Ten University of Birmingham students are facing disciplinary action that could lead to expulsion after a peaceful sit-in that ended with forceful eviction by university security and the police.
The University has seemingly singled out students who they perceive to be politically active in an attempt to victimise them. Twenty-five students participated in the occupation; ten students are facing disciplinary procedures including one who was not even involved. The hearings will take place on Wednesday, 2nd February.
The students cannot graduate until the matter is resolved and it may affect their career prospects. Lucy Whalley, a final-year physics student says “I want to apply for PGCE after I graduate but this is holding me back and I cannot apply until this matter is resolved”.
A number of students were injured by the police and security in the eviction and are reported to be pressing charges.
David Owen, a second-year theology student, whose departmental staff have already been reduced by a third, says “The doors were opened, three security staff wrenched their way into the room. I stood and linked arms with two other men to create a human blockade in peaceful protest, at which point the tables were kicked towards us, and I was head butted by a police officer, causing my lip to bleed and substantial swelling. I was forced against the wall by a police officer and at this point I was bleeding from the face. I left the building in a very shaken state.”
This student proceeded to inform the police, by phone, that he had been assaulted. In the light of these events it seems to me that it would have been highly advisable for the University to permit an observer to these proceedings, particularly if it transpires that a dispute occurs with the University, police and students each having different accounts of the eviction process”
Officers at Birmingham University UCU member and local branch member said about the occupation: “Our higher education system is under a sustained attack that will turn the clock back on generations of social progress, democratic advance and educational achievement. Under the government's proposals, our country looks set to become the most expensive place to study in the world, Birmingham University UCU branch supports students who Peacefully occupied on their first day back at university”. Currently three students are said to be pressing charges for assault and others are taking legal advice before pressing their case. The university is said to have its own footage of the eviction which they have not released. Students have collected this footage of the form of a mobile phone.
Students started this first student occupation of the new year on the first day back at university on Monday the 17th. Edward Bauer, a third year geography student said “we wanted to show support with around 200 staff at the university who are losing their jobs, while the university is running a £20 million profit. We thought we should start immediately, it was difficult organising over the internet in the holidays but we didn’t think this could wait”.
Student’s anger has been aggravated by the lack of restraint shown by management. Laura Beckmann, the Ethical and environmental officer at the University of Birmingham Guild of Students says “I feel their action is especially legitimate particularly when our Vice Chancellor is one of the highest paid in the country and is having an 11% pay rise this year.”
The University of Birmingham is doing nothing to abate the damage caused by the spending cuts, despite many other Universities taking action. Prof Malcolm Grant, provost of University College London, said his pay would be slashed by 10 per cent and other senior staff would receive wage freezes1.
Bob Cyran Vice-Chancellor of Huddersfield University has stated his intent to support his students by taking on tuition fee debt himself and set up a standing order to pay for a student support fund at his university2.
Prof Eric Thomas at Bristol decided to give some of the money back from his £309,000 salary. The university said: "The VC took no pay rise last year, and made a donation to the university of £100,000."3
The occupation was covered on the day by a number of news sources BBC4 , Sunday mercury5 , Birmingham news and Mail6, indymedia7 and Schnews8
6. http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/01/18/students-protest-at-university-of-birmingham-staff-cuts-97319-28003274/
Solidarity from Sussex guys. This is the ridiculous tactic from management they tried at Sussex last year and it just doubled the size of our demonstrations because everybody felt it was so unfair!
ReplyDeleteDon't let them get you down, you will beat them.
you should make this more known around the university, as the other commenter said, even largely apolitical people should be outraged by this pathetic attempt at intimidating peaceful protesters and stifling dissent.
ReplyDeletegreat facts on what other VCs are doing to help the economic situation and their students - DAVID EASTWOOD IS A GREEDY SCUMBAG!
Stick at it, guys! I'm a bham student but not living in Brum, so I can't be there with you, but I'm so glad you are making all this effort. Don't be bullied into silence. Whenever you are confronted with unreasonable and bullying tactics, make as much noise as you can about it, inform the media as high up as you can access. If the management are panicking and trying to threaten you into silence, it only shows that they are frightened and can't think of any logical, reasonable action to take, so be encouraged by it! Make sure you get legal advice and support from the NUS.
ReplyDeleteJust sent the following email to your admissions department. Stay strong - so long as we are united, they are powerless to stop us!
ReplyDelete----------------------
Dear Sir/Madam,
As a student at another university, I am writing to express my disgust at how the University of Birmingham has treated it's own students involved in recent peaceful protests (see link->http://birminghamstudentsagainstcuts.blogspot.com/2011/01/forced-heavy-handed-eviction-of.html and link->http://birminghamstudentsagainstcuts.blogspot.com/2011/01/students-face-disciplinary-action-after_26.html). I will make sure that any prospective students know that Birmingham is not a University that looks after it's students, and will definitely not recommend it as a place to study. Unless the university offers a full apology to the students mistreated, withdraws disciplinary actions being taken, and condemns the way police used violence against peaceful people, I can not see myself ever recommending someone attend your university again. I recognise that it was not the admissions departments choice for any of this to happen, but I believe applications to the university will suffer as a result of this incident, and that you do have the influence to relay this to the university administration. I would appreciate if you pass on my concerns to the relevant person, and issue a full statement of support for the affected students yourself, as the support they receive will be the deciding factor as to whether they are treated with respect, or not.
Yours sincerely,
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