There are over 100 student societies on the ‘Adopt an Activity page’ of the York SU website (as of 09/02/26). A wholly inhospitable wasteland, this page is essentially a dumping ground where abandoned societies (read: those who went unratified) are left to die (read: wait for new students to ratify them).
Among the unfortunate societies waiting to be re-homed are “Free Speech Society”, “Freedom from Torture Society”, and “Speak Free Society”. I’m sensing a trend here.
“Women Breaking Barriers Society” and “Supporting Women in Science” are also on the page. (I’m going to be optimistic and presume that this is because the women have already both broken the aforementioned barriers and feel supported in science).
Among the notables, Extinction Rebellion UoY hub went extinct.
“Metaphysical society” is also on the list. Or it might not be. No one can say for certain.
On a more whimsical note, ‘Hide and Seek’ and “Victorian Parlour Game Society” are up for grabs. ‘Meme Society’ is also patiently awaiting its new forever-home, but I’m not sure if its opening description of “Yes, we are a society” adds much to its credibility.
However, my personal favourite has to be ‘public transport society’, which advertises itself as being a haven for anyone with a “love/hate relation with pacers to the speedy 802’s”. I’m not sure what this means. But I love their enthusiasm, and I’m hooked, nevertheless.
Students looking to restart any of these groups should visit the Students’ Union societies’ page for more information. Groups are only held on the Adopt an Activity page for three years, after which, they are catapulted into oblivion (read: archived).