Fiasco Over Student Union Coat Check Policy

On 2 April, students attending the Union event Sinners were left frustrated upon departure, after an unexpected £5 fee was introduced for those seeking to retrieve unchecked jackets left in the building.

This sudden enforcement followed a recent kitchen fire in the Main Union bar. Senior management reportedly introduced the policy to address safety concerns over jackets being left in fire escape routes.

The policy, implemented without prior communication, has been met with widespread criticism.

Cam Brown, President of the Students’ Association, stated that the new policy was a surprise even to him and his team.

“Posters were put up the same night, but I wasn’t aware this was being enforced. I only found out after students were queuing outside the building, upset and confused.”

The abrupt implementation of the policy was also a surprise to the Union staff, who had to create a last-minute system for people to retrieve their property. Coats were sorted by colour and students were asked to queue in order to search through the piles. Some students reportedly became aggressive towards Union staff in response to their coats being withheld.

Brown, who was present that night, stayed speaking with affected students and handing out snacks in an attempt to de-escalate tensions until 5am. “Many people budgeted for a night out and simply didn’t have the money for an unexpected fine. Some were turned away without their coats, and those who had left earlier were told to come back at 3am, when the venue had closed,” he said.

The Students’ Association met with senior management the following day to call for changes. As a result, according to Brown, students who paid the fine will be refunded via a self-declaration process, though this has not been confirmed yet by the Union.

Looking forward, Brown is advocating for the cloakroom to be free for the rest of the semester. “We’re working to ensure students are never again denied access to their property without proper notice or a fair process.”

While the long-term policy is still under review, Brown emphasised that student safety and dignity must come first: “This is their Union. They deserve to feel safe, heard, and respected here.” He added, “I do want to take a moment to say thank you to our exceptional staff who do work to make that possible.”

Photo by Univeristy of St Andrews