2011 Hetherington House Occupation

Anti-austerity protest at the University of Glasgow, Scotland January 2020 thumb|A police van outside Hetherington House during the eviction on 22 March 2011 The 2011 occupation of Hetherington House at the University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, was a student, staff and community anti-austerity protest from 1 February to 31 August 2011. It became one of the longest-running student occupations in the context of the wider movement of student protests in the UK in 2010 and 2011 United Kingdom anti-austerity protests.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/25/students-alternative-occupation-glasgow-university We students have built an alternative | Jack Ferguson and Natalia Bain | Comment is free The Guardian 25 March 2011 3 April 2011 Londonhttp://reallyopenuniversity.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/glasgow-university-protest-continues-with-senate-building-occupied-following-free-hetherington-eviction/ Glasgow University protest continues with Senate building occupied following Free Hetherington eviction " Really Open University Reallyopenuniversity.wordpress.com 22 March 2011 3 April 2011 The occupation was referred to by the occupants as the 'Free Hetherington'. Its purpose was to protest against cuts to higher education2012-09-11 Glasgow University head jeered, booed and told to quit by own student… http://www.scotsman.com/news/glasgow-university-head-jeered-booed-and-told-to-quit-by-own-students-1-1545450 https://archive.today/20120911071616/http://www.scotsman.com/news/glasgow-university-head-jeered-booed-and-told-to-quit-by-own-students-1-1545450 dead 2012-09-11 2021-06-13 archive.ph within Glasgow University and nationwide. The occupation hosted several talks and discussion sessions.https://www.facebook.com/FreeHetherington?sk=events "Glasgow University Occupied" Events calendar on Facebook Facebook 8 April 2011 It triggered debate about the legitimacy of protest action versus consultation with University management. One manifestation of this was a debate hosted by the University Dialectic Society on the utility of the occupation's approach.This House Supports the Free Hetherington Debate https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199712763382242 Glasgow University Dialectic Society 5 April 2011 Ultimately, the university implemented some of its proposed cuts, though its plans were scaled back in some areas, although this was not directly related to the protest.2012-09-07 Anger as university scraps courses Herald Scotland http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/anger-as-university-scraps-courses-anger-as-university-scraps-courses.14147645 https://archive.today/20120907163733/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/anger-as-university-scraps-courses-anger-as-university-scraps-courses.14147645 dead 2012-09-07 2021-06-13 archive.ph The occupation ended peacefully at noon on 31 August 2011, after an agreement between the occupation and University management. 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.http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/building/?id=55 The University of Glasgow Story Hetherington House The building was named after Hector Hetherington, principal of the university between 1936 and 1961.http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/biography/?id=WH0162&type=P The University of Glasgow Story Biography of Sir Hector Hetherington 2 April 2011 25 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120925072611/http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/biography/?id=WH0162&type=P dead Its final incarnation was as the Hetherington Research Club (HRC), which additionally permitted mature student membership alongside staff and postgraduates.http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/hetheringtonresearchclub/hetheringtonresearchclubconstitution/ Glasgow University 31 March 2011 Glasgow University Hetherington Research Club Constitution https://web.archive.org/web/20110102081731/http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/hetheringtonresearchclub/hetheringtonresearchclubconstitution/ 2 January 2011 dead The Hetherington Research Club ceased operating in February 2010 due to financial problems.http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/crime-courts/police-probe-as-university-club-funds-vanish-1.1013597/ Herald Scotland 31 March 2011 Police Probe As University Club Funds Vanish The university later stated that they were unwilling to continue supporting the clubhttp://www.gla.ac.uk/services/hetheringtonresearchclub/ Glasgow University 31 March 2011 Glasgow University Hetherington Research Club Page https://web.archive.org/web/20110526095230/http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/hetheringtonresearchclub/ 26 May 2011 dead after the Student Finance Sub-Committee rejected two proposed business plans on the grounds that they lacked financial viability.http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/hetheringtonresearchclub/hrcredux/newsjune2010/#d.en.152503 News, June 2010 14 June 2010 University of Glasgow, Hetherington Research Club 3 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110928011251/http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/hetheringtonresearchclub/hrcredux/newsjune2010/#d.en.152503 28 September 2011 dead The building was largely unused until the occupation commenced on 1 February 2011, but was scheduled to be redeveloped by the university. The occupation thumb|Welcome sign in the entrance of the occupation The occupation maintained a schedule of film screenings, talks, workshops and performances since the start of February.http://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/events-coming-up-this-week/ Event list for week commencing 8 April 2011June 2016https://www.facebook.com/FreeHetherington?sk=pe List of past events Facebook 8 April 2011June 2016 The occupation met 3 times each week to discuss progress and future direction. Several notable figures visited and supported the occupation including Scottish Green politicians Patrick Harvie (MSP) and Martha Wardrop (councillor),2011-03-22 NEWS RELEASE – Attempted eviction at the Free Hetherington