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When we won £12 million back in unfair rents from our university, we proved the effectiveness of direct action a concept and method that must return to our everyday arsenal, writes LAURA DICKINSON
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.
Students at four universities around the country have launched campus occupations in protest over their treatment by their universities this year.
Groups of students at Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam are occupying university buildings. Amongst other things, they’re demanding rent refunds, tuition fee rebates, an end to university staff job cuts, and an end to the increased security measures and police patrols they’ve seen on campus.
They’re having to contend withuniversity security, and having meetings with university and SU officials regarding their demands. But they’ve got makeshift sleeping areas with pillows and sleeping bags, places to shower, “plenty of food”, and are being sent food deliveries by people supporting them.