Brighton students occupy university building

Students occupying the building have called for the university's vice-chancellor to resign

Students at the University of Brighton have occupied a building in protest against cuts and redundancies.

Demonstrations by staff and students also took place on the university's Moulsecoomb campus on Monday morning in response to 103 academics being made redundant.

Students said the occupation of Pavilion Parade was a reaction to "the corporate greed of the university" and "the commodification of education".

The university confirmed that "a group of individuals gained entry to the University’s Pavilion Parade premises, setting off security alarms in the process".

Academic staff are continuing to protest against cuts and redundancies

"The building has been reclaimed as an autonomous space for students and the local community," the group University of Brighton Solidarity said.

A "legal warning" on the door said: "This site has been occupied. It is our home and we intend to stay here."

Locks have been filled and there is a security guard outside.

"We're staying here indefinitely and creating a safe space for students," one of the occupiers told the BBC. "We're not leaving the building."

A third year student, who wished to remain anonymous said it was a "peaceful protest" and a "peaceful occupation".

"We're not damaging anything, we're not hurting anybody, and so morally we don't really think we're doing anything wrong," she added.

'Safety and wellbeing'

The University of Brighton has been consulting with staff and unions on plans to shed 110 posts, which it says it hopes to achieve mostly through voluntary redundancy.

A spokesperson said Pavilion Parade is no longer being used for teaching or any other academic activity.

"University staff will seek to engage with the group constructively and with a focus on ensuring their safety and wellbeing while on university property,” the spokesperson said.

In May, students occupied the vice chancellor's office on the eighth floor of the Cockcroft Building, on the Moulsecoomb Campus.

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