Swansea university students demanding a fees refund, October 2020

Swansea university students demanding a fees refund, October 2020   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Southampton

Students are dissatisfied, frustrated and angry. Socialist Students decided to make a stand.

We agreed that a demonstration on campus was the best way to make ourselves heard. On 16 October, we met at one of the busiest spots on campus.

Naturally, due to the Covid-19 measures, it couldn’t be a full-blown demonstration – we kept a distance between each other and wore our masks.

Lots of students stopped to speak to us about what we are fighting for, which unsurprisingly resonated with many of them. We collected signatures of people wanting to join the socialist movement in fighting for free education, which ultimately is the end goal.

Students getting a far-from-complete university experience need a fee refund. The pandemic has exposed the problems of a capitalist society that prioritises profit over people.

Our demonstration was part of our campaign for a socialist society. We demand a nationalised education system that prioritises the welfare of the people. We demand to be heard.

Eva Papadopoulou

Birmingham

Great Socialist Students meeting on 7 October on what campaigns on campus need to be launched asap to fight back against student and staff exploitation, stripping away our resources, and funding and welfare for students.

We will have a socially distanced protest on 21 October for an immediate refund of this year’s tuition fees, repayment of accommodation rent, and a national campaign for free education.

We got a great response on our 14 October campaign stall, with lots of support and sign-ups from students and staff. We appreciate all the support we have been receiving for the fightback for free education.

Cardiff

Socialist Students was out campaigning on 15 October for a refund of fees and free education, ahead of our meeting. Just a couple of weeks into term, and 1,300 Cardiff Uni students are isolating already.

All this was totally predictable given the government’s failure to defeat the virus. Students fees should be handed back, and we deserve a rent rebate too, with students allowed to cancel tenancy agreements and be given the resources to go home safely, if they wish.