A statement from the occupation at Middlesex
Luther Blisset | 15.05.2010 12:04 | Education | Social Struggles | South Coast
In late April 2010, Middlesex University decided to close down Philosophy, its highest research-rated subject; ever since, Middlesex students and staff, and many thousands of their supporters in the UK and around the world, have been battling to save it.
In early May, Middlesex Philosophy students took matters into their own hands. On the morning of Tuesday 4 May; when the management cancelled this meeting at short notice, more than 60 students converged on the Dean’s office in the ‘Mansion’ building at Trent Park to demand an explanation. The Dean refused to meet with them. The students decided to occupy.
In early May, Middlesex Philosophy students took matters into their own hands. On the morning of Tuesday 4 May; when the management cancelled this meeting at short notice, more than 60 students converged on the Dean’s office in the ‘Mansion’ building at Trent Park to demand an explanation. The Dean refused to meet with them. The students decided to occupy.
Last night the occupiers of The Mansion House, Middlesex University, were served a High Court Injunction deeming the occupation an unlawful act. This morning that injunction came into effect.
We, the occupiers, stay here in defiance of that injunction, against the proposed cuts at Middlesex University. We refuse to be threatened or intimidated by management’s tactics, specifically the naming of individuals on the injunction. This is a collective struggle.
We ask Ed Esche, Margaret House, Michael Driscoll, Waqar Ahmed and all other members of the management staff if it is really desirable to bring legal action against a significant number of their own students? The management have already shown themselves incapable of making competent decisions about what is the ‘right’ way to run their own university.
Furthermore we urge management to reconsider their decision to close philosophy, particularly in the light of the arguments put forward by our campaign and the overwhelming international support both inside and out of the academic community. However this must amount to more than vague and insubstantial promises.
Therefore, we demand that all BA, MA and PhD Philosophy programmes are guaranteed reinstatement, with student recruitment reopened immediately.
We ask friends, supporters and the intrigued to join us this afternoon on the lawn outside the Mansion House at Trent Park Campus. There will be a rally at 3, including a talk from Tariq Ali.
Solidarity to workers, students and all those engaged in struggles against cuts in Education and beyond. From Middlesex to Sussex, from Greece to California. We are the crisis.
We, the occupiers, stay here in defiance of that injunction, against the proposed cuts at Middlesex University. We refuse to be threatened or intimidated by management’s tactics, specifically the naming of individuals on the injunction. This is a collective struggle.
We ask Ed Esche, Margaret House, Michael Driscoll, Waqar Ahmed and all other members of the management staff if it is really desirable to bring legal action against a significant number of their own students? The management have already shown themselves incapable of making competent decisions about what is the ‘right’ way to run their own university.
Furthermore we urge management to reconsider their decision to close philosophy, particularly in the light of the arguments put forward by our campaign and the overwhelming international support both inside and out of the academic community. However this must amount to more than vague and insubstantial promises.
Therefore, we demand that all BA, MA and PhD Philosophy programmes are guaranteed reinstatement, with student recruitment reopened immediately.
We ask friends, supporters and the intrigued to join us this afternoon on the lawn outside the Mansion House at Trent Park Campus. There will be a rally at 3, including a talk from Tariq Ali.
Solidarity to workers, students and all those engaged in struggles against cuts in Education and beyond. From Middlesex to Sussex, from Greece to California. We are the crisis.
Luther Blisset
