Following an announcement from Strath Union, it has been confirmed that they will no longer support society-run ball events.
This decision, which has come in the wake of unspecified issues surrounding society balls over recent years, has raised concerns about how future events will be managed and financed.
In a statement sent to society leaders, the Union revealed that societies will no longer receive affiliation, and several key forms of support typically provided by Strath Union will be cut. This includes the ability to hold society accounts for ball funds, administrative assistance with payments and invoices, and the use of the Union’s Native platform for ticket sales.
The statement also made no mention of graduation balls, leaving students unsure about whether those events will be affected.
The decision comes as a significant change for societies, many of which host annual balls as their largest events. With the Union stepping back, societies must now find alternative methods to manage their funds and ticket sales.
In their message to students, Strath Union advised society leaders to first approach their respective academic departments to see if they are willing to support ball events by holding funds or paying invoices.
Failing that, societies could open their own dedicated bank account for ball funds, with committee members or departmental staff serving as signatories. However, the Union gave a third option—having the money paid into a committee member’s personal account— which presents significant challenges and responsibility, a prospect that leaves many student leaders feeling uneasy.
The Union assured societies that any leftover funds from previous balls remain accessible, but they cannot be transferred to a newly created student account. Any future transactions, however, such as paying vendors or securing contracts with external venues, will need to be managed independently or through university departments.
A representative from Strath Union acknowledged the difficulties this decision poses for societies and expressed regret over the late clarification of the Union’s position.
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