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Students occupy Central St Martins in protest against cuts Students occupy Central St Martins in protest against cuts
(2 days later)
Students have occupied the reception area of the main building of Central St Martins College of Art and Design (CSM) in protest against proposed cuts to foundation courses across the University of the Arts London (UAL).Students have occupied the reception area of the main building of Central St Martins College of Art and Design (CSM) in protest against proposed cuts to foundation courses across the University of the Arts London (UAL).
Under the plans, foundation courses – a route into higher education for those without formal qualifications – would be cut or merged at UAL colleges. A total of 580 places will be cut over the next two years, according to the university. Under the plans, year-long foundation courses – which prepare students for university-level art and design education – would be cut or merged at UAL colleges. A total of 580 places will be cut over the next two years, according to the university.
Hundreds of students have taken part in the occupation since it began on Thursday, lining the reception room with banners and slogans, and forcing staff to create a makeshift reception in the main entrance area.Hundreds of students have taken part in the occupation since it began on Thursday, lining the reception room with banners and slogans, and forcing staff to create a makeshift reception in the main entrance area.
Shelly Asquith, president of UAL students’ union, says: “UAL management have continually undermined education in favour of profit-making and have shown contempt for engaging with the student body in any meaningful way. It’s clear that this government couldn’t care less about the arts, but I would expect better from our own university.”Shelly Asquith, president of UAL students’ union, says: “UAL management have continually undermined education in favour of profit-making and have shown contempt for engaging with the student body in any meaningful way. It’s clear that this government couldn’t care less about the arts, but I would expect better from our own university.”
Indiana Lawrence, a foundation student at Camberwell College of Art, says: “I cannot stand by and watch something which I relied on disappear. The link between foundation and degree is vital, both for access for those from marginalised backgrounds, and for the quality of arts education and the ability of artists to explore different fields. What is being proposed is devastating, and we will stay here for as long as it takes to make UAL back down.”Indiana Lawrence, a foundation student at Camberwell College of Art, says: “I cannot stand by and watch something which I relied on disappear. The link between foundation and degree is vital, both for access for those from marginalised backgrounds, and for the quality of arts education and the ability of artists to explore different fields. What is being proposed is devastating, and we will stay here for as long as it takes to make UAL back down.”
A UAL spokesman says: “We remain passionately committed to providing foundation in art and design for art and design students. We are, however, convinced that it is not necessary or appropriate for students on non-art and design courses, of which there are many at UAL.A UAL spokesman says: “We remain passionately committed to providing foundation in art and design for art and design students. We are, however, convinced that it is not necessary or appropriate for students on non-art and design courses, of which there are many at UAL.
“Non art and design students – mainly at LCC – will therefore no longer be required to undertake foundation courses. This seems an effective response to a hostile funding environment.”“Non art and design students – mainly at LCC – will therefore no longer be required to undertake foundation courses. This seems an effective response to a hostile funding environment.”
A UAL staff member, who wanted to remain anonymous, says: “I support the students and they may as well continue with the occupation if they think it’s going to work. Even if you don’t win, it’s good to have a fight.A UAL staff member, who wanted to remain anonymous, says: “I support the students and they may as well continue with the occupation if they think it’s going to work. Even if you don’t win, it’s good to have a fight.
“But it’s really inconvenient. It’s very cold out here and we can only run a skeleton system, not provide a good service like we normally do. We don’t have any phones – just laptops.”“But it’s really inconvenient. It’s very cold out here and we can only run a skeleton system, not provide a good service like we normally do. We don’t have any phones – just laptops.”
The action follows an occupation at the London School of Economics (LSE), where students occupied a central administration room at the university, in protest of what they call “the marketisation of higher education”.The action follows an occupation at the London School of Economics (LSE), where students occupied a central administration room at the university, in protest of what they call “the marketisation of higher education”.
Deborah Hermanns, from the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, says: “We are witnessing the creation of a two-tier education system, sucking money out of parts of the system which working class students rely on, and putting it into where money can be made. These moves set an awful precedent for what could happen to courses across the UK.”Deborah Hermanns, from the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, says: “We are witnessing the creation of a two-tier education system, sucking money out of parts of the system which working class students rely on, and putting it into where money can be made. These moves set an awful precedent for what could happen to courses across the UK.”
The students entered occupation early on Thursday evening, and on Monday held a rally which attracted students from a range of universities. Further joint action is planned by UAL and LSE on Wednesday.The students entered occupation early on Thursday evening, and on Monday held a rally which attracted students from a range of universities. Further joint action is planned by UAL and LSE on Wednesday.