http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2011/03/news-release-attempted-eviction-at-the-free-hetherington/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110405025259/http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2011/03/news-release-attempted-eviction-at-the-free-hetherington/ 2011-04-05 patrickharviemsp.com singer-songwriter Billy Bragg,https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12514224 BBC News – Billy Bragg joins Glasgow student occupation after gig BBC 19 February 2011 3 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110322195526/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12514224 22 March 2011 live singer-songwriter David Rovics,http://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/david-rovics-and-a-mass-meeting-with-management/ David Rovics and a mass meeting with management | the Free Hetherington Freehetherington.wordpress.com 22 March 2011 3 April 2011June 2016 Scottish Makar Liz Lochhead,McCracken Edd 2012-10-09 Student sit-in after police eviction: celebrity visits, more protestors and an upgrade Herald Scotland http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/news/home-news/student-sit-in-after-police-eviction-celebrity-visits-more-protestors-and-an-upgrade-1.1092866 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121009002253/http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/news/home-news/student-sit-in-after-police-eviction-celebrity-visits-more-protestors-and-an-upgrade-1.1092866 2012-10-09 2021-06-13 heraldscotland.com writer A. L. Kennedyhttps://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/a-l-kennedy-rectorship-and-reading/ A.L.Kennedy – Rectorship and Reading The Free Hetherington 5 February 2011June 2016 comedian Mark Steel,http://ssy.org.uk/2011/03/the-free-hetherington-is-invincible/ Scottish Socialist Youth » The Free Hetherington is Invincible 9 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110723210423/http://ssy.org.uk/2011/03/the-free-hetherington-is-invincible/ 23 July 2011 dead Scottish poet Tom Leonard (poet), comedian Josie Long,https://stv.tv/livelocal/1363719-stv-programmes-news-and-information/ STV programmes news and information Live Local 13 June 2021 26 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180426011509/https://stv.tv/livelocal/1363719-stv-programmes-news-and-information/ dead comedian Jeremy Hardy,https://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/occupation-comedy-and-music/ Occupation comedy and music 6 April 2011 writer Louise Welsh,https://louisewelsh.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/free-hetherington-reading/ Free Hetherington Reading 1 My Website 2 April 2011June 2016 writer Owen JonesMPyON0Fk6Ns and film and television director Ken Loach. Criticism The occupation 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),https://issuu.com/qmunion/docs/qm-guu-jointstatement-14-11 Joint Statement from the QM & GUU Issuu and the Students' Representative Council(SRC).http://www.glasgowguardian.co.uk/news/hetherington-occupation-to-fight-university-request-for-closure/ Hetherington occupation to fight University request for closure – Glasgow University Guardian :: Glasgow University Guardian Glasgowguardian.co.uk 22 March 2011 3 April 2011 Some members of the SRC issued, but later withdrew, an emergency motion calling for disciplinary action against the occupiers.https://www.subcity.org/shows/subcityupdate/012bd/ SRC Council Meeting coverage www.subcity.org 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."Andrew Denholm http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/russell-university-backlash-1.1093461 Russell university backlash – Herald Scotland | News | Education Herald Scotland 30 March 2011 3 April 2011 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,http://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/porterwatch/ Porterwatch | the Free Hetherington Freehetherington.wordpress.com 12 February 2011 3 April 2011June 2016aaron porter mobbed by demonstrators http://www.subcity.org/podcasts/460/ Subcity Update Subcity Update 2 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110929011951/http://www.subcity.org/podcasts/460/ 29 September 2011 dead claiming that they were doing so to criticise his refusal to condemn police kettling tactics.http://www.glasgowguardian.co.uk/news/nus-head-in-campus-kettle/ NUS head in campus "kettle" – Glasgow University Guardian :: Glasgow University Guardian Glasgowguardian.co.uk 22 March 2011 3 April 2011 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. Conflicts with students On 6 March 2011 several students clashed with the occupiers. The group, including several who were allegedly members of the GUU Board of Management, were accused by the activists of removing banners, stripping naked and activating a fire alarm.http://www.glasgowguardian.co.uk/news/student-activists-clash-with-guu/ Student activists clash with GUU – Glasgow University Guardian :: Glasgow University Guardian Glasgowguardian.co.uk 22 March 2011 3 April 2011 The GUU distanced itself, saying that anyone who was involved was not acting as a representative of the union.https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_xU_nC2ydVaMTdhMDQ3ZGItYzBmZi00ZTQ0LTkxODctNTc1Y2YzMmY5YTEz/view?usp=embed_facebook GUU+APOLOGY+TO+HRC.pdf Google Docs One student attempted to film an occupation meeting. In a subsequent interview with Subcity Radio,http://www.subcity.org/podcasts/news/466/ Subcity Update: Hetherington Altercation Over Recording 7 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110327110013/http://www.subcity.org/podcasts/news/466/ 27 March 2011 dead the student claimed that occupation members pushed him to the floor trying to take the camera from him when he refused to cease filming. He said that he was only allowed to leave after he threatened to call the police. Eviction and reoccupation thumb|Two men are removed by police officers from the back door area of Hetherington House during the eviction on 22 March 2011 On 22 March 2011, the university made the decision to ask the occupiers to voluntarily leave.The Hetherington Enquiry http://www.gla.ac.uk/students/news/headline_203796_en.html 9 September 2011 April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes When the occupiers refused and informed supporters, crowds started to gather outside Hetherington House and Strathclyde Police were called by university security to assist.