UMSU Activist

Since the introduction of tuition fess in 1998, and top fees in 2003, we have seen increased student hardship and debt. Many people are put off university altogether while those who do enrol are forced to work long hours to pay for education, accomodation and food. What’s more, the standard of education they receive is also compromised and devalued in this system.

Fees turn universities into businesses, selling their commodity (education) to their customers (students). A business always asks itself two questions. The first is “How cheaply can we produce our commodity without losing customers?” This is why our contact hours are cut, why staff are pressured to prioritise lucrative research over teaching, why teaching is shiften online, why halls are sold off, and so on.

The second question businesses ask themselves is “How much can we charge without losing customers?” That is why the Labour-dominated NUS is selling us short when they refuse to fight for a Free Education, thus accepting fees, and campaign instead against increased fees. We cannot accept fees because that would mean accepting that we are just customers, that universities are businesses and education is a commodity: from that position it is difficult to deny them the “right” to lift the cap and charge whatever they like.

On Thursday we marched with lecturers and teachers as they strike against attacks on our education. The General Meeting on Wednesday will be your chance to tell the world that Manchester students believe in a Free Education. Another Education Is Possible and together we can make it reality.

Tom Skinner

UMSU General Secretary