PRESS RELEASE: DEMONSTRATION AGAINST CUTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX

December 3, 2009 by Michael Holder

University management calls Police on its own students following announcement of over 100 redundancies

Protestors outside Bramber House (Photo: Tabitha Roher)

Following proposals for over 100 redundancies across Sussex campus, over 500 students and staff held a demonstration this morning.

After a rally of speeches, demonstrators entered the building where University management was holding a meeting to discuss these proposals. Students and staff lined the corridors of the building, demanding that the university be held accountable for its proposed cuts to academics and staff across the board.

Since the cuts were announced last week, there has been a growing resistance amongst the campus community. The local UCU branch voted unanimously to reject the proposals, which include compulsory redundancies for some members of staff. The proposals also include cuts to advice and student support services, nursery and crèche facilities, support staff, and the cessation of all Modern Language degrees.

Police and protestors inside Bramber House (Photo: Tom Chadwick)

Half an hour after the demonstrators entered the building, Michael Farthing (Vice Chancellor of Sussex University) called the Police, who arrived to break up the peaceful demonstration. The protestors left of their own volition, and are continuing the rally outside.

The video below shows some of the demonstrators outside Bramber House. (Video: Tabitha Roher).

INFORMATION:

contact Ciaran Whitehead -
Tel: 01273 873 354
Email: cww20@sussex.ac.uk