Dear Derek
We, academics and staff at the School of Physics and the IAC, share the sentiments and concerns recently expressed by our colleagues from SPAIS and the Department of Philosophy, regarding the students’ occupation of Senate House.
The students’ actions are those of politically active, interested and at times challenging citizens that a vibrant democratic culture needs. While not everyone will agree with their aims or methods, we should be proud as a university to have students that are willing to take a stand for higher education and the values of this university, and who are doing so peacefully.
We therefore join our colleagues in urging you to respond positively to these students, to refrain from any heavy handed or punitive action, and to permit free entry to and exit from the occupied space. We, too, believe that if the University engages in dialogue with them, the episode has the potential to reinforce the institution as a site of debate and learning to the benefit of all concerned.
Kind Regards,
[40 academics]
