Contact details for the occupation
Contact details for the university
Vice Chancellor:
Tel: +44 (0)1603 592206
Email: vc@uea.ac.uk
Occupation
Started - 11th February
Ended - 12th February
Where - Arts Building
Why - in solidarity with the people of Gaza
Demands
Their demands:
A public condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, from both the university authorities, and from the Union Exec over the continuing situation in Palestine.
Education aid for the University of Gaza, for example, old computers, text books etc, be sent there to help replenish resources destroyed in the recent bombardment.
For the university to twin with the University of Gaza (this will make it legally easier for the university to send aid).
Scholarships for Palestinian Students to help them continue their disrupted education.
A condemnation of the NUS from the Union for its failure to address the massacre in Gaza in a meaningful way.
No repercussions for any student, member of staff or the public who is involved in, or in any way supportive of the occupation
Success
19th February 2009
The university informs occupiers that it will circulate the statement produced by Universities UK.
Negotiation
19th February 2009
Students are told by the Acting VC that ‘in order to set up scholarships for students in Gaza we would need to go to each department head and discuss the possibility with them’.
The university offers to circulate the Universities UK statement.
17th February 2009
Occupiers report that they will be entering into negotiations with the university.
12th February 2009
The occupation ends after the university offers to enter into negotiations. They send a letter to the occupiers to confirm this. The university also threatens that the occupiers may be forcibly evicted during the night.
The university starts to make things difficult for the occupiers although they have been discussing the demands with the occupiers. The students report that ‘threats have been made against those distributing our leaflets’, and there have been attempts ‘to prevent students from entering the occupation’. They also mention there are two police officers outside the door.
The university offer three of the occupiers a one hour meeting with the vice chancellor in exchange for ending the occupation. The occupiers unanimously reject this offer twice.
11th February 2009
Security become less hostile. Students publish their demands.
At 18.45 students occupied the Arts building. Security are hostile towards the occupiers.
Support
12th February 2009
Academics from UEA visit the occupation
Protest
12th February 2009
Occupiers plan rally for 13th February
