| Description | Interview conducted by Lauren England.
No transcript was made of this recording.
00:00-00:25: Introduction: graduated in 1968 with Chemistry degree
00:25-02:06: Why Battersea College? Recalls interviewer seemed interested in him, remembers being excited that the course would be new; aware Battersea College was becoming University of Surrey
02:06-03:53: First impressions: recalls freshers' week, receiving information from societies; mentions high contact hours; recalls being encouraged to question process of student life, contrast to Grammar school; mentions employment during school holidays before college
03:53-06:48: Student life: small community; recalls focus on politics and student newspaper, originally organised advertisements, became editor; second year stood as President of Students' Union, with permission from head of department, Prof Salmon; missed year in industry (third year), continued academic studies in fourth year
06:48-07:18: Students' Union role: appreciated opportunity of being president; felt work experience before studies helped to prepare for career
07:18-08:34: Links with Industry: describes efforts to create new industrial links in Surrey; meetings with Jim Moore from Department of Trade and Industry; recalls most students got jobs on graduation
08:34-09:48: Move to Guildford: recalls concern about finding accommodation for students to rent around new campus; mentions campaign to win support of local people; mentions George Edwards, pro-chancellor, promoted creation of a science park
09:48-10:50: Duties during Presidency: met with vice chancellor regularly; recalls aim to reduce disruption during move; mentions Mike Clark, dean of students, and Anna Millington, helped to design campus for student perspective
10:50-14:15: Establishing Guildford: aim to treat students as adults; discusses consultation of students on design of new campus; describes imbalance in disciplinary procedures for students and staff; recalls student strike about international student fees
14:15-16:43: Issues during Presidency: campaign to put contraceptive machine in men's toilets; recalls Lewis Elton's speech about international student fees; mentions deal at Battersea College with police to provide security for dances in exchange for students to stand in line ups;
16:43-19:55: Events: mentions bands, Manfred Mann, The Animals; describes student dress at balls; describes socialising at Callon [Courland?] Grove hall of residence, built in 1966, women's floors and men's halls; mentions halls of residence at Clapham Common; near Chelsea, Humphry Littleton played in The King's Head public house; recalls bands would tour colleges; mentions Students' Union entertainments chair, Bob Simpson
19:55-21:18: Accommodation: lived in Courland Grove halls of residence whilst president, describes benefits; on council of University of London Union
21:18-22:25: Employment: describes interview for employment at Shell
22:25-26:20: Political environment: mentions contemporary politicians Harold Wilson and Edward Heath; describes influence of international figures, Martin Luther King, Freedom Riders, Apartied, and John F Kennedy; mentions gender segregated guest policies in halls; discusses planned extra fees for international students; mentions sustained conservative government
26:20-28:04: Student Strikes: recalls David Varney [DV] faced a vote of no confidence whilst president; felt Battersea students weren't very political due to more practical courses with high contact hours; recalls some staff and students went to protests in Paris
28:04-33:25: Chemistry Course: recalls early stage of student participation in course design; recalls aim by CP Snow to mix disciplines, mentions writing literature essay; high opinion of Dr Leggett; recalls sense of community, opportunity to know Vice Chancellor
33:25-34:44: Relationship between staff and students: explains small role students have in process of running a University
34:44-38:30: Student Magazine: mentions articles on move to Guildford; recalls 'Surrey Advertiser' printed magazine; mentions articles on sport and satire; recalls taking paper to be handset by Polish printer at Battersea College; discusses role of University of Warsaw at Battersea College; recalls Head of the River race in Battersea Park lake
38:30-40:08: Student's Union: discusses structure, Sheneal Naz, Vice president, resigned; Chris Chambers was Deputy Vice President; Tony Riley, sports; Maddy was secretary; Bob Simpson was entertainments chairman; Students' Union executive board were elected from beginning of summer term to end of spring term
40:08-46:00: Success as President: recalls degree of controversy was inevitable; describes violation of Students' Union rules by Socialist Society; recalls inviting Vice Chancellor to Courland Grove halls of residence to demonstrate need for sound proofing; recalls decision to build lake at Guildford, remembers requesting independent power and water in Guildford Students' Union building to support sit-ins; mentions unusual design of halls of residence at Guildford
46:00-48:41: Development of University: mentions Patrick Dowling; feels Students' Union was more of a business in 1966; describes increase in international and female students; recalls fitting all Battersea students in The Refectory for tea
48:41-51:42: Balance of gender at Battersea: lack of girls meant expansion of life outside college grounds; remembers constant mix of students from elsewhere, especially at dances; mentions Hotel & Catering; recalls international element at Battersea was quite small
51:42-59:22: Students' Union Legacy: describes Presidency as a seminal moment; mentions final year chemistry and technology course, created by Brian Rubens and Mike Burstall; describes feeling more prepared for interviews, because of Students' Union experience; recalls SU as business with income of £150-200,000; mentions employment with Shell and further training at business school
59:22-01:01:05: University of Surrey summary: feels University of Surrey has inferiority complex; mentions continuing desire for medical school
01:01:05-01:02:45: Alumni relationships: remembers Annie Watts, now deputy chair of University of Surrey, mentions Diana Kerr, Bob Matthews, Bob Simpson, Sheneal Daz
01:02:45-01:05:52: Memories: RAG week, recalls student chained to Tower Bridge; mentions Alan Millington, Mike Clark, strong relationship with alumni; describes role of Mike Clark, dean of students; mentions Dr Leggett; considers lack of change to library over time, still very busy
01:05:52-01:10:06: Changes in student life: consideration of student debts and increases in house prices; discusses changes in technology; imagines further competition in higher education sector in future, more international; feels University of Surrey should consider what it has done well and how to improve in future
01:10:07 - End
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