I was meant to get this interview up a few hours ago but after reading what Falmouth Occupation had to say I found myself stuck for words. There are many students now taking this type of action all over the UK and some, Sheffield and UCL have even faced eviction orders by their very institutions. Within this scrum there are voices that need to be heard and need to be listened to as many times as you can.
What Falmouth has to say is inspiring and much like NCL, UCL, & Edinburgh they bring a heart to this campaign that lifts it beyond anything anyone could ever have imagined. We are honoured and proud to support Falmouth Occupation.
For more information on the Falmouth Occupation you can follow them on Twitter HERE and on their Blog.
How has the occupation been going, has there been, has moral been good?
The occupation has been going on since Tuesday evening now! So thats 6 nights in total and still going strong! The dedication of members of the student body involved with the occupation has been truely inspiring for myself and i also believe for others! Morale within the group has seen high and low points, especially with only a few hours of sleep on a cold hard floor in a sleeping bag, but hey, its a small price to pay really.
With the minority of students who have caused clashes with the police do you think that has harmed your message?
I personally do not think that the clashes caused by a minority have been harmful to the message that is coming from our of occupations, protests and direct action. I firmly believe that the right wing press stance has done nothing but harm to themsleves and has instead united the student and supportive body closer to combat the misconceptions that are being chucked about regarding “aggressive, violent good for nothing students“. I think that many people who read the papers and hear the news reports can see through the lies and propaganda and see a clearer picture of what is happening rather than what the press want the public to think!
What advice had you sought before your occupation, and what advice would you give other student bodies hoping to follow your lead?
Before taking action with the occupation i had been speaking to National Campaign Against Fees and
Cuts, other student activists and various other campaign organisers to get a large amount of information on how to go about running this sort of campaign properly. As soon as we were in the occupation and had secured an area i called up the NCAFC representative that i have been in contact with to quickly brief them of the situation and gather any advice!
If we were to advise people looking to follow the lead of the students within our occupation i think we would say plan carefully before you occupy and don’t necessarily rush into it. Probably have a face to face meeting with interested people. We learnt from this mistake as when the occupation was planned it was all done in a space of about 4 hours before it took place with me trying to gather support and pull it together in the staffroom at work! It wasn’t exactly ideal but even that shows how easy it is to initiate it.
NUS is supporting you do you think they could have done more before their initial march in London?
NUS are tricky for me, i personally think that publically they are not doing enough and i also believe that Aaron Porter has been pretty spineless in his lack of support for student occupations and action accross the country. I think Aaron Porter needs to be publically stating his support for these occupations that are working so hard or maybe reconsider his position as to whether he is the right person to be heading up the biggest obstacle that students are facing! I believe that a lot more work should have been done, and there is also a lot more work to be done and thats where our energy should be focused!
Has your university been in support of your occupation, whats the feedback been from your student union/body?
The staff within the university have been incredible to say the least. Security have been suprisingly facilitating and supportive, often leaving the heating on and asking if we need to be taken to the local supermarket which i don’t think we have taken them up on yet! Lecturers and staff have purchased chocolates and even arranged a curry for members of the occupation which is a real driving force in keeping people going.
However, management have been very hardline on their standpoint that cuts and raising of tuition fees is a pheasable way forward which is dissapointing to say the least!
The unfortunate lack of public support from the FXU (Falmouth and Exeter Student Union) has been incredibly shocking! The exec and members of the union have individually been extremely supportive of us and often asked if we have needed anything and brought us biscuits etc. However, the lack of public Student Union support has been suprising seeing as how the Student Union is meant to represent, campaign and fight for student issues. I think its safe to say that this is a huge student issue.
For all none students out there tell us just what these cuts could do to higher education?
I’m pretty sure that everyone know’s or has a good idea what these cuts will do to higher education but least we forget also further education! It is important that further education is not neglected in this struggle as further education is a feeder of higher education. Our universities will become a circle of businesses operating for profit, not the furthering of education that should be provided with the student’s best interests in mind. Research will only be undertaken if it is financially viable and students will be put off university with the fear of such huge debt. These drastic changes cannot and will not happen. Our voice is growing stronger by the day and i firmly believe that we will win in our struggle!
How has the press coverage been, have you been getting support from your students?
Press coverage has been quite good considering how detatched towns in Cornwall can be along with the icy weather we have been seeing. Students at the occupation has been featured in radio interviews along with news stories being printed in papers. We have had a lot of student support that can be seen in a petition that we presented to our local Tory MP Sarah Newton urging her to reconsider her position on cuts and tuition fee increase which contained over one thousand signatures! Given the size of the campus and student body i believe this really reinforces the strength of our opposition to the regressive cuts being talked about.
I think the main thing that we need is public support which can be given in the form of messages or coming down to the occupation at Tremough Campus. Having people come to give their support really does give enthusiasm and hope to everyone involved that there is a real opportunity for change here and people are actually taking notice and caring.
Is there anything you need that our readers could try and get to you?
We need to work in unity and show our solidarity to all others involved in our struggle!
