Cash floods in after sit-in students fined

Over £800 raised after fundraiser set up

Students from Stirling University have been hit with fines for their part in a sit-in in solidarity with striking lecturers last November.

The students had been involved in the occupation of management offices during a 12day University and College Union (UCU) strike over pay, working conditions and pensions.

In February this year, the Observer told how university management were branded “high-handed” over the suspension of 13 students who took part in the sit-in.

However, three of the students claim that the university has now fined them for their part in the sit-in.

A spokesperson for the group Suspended Students of Stirling said: “In the midst of the havoc being wreaked by Covid-19, Stirling University has decided to return to its unreasonable methods of punishment by not only suspending three of the 13 Stirling students for a period of one semester to one academic year but they have also applied a financial punishment ranging from £200-£400 each and a period of 28 days to pay this.

“With the ongoing economic crisis where people have lost their income or seen it significantly reduced we are disgusted that the university should choose to punish its student activists with further harsh measures, continuing their drastic and draconian assault against peaceful protesters.

“We are aware that this is a difficult time for everyone but we are asking for donations to help cover these fines, we are grateful for every penny.”

A Just Giving page was then set up to help the students pay the fines.

At the time of print £865 had been raised.

The spokesperson added: “We were astonished and incredibly grateful for the generosity and solidarity which has been put into action by people today.

“Managing to raise the total of £800 in under 24 hours in support of students being punished for peaceful demonstration highlights the injustice of the university’s actions, and the strength of feeling people have in supporting us.

“We look forward to continuing to pressure the university to improve as well as reflect on its mistakes throughout this process.

A university spokesperson said: “The university cannot comment on the specifics of individual cases.”