Camp Against Cuts Statement #1

We, the students of Sussex University, have established our "Camp Against Cuts" outside Sussex House and we declare our right to remain in this space. We are here as a visual representation to staff and students of the opposition to the recent cuts, closures and restructuring of the University, principally the decision to close the Linguistics courses, which was made without the consultation of staff and students and evaded the usual decision making committees.

We declare the reclaimed space to be:

A welcoming, creative, respectful and non-disruptive place
A platform for uniting existing campaigns on campus
A forum for information sharing
A free and open space to be utilised however the staff and students involved see as appropriate
Beyong the jurisdiction of the managing body

Most of all, we maintain our right and intent to stay, as a direct and indefinite protest.

Students will be camping in plain view of the management as a constant visual reminder of the opposition that exists within the hearts and minds of staff and students.

We wish to reassure all concerned that this space is and will continue to be kept clean, tidy and open to all.
we treat this space with respect and are causing no disruption as we make our protest.

We shall at all times treat our reclaimed space with the care and respect befitting it's public nature. We do not however respect the authority of any exterior body to impose upon us sanctions or ordinances as to the land which we regard as a collectively owned space.