2011 Hetherington House Occupation

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A police van outside Hetherington House during the eviction on 22 March 2011

The 2011 occupation of Hetherington House at University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, is an ongoing student, staff and community occupation. It commenced 1 February 2011, and has become one of the longest-running student occupations in the context of the wider movement of student protests in the UK in 2010 and early 2011.[1][2] Prior to the occupation, Hetherington House was in the process of redevelopment by the University, having previously been vacant from 21 February 2010 when the Hetherington Research Club left the premises.[3][4]

The occupation is referred to by some within the University and the occupants themselves as the 'Free Hetherington'. It is intended as a protest against cuts to higher education[5] within Glasgow University and nationwide. It is one of the 2011 United Kingdom anti-austerity protests. The occupation hosts an ongoing schedule of talks and discussion sessions.[6]

Hetherington House

Hetherington House, at 13 University Gardens, was acquired by the University in 1956. The building was formerly used as a place for postgraduate students and staff to meet, and is believed to have been the first University Research Club of its kind established in the UK.[7] The building was named after Hector Hetherington, principal of the University between 1936 and 1961.[8] Its final incarnation was as the Hetherington Research Club (HRC), which additionally permitted mature student membership alongside staff and postgraduates.[9]

The Hetherington Research Club ceased operating in February 2010 due to financial problems.[10] The University later stated that they were unwilling to continue supporting the club[11] after the Student Finance Sub-Committee rejected two proposed business plans on the grounds that they lacked financial viability.[12] The building lay empty until the occupation commenced on 1 February 2011.

Cost of the occupation

Although the building lay empty and did not generate rent for one year, The University of Glasgow has stated that the occupation is preventing plans to re-develop the building for educational purposes.[13] The University hoped that the building would be in use again for the 2011-2012 session, and would therefore be generating rental income.

The Glasgow University Guardian reported that, between 1 February and 20 April 2011, the estimated cost of the occupation to the university was almost £10,000.[14] These costs were divulged in a Freedom of Information (FOI) release requested by the newspaper,[15] detailing approximate utility costs, a maximum cost for the replacement of a window in the Gilbert Scott building that was damaged during the eviction on 22 March, and an approximate calculation of security staff costs based on overtime hours billed up to the date of the FOI request. The 'Free Hetherington' responded by saying it did not recognize the method of calculating these costs, and by stating that it is not legitimate to criticize the right to protest because of cost[16].

Occupation activities

The occupation has maintained a schedule of film screenings, talks, workshops and performances since the start of February.[17][18] The occupation meets 3 times a week to discuss progress and future direction.[citation needed] Officially the occupation is an open democracy; meetings are open to all, and all attendees can vote on any issues raised,[citation needed] although censorship on online forums[citation needed] has led to accusations that the occupation is primarily open to those who share the majority view.[citation needed][original research?]

Support

Several notable figures have visited and supported the occupation including Green Party politicians Patrick Harvie (MSP) and Martha Wardrop (councillor)[19], singer-songwriter Billy Bragg,[20] singer-songwriter David Rovics,[21] Scottish Makar Liz Lochhead,[22] writer A. L. Kennedy[23] comedian Mark Steel,[24] Scottish poet Tom Leonard (poet),[24] comedian Josie Long,[25] comedian Jeremy Hardy,[26] writer Louise Welsh[27] and film and television director Ken Loach.[22]

Criticism

The occupation has triggered debate about the legitimacy of protest action versus direct consultation with University management. A debate was hosted by the University Dialectic Society on the utility of the occupation's approach.[28]

The occupation has faced criticism from groups and individuals on campus including both of the University's Student Unions, the Glasgow University Union (GUU) and Queen Margaret Union (QMU),[29] and the Students' Representative Council(SRC).[30] Some members of the SRC issued, but later withdrew, an emergency motion calling for disciplinary action against the occupiers.[31] Chris Sibbald, President of the GUU, claimed that “They are undermining all the hard work we have been doing and the majority of students believe the students in the Hetherington are a distraction and are costing us time and money.”.[32]

