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2023 University of Brighton protests

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2023 University of Brighton protests
Protest banners at the University of Brighton
Hanging protest banner at the University of Brighton
Date15 May 2023 (2023-05-15) – 9 November 2023 (2023-11-09)
Location
University of Brighton, Brighton, England
GoalsPrevent staff redundancies
Methods
  • Strikes
  • Demonstrations
  • Occupation
  • Online activism
StatusEnded - failed to prevent redundancies.
Parties
  • University of Brighton Solidarity Group (students)
  • Brighton UCU

The 2023 University of Brighton protests was a series of staff and student protests at the University of Brighton in England. The protests began on 15 May 2023 and concluded on 9 November 2023 after they failed to prevent 104 redundancies.

Background

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The protests were in reaction to the University announcing up to 400 staff were put on notice for 110 planned job cuts due to rising costs.[1] The goals of the protesters was to prevent the redundancies. The university said that these redundancies are necessary, blaming inflation and tuition fees being capped at £9,250. The university was aiming to save £17.9 million through redundancies.[2]

Unions, including The University of Brighton UCU and Sussex Students' Union, expressed support and messages of solidarity.[3] The University of Brighton UCU responded to the attacks with a statement, saying they'll fight the redundancies.[4]

The university has been criticised for spending £50 million on construction and for asking staff to take voluntary redundancy.[1] The University and College Union (UCU) has also called for the vice-chancellor and senior management at the university to resign and ran a vote of confidence.[5][6]

Student response

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Demonstration

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Students walking through a street with signs and banners protesting cuts.
15 May student demonstration against proposed cuts.

On 15 May 2023 students protested outside the university with banners, saying that the job cuts could affect their studies.[7][8] Staff also said that they are concerned that those who are not affected will have increased workloads. The cuts would also force some course modules and academic research to halt.[9]

Students also attended the UCU protest during an open day at the university on 17 June 2023, marching from The Level to Victoria Gardens.[10]

Vice Chancellor’s Office Occupation

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On 25 May 2023 students occupied the office of the Vice-Chancellor and other rooms on the management floor of the Cockroft building,[11][12] announcing via Twitter that they would remain there indefinitely until demands were met.[13] The students entered the office in the early hours of the morning according to a university spokesperson.[14]

At approximately 3pm the protest group announced they had also occupied the ground floor entrance to the building, and at approximately 4pm students appeared on the roof and hung banners.[6][15]

On 26 May students occupying the offices received a letter from solicitors working for the university threatening legal action and filed for a court order to evict them from the building.[16]

On 5 June the occupiers announced the end of their occupation around 4pm as the fire alarm was set off in the building.[17][18] The group shared an update on social media, calling out the university's security staff for not knowing where fire exits were located, and for not opening the fire exit doors. The university responded saying they treated the occupiers “respectfully” and with “great care”.[19]

Legal Notice placed by occupiers on the door of Pavillion Parade
Legal Notice placed by occupiers on the door of Pavillion Parade

Pavilion Parade Occupation

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On 18 September 2023, students occupied the Pavilion Parade university building, aiming to turn it into a community space. The occupation is in response to the university making 103 academic staff redundant in July and the university attempting to sell the building.[20] The group placed a legal warning on the door and security staff from the university are stationed outside the building.[21]

The students occupying the building invited academic staff, students, and the local community to visit. UCU regional official Michael Moran responded to the occupation by saying “It is incredible to see the overwhelming levels of support"[22]

The students occupying the building have accused security staff of assaulting occupiers, however no police reports have been filed.[23]

In response to the occupation, the university hired security staff and erected fencing around the premises.[20]

The students have now been occupying the premises for over a week.[24]

Tuition fee demands

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Students at the university have demanded tuition fees to be refunded for the academic year following the university's redundancies.[25]

Staff response

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Strikes

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In May 2023, Brighton UCU announced that staff members are planning a strike in response to the planned cuts and redundancies.[26][27][28] After a vote at the union, they shared that they would strike indefinitely from 3 July until demands are met, threatening to disrupt the start of the 2023/24 academic year.[29][30]

Another strike occurred during the university's freshers week, with a picket line at the entrance to the university.[31] Strikes ended on the 10 November 2023 after 129 days.[32]

University staff and students marching against redundancies.
UCU Protest on 17 June 2023 Brighton

Demonstrations

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Students and staff demonstrated on 10 June 2023 to protest the proposed job cuts.[10]

During a second protest organised by the UCU during an open day at the university on 17 June 2023, students gathered at The Level and marched towards Brighton railway station, ending at Victoria Gardens.[10] The UCU estimates that over 500 people attended.[10]

