As part of a second day of action against fees and cuts, students at Nottingham University have occupied The Great Hall in The Trent Building on University Park.

A third day of action is planned for Sunday 5th December.

Links: Interview with occupier | Photos from Student Rally and Occupation | Uni of Nottingham Occupation

Previous occupation: Nottingham Gaza solidarity occupation violently evicted | Nottingham university occupied in solidarity with Gaza

National action: Student Resistance Spreads

The occupiers have issued the following statement:

University of Nottingham students are staging an occupation in the Great Hall on University campus, in order to protest against the proposed tripling of university tuition fees, and the upcoming funding cuts to education and the public sector in general. We completely reject the Browne review, seeing it as nothing more than a cynical attempt to further privatise the education sector.

The government’s proposals will render higher education more inaccessible than ever to most students, through fees hikes and the removal of provisions for access initiatives. Further they will drastically affect the quality of education future students will receive, by the cutting of the vast majority of government funding currently received.

We are appalled that our very own vice-chancellor, Professor David Greenaway, has publicly supported the Browne review, neglecting the interests of his own university and it’s staff and students. Hence we have decided to protest peacefully, democratically and legally, in order to keep the student voice heard.

We welcome and encourage everybody, students and otherwise, to join or support us. We express solidarity with other students acting against these cuts, as well as other anti-cuts campaigns, including locally the Notts Save Our Services campaign. We urge students to support this campaign and others, and help protect the public services of the town in which we study. Only through fighting together, as students and workers, can we resist the attack on our society that this government is proposing.

1. We demand that the University of Nottingham lobby the Russell Group and the government and issue a statement condemning all cuts to higher education, the EMA and the rise in tuition fees.

2. We demand that the University of Nottingham implement a complete open book policy in regards to existing budget constraints

3. We demand that the University of Nottingham ensure no redundancies for teaching, research or support staff.

4. Ensure that no victimization or repercussions for anyone participating in the occupation.

5. Allow free access in and out of the building.