Middlesex philosophy students...plot thickens

Professor Lynne Segal on the controversial closure of the philosophy department at Middlesex University...

"Academics live in the Alice in Wonderland world of the bean counters. The philosophy undergraduate programme at Middlesex is being closed because of low recruitment. When applications were up by 118% in March, staff were told by their dean that it could not be allowed to recruit its target figure, since, given the government cap on numbers, this now represented unacceptable "growth". There's not much room for manoeuvre when you have simultaneously too few and too many applicants."

"Suspended Middlesex philosophy students say they are being 'victimised'"

June 1st, 2010

by

Hannah Crown

Enfield INDEPENDENT

STUDENTS suspended over protests over the closure of Middlesex University’s philosophy department have said they are being “victimised”.

In response to the closure, announced on April 26, students held an 11-day sit in at Mansion House, on the university's Trent Park campus which ended when university management obtained an injunction from the High Court.

Following this and an overnight sit-in in the university library, three students and four lecturers were suspended. On Friday, the students faced hearings.

One of the suspended students, Nicola Goodchild, 36, said: “We contested why four individuals had been victimised when there were obviously several hundred people involved who have freely admitted being involved in statements published all over the internet.

“Suspension is normally reserved for things like criminal damage or sexual assault so it seems a bit excessive.

“We were threatened with the threat of expulsion unless we promised not to participate in future occupation and disruption of the university. Obviously we will certainly participate in future demonstrations and support the campaign but we’ve agreed not to occupy university property without permission. But we will express our right to freedom of speech.”

Ms Goodchild also questioned the timing of the announcement to close, saying it was a week before a final deadline for essays.

She said: “I handed in all my work because I wanted it out of my mind, though its not as good as it would have been had this not happened. But some students have had to defer to next year because they couldn’t work properly because of the worry.”

Academics from Cambridge University condemned the move to suspend the students and staff as “appalling” and “draconian”, while the management has also received letters condemning the move from King's College London, Birkbeck College, Goldsmiths, London School of Economics and University College of London as well as universities abroad.

The university said the student suspensions were “precautionary” to allow “an appropriate and timely investigation can take place.”

Micheal Driscoll, vice-chancellor of the University, said: “Following the occupations, we temporarily suspended four students whom we knew to have been involved in both occupations, pending a hearing.

"The students acknowledged that the occupations were disruptive to fellow staff and students and they expressed regrets regarding any injuries that may have been caused. All four students received formal warnings and a temporary exclusion from the University.

"The temporary exclusions mean that they may enter any University premises but only with permission (which will not be unreasonably withheld). They agreed to follow the University student Code of Conduct and abide by the High Court injunction.”

hH [Sic] said the suspensions will be reviewed "once the investigation is complete," expected to be in about four weeks.


Middlesex University update

Academic cutbacks are metastasizing