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ONE HUNDRED and seventy five students have joined the Union's Rent Strike so far... surpassing the total take-up figure for 1992's action In the space of a week. Then just under 120 campus residents joined a similar protest against rent rises of five and a half per cent. Now, following last week's quorate UGM, many more have pledged their support against hikes of between five and fourteen per cent. Said Union Welfare Officer, Esther Jillett, "We've had people coming up at the rate of 50 r ·• or 60 a day over the last three days and I can see it picking up by the end of the week. "At the end of Monday we had 175 people < joining, which I think considering that a lot of people are still waiting for their local authority to give them their grants, is really good going." UEA chiefs are playing down the issue at this stage, claiming that a rent strike is very unlikely to bring about any change in rent levels. "I'm disappointed that students have voted for a rent strike", said Director of Residences, Jenny Grant, "I'd rather do things by continuing the dialogue with the Students Union. "I can honestly say that an enormous amount of time went into setting this year's rent levels, and if I'd had any room to manoeuvre in the available quite quickly. I don't think that it's budget, then I would have used it", she added. true that UEA has got no money - it might not "My hands are tied - I don't have a choice have much in the Residences Account, but with th.e options available." they' ve got millions in reserves." But Esther countered these claims, stating, Jenny Grant insists however, that no more "It is quite clear that whether Jenny Grant has money is available to her department. been told from above that her hands are tied or 'There was a very clear objective to keep the not, the University does have money, and that majority of rents as low as possible which was no-ones' hands are tied as much as they think balanced against increases for Nelson Court and they are. Constable Terrace. "Obviously, she is tied by the burden of the 'The objective was to be fair- we don't think economic mismanagement of recent years, we' re charging too much. This year's rents still which has caused them great problems with represent good value for money." the Residences Account, but if the University • Action against the rent rises continues on were more imaginative, were more interested in Monday October 9 with a mass rally in The looking at ways of providing a proper service Square with guest speakers and the suomission to students, not just in residences but in catering of a petition. as well, they'd find that money becomes
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Left: opposite numbers Esther Jillett (far left) and Jenny Grant