On 12 February 2011, a group of individuals associated with the occupation 'kettled' Aaron Porter, the then President of the National Union of Students while he was at the University,[33][34] claiming that they were doing so to criticise his refusal to condemn police kettling tactics.[35] The QMU and the GUU subsequently issued a statement condemning the behaviour and apparent lack of accountability in the organisation, citing the Aaron Porter incident as an example of this.[29]

Conflicts with students

On 6 March 2011 several students clashed with the occupiers. The group, including several who were members of the GUU Board of Management, were accused by the activists of removing banners, stripping naked and activating a fire alarm.[36] The GUU distanced itself, saying that anyone who was involved was not acting as a representative of the Union.[37] It was reported that the actions of these individuals was in response to alleged violence by members of the Vote Foley campaign team, that they believed were involved in the occupation[citation needed], during the SRC election campaign shortly beforehand.[38]

On 23 March 2011[citation needed] a student, Andrius Rudeičiukas, attempted to film an occupation meeting. Others attending the meeting demanded that he delete the footage. In an interview with Subcity Radio,[39] Andrius stated that occupation members pushed him to the floor while trying to take the camera from him. He was allowed to leave after he threatened to call the police. Following the incident, he made the footage available online,.[40] He published an open letter asking for a debate and a referendum to be held to decide whether to remove the occupation from Hetherington House.[41]

Eviction and reoccupation

Two men are removed by police officers from the back door area of Hetherington House during the eviction on 22 March 2011

The protest was brought to wider national attention on 22 March 2011 when the University evicted the occupiers. Strathclyde Police were called by the University to asist in the eviction.[42][43] In response, on the same day, a subsequent protest went on to occupy the Senate and management suite of the University. After negotiations, the University offered occupiers the option of returning to Hetherington House, an offer which they accepted.[44]

The treatment of some students during the eviction attracted criticism, after some involved were injured.[44] Around 100 members of staff/students openly criticised the eviction.[45] Some academics at the University called for an independent inquiry into the eviction and the immediate resignation of the University's senior management group.[46] In response to the criticism, the University has launched an independent inquiry into the eviction, and published a terms of reference document.[47] Tommy Gore, President of the SRC, condemned the police presence on campus.[48] Strathclyde Police have described calls that the police presence was disproportionate as "ridiculous".[42] Patrick Harvie, Member of the Scottish Parliament condemned the actions of the University and Strathclyde Police, and Scottish Green Party Councillor Martha Wardrop said the police's role "served to inflame a volatile situation"[49].

As of 4 May 2011, 600 signatures have been collected on an Internet petition supporting the action of Strathclyde Police and University security, and denying that that action was heavy-handed.[50] The petition describes the occupation as 'disruptive' and 'counter-productive'.

