100 join rally over student suspensions
Speakers call on university to reverse its decision
Around 100 people turned out for a rally at Stirling University on Tuesday to protest the suspension of 13 students.
The students were given an eight-week ban following a student-led occupation of university buildings last year as part of a strike from UCU lecturers over pay, pensions and working conditions.
A campaign aiming to force the university reverse their decision and allow the students to continue their studies has gained pace over the last week, with an online petition gathering more than 4,300 signatures at time of going to press.
And in the latest step to put pressure on the university, the rally was organised with speakers from students’ groups, trade unions including the UCU, as well as Scottish
Labour deputy leadership candidate Matt Kerr.
The speakers called on the university to reverse it’s decision and reinstate the students, with the UCU representative also thanking the group for their support for the ongoing industrial action.
A UCU Stirling spokesperson told the Observer: “There is a strong feeling among Stirling
UCU branch members that the university is being very heavy-handed in its treatment of these students.
“The gravity of the suspension is clearly at odds with the actual risk posed by the student occupation last year.
“The university action appears to be a deliberate attempt to deter any more student protest on campus in support of striking staff. If that is the strategy it is clearly not working.
“The suspension of these students is not only attracting a lot of negative publicity for the institution, but it is also making the students more determined to improve the working - and learning - conditions on campus.”
In a statement clarifying the reasons for the suspension on February 25, the university claimed that it was due to “clear risks to safety” posed by the occupation, including the padlocking and chaining of fire doors which breached fire safety regulations.
Stirling University were contacted for comment but did not respond.