Roehampton Students Occupy Roof & Inside of Grove House in Roehampton Uni

email: rhracsg@hotmail.co.uk

blog: http://roeunioccupation.wordpress.com/

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ROEHAMPTON STUDENTS OCCUPY UNIVERSITY

EMBARGO: 2.30PM WEDNESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER, 2010

In conjunction with the day of national student direct action, at 2:30 pm on Wednesday 24th November students at Roehampton University have occupied Grove House, one of the university's administrative buildings.

This action is in protest against the proposed scrapping of the university's popular and unique Human Rights BA, as well as the wider cuts being faced by higher education.

It is also in solidarity with the other student actions taking place on the same day across the country. Grove House was targeted because of it's administrative status and its high-visibility value on the campus. The students taking part in other actions had no prior knowledge of this occupation, and are not responsible for it happening.

This action has been planned and carried out by a small group of students acting independently, but has been designed to coincide with the larger student walk-out taking place at 11am and other actions organised on the same day.

We demand the following of roehampton university:

* no victimisation or punishment of any students participating in occupation & no victimisation or punishment of any students involved in possible future non-violent direct action against fees &

cuts - any such victimisation or punishment will be countered with further action

* a pledge from the university to fight education cuts - including a press release from vice-chancellor condemning cuts to higher education and the raising of tuition fees

* no scrapping of university programmes without meaningful prior consultation and agreement with students and affected staff
* no compulsory redundancies
* the opening of all financial records to public scrutiny on request in order to facilitate a transparent debate

We also sincerely request of roehampton lecturers:

open lectures with a discussion of the impact of cuts on the university in order to raise awareness

Further action will be taken until these demands are met.