national level and he determined to become formally active in representing their views.
Sam said: “It completely opened my mind and really shaped the way I thought about education and student politics. I’m the first generation in my family to attend University and I became really interested in looking into that. I was also writing my dissertation on British politics in the 1980s, and its impact on education, jobs and unemployment, so it all helped shape that thinking for me.”
Sam (right) chats with his new Deputy, James Coe
Sam’s next step was to become involved with the Student Council, before deciding to stand for, and be successfully elected to, the role of Guild President in 2012.
He said: “At some places there’s real antagonism between University and union, and at some places there is no difference and it feels like a University department. The balance we have here is quite good. We have a respectful relationship and it helps that we have a really strong staff team, a big block grant and our own building. It helps maintain our autonomy and independence.”
Active Guild
The Guild of Students is very active on and off campus, with positive campaigns around student finance and mental health, among others, alongside regular contact and influence within the University itself. The University is also investing £14.25 million in a complete refurbishment of the Guild of Students building.
With his graduation now behind him and a high calibre degree under his belt, Sam is proud to call Liverpool home. He added: “It’s a cultural centre, an international centre and a business centre but it’s not too big to explore. It’s got a really strong community feel that you get straight away, and sticks with you.”
To find out more about the Guild, visit http://www.lgos.org
