We at the Great York Sit-in in solidarity with fellow protests and occupations everywhere will peacefully occupy this space until the following demands are met and opinions are properly taken into serious consideration:
We demand that the University of York issues a written statement in strong opposition to the conclusions and substance of the Browne Report on Higher Education. We also insist they take the lead in encouraging other universities and relevant institutions to do the same. In particular, we oppose the move to introduce a competitive market in tuition fees encouraged by cuts in government support. We oppose the damaging precedent this sets in establishing a multi-tier system where only those from better off backgrounds feel they can apply to the more ‘prestigious’ institutions.
We demand that the University of York issues a written statement expressing opposition to the cuts to higher education budgets proposed by the government and the proposed raising of the cap on tuition fees. We also demand that the university takes the lead in encouraging other universities and institutions to do the same. Higher fees will deter many potential students from participating in higher education and cuts to funding and research will damage the quality and integrity of the university system as a whole. Education is, and should be treated as, a public good and a right for all.
We call upon the government to neither raise the cap on tuition fees nor cut public funding to universities.
We demand that the University of York releases a written statement in support of Education Maintenance Allowance and takes the lead in encouraging other universities and institutions to do the same, recognising that it is a vital lifeline to many students and an empowering gift of independence to many others as well recognising the wider social and economic benefits that a more diverse education system brings. EMA is vital to ensure that anyone can access further education which in turn helps widen participation at university level.
We call upon the government to recognise the importance of EMA and protect its continued existence.
We call on the government to ensure that university research remains publically funded, and is not contingent on immediate economic application. Though much research in science, technology, engineering and other fields carries clear and direct economic benefit and is, therefore, of short term interest to corporate funders, it is essential that British universities carry on their tradition of “blue-sky” research, and maintain the skills and infrastructure necessary to support a thriving academic environment. Broad research carries long-term social and economic benefits, and must continue unabated.
We demand that the University of York make a commitment to safeguard funding, not exclusively for “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects but for all subjects. Non-STEM subjects provide social goods which cannot always be measured by quantitative economic methods, and should be afforded equal treatment regarding funding.
We call on the central government not to cut funding for Non-STEM subjects and to provide funding at a level that recognises the vital social goods that these subjects provide.
We demand that the University of York ensures that there are no job cuts and that staff levels are maintained at this university.
We demand that the University of York operates a transparent open book policy regarding its finances, and keeps students and staff alike informed about its financial circumstances. This includes but is not limited to departmental budgets, the findings of any internal studies or analyses on finances and the university’s market position, and full disclosure on the university’s plans regarding potential budget changes.
We demand that no students or staff involved in any occupation, demonstration or other non-violent action in opposition to the cuts in government funding to education receive any negative repudiation from any member of the university faculty, campus security or external law enforcement agency.
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The Great York Sit-In is taking place in order to protest against the planned cuts in higher education funding.
To minimise disruption to teaching we will be situated in the exhibition area and allowing staff and students to access the lecture theatres and other facilities.
You are welcome to pop by for 1 minute to sign a petition, 1 hour to attend a workshop, teach-in or meeting, or to stay overnight. If you plan to stay here, bring essentials like sleeping bags, cushions, tea, books and of course musical instruments.
We demand that the University of York issues a written statement in strong opposition to the conclusions and substance of the Browne Report on Higher Education. We also insist they take the lead in encouraging other universities and relevant institutions to do the same. In particular, we oppose the move to introduce a competitive market in tuition fees encouraged by cuts in government support. We oppose the damaging precedent this sets in establishing a multi-tier system where only those from better off backgrounds feel they can apply to the more ‘prestigious’ institutions.
We demand that the University of York issues a written statement expressing opposition to the cuts to higher education budgets proposed by the government and the proposed raising of the cap on tuition fees. We also demand that the university takes the lead in encouraging other universities and institutions to do the same. Higher fees will deter many potential students from participating in higher education and cuts to funding and research will damage the quality and integrity of the university system as a whole. Education is, and should be treated as, a public good and a right for all.
We call upon the government to neither raise the cap on tuition fees nor cut public funding to universities.
We demand that the University of York releases a written statement in support of Education Maintenance Allowance and takes the lead in encouraging other universities and institutions to do the same, recognising that it is a vital lifeline to many students and an empowering gift of independence to many others as well recognising the wider social and economic benefits that a more diverse education system brings. EMA is vital to ensure that anyone can access further education which in turn helps widen participation at university level.
We call upon the government to recognise the importance of EMA and protect its continued existence.
We call on the government to ensure that university research remains publically funded, and is not contingent on immediate economic application. Though much research in science, technology, engineering and other fields carries clear and direct economic benefit and is, therefore, of short term interest to corporate funders, it is essential that British universities carry on their tradition of “blue-sky” research, and maintain the skills and infrastructure necessary to support a thriving academic environment. Broad research carries long-term social and economic benefits, and must continue unabated.
We demand that the University of York make a commitment to safeguard funding, not exclusively for “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects but for all subjects. Non-STEM subjects provide social goods which cannot always be measured by quantitative economic methods, and should be afforded equal treatment regarding funding.
We call on the central government not to cut funding for Non-STEM subjects and to provide funding at a level that recognises the vital social goods that these subjects provide.
We demand that the University of York ensures that there are no job cuts and that staff levels are maintained at this university.
We demand that the University of York operates a transparent open book policy regarding its finances, and keeps students and staff alike informed about its financial circumstances. This includes but is not limited to departmental budgets, the findings of any internal studies or analyses on finances and the university’s market position, and full disclosure on the university’s plans regarding potential budget changes.
We demand that no students or staff involved in any occupation, demonstration or other non-violent action in opposition to the cuts in government funding to education receive any negative repudiation from any member of the university faculty, campus security or external law enforcement agency.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Great York Sit-In is taking place in order to protest against the planned cuts in higher education funding.
To minimise disruption to teaching we will be situated in the exhibition area and allowing staff and students to access the lecture theatres and other facilities.
You are welcome to pop by for 1 minute to sign a petition, 1 hour to attend a workshop, teach-in or meeting, or to stay overnight. If you plan to stay here, bring essentials like sleeping bags, cushions, tea, books and of course musical instruments.
