Brighton students art gallery occupation, University of Brighton
12th December 2011
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STUDENTS who occupied a building at the University of Brighton for five days ended their protest this week over education cuts and higher tuition fees.

About 30 students, who began their protest at an art gallery on the Grand Parade campus on Thursday 1 December, decided to leave on Monday evening after they found that they would disrupt an exhibtion of students’ work for their degrees.

The group, which represents Brighton Students Against Cuts, had orignally planned to stay put for the forseeable future, but were told the show would be cancelled if they remained.

"Disruption to students was something we wished to avoid, and it became clear that due to the nature of the exhibition our presence would unavoidably have caused disruption,” the occupiers said.

However, they said the occupation had successfully drawn attention to their opposition to the government's higher education white paper and other austerity measures.

One of the students, Jack Poole, said they were fighting for the right for youngsters to have a decent education.

He added: "It's not even about our own education... it's a selfless campaign."

Mr Poole said the occupation of the art gallery on the Grand Parade campus was "to make a democratic point".

Professor Stuart Laing, the University of Brighton's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: "We understand the strength of feeling felt by some students over the government's higher education policy but we are disappointed that a small number have decided to express themselves in this way.

Brighton Students Against Cuts said its occupation was part of "the growing global occupy movement".

Its demands include asking senior university managers to publicly condemn the higher education white paper and call for it to be withdrawn; guarantee no course closures and no job cuts; and provide bursaries for all students who need them - not fee waivers.

It is also asking the government to revoke the white paper.

Universities minister David Willetts has said most new students will not pay the higher tuition fees upfront and there will be more financial support for those from poorer families.

He has also said everyone will make lower loan repayments than are currently made once they are in well paid jobs.

 

Article courtesy of Love Brighton, the free weekly paper for Brighton and Hove.

For the latest in local News, Sports and Events pick up this week's issue of Love Brighton at at many locations about town...


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