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12819114 BBC News – Glasgow University eviction of students 'heavy handed' BBC 22 March 2011 3 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110322190907/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12819114 22 March 2011 liveMartin Williams http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/students-go-on-the-rampage-over-cuts-1.1092005?localLinksEnabled=false Students go on the rampage over cuts Herald Scotland 23 March 2011 3 April 2011 When students were forcibly removed from the premises, the remaining occupiers agreed to leave. In response to the eviction, a subsequent protest on the same day occupied 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.http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/news/home-news/student-sit-in-after-police-eviction-celebrity-visits-more-protestors-and-an-upgrade-1.1092866 31 March 2011 Glasgow Herald Student sit-in after police eviction: celebrity visits, more protestors and an upgrade The decision made by the police to forcibly remove some students from the premises during the eviction attracted criticism, after some involved were injured. Around 100 members of staff/students openly criticised the eviction.Martin Williams And Andrew Denholm http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/staff-back-students-over-university-protest-eviction-1.1092003 Staff back students over university protest eviction Herald Scotland 23 March 2011 3 April 2011 Some academics at the university called for an independent inquiry into the eviction and the immediate resignation of the university's senior management group.Helen McArdle http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/news/education/lecturers-call-for-inquiry-into-sit-in-removal-1.1092237 Lecturers call for inquiry into sit-in removal Herald Scotland 24 March 2011 3 April 2011 Tommy Gore, president of the SRC, condemned the police presence on campus.http://issuu.com/glasgowuniversitysrc/docs/hetherington_eviction_23-3-11 PRESS RELEASE 23-3-11 Issuu.com 22 March 2011 3 April 2011 Strathclyde Police have described calls that the police presence was disproportionate as "ridiculous". 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".http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2011/03/news-release-attempted-eviction-at-the-free-hetherington/ NEWS RELEASE – Attempted eviction at the Free Hetherington Harvie Patrick 16 July 2011 5 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110405025259/http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2011/03/news-release-attempted-eviction-at-the-free-hetherington/ dead In response to the criticism, the university launched an independent inquiry into the eviction.http://www.gla.ac.uk/students/news/headline_195940_en.html The Hetherington Inquiry – Call for Evidence Ward Laurence 14 April 2011 University of Glasgow 16 July 2011April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes The Hetherington Enquiry report was published on 9 September 2011. The enquiry found that although the police had the authority to make the decision to remove students from the building, they did not have to make such a decision. The enquiry report states that it would have been more appropriate for the university to have acquired a court order if its aim was to remove people from the premises. Cost of the occupation 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. Hetherington occupation cost to University: £10,000 http://www.glasgowguardian.co.uk/news/hetherington-occupation-cost-to-university-10000/ Glasgow University Guardian 25 April 2011 27 April 2011 These costs were divulged in a Freedom of Information (FOI) release requested by the newspaper,University of Glasgow Freedom of Information response FOI 2011/93 – F0137492, issued 20 April 2011.September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 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 occupants responded by saying they did not recognize the method of calculating these costs, and by stating that it is not legitimate to criticise the right to protest because of cost.https://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/response-to-claims-made-in-the-glasgow-guardian/ Response to claims made in the Glasgow Guardian The Free Hetherington 25 April 2011June 2016 Additionally, the University of Glasgow stated that the occupation was preventing plans to re-develop the building for academic use.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12819114 BBC News Glasgow University eviction of students 'heavy handed' 22 March 2011 Conclusion After negotiation with members of the occupation, the Glasgow University Senior Management Group offered the following terms, which the occupation voted on and agreed to: 1. No more course cuts. 2. No compulsory redundancies. 3. A new postgraduate club, to be opened in the next year. 4. No cuts for student services, a guarantee of transparency with the SRC (Student Representative Council). 5. A public meeting with the principal Anton Muscatelli, where students and staff may address their worries. 6. No repercussions from the university for staff or students involved in the occupation. 7. An assurance that no information will be volunteered to the police about people involved.https://freehetherington.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/student-protesters-declare-victory-as-glasgow-university-sit-in-ends/ Student protesters declare victory as Glasgow University sit-in set to end The Free Hetherington 14 August 2011 The occupation ended at noon on 31 August 2011. See also University of Glasgow 2010 UK student protests 2011 United Kingdom protests 2011 United Kingdom anti-austerity protests Occupation (protest) References External links "Free Hetherington" Occupation Blog "Glasgow University Occupied" on Facebook "Free Hetherington" on Twitter Category:2010s in Glasgow Category:2011 in British politics Category:2011 protests Category:2011 in Scotland Category:February 2011 in the United Kingdom Category:March 2011 in the United Kingdom Category:August 2011 in the United Kingdom Category:Politics of Scotland Category:University of Glasgow Category:Student protests in the United Kingdom