23 February 2022
Stirling Solidarity Space Open Letter

STIRLING SOLIDARITY SPACE OPEN LETTER

Date: 23/02/22

Dear University of Stirling, as representatives of the Stirling Solidarity Space, which is a space for people who support the UCU strike,

We are engaging in solidarity with the striking staff and lecturers to get their demands met and end the deterioration of standards that is affecting our education. Many of the improvements made at the University have not sufficiently addressed the deficiencies and concerns of the wider community who engage at the university. This is seen in the poor treatment of university staff, lack of support to address student poverty and mental health services and negligible reception to student input.

The Financial Times reported that it is completely possible to meet the pension demands of the UCU striking staff to avoid a pensions disaster, and yet it has not been accepted as an appropriate measure. We want the situation to be resolved as amicably as possible to ensure a positive outcome, but it is clear the University management do not want it to be so by the sanction of pay cuts for those striking.

This is a negative environment, stemming from the marketisation of education and we strive to create an alternative and positive one, based upon our community. As members of the wider Stirling community, we offer an alternative to the current circumstances, where universities are not run as businesses and students are not cash cows. To achieve this, we have the following demands to be met:

For the demands of UCU striking members of staff, to be met in full.

-Creation of better structures for students to have input in important decision making at the university.

-A complete overhaul of the present student disciplinary procedures.

-Increase in funding for campus mental health services.

-Creation of more accessible funds available to students throughout the year, to eliminate student poverty.

In solidarity with those staff members striking at the university, we will pursue the best course of action to fulfil our demands. We can have the positive environment for all the Stirling University community that it deserves, not the campus that a few in university management would like to have that inherently ignores its most deprived members. Lecturers, staff and students are the lifeline of our university, they deserve better, and therefore it is our duty to stand in solidarity with them!

Sincerely, Stirling Solidarity Space.

124
signatures
100 verified
  1. Mohammed Haroon Tahir, Student, Stirling
  2. anonymous
  3. Marianna Iacobucci, students, University of Stirling, Stirling
  4. ludovico caminati, student, stirling
  5. eliot wooding, student, stirling
  6. Valentina Nava, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  7. Natalia Uribe, student, masters, Stirling
  8. Lewis Forsyth, student, none, Stirling
  9. Daniel Beckmann, PhD student, University of Stirling, Dunblane
  10. Emma heron, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  11. Patrycja Bartosik, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  12. Ryan Turnbull, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  13. Carla Poulaert, Student, University of Stirling
  14. Susan Hare, Student, Stirling
  15. Alyson Mackay, VP Communities, Stirling Students' Union, Glasgow
  16. Tizie Huebi, Student, Stirling
  17. Kathryn Stevenson, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  18. Katie Tozer, Student, Stirling
  19. Ranecia Johnson
  20. Jamie McDiarmid, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  21. Chiara Busini, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  22. Sophia Zonca, Student, Stirling
  23. Calum Brown, VP Education, Stirling Students’ Union, Stirling
  24. Morgan Guthrie, Student, Stirling
  25. Anaïs Errecart, Student, University Of Stirling, Stirling
  26. Dominic Ditri, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  27. Andy Paterson, Stirling
  28. Morgan Lewis-Wilson, Student, Stirling Uni SSY, Stirling
  29. Alaric, Student, University of Stirling, Bridge of Allan
  30. Magnolia Rygaard-Hjalsted, Student, Stirling
  31. Sarah M, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  32. Kay Galas, student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  33. alba mcvicar reyes, student, university of Stirling, stirling
  34. Tanner Mulay, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  35. Kyla miller, Student, Univeristy of Stirling, Stirling
  36. Georgina Sturgess, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  37. Emma Schantz, student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  38. sofia carlotta sculati, student, university of stirling, stirling
  39. Nela Cadinanos, Union President, Students' Union, Stirling
  40. Freddie Bruun Petersen, Student/social worker, University of Stirling/Play Alloa, Stirling
  41. Jim Millar, Student/Tour Guide, University of Stitling/ Falkirk Council, Falkirk
  42. Jack Renwick, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  43. Victoria Stelikou, Postgrad, Glasgow
  44. Agnese Verrone, Student, GJS, Rome
  45. Dóra, Student, Uos, Striling
  46. Debbie Jones, Student, UoS, Stirling
  47. Louis Utieyin, Student, Acs, Stirling
  48. Charlotte, Student, University of stirling, Edinburgh
  49. Samuel Max Wray, Customer Care Assistant, Undergrad Student, Stirling
  50. Sophie Schwemer, Student, Stirling
  51. Lucy Hoffmann, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  52. Aneke Janentzky, student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  53. Seth Laycock, Student, Stirling
  54. Alexander Mesarovich, Teaching Assistant, University of Stirling, Edinburgh
  55. Robyn Ollett, Lecturer, Stirling University, Stockton-on-Tees
  56. Dante Lopez, Student and Vice-President of SUSNA, University of Stirling, Stirling
  57. Sarah Wilson, University of Stirling, Lecturer
  58. Peter Baker, Lecturer, University of Stirling
  59. Christine Ferguson, Professor, University of Stirling, Glasgow
  60. Guillermo Elpidio Olivera, Lecturer, University of Stirling, GLASGOW
  61. Nina Parish, Professor, University of Stirling, Edinburgh
  62. Simi Borovska, Student, University or Stirling, Stirling
  63. Eliott, student, stirling
  64. Caitlin Turner, Student and President of UoS MCS, University of Stirling, Stirling
  65. Abbie stack, Student, Stirling
  66. Leah Smith, Student, Stirling
  67. Skyler, Stirling
  68. Rebbecca, Student, Patches4peace, Stirling
  69. Skyler Dickie, Student, Stirling
  70. Stuart Davie, Taxi Driver, Stirling
  71. Dirk Goldschmitt, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  72. Petra, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  73. Sophie Lamont, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  74. Euan Bowman, Student, University of St Andrews, Glasgow
  75. Dayon K, Student, Stirling
  76. Rebecca, Stirling
  77. Ida, Student, University of Stirling, Stirling
  78. Logan C., University of Stirling
  79. Jacqueline Kennard
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