Jump to content

User:Stuart Newmanite/University of York Swift Society

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The University of York Swift Society, known more commonly as SwiftSoc, is a student society at the University of York for fans of Taylor Swift. It is affiliated with the University of York Students' Union.[1]

History

[edit]

SwiftSoc was founded in 2015, making it the first and oldest university Taylor Swift appreciation society.[2][3] The founding president was Sara-Beth, who decided to create the society after discussions with other fans at the university at the time.[4]

In 2021, the society won the student union's award for Games and Fandom Society of the year.[5]

The society rose to prominence in April 2022 after they were sent a batch of Taylor Swift merchandise and a signed note, thanking them for their support. The society believed that they had come to the attention of Taylor Nation through TikToks made by the society.[2][6] When the president was initially contacted, she kept the news secret to allow the whole society the chance of enjoying the fun of opening the parcel in a room in the Morrell Library after the Easter holiday.[7] The merchandise was from the "I'm Feeling '22" Graduation Collection.[8] Some of the items were put aside to be made into goodie bags for members, while others were used for the 2022 end of year formal.[8] This also helped reduce the ticket price of the formal, and saw membership more than double in the next academic year.[3]

In August 2022, the society criticised Swift for her reliance on using her private jet, and the significant environmental damage associated with it.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "SwiftSoc". University of York Students' Union. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Taylor Swift sends lucky University of York fans a box of merchandise and gifts". ITV News. 27 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b Waddell, Lily (11 November 2022). "Taylor Swift recognises fan dedication with heartfelt gifts". Hello! (magazine). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  4. ^ Preston, Katie (22 April 2022). ""Invisible String Tying You To Me": SwiftSoc on Getting Recognition from Taylor Swift". York Vision. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  5. ^ Ward, Alicia (2 February 2023). "From SwiftSoc to SurfSoc, here are some of York's quirkiest societies". The Tab. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Taylor Swift sends York fans surprise box of gifts". BBC News. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  7. ^ Horner, Emily (27 April 2022). "Taylor Swift surprises University of York students". York Press. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b Smith, Emily (21 April 2022). "Guys, the ACTUAL Taylor Swift has sent merch to York's Swift Society". The Tab. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  9. ^ Preston, Katie; Beattie-Zarb, Kaitlyn (25 August 2022). "A Swift-end to Taylor's Sustainable Stardom?". York Vision. Retrieved 13 June 2024.