Students to end Sussex Uni lecture theatre occupation

Protesters at the University of Sussex staged a sit-in at the Jubilee lecture theatre on campus in solidarity with a Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) strike and to call for more support for hybrid learning.

However, in a statement published on Twitter, the students said they have chosen to leave “to coincide with the last UCU picket closing” and to prepare for a strike event by the National Union of Students in London tomorrow.

They said: “We have spent the last eight days in Jubilee, showing support for UCU, and demanding the University of Sussex back their workers, as well as commit to equitable and accessible hybrid learning.

“We have effectively raised the profile of these issues both locally and nationally.

“We are overwhelmingly proud of our action, and the support from staff, students and union, at Sussex and beyond.”

🚨WE ARE LEAVING JUBILEE!🚨

We have made the decision to leave, heads held high, to come together in London with the rest of our movement.

If you are able, come to Jubilee at 3:00 to facilitate our exit. pic.twitter.com/LAlKQZJeE0

— 🏕Sussex Strike Solidarity Sit-In (@SussexRU) March 1, 2022

The activists said they are not done with their dispute with the university and told people to “watch this space for our reflections and escalations”.

Students are set to leave the lecture theatre at 3.30pm this afternoon.

The occupation of the lecture theatre began last Monday (February 21).

A spokesman for the university said: "We are pleased that the Jubilee Lecture theatre has been vacated and that the facility is now available to commence timetabled student activities. The University will continue its dialogue with student bodies."