See also

References

  1. ^ "We students have built an alternative | Jack Ferguson and Natalia Bain | Comment is free". London: The Guardian. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  2. ^ "Glasgow University protest continues with Senate building occupied following Free Hetherington eviction " Really Open University". Reallyopenuniversity.wordpress.com. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  3. ^ "The University of Glasgow Story: Hetherington House".
  4. ^ "shock closure of hetherington club special report". Subcity Update. Subcity Radio. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  5. ^ http://www.scotsman.com/news/Glasgow-University-head-jeered-booed.6740638.jp?articlepage=1
  6. ^ ""Glasgow University Occupied" Events calendar on Facebook". Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  7. ^ "Hetherington House". The University of Glasgow Story.
  8. ^ "Biography of Sir Hector Hetherington". The University of Glasgow Story. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  9. ^ "Glasgow University Hetherington Research Club Constitution". Glasgow University. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  10. ^ "Police Probe As University Club Funds Vanish". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  11. ^ "Glasgow University Hetherington Research Club Page". Glasgow University. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  12. ^ "News, June 2010". University of Glasgow, Hetherington Research Club. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  13. ^ "Glasgow University eviction of students 'heavy handed'". BBC News. 22 March 2011.
  14. ^ "Hetherington occupation cost to University: £10,000". Glasgow University Guardian. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  15. ^ University of Glasgow Freedom of Information response FOI 2011/93 – F0137492, issued 20 April 2011.[1]
  16. ^ http://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/response-to-claims-made-in-the-glasgow-guardian/
  17. ^ "Event list for week commencing". 8 April 2011.
  18. ^ "List of past events". 8 April 2011. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |http://www.facebook.com/FreeHetherington?sk= ignored (help)
  19. ^ http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2011/03/news-release-attempted-eviction-at-the-free-hetherington/
  20. ^ "BBC News - Billy Bragg joins Glasgow student occupation after gig". Bbc.co.uk. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  21. ^ "David Rovics and a mass meeting with management | the Free Hetherington". Freehetherington.wordpress.com. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  22. ^ a b http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/news/home-news/student-sit-in-after-police-eviction-celebrity-visits-more-protestors-and-an-upgrade-1.1092866
  23. ^ http://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/a-l-kennedy-rectorship-and-reading/
  24. ^ a b http://ssy.org.uk/2011/03/the-free-hetherington-is-invincible/
  25. ^ http://entertainment.stv.tv/onstage/242747-comedian-josie-long-becomes-a-political-activist/
  26. ^ http://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/occupation-comedy-and-music/
  27. ^ http://louisewelsh.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/free-hetherington-reading/
  28. ^ "This House Supports the Free Hetherington Debate". Glasgow University Dialectic Society. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  29. ^ a b http://issuu.com/qmunion/docs/qm-guu-jointstatement-14-11
  30. ^ "Hetherington occupation to fight University request for closure - Glasgow University Guardian :: Glasgow University Guardian". Glasgowguardian.co.uk. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  31. ^ http://www.subcity.org/shows/subcityupdate/012bd/
  32. ^ Andrew Denholm (30 March 2011). "Russell university backlash - Herald Scotland | News | Education". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  33. ^ "Porterwatch | the Free Hetherington". Freehetherington.wordpress.com. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  34. ^ "aaron porter mobbed by demonstrators". Subcity Update. Subcity Update. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  35. ^ "NUS head in campus "kettle" - Glasgow University Guardian :: Glasgow University Guardian". Glasgowguardian.co.uk. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  36. ^ "Student activists clash with GUU - Glasgow University Guardian :: Glasgow University Guardian". Glasgowguardian.co.uk. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  37. ^ "Statement from the GUU to the HRC, 6th March, 2011".
  38. ^ http://www.glasgowguardian.co.uk/news/student-activists-clash-with-guu. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. ^ "Subcity Update: Hetherington Altercation Over Recording".
  40. ^ "Hidden camera footage".
  41. ^ "Open Letter calling for a campus referendum to remove the occupation from Hetherington House" (PDF).
  42. ^ a b "BBC News - Glasgow University eviction of students 'heavy handed'". Bbc.co.uk. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  43. ^ Martin Williams (23 March 2011). "Students go on the rampage over cuts - Herald Scotland | News | Home News". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  44. ^ a b Glasgow Herald http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/news/home-news/student-sit-in-after-police-eviction-celebrity-visits-more-protestors-and-an-upgrade-1.1092866. Retrieved 31 March 2011. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  45. ^ Martin Williams And Andrew Denholm (23 March 2011). "Staff back students over university protest eviction - Herald Scotland | News | Home News". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  46. ^ Helen McArdle (24 March 2011). "Lecturers call for inquiry into sit-in removal - Herald Scotland | News | Education". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  47. ^ http://www.gla.ac.uk/students/news/headline_195940_en.html
  48. ^ "PRESS RELEASE 23-3-11". Issuu.com. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  49. ^ http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2011/03/news-release-attempted-eviction-at-the-free-hetherington/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  50. ^ http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petition/44104.html

External links

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