Beginnings
It all started with an idea brought from Sweden by Andrzej Konopacki. Fascinated by the possibility of influencing national and state affairs, as seen among his Swedish colleagues who had equivalents of political parties and their own parliament discussing important topics while maintaining full democracy, he decided to share this knowledge with the students in Gdańsk. The idea was met with great enthusiasm. The first steps towards establishing a parliament at the Gdańsk University of Technology were taken by Czesław Druet and Bogusław Sakowicz, who developed the structure of the parliament and presented to the presidium the project of the electoral ordinance of the University Parliament of Association of Polish Students. The prelude to the first session of the proceedings was a free supplement to the 11th issue of the biweekly magazine "Uwaga," which was published on November 9, 1957. The book edited by M. Biziuk, "Student Life at the Gdańsk University of Technology," included material prepared by the University Council of the Association of Polish Students at Gdańsk Tech. The first page looks rather innocuous: attention is drawn to slogans and information regarding procedures, deadlines, and registration locations for the Association of Polish Students, but it must be honestly acknowledged that it lacks aggressive agitation. Then the current composition of the University Council was provided. Modestly, on the side column, the Student Production and Service Enterprise, which employed mostly students and generated income for scholarships and other necessary things during studies, was announced. All this information, explanations, proposals, and encouragements were directed to 2096 members of the Association of Polish Students at the Gdańsk University of Technology, based on the following assumptions: " (...) We believe that while reading these words, you will think for a moment about your Scholarship Fate. In what conditions do you study, what system do you use to get to know the world, what do you eat for lunch, how do you live, what will you do after completing your studies, it is probably not indifferent to you."
The First Session of the Parliament of Gdańsk University of Technology Students
The November elections for the Association of Polish Students (ZSP) were simultaneously the elections for the parliament. They were the first direct, universal, and secret elections. Members of parliament were elected based on the number of votes received, in descending order. On November 25, 1957, the first session of the university parliament of ZSP took place in the Aula of Gdańsk University of Technology. "Gaudemus igitur" marked the beginning of the ongoing academic democracy. It is worth quoting a fragment of the inaugural speech by the then rector of Gdańsk University of Technology, Prof. Wacław Balcerski: "I expect the parliament to represent the interests of students in a worthy and honest manner. I hope that the parliament will become a school of action and fulfill an important didactic role - providing students with the ability to act and becoming a school of democratic thinking." The first session lasted for two days, during which many diverse issues were discussed, such as the construction of a sidewalk on Siedlicka Street. The second session, held on March 16, 1958, focused on economic matters, such as insufficient food supply in academic health centers and the lack of support for fresh graduates, etc. The third session mainly addressed the issue of overloaded academic programs. The parliament began to function well.
The 1960s
"In this term, there was less talking and more action" - that's what the chairman said about the first term of the 1960s. Special emphasis was placed on educational matters: a program for taking care of first-year students and the responsibilities of group supervisors were developed, which served as a model for other universities. A survey on the academic workload, difficulty level, and reasons for a lack of understanding of lectures was also constructed. Recognizing the contribution and dedication of the members of the University Parliament of Association of Polish Students at Gdańsk University of Technology (UP ZSP PG), a request was made to the university authorities to reward the best students. This period was also the beginning of the "Red Rose" award. The 1960s were a period of increased organization among Gdańsk Tech students (with 89.5% of students affiliated with organizations) and the first anniversaries of the parliament, such as the fifth or tenth year anniversary. On April 22, 1963, an extraordinary jubilee session of the parliament was organized on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the University Parliament of the Association of Polish Students at Gdańsk University of Technology. Radio SAR broadcasted "Gaudeamus igitur" and the Magnificent Rector, Prof. Kazimierz Kopecki, hosted a banquet (waiting for his guests for over an hour). The University Parliament's cultural committee organized events such as music concerts, art and photography exhibitions, and theatrical performances. This period also marked the beginnings of famous initiatives, such as the "Kabaret π" and the jazz band Flamingo. Student clubs were very active, offering a wide range of music, art, and theater events. The flagship event at Gdańsk Tech was the students’ "Przetargi" (1965-1970), which included a review of student theaters, cabarets, art competitions, photography, literary contests, dance tournaments, and choir performances. The terms of 1965/66 and 1966/67 were characterized by the parliament's activities under the slogan "We Start Together - We Finish Studies Together," which could be challenging to fulfill with six days of classes per week and one day dedicated to military training, sometimes involving round-the-clock guard duty. On October 28, 1967, the 10th anniversary of the University Parliament was celebrated.
Difficult years of the 1970s
The late 1960s and the 1970s were a time of great restrictions for the University Parliament, which was manifested, among other things, by the inability to organize Neptunalia in 1967 and their suspension until 1971, followed by the dissolution of the Association of Polish Students in 1973. Neptunalia disappeared completely until 1995. During one of the parliament sessions, students expressed their opposition in a rather spectacular way by bringing a coffin with the inscription "Neptunalia" and a banner with the imprint:
R.I.P. "Neptunalia" 1967 died a martyr's death, murdered by the authorities of the Association of Polish Students
The university authorities began to put increasing emphasis on ideological and educational work (such as organizing anniversary events), social activities, or students’ internships. The students union, in order not to waste its previous achievements, focused on culture, tourism, sports, scientific circles, and cooperatives. An expression of interest in tourism and rally singing is Bazuna, the All-Poland Review of Tourist Songs, which was established in 1971 and is still organized by the FIFY organization.
The political climate after December '70 aimed at the komsomolization of the youth movement throughout the country. As a result of pressure from the Political Bureau of the Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR), the Congress of United Youth Organizations was held in 1973, resulting in the creation of ephemeral organizations such as the Scout Service for Socialist Poland and the SOCIALIST UNION OF POLISH STUDENTS. Within Gdańsk University of Technology, where the position of the Association of Polish Students was dominant before the Congress, and the tradition of the University Parliament was well-established, changes in scope and forms were cosmetic. The Socialist Union of Polish Students took over the personnel, tradition, and program of the Association of Polish Students and did everything to consistently continue the activities of the former organization. Student culture continued to develop, both in Kwadratowa and in faculty clubs, as well as tourism, scientific circles, and self-government of the Residents’ Councils.
Martial law period and parliament
During the martial law period, the activities of all organizations were suspended, but despite this, students union representatives continued to meet in the Residents’ Council’s rooms. A contact point was established in the dormitories. The strict measures of that time led to the arrest or internment of many students. Associate Professor Marianna Sankiewicz, the Vice-Rector, visited various important offices and places of isolation, effectively helping to release detained colleagues. The year 1982 marked the end of the Socialist Union of Polish Students’ history with the election of new authorities. During the changes in the country, we also regained our sovereignty. Today, we continue our activities as the Students Union of Gdańsk University of Technology, working for the benefit of our academic community.
Substantive adjustment: Marek Biziuk