Strathclyde University occupied over fees and cuts

On Thursday 29 September at 11 am, around 40 students from across Scotland went into occupation of the Collins building at Strathclyde University in protest of the recently announced £27,000 fees for RUK (Rest of UK, apart from Scotland) students.

The occupation follows a similar occupation last week at the Royal Conservatiore of Scotland (formerly the RSMAD) after they announced their intention to introduce £36,000 fees for RUK students, and a 36 hour occupation at Edinburgh University on the 16th of September in protest of Edinburgh University's decision to set RUK fees at £36,000.

This year Strathclyde has seen less than 170 humanities and social science students with many staff and students allegedly blaming cutbacks in these departments for the decline in student numbers.

Students say they are standing in solidarity with the UCU in resisting job, pay and pension cuts,according to Indymedia Scotland.

The Herald also reported that Strathclyde is considering 3 year degrees. Students have told Indymedia that this is another attack on the quality of their education.

Students from across Scotland have said that they will continue to cause disruption over university plans to introduce RUK fees.

University student Ben says "The introduction of fees and continuing cuts are an attack on the values of free education that Scotland has always prided itself on, we will continue to fight cuts in education and fight wider government austerity plans.

"Disruption will continue and escalate as long as universities continue to pass on
government cuts. The student movement did not end with the introduction of fees for English students, we will continue to fight and we will win."

The students demand: no fees for rest of UK students, a halt to all course closures and cutbacks to lecturers and staff, no cuts to any other departments or staff, no introduction of 3 year degree programmes, full degrees, fully funded for students, freedom of access in and out of the occupation, no reprisals for students and staff participating in the occupation, and a living wage for all staff at Strathclyde University.

They plan to leave their occupation at 14.00 on the 30th of October following 27 hours of occupation.

The time was chosen to symbolise the £27,000 fees for RUK students.

Via Indymedia Scotland.