Cuts students occupy SOAS building - Anger at education funding and threat to staff pay and conditions

Published: 25 March 2011
by PAVAN AMARA

STUDENTS are occupying the offices of one of Britain’s biggest universities in protest at education cuts.

The young activists at University College London (UCL) in Bloomsbury say reduced funding will “lead to segregation, and make class divides in this country even worse”.

The main administrative buildings have been occupied since Monday.

Students say they are also backing lecturers and other staff whose pension benefits are set to be cut, as well as showing support for UCL employees who will be paid below the recommended “London living wage” of £7.85 an hour.

Handling of visas for foreign students has reportedly been disrup­ted, and the university’s management is now threatening the students with possible disciplinary and legal action.

Edwin Clifford-Coupe, 20, an Ancient History undergraduate, said: “We began occupation of this particular wing on Monday, and by 5.30pm they had set up CCTV cameras to monitor exactly who was involved.

“They told us that anyone spotted on their cameras would face disciplinary action. If we don’t make a real fuss they won’t listen to us. We don’t want to make life difficult for other students.” The students said they were prepared to leave the administrative wing once management could promise none of them would face disciplinary  action.

Mr Clifford-Coupe added: “At worst, disciplinary action could mean expulsion. But it will probably mean having to recoup the management’s legal fees, which will amount to about £500 each.”

On Wednesday students at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) occupied a building on their campus in support of a strike by lecturers. 

UCL students will be marching from the university’s education wing on Gower Street to merge with the TUC’s planned “March for the Alternative: Jobs, Growth, Justice” which meets in Holborn tomorrow (Saturday) morning.