No Confidence vote

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1400 staff and students voted in an unofficial no confidence vote, approximately 800 lecturers and 600 students voted. 94% of respondents voted that they had no confidence in the vice chancellor and upper management.[33][34]

University and College Union Response

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Boycott

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The UCU called for a global boycott of the university following the vote to strike. The UCU's higher education committee (HEC) has now voted that the university be "greylisted" which is the union's ultimate sanction, meaning that it's asking its members, other trade unions, and the international community to cease working with the university.[35]

Marking and Assessment Boycott

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See also: 2018–2023 UK higher education strikes

Staff at the University of Brighton joined staff at universities around the UK in the UCU's Marking and Assessment Boycott, refusing to mark any assessments at the university.[36][37] The university criticised the boycott, and told students that most will not be affected.[38]

The boycott meant that students wouldn't get their assessments marked on time for graduation deadlines, which means that many students around the country didn't get degrees on graduation day. It was estimated that it could affect more than half a million graduations around the UK this summer.[39]

Students' Union Response

[edit]

The University of Brighton Students' Union (BSU) was criticised for their response to the protests and staff redundancies. On 22 June BSU posted a video to their instagram in response to the Marking and Assessment Boycott.

The video contains the union's president saying that academic progression should not be a political football, and that BSU is "distressed" to see students bearing the brunt of the boycotts and strikes between university workers and management.

Student groups criticised the response, saying that the BSU suggested that both the University and College's Union and the university are "both equally making our lives as students difficult", which student groups said is untrue.[40]

University response

[edit]

The university responded to protests citing rising costs due to inflation and the tuition fee freeze as reasons for the planned redundancies. Vice-chancellor Debra Humphris wrote in an email to staff members "We have already done everything we can to protect jobs wherever possible".[14]

On 24 July 2023, the University made 103 academic staff redundant.[41]

[edit]

On 26 May the university sought an injunction against the students occupying the offices.[42][43][44] The students received a letter from solicitors working for the university on the same day threatening legal action saying that the group's actions are a health and safety risk, and unlawful. The university also reported the group to the police. The students rejected the letter, and in response said that their actions were peaceful protest.[16]

On 30 May the university withdrew their application for a court injunction.[19]

Treatment of occupiers

[edit]

In a statement released by the University of Brighton Solidarity group on 30 May, the students said they have received homophobic language and other verbal abuse from employees of the university,[45] been flooded with sewage, and had a twelve hour delay in receiving cleaning supplies.[43]

Students occupying the Pavilion Parade building on 18 September posted on Instagram a video of security staff reportedly assaulting students, however no police reports have been filed.[23]

Heightened security

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Security at the university began checking student and staff ID cards at the entrance to buildings, and questioning students what they are doing in the building. Students have reported security staff following them to elevators and knocking on toilet doors to question students in the building.[46]

Withholding pay

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The University began withholding pay during the Marking and Assessment Boycott. University staff and students have criticised the university for this course of action, with some staff claiming they can't afford food due to not being paid. Staff claim the full pay cut is a "scandal" as marking takes up less than 20% off their workload, and they are continuing all other work.[37]

Outcome

[edit]

