Manchester students regain access to John Owens during senior management meeting

Yesterday, student protestors regained access to the John Owens building during a meeting of the Planning and Resources Committee. The Rent Strike targeted the meeting because the committee is responsible for setting rents in student halls which the board of governers has admitted are “substandard”.

They held a banner which read “UoM puts profit over students and workers” and tried to hand staff a letter about their demands. Reportedly, most of the staff refused to take the letter and avoided eye contact (see video below).

Yesterday we made a visit back to the John Owens building to greet the uni senior management as they left a meeting of the planning & resources committee (who sets rent). We offered them letters explaining our demands and asked for a meeting. Here's how they responded… pic.twitter.com/KP7rX8Fc1f

— UoM Rent Strike 2023 (@rentstrikeUoM) March 22, 2023

One security guard found the scene entertaining and agreed to be in a photo with the students.

we're winning them over one by one pic.twitter.com/fYg1TuszuQ

— UoM Rent Strike 2023 (@rentstrikeUoM) March 21, 2023

The students then barricaded themselves in front of Nancy Rothwell’s office asking to talk to their Vice-Chancellor. Nancy Rothwell instead left through an alternative exit.

The students also got into the board room and had a cup of tea. One of them told The Manchester Tab: “It was nice to be back, I have great memories of playing headbands and sardines in that room the other week.”

The students left surprises for staff before leaving the building.

Later in the day, students protested outside the Hyatt Hotel, which was holding a meeting for the Board of Governors. A meal had been planned in the building opposite for after the meeting.

Reportedly management staff refused to walk approximately 50 metres from their meeting to dinner at the Alliance Manchester Business School because five students were standing outside asking to give them a letter. They had six members of security staff called and moved their dinner into the hotel.

[tiktok-amp url=”https://www.tiktok.com/@uomrentstrike2023/video/7213390555231882502?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7198083339122886149″ ]

Most Read

The heartbreaking reason behind Tulisa’s transformation and why she looks so different now

Emma reveals where she and Caspar are now and lots has changed since the MAFS UK reunion

Savage comments and shady digs: The show’s over, but the Big Brother cast drama is wild

Students stood outside in the rain and spoke on megaphones to staff they could see through the windows. They asked: “When will the University negotiate with students about the Cost of Living crisis? How much did that wine cost? Students are using foodbanks.”

VC Nancy Rothwell is visible between drawn blinds

Today, occupiers in the Simon building were woken at just after 5am when private bailiffs entered the building and carried out students.

The university defended its decision to employ a private security firm to drag out students saying: “This action follows multiple requests to those occupying the building to leave, and court hearing papers being served on the occupiers on 15 March 2023.”

The university added it “regretted having to do this” and copies of the possession order were handed out to students.

Manchester Rent Strike has vowed to continue their fight for their demands to be met, and have called for more students to cancel their direct debits to the university before the next rent payment installation. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to further protests or whether the university will take steps to address the concerns of its students.

The University of Manchester, Nancy Rothwell and the Hyatt Hotel have been approached for comment.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

•University of Manchester sends baliffs to evict students from Simon building in 5am raid

•A quarter of students forced to skip meals to save money through cost of living crisis