Occupation at the University of Cambridge

This morning Old Schools, the nerve centre of the University of Cambridge, has been occupied in protest against fees and cuts.

Our action comes at a time when our education system and public sector are being destroyed by duplicitous politicians without a mandate, and University management is failing to speak out against these proposals. In fact, the University said it “welcomes” the possibility of charging up to £9,000.

The Old Schools is the nerve centre of the University- this is where the decisions about which shape the future of the University are made. The Vice Chancellor, Finance Office and many other senior positions are housed in the Old Schools- we are in the belly of the beast. We are just next door to the Senate House, one of the most emblematic buildings in Cambridge.

We also chose the Senior Combination Room of the Old Schools because it is not a student space, so we are not disrupting the learning of students. We are right next to Caius Library, but of course we are not disturbing that space in any way.

The occupation of the Senior Combination Room of the Old Schools follows the protests on Wednesday 24 November, when one thousand Cambridge and ARU students, 6th formers, academics and residents took over the streets of Cambridge, hundreds breaching the fence to occupy Senate House lawn and issuing a statement: “We demand that the University completely oppose the increase in fees, fight against it, and fight against all cuts to education, welfare and all vital services”.

We have claimed this space to give students a voice in their University; everyone is welcome to join in or support the occupation in any way they can. All messages of solidarity are greatly appreciated.

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