exeposé
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ISSUE 682 19 MAR 2018 exepose.com @Exepose
THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987
The fight continues... First wave of strikes comes to an end, but pensions dispute still ongoing
University Senate calls for Sir Steve and UUK to work on alternative proposal Student occupation ends after 11 days inside Northcote House More strikes approved for summer term as academics reject agreement
Owain Evans & Megan Davies Editor & News Editor
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HE first wave of industrial action by academics across the country has ended, as the University and College Union (UCU) and Universities UK (UUK) continue talks to end the ongoing pensions dispute. If the dispute is not resolved, then an additional 14 days of strike action have been approved to take place in the summer term. Exact dates have not yet
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been set, as the Union will plan them in such a way as to cause the most disruption possible at each university. Meanwhile, amidst student protest and disruption to teaching hours, an emotional sitting of the University of Exeter Senate passed a motion that “advises Council as a matter of urgency to instruct the Vice-Chancellor to join other university Vice Chancellors in calling for UUK to work with UCU and, in due course, the USS trustees to develop an alternative proposal to put to the Pen-
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sions Regulator”. The motion also called for a “challenge [to] the problematic model being used to identify future pensions assets and liabilities”. This contrasts with the University’s previous refusals to support the UCU, despite calls from students and staff, and despite other Vice-Chancellors coming out in support of the strike. For example, Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, was pictured on the picket. Regarding the motion, a University
spokesperson told Exeposé: “The Senate represents an academic community with strong relationships built on trust and mutual respect. The detailed discussion about the motion showed the strength of feeling from staff and student representatives, but was constructive and respectful throughout. “The Vice Chancellor is committed to helping all parties to come to an agreement that supports our staff and protects our University for the long term.”
The motion being passed by Senate led the students occupying the John Usher room in Northcote House to abandon their occupation. The students, who left the building on Friday after a set played by Billy Bragg in the .Northcote House car park, had been in the occupation for just over 11 days (267 hours). They had first entered the building at around 9am on Monday 5 March. Their initial demands...
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‘Humans of Exeter’ feature PAGEs 18-19