For the past two weeks, first year Manchester student Chris has been living in one of his university buildings. It’s not that he’s left his essays until the last minute and is having to camp out in the library – he and a group of fellow students are occupying one of the main campus buildings, in protest of their treatment over the past year.
Students have already proved this year that occupying campus buildings works. Last term, a group of students occupying Owens Park Tower at Manchester Uni won a 30 per cent rent refund for semester one, for all students living in halls. Every student in Manchester halls won over four weeks’ rent – up to £900 – back.