Our Side of the Occupation

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: All opinions expressed in this blogpost are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of other members of the Exeter University Open Occupation.

Anyone who has been following me on Twitter recently will probably be aware that I have been taking part in the Open Occupation of the largest lecture theatre in Exeter University. The harsh, ideological governments cuts must be fought, and so hundreds of us joined together to make a stand.

It all began on Wednesday, 8 December 2010. After a march organised by the Students' Guild, over a hundred of us continued back to the Newman A lecture theatre, taking over the room during a maths lecture, that, as with all lectures, we sat through and allowed to take place. Within an hour after this, we had a Facebook page, a Twitter feed, and a blog. It's been impossible to overstate the importance of social media and the blogosphere to publicise the occupation. Every decision, and every significant moment has been available for anyone to see, and the amount of support that came through via Twitter, Facebook and e-mail was a constant inspiration (not least the email of solidarity from Billy Bragg. BILLY BRAGG!).

The support we received from the University, and specifically the security and porters, was also incredibly heartening. We allowed all lectures that could not be moved to take place, albeit after reading out a notice at the beginning of each explaining that our aims and that we would remain silently sitting through the lecture with them. Sadly, we did not receive the support of the Guild, who claimed that they needed to act in the interests of all students. I find this confusing, given their support for the marches with the same aim. The occupation was peaceful, legal and did not disrupt lectures (some were cancelled on the first Thursday due to the University assuming we would not allow lectures in).

Friday saw a debate between Vice-Chancellor of Exeter University, and president of Universities UK, Steve Smith debate the future of HE funding with president of the NUS Aaron Porter. Since this debate was open only to University students, not students from the college, I live tweeted through it. We were not allowed signs or banners due to an alleged "health and safety risk" (a shorthand, it seems, for anything that's been banned, and I wonder where these ridiculous myths come from!) -- though, to be fair, the Guild president did apologise for this overzealous reaction (and his treatment by some was undeniably unfair). After the debate, Aaron Porter came around to support the occupation and answer questions.

Getting Steve Smith to recognise the Occupation was always going to be a priority, and so when he came round on the second Wednesday, wearing a name badge and in the circle as anyone else would be, it was a major coup. Again I tweeted through it, this time on the official Occupation feed, so you can see what he had to say here. Our research was thorough, and I at least was shocked to hear such an influential supporter of the fees rise describe the HE cuts as "ideological".

The unity and creativity in the occupation was incredible. We were all there for political reasons, but though the sleeping arrangements were tough, people seemed genuinely engaged. When we could schedule them, we had free lectures, and we were all proud to be a space on the campus where you could receive free education. We had music, storytelling, and dancing. At times, I almost felt guilty for having so much fun.

But we did get a message across. Yes, the Tuition Fee rise made it through both the Commons and the Lords, and yes, Phillip Green still isn't paying the taxes that he should be. But we have shown the government that we will not stand for its cuts, that put the burden on the poorest whilst the richest go free. When I tell my MP that I will never vote for him again, he'll know that this is no idle threat, and that I damned well mean it. We have created a tradition of peaceful protest in Exeter, one which will live on long after the end of the Occupation, and shown that the "apathetic generation", so addicted to Fecebook and Twitter, can turn those tools against those who try to remove our rights.

The occupation may be over, but the movement lives on!

The Steve Smith/Aaron Porter Debate

These are the tweets I sent from the debate between Steve Smith, president of UUK, and Aaron Porter, president of the NUS, about HE funding. They are presented in chronological order.

Smith claims we "underinvest in HE", and doesn't think it should be privatised. #smithporter #solidarity #ukuncut

Browne review "utilitarian", says Porter. #smithporter #solidarity #ukuncut

Porter: individuals, businesses and the economy should ALL contribute to HE. #smithporter #solidarity #ukuncut

Q: with a £50m forum project unrequested,how do you guarantee student fees are spent on the best interests of students #smithporter #ukuncut

Smith: openness with guild, focus on research. Porter: much opacity exists still. #smithporter #solidarity #ukuncut

Q: should the NUS put more effort into telling poorer students the debt is bot[not] as they see it? #smithporter #solidarity #ukuncut

Porter: NUS will explain system, but figure is still daunting. #smithporter #solidarity #ukuncut

Telegraph allegations of secret NUS talks were unfair - Porter #smithporter #solidarity

Cable's advisor tried to discredit us ... Disgusting. - Porter #smithporter #solidarity

£335m invested in Exeter is based on zero increase in fees. Balancing the loss. -Smith #smithporter #solidarity

Poorer universities may have to charge less, problems arise -Porter. #smithporter #solidarity

[Porter:] Universities can't just stand still with tripled fees. #smithporter #solidarity

Q: What can I do now? #smithporter #solidarity

Future governments may act, show it's unpalatable. - Porter. #smithporter #solidarity

Question on the consumerisation of education. #smithporter #solidarity

Smith: Education should not be influenced by how it's funded. #smithporter #solidarity

Smith: Important to hold universities to account. #smithporter #solidarity

Porter: Unis should be responsible without direct funding from students. #smithporter #solidarity

Porter: Recovery through growth, not just cutting. Education is key. #smithporter #solidarity

Q: Previous privatisations have required governing bodies. One needed here? #smithporter #solidarity

Porter: We can't stand back and allow this without regulation. #smithporter #solidarity

Office for Fair Access run by "two men and a dog". Needs more teeth - Porter. #smithporter #solidarity

Smith: there will be more regulation. This is the right thing. #smithporter #solidarity

Smith: Number one problem, attainment. #smithporter #solidarity

Q: how will tuition fees help science degrees when they have links with businesses? #smithporter #solidarity

Smith: businesses do not put much into degrees. #smithporter #solidarity

Porter: international students show us our future. #smithporter #solidarity

Porter: UCAS received calls from international students asking whether their fees going up 3x as well. #smithporter #solidarity

Q: Is U of E best placed to endorse a two tier system when it doesn't represent the interests of other Unis that may close. #smithporter

Smith: policy of UUK agreed unanimously at every board meeting. #smithporter #solidarity

I believe no universities will close - Smith. #smithporter #solidarity

Social mobility different at each uni -floor. #smithporter #solidarity

Porter: "No fees" tactic didn't win '98 or '06, and there was not enough scrutiny. #smithporter #solidarity

The 60% of people who do not go to university should not pay the entirety of the costs of the 40% that do - Porter. #smithporter

Q: why is this debate closed to non-uni students? Why were we denied banners? #smithporter #solidarity #ukuncut

Smith: I have no knowledge. This was organised by the Guild. #smithporter #solidarity

Final question: funding low, accessibility low. Big disparity in Unis. Will gap between Unis get worse? #smithporter #solidarity

Porter: people may have to stay local. Subject choice may be influenced by future jobs, not personal preference. #smithporter #solidarity

Smith: earnings better with degrees, fear the "elite" Unis may have to spend much to bring small group of smart poor students. #smithporter

Smith: poorer social classes attain less generally; this is the battle we should fight. #smithporter #solidarity

Steve Smith receives the pledge from @ExeterOccupied. #smithporter #solidarity