User:Stuart Newmanite/University of York Swift Society

The University of York Swift Society, known more commonly as SwiftSoc, is a student society at the University of York for fans of Taylor Swift. It is affiliated with the University of York Students' Union.

History
SwiftSoc was founded in 2015, making it the first and oldest university Taylor Swift appreciation society. The founding president was Sara-Beth, who decided to create the society after discussions with other fans at the university at the time.

In 2021, the society won the student union's award for Games and Fandom Society of the year.

The society rose to prominence in April 2022 after they were sent a batch of Taylor Swift merchandise and a signed note, thanking them for their support. The society believed that they had come to the attention of Taylor Nation through TikToks made by the society. When the president was initially contacted, she kept the news secret to allow the whole society the chance of enjoying the fun of opening the parcel in a room in the Morrell Library after the Easter holiday. The merchandise was from the "I'm Feeling '22" Graduation Collection. Some of the items were put aside to be made into goodie bags for members, while others were used for the 2022 end of year formal. This also helped reduce the ticket price of the formal, and saw membership more than double in the next academic year.

In August 2022, the society criticised Swift for her reliance on using her private jet, and the significant environmental damage associated with it.