Bursaries Saved

The University announced this afternoon that it would be making a U-Turn on its plans to slash bursaries as part of budget cuts.

council CUSU mansigani occupation protest university

The University has scrapped plans to slash bursaries as part of increasing budget cuts, it was announced this afternoon.

The move comes after hundreds of students marched through the centre of Cambridge against the plans at Thursday lunchtime.

Mansigani: “We have saved our bursaries!”

A statement from a Senate House spokesman said:

“The Council has listened to the views of students and others. From 2012, Cambridge will offer an enhanced student support package totalling more than £9 million a year.

“The present Cambridge Bursary Scheme will be continued, offering support of up to £3500 a year but will allow students to choose between taking the bursary as a fee waiver or a cash sum.”

CUSU President Rahul Mansigani, who has been the figurehead of the protests, said:

“I am delighted that we have forced the University to throw out its plans to cut maintenance bursaries.

“The University has finally conceded that students should have the right to choose how they spend their money.

“Cuts to our bursaries would have been disastrous, preventing thousands of students from fully participating in the Cambridge experience.”

The U-turn from the Council – which also allows students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds a further fee waiver of £6000 – is in stark contrast to their stance on Tuition Fee rises.

In spite of a number of protests and an 11-day Occupation of the Senior Combination Room of the Old Schools building, the University refused to budge.

In spite of proclaiming “We have saved our bursaries!” Mansigani said: “we urge all our students to keep campaigning.”