1931

Women become members of the SSMU for the first time. Previously, they had a parallel organization called the Women’s Union.

1950s

The SSMU becomes involved with social issues of the era, including war efforts, conscription, the international exchange of Russian students, the contraceptive pill, and government funding for education.

1953

Thousands of students attend Activities Night to learn about, and join, some of SSMU’s 150 clubs. Activities Night, host to over 2,500 students each term, now showcases more than 250 clubs, services, and publications.

1960s-70s

Demonstrations against the U.S. Amchitka nuclear bomb test and the war in Indochina are held. The SSMU Executive Council votes to support the abolition of all student fees.

1966

Sharon Sholzberg, the first female president of the SSMU, takes office.

After student protests demand the right of student representation to the university administration, the SSMU obtains seats on McGill’s Board of Governors and the Senate.

1981

The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is created. However, the SSMU never joins CFS, due to the unique contexts of being in Quebec. Instead, SSMU joins the regional branch of the CFS 
(CFS-Q) which would allow for greater impact at the provincial level.

1992

A SSMU referendum seeks to change the official name “University Centre” to the “William Shatner University Centre”. Although a majority of students support the idea, the University rejects the results because of toponymy regulations. Nevertheless, ever since it has been referred to as the Shatner Building.

1998

SSMU President Duncan Reid initiates the McGill Undergraduate Student Fund to address the urgent financial concerns caused by government cuts in post-secondary education. Improvements overseen by this fund include increased library hours and physical improvements to libraries; SSMU’s Campus Life Fund (over $35,000 annually), which allows students to apply for events that enrich campus life; and renovations to the Shatner Building. In 2004, this fee was cut in half.

2018-2020

The University Centre building closes its doors for renovations in early 2018, which means the rearrangement of all student groups around campus and the closure of the student-run Gerts’ Bar for the entirety of the closure. In 2020, the building renovations were completed, but the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the reopening of the building until further notice.

1926

The National Federation of Canadian University Students (NFCUS) is created to promote a greater cooperation among student government bodies and to supervise the progress of each body in promoting student interests.

1940s-60s

The SSMU continues to grow and evolve after its inception. Its role expands to include clubs, services, events, and caring for the University Centre (consisting at the time of a pub and cafeteria). The Executive Council is enlarged.

Mid-1950s

The SSMU presents a brief, and encloses a check of $25,000, as a donation for the New McGill Student Union Building Endowment Fund, indicating the students’ strong desire for a new building. They successfully convince McGill’s Board of Governors of the need for a building devoted to student services and activities.

1954

The SSMU and other student associations meet with Maurice Duplessis (Premier of Quebec) to discuss the needs of students. Their recommendations include statutory provincial grants to universities, as well as scholarships and bursaries. Their input helps reshape the financial aid program for post-secondary education.

October 15th, 1965

The Premier of Quebec, Jean Lesage, officially opens the University Centre. Although owned by McGill University, it is now operated by students, for students.

1974

UGEQ is replaced by the Association Nationale des Étudiantes et Étudiants du Québec (ANEEQ).

1989

The Fédération Étudiante Universitaire du Québec (FEUQ) is created in the ballroom of the University Centre. However, due to policy issues, the SSMU withdraws and rejoins multiple times over the next two decades. Despite the rocky past, SSMU and la FEUQ have continued to work together on various projects affecting students in the province.

1994

The SSMU does not agree with CFS’s approach to student representation, preferring a more pragmatic approach, and becomes a founding member of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA).

2008-2010

The SSMU helps to create the Quebec Student Roundtable (Table de concertation étudiante du Québec, or TaCEQ).