Colin’s nostalgic campus return
5 April 2016
Former President of the Students’ Union, Colin Barratt (BA Hons Humanities 1980 & Certificate in Management 1996), returned to NTU recently for a trip down memory lane.
Colin was the Vice President of the Students’ Union in 1980/81 and President in 1981/82. Thirty five years later Alumni Relations Officer, Clare Oswin, greeted him in the brand new Pavilion building at Clifton for a campus tour.
Colin shared his memories of where his involvement with the SU began all those years ago in the Clifton Refectory. He said: “A fellow student was complaining about how Clifton students were treated differently and felt isolated from the City campus. I happened to agree that something needed to be done about it, and before I knew it I was elected to the Student Executive Team!”
During his time with the SU he led a successful campaign to achieve Student Union control of the bars and leisure facilities, set up “Niteline” (an out of hours student counselling service), introduced an independent RAG Week, started a daily newsletter (very important in the pre-internet days) and even successfully won a legal ruling in the High Court when the Polytechnic tried to carry out building work on Sandby Hall during exam season. Colin was elected the first ever Honorary Life Member of the Students’ Union in 1983. The photo on the right pictures him in our new Students’ Union holding this award.
Whilst visiting Clifton campus Colin was delighted to be able to see the room where his votes for the SU presidency were counted.
He continued his tour at the City campus, marvelling at the changes in Newton and Arkwright, and in the Students’ Union. Coincidentally there was a presidential candidacy Q&A running, which also brought back special memories.
Colin is keen to regain contact with others who were on the SU Executive Committee at the same time, but who we have lost touch with over the years, particularly Tony Frost (his successor as SU President), Nigel Wilkinson, Samantha Cox, Chris Bonsor and Nicole Inman. Colin is also keen to hear from Adnan Chaudry who filmed a documentary about his presidential election, and wonders if the footage still exists somewhere.
If you know the whereabouts of any of these alumni, or would like to arrange a tour of campus, please get in touch. Email