In-person lectures at Coates Auditorium cancelled due to student occupation

Multiple in-person lectures have been moved online due to the student occupation of Coates Road Auditorium in solidarity with striking academic staff, an email obtained by The Tab Nottingham confirms.

Timetabling Services were unable to find an alternative location for these lectures, according to the email sent to first year law students.

In line with University advice, these lectures are now to be delivered online instead of in-person.

The students are supporting striking staff, who have been taking industrial action since Monday 14th Feb.

The UCU (University College Union) and its strikers are demanding for pension cuts to be reversed and for uni staff pay rises. They are also seeking better working conditions for staff.

This is not the first time students have occupied university buildings. A group of students occupied the Engineering and Science Learning Centre in May last year, demanding tuition fee and rent rebates.

A spokesperson for The University of Nottingham said: “We will livestream a small number of Law lectures over the next 24 hours to minimise the disruption caused to other students by protesters at the Coates Road auditorium. We are monitoring the situation to ensure the protest is conducted peacefully and safely.

“Action is already being taken that would address some of the grievances expressed in the industrial action by UCU members. Pension scheme members have been consulted on proposals – backed up by £1.3 billion support from universities – to keep contributions affordable for members and retain defined benefits rarely seen in other schemes.

“A significant proportion of our staff received pay increases this year of between 3.5% and 4.5%, we are already piloting a model to end the use of so-called casual contracts, and we are reducing our gender and ethnic pay gaps.”

Featured image before edits courtesy of Aidan Bodin.