International Student Movement

The following Press Release was sent to an ISM contact () by [email protected]. The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is part of the University of London in the UK.

SOAS Students Picket Governing Body over £9,000 Fees

PRESS RELEASE
SOAS students picket Governing Body over £9,000 fees
8/04/11

The Governing Body of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) meets today to set tuition fees for 2012/2013. The SOAS directorate has already made a formal recommendation for fees to be set at £9,000 a year for undergraduate students.

Hundreds of students and staff took part in the SOAS occupation last term, demanding that SOAS management refuse to implement cuts to education and increase tuition fees.

The vast majority of students and staff believe that cuts and fee increases will prevent students from pursuing higher education, commit them to unacceptable levels of debt, and compromise the unique teaching provision offered at SOAS.

Students reject the argument that ratifying the fees at £9,000 is in the greater interest of SOAS’ future financial viability, and believe that efficiency savings can instead be made from the salaries of top management.

SOAS is set to follow the direction of the Russell Group – of those that have announced fee levels, all have set them at £9,000 per annum – without due consideration of alternative proposals, and with scant regard for the negative impact on future students.

Today students will be protesting outside the Governing Body meeting, to be held at SOAS, Room 116 at 11am. They will deliver a letter addressed to the Governing Body.

ENDS

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