Sussex students stage mock exam protest (From The Argus)

Sussex students stage mock exam protest

1:31pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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More than 150 students staged a mock outdoor exam to protest at others being banned from taking tests because they could not afford fees.

The protest in a courtyard at the University of Sussex last Friday was the latest stage in an escalating conflict between students and the administration.

The protest was sparked by the university banning 20 international students from taking exams, which start this week, because they have fallen behind with tuition fee payments.

It said the bans would be overturned once the overdue fees were paid.

The students have also faced having their library and email accounts suspended.

Daniel Vockins, president of the university's students' union, which called for the protest, said the students had been given unreasonable deadlines to make repayments when they were completing dissertations and revising for exams.

The mock exam was followed by a march to the university financial offices where a petition with 300 signatures was handed over.

The protest followed a campaign on networking website Facebook, supported by academic staff, to help Nigerian student Luqman Onikosi, who was one of the banned students.

He has since been given leave to complete his exams and pay outstanding fees in September.

International students have to pay fees of around £9,500 a year at the university, which the students' union said made it difficult for many to cope.

A University of Sussex spokeswoman said it had a general policy, which had been agreed with the students' union, to take prompt action in contacting students who were getting into debt problems.

She said: "Such students are informed by a series of letters, reminding them of the need to pay fees, advising them of any action that will be taken, and inviting them to seek help.

"The University of Sussex is home to over 2,000 non-UK students from 120 countries.

International students are a vital part of what makes the campus a diverse and exciting place.

"From time to time, a small number of students run into financial difficulties and have problems with paying their fees. In such cases, the university and the student union are able to offer practical advice and support."

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