University cuts: a student’s view
As higher education students prepare for a second day of protests, Helen Palmer, a PhD student in London, thinks the proposed higher education funding cuts are politicising a generation.
I think that the days which followed the last student demonstration were in a way just as important as the demonstration itself.
All the attention and debate has resulted in students thinking that they can take action, that it isn’t pointless to express a view, and that their views do actually matter.
One of the most important things to come out of the campaign is the way it has politicised students. This politicisation is vital if we’re going to carry on resisting the changes which are being proposed for this country. One day of demonstration is not enough – as people will see today across the country, the campaign against cuts is still gathering momentum.
Read all the Channel 4 News reports on tuition fees and university funding
The past few weeks have been pretty tense and difficult for a lot of students and staff. But it was important that the events of Wednesday 10th November were followed by some more decisive and constructive action. Students, workers and young people are coming together to show that we are not just going to sit back and allow our futures to be shaped against our will.
Carnival of Resistance
Today there is a Carnival of Resistance in London’s Trafalgar Square, as well as teach-ins, protests, meetings, rallies and occupations happening at universities all round the country.
We’re outraged that university might once again be something for the rich and privileged few rather than an equal right for everyone.
In the evening, the London students are going to be joined by workers for another protest at Downing Street. These are all positive acts which express the opinions of a huge and growing number of people.
What we are doing now matters on a much wider scale than our own particular universities or our own particular experiences.
I think a lot of us realise that it’s about a lot more than just raising student fees. It feels as though the entire structure of our society is being remodelled, with higher education being just one part of that.
We’re outraged that university might once again be something for the rich and privileged few rather than an equal right for everyone. I’m a tutor in the English department, and I cannot believe that our teaching budget has been cut by 100 per cent.
I think a lot of students are especially incensed because they voted Lib Dem, and feel that have been let down on a spectacular scale by this Coalition Government.
Helen Palmer is a PhD student and tutor at Goldsmiths College, University of London.