Sussex University has sent out emails saying that it is to dock 20% of all AUT (Associate Union of Toturs) striking staff pay, should they persist in not marking students papers. They are claiming to be doing this to protect the interest of students who will be prevented from entering the global economy upon their graduation.

The university, which won the Design Business Association's Design Effectiveness Award for "best design effectiveness in corporate/brand identity" in 2005, is showing the substance of what a neo-liberal university is like. Sussex is placing post-education employment ahead of maintagning a decent quality of education. The market comes before the knowledge.

Expect simillar repercussions to striking staff all over the country, and the neo-liberal world.

In solidarity with all industrial action
a Sussex University student

Below is the message sent by the secong in charge at sussex university, a prick in a suit called Owen Richards.


To: all [Sussex University] Undergraduate students
From: Owen Richards, [Sussex Uni] Academic Registrar

You will be aware that the main academic union, the Association of
University Teachers (AUT), have called on their members at all universities
to take action in support of their national pay claim, including not
participating in assessment activities such as marking or grading.

The University wants to ensure that students continue to be kept up to date
with the ways in which Sussex is aiming to manage the possible effects of
AUT action locally and reduce the impact on students.

We are consulting with Students Union Officers about steps which can be
taken to support students through this period. Where you have concerns, you
should in the first instance contact your School or departmental office for
advice. The USSU also offers support and a route to raise issues (directly
or via their web forum) which may in turn be brought to the University by
the sabbatical team

Virtually all exams are operating as normal and scripts are being made
available for collection by staff as normal. The University is of course
aware that finalists particularly will be concerned about possible impact
on obtaining jobs or access to further study. We are continuing to plan on
the basis that Summer 2006 graduation events will occur on 20-21 July. We
are also looking at ways in which finalists can be supported in the event
that fully classified degrees cannot be issued at the normal time. This
could include making transcripts and official supporting statements
available immediately to confirm that degrees will be awarded.

Senate, on which students are represented, has given authority for
examination rules to be interpreted and operated flexibly in this
situation, for example where marks are missing, while maintaining rigorous
academic standards.

This should enable students progressing to future years of study to have
confidence that they will be able to continue with their future study at
Sussex.

We will be writing to students in more detail about this in the week
beginning 5 June once the specifics have been agreed on exam board
processes and how this will affect finalists' graduation and non-finalists
progression.

Even though the national pay negotiations are not yet settled, as a gesture
of goodwill, we are intending to recommend to Council that staff pay should
increase by 3% from 1 August 2006 and a further 1% from February 2007, as
an interim measure, should a pay settlement not be reached by the end of
June. This is in line with the national pay offer made to unions of 12.6%
increase over three years.

We have also written to all academic staff to say that we will withhold 20%
of pay from staff who refuse to carry out their proper assessment roles,
for example by not marking scripts and not handing in marks.

As the VC has said to staff, this is not a step the University is taking
lightly, but the University cannot stand by while some staff put students'
futures at risk and not take all appropriate action available to the
University.

Our overriding concern is to protect students' interests as we move through
this difficult dispute. You can expect to receive a further update in the
week commencing 5 June.


Owen Richards
Academic Registrar