By Sheila Mckenzie-
Students have occupied a University of Manchester building in protest against paying high fees despite living in appalling conditions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The disgruntled students are calling for a reduction in their rent and £9,000 tuition fees, after face-to-face classes were halted and a series of issues with their accommodation.
They arrived at the OwensPark Tower, which the university has said is unoccupied, at 10am on Thursday unveiling large banners and lighting flares from its windows.
Last week, students at this same university protested against the erection of a fence morning without warning from the university, which forced them to be only able to leave through a single exit guarded by security.
As well as fencing off most entrance points, the university disabled swipe cards that grant entry to buildings other than their accommodation
The students are complying with coronavirus guidelines, have enough food and supplies to stay for at least a week.
“We have enough resources and solidarity funding from other groups to mean we can stay here for as long as possible and to be honest it’s nicer than my usual halls,” politics and sociology student Ben McGowan told the PA news agency.
“We’ve had appalling accommodation conditions ranging from flooding to leaks and rat infestations.
“We have a severely under resourced mental health support network even though mental health amongst students has never been more dire.
“Last week it reached boiling point with the fences around campus – now we’re expected to pay rent for December when Government guidelines mean we won’t even be in uni halls for the whole of December.”
Last week, Manchester students tore down fences erected outside their campus in Fallowfield at the beginning of a second national lockdown.
Students in England will be allocated staggered departure dates during a “travel window” between December 3-9 so they can return home after the four-week lockdown.
Mr McGowan said the university has repeatedly refused to meet with students about the issues they face – with students looking for 40% off their rent bills.
“We felt the only option we had left was direct action so we’ll continue to occupy the building until (they) agree to meet with us,” said Mr McGowan.
A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “We are aware of the protest by a handful of students in an empty residential building.
“We have made it clear to them that they shouldn’t be there and that they may also be in contravention of current national Health Protection Regulations.
“We are already engaging with elected Students’ Union representatives about many of the issues being highlighted by the protestors. The University is fully committed to freedom of expression.”