Aberystwyth University Students’ Union votes to use Welsh name only
Aberystwyth students have voted to change the name of Aberystwyth University Students’ Union at the organisation’s annual general meeting – choosing to adopt a single Welsh language name.
The student union’s “Big Meeting” was attended by 150 students, and took place on Monday 4 March.
Elain Gwynedd, Welsh Culture Officer and Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Aberystwyth (UMCA) President (Aberystwyth Welsh language Students’ Union) presented an idea for discussion and a vote at the meeting; “Should Aberystwyth Students’ Union change its name and be recognized as Undeb Aberystwyth?”
81% of students in attendance voted in support of the name change.
Undeb Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth Students’ Union was the first Students’ Union in Wales to introduce a bilingual policy and operate fully bilingually with everything we share with Aberystwyth students published both in Welsh and English.
The name change reflects the Welsh identity of the Union and aligns with one of the core values of “Caru’r Gymraeg – We champion Welsh language and culture”. What better way to convey this than by changing the name to Undeb Aberystwyth.
“Milesone”
Elain Gwynedd, who presented the idea, is very excited to become Undeb Aberystwyth: “This change is an important milestone in the Union’s history and shows our commitment to the Welsh language.
“My ambition was to change the name to reflect the Welsh identity of the Students’ Union and I’m extremely grateful that the proposition passed in the AGM by a significant majority. It was also great to see members of the Welsh Language Students’ Union of Aberystwyth come to support the proposition.
“This year is very important in UMCA’s history as we are celebrating half a century, so succeeding to change the wider Union’s name to a Welsh only one tops off our celebrations.”
“Caru Cymraeg”
Speaking about the milestone development for the Union, Trish McGrath Chief Executive of Undeb Aberystwyth, expressed enthusiasm for the new identity: “We are very excited to have a strong Welsh identity as we unveil Undeb Aberystwyth as our new name. The change reflects our values and that we really do “Caru Cymraeg”.
It is welcomed by our staff team who are already proud to work for the union in Aberystwyth, but having a clear Welsh identity will make us even prouder.”
For more information about Undeb Aberystwyth, visit www.abersu.co.uk
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Obviously a very exciting development for those involved. But what is UMCA which is celebrating its 50th anniversary?
Helo! It’s Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Aberystwyth (UMCA) / Aberystwyth Welsh (language) Students’ Union – will clarify in the article now, thanks for flagging
Diolch!
Datblygiad ardderchog ond paham Undeb Aberystwyth yn hytrach na Undeb Myfyrwyr Aberystwyth?
Cytuno, wedi ffeindio hynny’n of hefyd.
Pam diddymu ‘myfyrwyr’ os ma’n undeb myfyrwyr?
Yeah, I found that weird as well. Why did they omit ‘students’ if it’s a students union?
Sad to see the first student’s union in Wales to embrace bilingualism now turn its back on the policy. Obvious those 120ish students who voted for it our deeply out of touch with the county.
It’s a name change not a policy change. Undeb Aberystwyth still operates bilingually.
University Students’ Union / Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Aberystwyth
is now
Undeb Aberystwyth
Do you really think “the country” will be as sad as you are with this change?
I imagine there’s more student unions that are English only than bilingual in Wales; I personally wouldn’t mind a Welsh only one.