London College of Communication occupied by students
Interestingly, at a meeting on University of Kent campus last week, a couple of students voiced concerns that most students aren’t interested in political matters. Be that as it may, ‘most’ is not ‘all’. Today Gordon Brown announced that there would be no NUS presence worth speaking of on the review into top-up fees. Now, in London, a group of students are making their own stand on the effect of New Labour’s policies.
This evening, London College of Communication has been occupied by those opposed to the elimination of two schools, several courses and a high number of staff. The management of the college apparently did not consult either staff or students about this decision and, under new guidelines, many more positions and courses are under threat unless they improve in ‘profitability’ and ‘efficiency’.
The occupation seems to have developed after a broad meeting of students in the main lecture hall, this evening, to discuss what should be done about the redundancies in courses and staff. I think it’s important that we give them our support; if I lived in London, I’d join them tomorrow – and they’re asking any students to give some time to join the occupation, in defence of workers’ and students’ rights.
I don’t have all the details, but hopefully some liaising is going on between faculty staff and students, so that the strike can be deepened and concessions wrung from management.
Dear Friends Protesting in Germany, Austria, and from today on at Berkeley and the London School of Communication,
On November 10 we hold a meeting of solidarity with the protesting students and lecturers in Austria, Germany and Berkeley. At the same time, we protest against the undemocratic universities in Poland which commercialize. The meeting will present and discuss the postulates of Austrian, German and Polish students and lecturers.
We will convene at 20:00, present the report of Ewa Majewska from Berkeley and hold a skype conference with the rally of protesting students at Tuebingen and Heidelberg. Later on, we will discuss the movement with Justyna who is part of the mass protest at the University of Marburg.
Our best wishes to the protesters everywhere. Dear Naomi Klein, we are happy to hear that you are at Berkeley right now.
We would like to invite you all to co-create the Academic Alternative of Thinking&Acting Lublin 9-L’Etrangere/Die Fremde/The Strangeress. We realize the postulates of equality and freedom (democratization of universities, parity, access of the disabled and immigrants) and care for the culture of women and queers. The idea was born during our protests against the planned firing of 400 least priviledged women workers from Curie (UMCS) Univ. in Lublin, Poland
Sylwia Nagrodkiewicz, Tomek Kitlinski & Others
Academic Alternative of Thinking&Acting Lublin 9-Ta Obca/The Strangeress tkitlinski@gmail.com +48 728 368 655
LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION protesters, congratulations from Lublin, Poland.
Well done guys on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent Socialist Workers Party.
The (Croatian) INDEPENDENT STUDENT INITIATIVE against commercialization of education gives you full support in your struggle. We ourselves have occupied this spring around fourteen campusses across our country with demands that education be free on all levels. We are planning further occupations although there have been some positive moves in the education politics since the occupations.
People hold the power. Organize well and hold on!!
Best wishes.
I’m from a coastal city called Split btw
Im an austrian student and on behalf of fellow students would like to express great appreciation of your solidarity! we must get our voices heard. spread the word!!!
all the best
I am a student at the London college of communication!Show your support at the protest tomorrow, monday, 16th nov at Chelsea College!!