#bruneioccupation

We hear the concerns of racial hostility; We are addressing them in the Occupation through Safer Spaces, and in wider society; To raise concerns, ideas and suggestions you can get in touch with us via our email [email protected] (anonymously through:https://www.guerrillamail.com)

It has been brought to our attention that a number of students at SOAS feel unable to enter and engage with the occupation as a result of finding the space racially hostile. For this, we apologise unreservedly. With this apology, we also send out a recognition of the responsibility we face to fight structural racism both within the SOAS Occupation and in wider society. We are working on improving our internal processes to ensure that such issues of exclusion are taken up with the seriousness they deserve and trying to make our politics truly inclusive to all those that want to take part.

BME and Muslim students’ exclusion from Occupation

One of the criticisms raised was that the negative schoolwide effects caused by the Occupation are disproportionately affecting BME students. We did not anticipate the reckless decision by management to arbitrarily shut down the main building, cancelling Black History Month events.

The point has been made that disproportionate policing against BME and Muslim students prevents some students’ from entering the space. This inaccessibility is something we are aware of given that one of our demands concerns the school’s implementation of the Prevent strategy. We apologise for the fact that no adequate mechanism has been set up for those students to influence the decisions of the Occupation.

Whilst endeavouring to engage in actions to solve the issues raised, we acknowledge the vital importance of black students’ contributions to the occupation where they have played a critical role in its tactics and operated extensively both within and outside of the space. It is important not to deny the multifaceted and complex agency of BME students and fall into the trap of treating the opinions and political positions of BME students as monolithic. We recognise that denunciations of racial insensibility against a group (which includes dedicated members who are BME) can lead to the erasure of their identity and agency. It also undermines the dedication of these very occupiers and BME groups who have used and supported the space. To erase their agency is an act of political violence in itself.

Effects of the Occupation on students

Further, while the occupation has stood in full solidarity with the political choices of protests made by staff and unions with whom it stands in solidarity, we acknowledge that we should have thought more critically about how actions by Senior Management would affect the wider student community. Still, we did try to mitigate the effects of the closure of the university on the second day of collective action by making a strong case for a ‘soft picket’. Nonetheless we must not forget who is causing these disruptions and why: Senior Management, whose irresponsible and unaccountable behaviour, (such as ordering the “closures” of our university), is exactly what Occupy SOAS is fighting.

All political meetings and pickets finished by 5pm on both the 29th and 30th of October. Yet in spite of this, Senior Management shut the Main Building for almost 20 hours on 29th morning, and blocked the borrowing of books from the library and unilaterally closed the building on the 30th at 9pm, despite the variety of events that had been organised by students and staff.

Whilst Senior Management needlessly disrupted students’ timetables and events, they themselves were able to go ahead with their plans of cutting courses, exploiting workers, and intimidating the entire community.

We therefore maintain that the crisis at SOAS has been created and sustained by Senior Management’s decisions to pursue an authoritarian and repressive style of misgovernance. They must be held accountable for their actions.

Way forward

We recognise that apologies alone are not nearly sufficient to critically pursue our fight against structurally oppressive spaces which exist within British society. We therefore commit to this in two ways; Supporting the work with Liberation groups inside the Occupation. Establishing channels of communication and mechanisms of engagement for members of the SOAS community who don’t feel comfortable entering the occupation, but wish to be heard within the Occupation. To help achieve this we will be organising an event in the JCR on Monday the 9th (open to all SOAS students) to discuss, clarify and take action on these matters.

This oppressive society permeates the spaces we act in. Occupy SOAS has not claimed to escape society or its structural oppression and prejudices. However, we have and will continue to fight White Privilege as it is expressed within the occupation. This internal struggle includes a renewed commitment to our Safer Spaces policy, as well as engaging in experience-sharing discussions and workshops to better recognise, challenge and dismantle the oppressive behaviours and structures facing us.

In our demands regarding Prevent strategy at SOAS, and our work with various Liberation groups across London, we are directly fighting the oppression of BME activists. Through recognising the intersectionality of various forms of struggles, we hope to continue this fight both inside and outside the Occupation.

Open dialogue

We welcome suggestions on how we can further improve the space and steps that we could take to better oppose racism. We will listen and work hard to understand your concerns so that we can take them up appropriately. Students who feel that they are unable to enter the space to make criticisms can get in touch with us via our email [email protected]. Anything e-mailed to us will be discussed either within our Safer Spaces team, or at a General Assembly. For those who would prefer to contact us anonymously, you can email us from a single-use e-mail account (https://www.guerrillamail.com), though this means that we will not be able to respond in the same e-mail. We will further advertise other channels of communication and complaint as they emerge from the aforementioned processes.

The trigger for our decision to occupy was the feeling that the moves toward course cuts and curriculum reviews, would only be mildly resisted if no direct action was taken. Senior Management is proving to be intent on rolling back or simply ignoring years of campaigns for social justice by Justice For Cleaners, Fractionals For Fair Play, Democratise SOAS, and trade unions. The secretive implementation of Prevent on campus and the new outsourcing tender process are both ongoing decision-making processes that must be stopped.

