The Rent Strike and Occupation: What

happened when?

putes this figure.

Editor and MMG

Senior Producer

January 2, 2023: The Twitter account @rentstrikeUoM announces that they are calling a rent strike of students in University halls, demanding:

A 30% rent reduction for the year, including a rebate on the previous strikes that the University commits to not increasing [...] rents for at least 3 years that the University makes 40% of halls “affordable according to the NUS definition, within 3 years”

January 19 : The deadline for rent in University halls. Rent strike organisers claim that 350 students have withheld rent, totalling a total of half a million in rent. The University dis -

February 3 : Fraser McGuire, one organiser of the rent strike, tells The Mancunion that there is an “appetite” for escalation, should the University not engage or negotiate.

February 8: Escalation, following a refusal to engage by the University.

3 University buildings: The Samuel Alexander, Engineering, and John Owens (housing the offices of senior management) are occupied by the rent strike. These occupiers are joined by Manchester Leftist Action, a rebrand of the group previously known as NancyOut.

February 10: Security attempt to block food getting into the John Owens building - one security guard is quoted saying “if you want to get to them, you’ll have to go through me”. They back down after online pressure.

February 13: The occupiers leave the Sam Alex and Engineering Building. They had previously told Manchester Media G roup that they would remain indefinitely, even if it meant staying over the Easter holiday.

However, they now occupy the Simon Building.

February 14: The University of Manchester issues an ultimatum to occupiers, threatening “formal disciplinary action” and potential expulsion. A concert, involving performers Vice Vera and OORYA is held in solidarity with the occupiers.

February 15: The University cuts off WiFi access to the John Owens building.

The Rent Strike claims to have confirm the identi - ty of several abusive Twitter accounts as belonging to University staff, including security and someone in the “senior management of the Directorate of Estates and Facilities”. The abuse includes ‘homophobic, racist and misogynistic comments.

February 16: The University cut off heating in the John Owens building, due to the “cost of living” crisis. The occupiers leave the John Owens building. They set off flares, displaying a banner saying “This is just a warning”.

The group tell The Mancunion that the group “feel they can do more organising on the outside than they can do on the inside”.

February 17: The occupiers are given an ultimatum to leave the Simon Building by 4pm. Securi -

Emily Turvey, the Humanities Officer, commented “Today, students staged a walkout based on their experiences of racism at the University of Manchester.

I stand in solidarity with these students, the open letter they have written, as well as the Butterfly Effect campaign group, who are calling for a holistic and inclusive transformation of higher education.

I will continue to work with students who took part in the walkout and the Butterfly Effect campaign. I regularly meet with the ViceDean of the Faculty of Humanities and as part of my regular meeting, I will raise this issue directly.

If any other students have been affected by racism or other forms of discrimination, you can contact the SU’s Advice Service and use the University’s Report and Support service.”

A University of Manchester spokesperson said:

“We have been made aware of the letter and the events during the lecture and we are investigating as a priority. We are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all of our activities.” ty chains the doors in the building, blocking access to many areas, including the kitchen.

The group does not leave. They claim that the numbers of occupiers has doubled since the deadline.

February 19 Security calls Greater Manchester Police, alleging assault by the students. 6 police vehicles attend, but they refuse to support Security.

Student organisers “condemn this response”, and “urge the university [sic] to present us an offer, not threaten us with arbitrary punishment and legal action”.