Issue 30 // Friday December 3 2010 The independent student newspaper of the University of Sheffield// www.forgetoda y.com Best of 2010 Fusepages 8-9 The University has threatened court action against a group ofprotesters occupying the Richard Roberts Auditorium. Protesters have occupied the building since 3.30pm on November 30. DirectorofEstatesandFacilities Management, Keith Lilley, told protesters exams are due to take place in the auditorium next week and, unless they moved, the University would be obtain an injunction to remove them. Lilley offered the protesters the option to move into the Hicks building, or face the threat oflegal proceedings. Occupiers demand that there is no rise in tuition fees, that Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is reinstated, and state they are against all cuts to education and welfare. A statement from the protesters said: “We are a peaceful and non-violent occupation. We see ourselves as part of a broad and united movement that has successfully mobilised against the ConDem attack on education and the rest of the public sector.” A 24 hour occupation of two lecture theatres took place in Hicks on November 24. When the Hicks occupation started University staff told protesters more people would be allowed in and out of the occupation the next day. Staff provided bottled water and allowed food to be brought in and out of the lecture theatre until 9pm. But the next day no more protesters were allowed into the rooms and the occupation’s website said there was an “unprecedented change in the agreement that was made with security last night, without consultation or mediation.” The occupation ended after the building was evacuated following a fire alarm, although protesters believe University security might have set the alarm off. An occupation statement said: “We managed to get a few more people into the occupation whilst the security were pushing and shoving us about. “Then, coincidentally, the fire alarm went off. We were highly suspicious that the security set off the alarm to try to get us to leave. This is because of the timing - they were aggressively preventing people from entering the occupation.” A University spokesperson said: “The University takes allegations made against our security staff very seriously and will investigate these claims made by the occupiers. “We can confirm that the fire alarm was not set off by a member of University staff and on hearing the fire alarm, security stafffollowed the correct procedures and evacuated the building to ensure the safety of everyone in the building.” The Auditorium occupation began following a planned march to Nick Clegg’s constituency office. When Forge Press went to print protesters were debating whether to move to the Hicks building or stay in the Richard Roberts Auditorium. A University spokesperson said: “We understand the concerns of students and are proud ofthose students who have shown dedication and commitment to supporting and championing a cause that won’t necessarily affect them but will instead have an impact on future generations. “The University of Sheffield fully supports freedom of speech and the right of students to express their views within the law. However the University does not condone occupation of lecture theatres, which will undoubtedl y cause disruption to lectures and seminars for students. Students’UnionFinanceOfficer Tom Hastings said: “Sheffield Students’ Union encourages all students to do as much as they can within the next seven days to put as much pressure on the government as possible.” Occupiers are allowing lectures to continue in the Auditorium while they remain in the building. The protesters said: “Geography students and their lecturer were perfectly happy to have their lecture in the occupied space, undisturbed. Also several seminars have run through the afternoon. “Management have claimed that our occupation would disturb the education of students, yet it is them who are moving education from the building whenever they can.” University College London has already appeared at the High Court to seek an injunction to stop occupations that have been ongoing on their premises for a week. 8 LETTERS 13 FEATURES 21 LIFESTYLE 27 TRAVEL 29 SPORT More// inside NEWS Matt Burgess Occupiers claim Uni dirty tricks Floss of hearing The man with the tooth in his earNews page 4 LIFESTYLE Fashion prospectus Five pages of vintage fashion perfect for NewYear’s, shot in Firth Court Lifestyle pages 21-26 FEATURES Project Buzz Supporting local children in theircommunityFeatures pages 13-15 Blacked up: Sinterklaas is coming to Jessop West page 3 COMMENT Right to Recall The arguments forand against the NUS campaign Comment page 9 Traditional Sinterklaas costumes. Photo: Astrid Photography