We never claimed to represent the entire SOAS community. Instead, our mandate arose from our own political conviction that an Occupation with reasonable demands would put pressure on Senior Management to make a better SOAS for its workers and students. We welcome all constructive criticism which supports our fight for a better university. Occupy SOAS’ decision to take direct action in no way precludes others from alternative action to bring about the changes they want to see in the SOAS community. In fact, we fully encourage this diversity of activism.

“WHO IS SANDY?” Alexander Nicoll (Sandy) is Secretary of the UNISON trade union branch at SOAS, and has worked at the university for 21 years. He has been unwavering in his solidarity for both students and (especially outsourced) workers; notably in his urging for UNISON support of the 2010 anti-fees protests and in his integral role in the Justice for Cleaners campaign.

On Wednesday, Sandy was suspended on allegations of “gross misconduct” after speaking out in support of student protests.

“WHY ALL THE FUSS?” Following Tuesday’s student and worker rally, Sandy re-entered the main building to return to his workplace with other UNISON colleagues. After using his faculty card to open the side gate, he faced unsubstantiated accusations from management of letting non-students into the university. Sandy categorically denies these allegations. The School claims to reserve the right to suspend members of staff without evidence.

Students and staff alike find it unconscionable to allow this obvious scapegoating to go unchallenged, particularly in light of Sandy’s tireless commitment to the SOAS community and the vital role he has played in securing labour rights for the lowest-paid workers on campus.

“WHAT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY?” On Tuesday, a rally was held to consolidate and demonstrate solidarity with the Student Occupation which has been subject to repressive tactics. The rally was supported by over 150 students and included speeches from academic staff. Following the rally, many SOAS students engaged in a peaceful sit-in of the SOAS Directorate office. See also this video for more about the sit-in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vueaZTgE9_s

“WHY ARE FACULTY AND STUDENTS PICKETING?” By personally targeting and attempting to make an ‘example’ of a vocal member of the SOAS community, and specifically a prominent trade union activist, the university management has severely escalated its already substantial attempts to prevent legitimate opposition to its austerity agenda. This called for an immediate and appropriately robust response as the suspension is an attack on the official channels through which members of the community are expected to handle grievances.

Management has consistently proven itself unwilling to be swayed by student and staff concerns over governance, no matter how they have been presented. It has ignored basic issues like SOAS’ marketability following the closure of its specialist courses. It has further chosen not to reinvest surpluses wisely, such as through insourcing workers. Indeed, management’s continued refusal to even listen to logical alternatives to its austere fiscal approach is what has made rallies necessary. Students and staff have been ignored, silenced, and now intimidated. It is unacceptable to victimise staff at a time when management has serious accounts and apologies to make to staff. As a result, disruption was necessary to gain the attention of decision-makers, and to let decision-makers know that there are people at SOAS who stand up when someone is singled out and made an example of.

“WHY ARE YOU STOPPING US FROM ACCESSING OUR EDUCATION?” A common complaint among students at the solidarity action for Sandy was the lack of choice presented in staying out of the Main Building. Those forming the picket line discouraged people from entering the building whilst blocking the entrance. None of the protesters were physically violent at any point. Those forming the picket line sought every non-violent means to discourage people from entering and breaking the picket. In reaction, a small group of student tried to physically push through picketers assaulting them in the process. Following this the university management itself took the decision to close down the building and lock the front doors.

Regardless, Senior Management itself is to blame for the continual infringement upon our education. It is them who have insisted on casualising staff and intimidated and victimised individuals for speaking out for the values SOAS claims to champion. It is them who have prioritised an ideologically-driven surplus at the expense of the courses that make SOAS unique and the community that gives it life.

Contrary to popular perception, the overwhelming majority of those supporting Thursday’s protest were current SOAS students who themselves missed classes. The financial burden of fees weighs on all of us.

“WHERE IS THE DIALOGUE?”

The purpose of the rally was to demonstrate solidarity with a member of the SOAS community over a wrongful suspension.

The decision to suspend Sandy is a direct message to staff: the management will not even listen to staff exercising their rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. Such acts must be condemned in the most forceful way, until proper remedies have been taken, including reinstatement of Sandy with immediate effect and a full apology to all staff at SOAS for the intimidation caused by management’s act of silencing and repressing staff activism.

Management has refused to meaningfully engage in dialogue at every turn; any and all meetings that they have called have been rigidly one-sided and on their terms.

“I NEED TO ATTEND MY LECTURE”

We are all students and we all want to attend our lectures. We also do not want our education to be undermined. However, the power to resolve this situation lies in the hands of Senior Management who has continued to refuse to engage with student, various campaigns, and union demands. Instead they have continued to victimise those who want to speak out.

We urge you to write to the management and demand that they start negotiating with students and staff immediately. Additionally, we suggest that you contact your lecturer as some lectures are being rearranged at other SOAS buildings or in UCL/Birkbeck. Your lecturer may also be withholding teaching as a sign of solidarity. Do contact lecturers on an individual basis.

