UKA i Ås in the 1960s:

longer UKE, memorable revues and a longing for better facilities

The number of students increased every year, as did the number of UKEevents. The students started wondering how big UKA i Ås was going to end up being, and in 1960, it was decided that UKA should be held over four weekends. With this, it was moved forward a whole ten days compared to earlier. With a longer event, better space to compensate for the growing student population was sorely needed.

During UKA i Ås in 1960, an UKEbudget was for the first time created to keep a clear track of the economy. Because of an increase in administrative work, a position for head of personnel was also created that year. The head of personnel was tasked with, for example, administrating how many were in the various committees and their workload, as well as administrating the non-students involved. A lot of non-students still took part during UKA i Ås in 1960, this despite the student population increasing. The non-students were usually women, and there was a desire for more female input in both the revue and other tasks in an otherwise male-dominated student society. The revue “Arti-Sjokk” was shown that same year. It had the goal to give the audience a “funny shock” and become a clear win with the audience. 

UKA i Ås celebrated its 21. UKEyear in 1962 and was finally a legal adult. Since UKA i Ås had finally become an adult, the revue “Njet-Up” was going to have a more serious tone than the year before. Energy, fun and humour were still included in that UKEs revue, but in a more adult form. This became an amateur revue of the highest brand, and an absolute success, and the atmosphere was sky-high in the revue block when the critique came in. 

In 1964, the Student Society in Ås had its 100-year anniversary. This celebration kicked off a month’s time before UKA i Ås. Despite a large-scale celebration, UKA i Ås was never relegated to the shadows of the jubilee, but there was little time and space for new thoughts and ideas. During UKA i Ås in 1964, there were many noticeable problems with too little wardrobe space, little room and a lot of noise. This resulted in an annex being built outside the entrance to the Student Society building. The annex was such a success that it was set up every UKE afterwards until Aud. Max. was built in 1970.  

The UKErevue could in 1964 boast for the first time of its orchestra. The newspapers showered them with praise, and being in the orchestra suddenly became something of status. The revue’s “rGikk!” own drinking song called “Bodegavise” can still be heard in the bodega today. The UKErevue in the next UKEyear, in 1966, was also something to boast about. “Car-Ås-Inn” was a revue which would be talked about for a long time afterwards. At an impeccable pace, 30 numbers were performed with energy, humour and a spirit for entertainment. 

The political engagement in 1968 was big. Most of the students were active members of political organisations. The UKErevue “Oscar” was a juicy and socially critical revue where capitalism, pollution, Uncle Sam and the Vietnam war were heavily criticized. UKA i Ås in 1968 was the last to be held in the old Student Society building, and with it, the last in the 1960s.