NCL Rent Strike · @RentNcl
9th Dec 2020 from TwitLonger
NCL Rent Strike Demands
Our Demands:
1. A 50% reduction of rent in university owned accommodation
Affordable housing is a basic human necessity. We are being massively overcharged for poor living conditions.
2. A 50% refund in tuition fees, in the form of a support package
The refund would be given to us as cash instead of coming out of our loan. This is to avoid the impact of cumulative interest, which would see the loan refund as redundant, alongside actually having the money.
Charging £9,000 a year for education plunges young people into debt which can last for decades. Universities are turning into vehicles for financial gain, aiming to squeeze every possible penny from students during a global pandemic. This is more relevant than ever due to the reduced quality of education during the pandemic.
3. No staff redundancies or cuts to terms and conditions due to Covid
There is an increasing trend of staff redundancies and cuts to terms and conditions across the education system as shown by the University of Brighton threatening to cut IT staff jobs. The burden of reduced profits due to COVID must not be placed on the shoulders of staff. We stand in solidarity with UCU in several universities threatening to strike over the threat of job cuts.
4. Increased funding and accessibility of mental health services.
It has been shown again and again that Covid-19 and the isolation that results from it severely affects mental health. This is reflected in the governmental report and relating studies: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report/2-important-findings-so-far
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/9/e040620
5. Investigate Operation Oak abuses
There have been allegations and anecdotes from students about the unacceptable and invasive behaviour of security hired by the University. This is articulated here: https://thetab.com/uk/newcastle/2020/11/27/covid-marshals-have-allegedly-been-harassing-students-despite-following-guidelines-52642.
Accounts relating to the students accommodation being entered without warning on multiple occasions are detailed here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cymraeg/Y-Gyfraith-a-Llysoedd/discrimination/taking-action-about-discrimination/taking-action-about-harassment/#:~:text=If%20you've%20experienced%20this,a%20Citizens%20Advice%20local%20office
Under current legislation, this counts as harassment (under protection from Eviction Act 1977).