Following recent announcements that AUT/NATFHE lecturers who refuse to mark exams will be subjected to a pay cut of 25%, around 75 students at University of Bradford occupied the corridor outside the vice-chancellor's office. With lots of Samba and a discussion with the pro-VC, a meeting between AUT, Uni and Students Union reps was agreed.
The protest commenced as part of a Union General Meeting, at around 2pm, and lasted for around 1 1/2 hours. The initial aim was to get the vice chancellor (once again, mysteriously absent) to back down on threats (supported by the University's Council) to cut pay to lecturers who follow through on their "action short of a strike" (i.e. not marking essays/dissertations/exams).
In the end, a compromise of further negotiations was settled upon, and the students left at around 3:30. During that time, many protesters were given impromptu samba lessons, adding to the educational nature of the event.
This action took place against a backdrop of vice-chancellor imposed changes to course structures, term dates and discontent at the amount of money from top up fees which is going to pay lecturers and supply library books.
At the end, one students union official was heard to mutter "apathy, what apathy". This certainly proved that some students are awake and watching, and hopefully will empower them to take further action. For some, today was there first ever protest, and to do it in such a direct way and with a tangible success will hopefully whet the appetite for more.
In the end, a compromise of further negotiations was settled upon, and the students left at around 3:30. During that time, many protesters were given impromptu samba lessons, adding to the educational nature of the event.
This action took place against a backdrop of vice-chancellor imposed changes to course structures, term dates and discontent at the amount of money from top up fees which is going to pay lecturers and supply library books.
At the end, one students union official was heard to mutter "apathy, what apathy". This certainly proved that some students are awake and watching, and hopefully will empower them to take further action. For some, today was there first ever protest, and to do it in such a direct way and with a tangible success will hopefully whet the appetite for more.
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