In May, some students formed an unauthorised encampment on the Mile End campus. This encampment had become a focal point for rallies, involving people external to the University and has resulted in criminal damage and risks to the health and safety of our communities. In addition, students have written to us telling us that as a result of the encampment they felt that they couldn’t come onto campus and use our facilities, as they were fearful for their own safety.
Representatives from the University have been meeting with encampment members and have asked them several times to disperse, explaining our health and safety concerns. Regrettably they have not complied with this request and we therefore had no choice but to pursue a legal route to disperse the encampment.
Queen Mary is exemplary in having student representatives as part of the vast majority of our committees, boards, and other decision-making bodies. We also invest significantly in mechanisms for student voice. We are now engaging with our Students’ Union to ensure all students’ views can be heard through these mechanisms.