On the 27th October 2023, the university completed their planned redundancies[47] and strikes ended on the 10 November 2023 after 129 days after ultimately failing to reach the goal to prevent redundancies, 104 lecturers were made redundant through 82 voluntary redundancies and 22 compulsory redundancies.[32][48]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Zacharek, Kathryn (16 May 2023). "We need to save the University of Brighton - our education is at stake". Canary. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  2. ^ Wadsworth, Jo (5 May 2023). "University to make 110 staff redundant". Brighton and Hove News. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  3. ^ "University of Brighton Solidarity". sussexstudent.com. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Mass redundancy announcement – the fightback starts here | University of Brighton UCU". blogs.brighton.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Press Release: Vote of no confidence in the Vice Chancellor of University of Brighton and her senior team | University of Brighton UCU". blogs.brighton.ac.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  6. ^ a b Southwell, Felice (25 May 2023). "Stop redundancies or we will occupy 'indefinitely', students say". Brighton and Hove News. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  7. ^ Wilkins, Charlotte (15 May 2023). "University of Brighton students abandon studies to strike over staff redundancies". ITV News. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  8. ^ Barlow, Patrick (15 May 2023). "Students take to streets in protest over university redundancies 'attack'". The Argus. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  9. ^ Boyle, Joshua (17 May 2023). "Socialist Students help organise protest against 110 redundancies at University of Brighton". Socialist Party. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d Green, Daniel (11 June 2023). "Hundreds march through streets of Brighton to protest university redundancies". The Argus. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  11. ^ Dale, Bob; Campbell, Hanna (25 May 2023). "University of Brighton: Students occupy offices over job cuts". BBC News. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  12. ^ Staunton, Nick (27 May 2023). "Group of students Occupy Building at the University of Brighton". Brighton Journal. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  13. ^ Nicholson, Savannah (25 May 2023). "Students barricade themselves in vice chancellor's office against redundancies". The Argus. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  14. ^ a b Nicholson, Savannah (25 May 2023). "'We'll stay as long as it takes' - university student protest over job losses". The Argus. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  15. ^ Nicholson, Savannah. "Recap: University students barricade themselves in office over redundancies". The Argus. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  16. ^ a b Nicholson, Savannah (26 May 2023). "University students barricaded in chancellor's office threatened with legal action". The Argus. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  17. ^ Barlow, Patrick (5 June 2023). "Student protest occupation of university building ends when fire alarm goes off". The Argus. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  18. ^ Topple, Steve (6 June 2023). "Some oddly-timed fire alarms have ended the student occupation at Brighton University". Canary. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  19. ^ a b Southwell, Felice (5 June 2023). "Students occupying Brighton University offices leave after 11 days". Brighton and Hove News. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  20. ^ a b Topple, Steve (22 September 2023). "While management hide, students occupy part of Brighton University campus in solidarity with staff". Canary. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  21. ^ Blunt, Rosie (18 September 2023). "Brighton Students Occupy University Building". BBC News. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  22. ^ Torre, Berny (18 September 2023). "Brighton students occupy university building in solidarity with striking lecturers". Morning Star. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  23. ^ a b Southwell, Felice (22 September 2023). "Student occupiers 'barricaded in'". Brighton and Hove News. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Brighton students enter second week of occupation". Morning Star. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  25. ^ Barlow, Patrick (27 June 2023). "Students demand fees back after feeling 'cheated' by university". The Argus. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  26. ^ "University of Brighton staff plan strike in protest at over 100 proposed redundancies". ITV News. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  27. ^ Barlow, Patrick (10 May 2023). "University union vows to strike as over 100 jobs set to be axed to save money". The Argus. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Press Release: Brighton University staff vow to strike in defence of jobs | University of Brighton UCU". blogs.brighton.ac.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  29. ^ Green, Daniel (21 June 2023). "University staff announce 'indefinite' strike action". The Argus. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  30. ^ Perera, Sanya (5 July 2023). "Teaching staff strike over University of Brighton plans to make over 100 workers redundant". World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  31. ^ Blunt, Rosie; Neter, Hanna (25 September 2023). "University of Brighton staff on picket line in freshers' week strikes". BBC News. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  32. ^ a b Griffiths, Viv (28 November 2023). "Strike at University of Brighton ends after 129 days". Sussex Bylines. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  33. ^ Barlow, Patrick (31 May 2023). "Uni 'not safe in vice chancellor's hands' - staff vote no confidence in leadership". The Argus. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  34. ^ "Press Release: Vote of no confidence in the Vice Chancellor of University of Brighton and her senior team | University of Brighton UCU". blogs.brighton.ac.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Boycott the University of Brighton". www.ucu.org.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  36. ^ "Institutions affected". www.ucu.org.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  37. ^ a b Blunt, Rosie (7 July 2023). "Brighton lecturers 'can't afford food' as pay halted". BBC News. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Supporting you during UCU's marking and assessment boycott". Student News and Events. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  39. ^ "University marking boycott: What is the impact on students?". BBC News. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  40. ^ Zacharek, Kathryn (29 June 2023). "At Brighton University and beyond, higher education is in turmoil". Canary. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  41. ^ Blunt, Rosie (24 July 2023). "University of Brighton cuts 103 academic staff jobs". BBC News. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  42. ^ "Occupation of university facilities". University of Brighton. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  43. ^ a b Southwell, Felice (30 May 2023). "University goes to court to stop student protest". Brighton and Hove News. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  44. ^ Fuller, Christian (31 May 2023). "University of Brighton seeks injunction amid protest over job cuts". BBC News. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  45. ^ Barlow, Patrick (31 May 2023). "Students occupying uni office for nearly a week claim homophobic abuse by staff". The Argus. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  46. ^ Zacharek, Kathryn (30 May 2023). "The situation at the University of Brighton is worsening - but we're fighting for justice". Canary. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  47. ^ "Marathon strike at Brighton University comes to an end". University of Brighton UCU. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  48. ^ "Supporting you during industrial action". University of Brighton. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
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