Royal College of Science Union

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The Royal College of Science Union (RCSU) was a students' union body representing the students of the Royal College of Science (RCS). It will return as the name for the students' union for the newly formed Faculty of Natural Sciences, which contains most of the old RCS.

The role of the RCSU became increasingly ambiguous following the adoption of the RCS into Imperial College London, with the Imperial College Union (ICU) carrying out more and more of the activities usually associated with a student union. By the time the RCS and RCSU were dissolved in 2002, the RCSU administered a few clubs, including the Royal College of Science Motor Club, and arranged social events.

The RCSU had many 'traditions', including the chanting of the kangela, the use of a loving cup known as the three-handled pot, and the sport of mascotry, guarding a college mascot called Theta. Theta took the form of a thermometer, chosen as an instrument used by all scientific disciplines. Theta had a number of incarnations, with Theta mark IV being a seven-foot steel thermometer weighing over 100 pounds (45 kg).

The RCS motor club continues to exist; see the club homepage

In 2005 it was announced that the former parts of the Royal College of Science would be remerged as the "Faculty of Natural Sciences". [1] A vote by students in what will be the new Faculty chose to resurrect the name Royal College of Science Union for the student body [2].