Recent developments at the University
of Glasgow have cut across the relative lull that set upon the student
movement following the mass demonstrations of late 2010. Student
activists occupying an old post-graduate and mature student social club
on the one hand, and the announcement of a raft of cuts on the other,
have provided combustible material that has seen the movement reach a
new plain and wider layers than it previously had.
Recent developments at the University
of Glasgow have cut across the relative lull that set upon the student
movement following the mass demonstrations of late 2010. Student
activists occupying an old post-graduate and mature student social club
on the one hand, and the announcement of a raft of cuts on the other,
have provided combustible material that has seen the movement reach a
new plain and wider layers than it previously had.
The Hetherington Research Club was closed down in February 2010
following a declaration of bankruptcy and the refusal of further funds
from University management. This was despite the bailout of Glasgow
University Union to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds in 2008.
As a result of this all the clubs staff were sacked, whilst the
university provided no alternative space for the mature, post-graduate
and international students that had previously used the club as an
important social space. Amongst other things it was used as a facility
for child care.
After it was discovered the University planned to do building work on
the facilities in order to turn them into offices, student activists
occupied it on February 1st demanding it re-open as a
democratically run student space. Yet this action was not over a single
issue. Demands issuing from the occupation include an end to course
closures at the university; that the university principle Anton
Muscatelli come out against the austerity measures of the coalition
government; that the principles wage – currently twice that of the prime
minister at over £280,000 a year – be brought in line with that of the
average university member of staff. This was connected to the demand of a
more democratic education system than the one we have just now, which
is increasingly seeing a Senior Management synonymous with big business
restructuring the university in line with commercial rather than
educational or student concerns. The occupation also demands an end to
the cuts across the public sector and recognises that the struggle
against the cuts is therefore not just a student one but one that links
students to the struggles of workers.
Senior management refused to recognise the occupation or negotiate
with the occupiers despite requests and the issuing of demands. At the
same time a raft of proposed course cuts were announced in the Herald on
February 9th. The plan would see cuts across the board with
nursing, social work, Czech, Russian and Polish going. The plan would
also see the axing of the Department of Adult and Continuing Education,
an important means for those who do not come straight out of school to
access higher education at a time of high-unemployment and when we are
constantly told of the need for “re-skilling”.
Following this a meeting was held on February 11th where
representatives from the occupation, the Glasgow Anti-Cuts Action
Network, the Student Representative Council and the two student unions
were joined by members of staff. Over 300 people packed out the main
hall of the Queen Margaret Union in a meeting at which a clear militant
atmosphere was present. The meeting committed to building a
demonstration for the following Wednesday, February 16th, when the
University Court would meet to discuss the above-mentioned proposals
leaked in the Herald. With the unfortunate exception of both student
unions all in attendance indicated support for the lecturers union, the
UCU, which is currently balloting for strike action. All who commented
on it from the floor indicated they would support their lecturers taking
action against the cuts.
Following on from this, members of both Union’s executive committees
backed a separate demonstration for “sensible” elements wishing for
consultation with management around “necessary” cuts. However this was a
complete failure. On Wednesday 16th February fifteen turned
up for the “reasonable peoples demonstration” outside Queen Margaret
Union, whilst well over 2,000 students and staff marched from the “Free
Hetherington” towards the Main Building where the court was meeting.
Despite wild rumours of “violent elements” present from the occupation
in the run-up to the demonstration, and a “police operation” running
into the tens or hundreds of thousands, including “a helicopter and
horses on standby”, the march passed off without any violent incident.
management sent out a public e-mail to all students and staff
announcing their wish for the occupation to give up and cited a list of
half-truths and slanders attempting to smear the occupation with
accusations of violence and vandalism. In response the occupation wrote a
statement which can be viewed here, (http://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/statement-from-the-free-hetherington/)
and has reasserted its demands. In the meantime the struggle continues
to develop against impending course closures whilst the students at the
occupation have made clear their determination to remain in the
Hetherington as we prepare to mobilise in support of industrial action
if it is called by the UCU.
We are now receiving news of other universities around the countries
going into occupation. The struggle against cuts in higher education,
and the wider austerity programme, has not ended. As the implications of
the government’s massive spending cuts hit workers and students, we
will see a massive fight back which will even dwarf in size even huge
movement of youth we saw last year.