“I NEED TO USE THE LIBRARY”

All SOAS students are entitled to use all UoL libraries. The nearest ones are UCL, Senate House and Birkbeck.

“I CAN’T ACCESS THE PRAYER ROOM”

There are prayer rooms in Birkbeck and the IoE, located next to SOAS. Please do ask anyone at the picket for directions to these prayer rooms.

“MY STUFF IS INSIDE/IN A LOCKER”

That’s fine, you can enter through a side door. Just ask at the Brunei Gallery reception.

“WHAT IS UNISON?” UNISON is the second largest trade union in the UK with 1.3 million members. UNISON represents both full- and part-time staff who provide public services in the public and private sectors.

“What is UCU?” University and Colleges Union is the largest trade union and professional association for academics, lecturers, researchers, trainers and academic-related staff in further and higher education.

WHY HAS THERE BEEN VIOLENCE? The numerous incidents of management-backed violence against students and staff is very concerning. In addition to the long-term structural violence being meted out on us by the Executive’s austerity programme and their corporatisation of the university, the senior management has been complicit in a number of instances of physical violence.

Cutting off the electricity mains and wifi inside the Brunei Suite has created a fire hazard - in addition to being inconvenient for SOAS staff and students using the Brunei Gallery for its classes. Every night, the air conditioning is put on full blast at great financial and environmental expense, not to mention the health of those occupying. Management is also spending £2,400 per day hiring intimidating 24 hour security to prevent people from entering and exiting the Brunei Suite. This not only has created an additional fire and safety hazard; it has rendered the space inaccessible to those unable to climb through the window.

On Thursday 29 October, picketers were injured. Those standing peacefully resisted acts of physical and verbal aggression by people using violence to break the picket line. As an occupation, we condemn and work through consultations and dialogue to end any acts of insult or harassment. Yet extra security staff hired by management have been insulting, physically pushing and assaulting people entering and leaving the occupation. Why is this violence going unnoticed and unacknowledged?

“ISN’T THE OCCUPATION JUST SOAS ALUMNI DISRUPTING THE CURRENT STUDENTS’ EDUCATION?”

Response to management's update below.

What is Management's ignorant response to the current occupation (not a sit-in!) in the Brunei Suite?

After an ongoing exchange of documents containing our demands and the management's quick dismissal of these, as well as over 70 educational events (check our calendar below), senior management decided to single-handedly escalate the situation by turning off the mains electricity in the occupied space. Fully aware of the fire hazard posed by the potential intense usage of extension cables and acting in such a reckless manner without giving notice, we are deeply shocked by management's wilful negligence.

Regarding their concern for health & safety, a first step to ensure this would be to cease constantly running the air conditioning (which increases the likelihood of illness). Underpinned by false accusations of 'physical and verbal intimidation against School staff as well as some minor criminal damage' (we would be pleased to find out which imaginary incidents they are referring to), this is basically exemplary of management's ongoing ignorance of the wider concerns and demands of the SOAS community.

Regarding the Open Day, we were delighted by the influx of many prospective students in the occupied Brunei Suite who experienced this political action as a motivating reason to apply to SOAS. Thus, management should be grateful to the occupation for increasing application numbers of critical-thinking prospective students. In other words, why just get a pen and sweets from a human rights organisation if there is human rights advocacy put into action in an occupation within our own university (see our demands regarding workers' rights and outsourcing of staff in SOAS).

The occupation is fully aware of the lost income due to cancelled commercial bookings in the Brunei Suite, which shows that the language of money is the only language management speaks. The displayed willingness to negotiate ('we continue to welcome dialogue with the group') comes after years of patronising dismissal, rejection and intimidation of on-campus campaigns, and thus shows the effectiveness of the method of a disruptive occupation.

We fully agree that the occupation also has a 'significant academic impact'. This takes form in various lectures, seminars and talks, making the occupation a frequented space in an overbooked campus (see calendar). Therefore, the occupied Brunei Suite is truly 'creating an academic environment that nurtures, challenges and inspires the next generation to develop ideas for a fairer and more cohesive world' (Prof. Paul Webley, Achieving Our Vision, 2020 Vision and Strategy for the 2016 Centennial and Beyond)

- The occupiers

--------------------------------- What is the School's response to the current sit-in in the Brunei Suite? UPDATE: Friday 23 October

Since Wednesday 14 October, the group engaged in the sit-in has made no contact with the SOAS senior team. The senior team invited the group to a meeting on Friday 16 October but the invitation was declined as the group was "too busy." In just over a week there have been several incidents of physical and verbal intimidation against School staff, as well as some minor criminal damage.

The sit-in continues to have a significant impact, both academically and financially. Key activities for Undergraduate Open Day on 21 October had to be relocated to the SCR (thanks are extended to all staff and the SCR committee for accommodating this), resulting in a less than ideal experience for prospective students on the most important Open Day of the year. A Careers event offering students the chance to meet with law firms, education providers and human rights law organisations was also disrupted. The School continues to lose income from commercial bookings.

This morning, the mains electricity and wi-fi in the Brunei suite were turned off. For health and safety reasons the lights have been left on. We continue to welcome dialogue with the group.