Activism, occupation and injunctions: student politics at Warwick

The incoming University of Warwick Freshers’ class of 2016/2017 are joining one of the most politically active universities in the country. From free education, to anti-radicalisation; from equal pay to sexism and the decolonisation of our curriculum – there’s a dense political landscape to be navigated. In a Boar Features Freshers’ special, we spoke to some of the most influential on-campus groups for an insight into Warwick’s fascinating political scene.

Warwick has a history of direct action, dating back to the foundation of the university 50 years ago. Campus was dubbed ‘Red Warwick’ from the late sixties until the early eighties. In one of the most important events in the university’s history, student mobilisation led to the construction of the SU building in 1975. In more recent times, the university has seen demonstrations of over 1,000 people after students were allegedly assaulted by police on December 3 2014 in clash that gained nationwide attention. Other notable protests include opposition to the UK government’s involvement in Gaza, and more recently, the airstrikes in Syria.

To put it simply, Warwick is rife with campaigns, liberation groups and pressing issues. In recent times, rising tuition fees and the commodification of education have sparked particularly explosive responses at Warwick. Entering its third year of existence, Warwick For Free Education (WFFE) continue to stage demonstrations across campus. They describe themselves as a “coalition of activists that campaign for free education in the broadest sense”.

To put it simply, Warwick is rife with campaigns, liberation groups and pressing issues

“For us, this means not only the abolition of fees, but demanding an education that is free, liberated and accessible to all. We are also campaigning against the Higher Education reforms, which will move us further from the ideal of publicly funded free education and towards an American-style market system.”

The group remain at the centre of much of the political action at the university, as the aforementioned alleged assault by police in late 2014 led to a series of protests by the group, which culminated in the university issuing an injunction against occupation-style protests. This issue continues to be contentious to this day, as WFFE’s Connor Woodman held up a banner condemning the motion at his July graduation ceremony. When approached for a statement, WFFE sought to underline that the injunction “undermines students’ right to protest on campus”.

Their methods are confrontational and “intentionally disruptive”, according to one protester from the blockade of University Road in February 2016. They are not, however, universally popular. George Lawlor, appointed Internal Affairs Secretary for the Warwick Conservative Association in March, wrote a scathing response to WFFE’s blockade for The Tab entitled “Warwick For Free Education are frauds who hate education”.

WFFE’s methods are confrontational and intentionally disruptive. They are not, however, universally popular.

WFFE are also involved in the fight against the Prevent strategy – part of the government’s counter-terrorism drive, aimed at stopping radicalisation occurring on campuses. Its implementation in universities has been broadly criticised by voices as racist, ineffective, and utilising dystopian surveillance measures. Warwick SU and the staff union (UCU) have both voted to comply as minimally as possible with Prevent, but the situation is ongoing. In May, the Boar exposed the alleged use of racist language and stereotypes used in the Residential Life Team in Prevent workshops.

Elsewhere, two of the most prolific liberation societies on campus are Warwick Anti-Sexism Society (WASS) and Warwick Anti-Racism Society (WARsoc). Last October, WASS, who describe themselves as “intersectional, LGBT+ friendly, anti-racist and trans-inclusive”, collaborated with the ‘I Heart Consent’ campaign to deliver consent workshops during Freshers week, which attracted national attention following one student’s opposition to the classes. Both WASS and WARsoc have worked extensively with Warwick Pride to promote gender equality and acceptance. In addition to feminist swaps and discussions, they introduced ‘Can’t Touch This’ – “a feminist club night which is body-positive and queer-friendly”, which operates a no-tolerance policy against groping and other common forms of sexual harassment.

WASS introduced ‘Can’t Touch This’ – a feminist club night which is body-positive and queer-friendly

WARsoc curated its first #DecoloniseWarwick Summit in 2016, which was the first of its kind at this university. As part of the wider movement to decolonise the curriculum, known within the National Union of Students as ‘Why Is My Curriculum White?’, they advocate for the inclusion of more non-white voices in academia, and believe that the field is currently dominated by white perspectives. They have been vocal candidates of minority representation across campus and the UK, and co-organised the campus protest #DontBombSyria in December 2015.

In addition to campaign and liberation societies, Warwick also has societies representing the major political parties of the UK, including Warwick Labour, who appeared on local radio to campaign for a Remain vote in June’s EU referendum, Warwick Conservative Association and Warwick Greens. These groups regularly speak on national issues, as well as being fun, social societies, with Warwick Labour holding a yearly ‘Dress Like A Tory’ social.

Chairwoman of Warwick Conservative Association Alexandra Bevis stated: “The centre ground is where we should be having our debate on campus. Student politics has long been dominated by those who pursue a divisive political agenda. If we paint every politically active student as red or blue, we will never find the right compromises that will truly improve the lives of students at Warwick. We need to set an example that a pragmatic and bipartisan system can not only exist, but work.”

The Warwick SU Sabbatical Officers are also highly involved in the university’s political landscape. Several members of the team appeared at WFFE’s University Road protest and supported the #YestoNUS campaign during the referendum regarding Warwick’s membership of the National Union of Students on May 20th of this year. Warwick SU also hold termly ‘All Student Meetings’ (ASM) in which students are given the opportunity to vote on key issues.

Warwick SU also hold termly ‘All Student Meetings’ (ASM) in which students are given the opportunity to vote on key issues.

However, it’s not just students and Sabbs at the centre of protest at Warwick. Staff have also been vocally opposed the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and National Student Survey (NSS). The TEF is a proposed government system through which lecturers and other staff will be assessed on their quality of teaching. Some staff members argue that this would place them under high pressure to return grades rather than the more holistic and broad experience of learning that university should give. Last year, there was also a movement with broad support from Warwick SU to sabotage the NSS. This was in response to planned government reforms which would lead to increased fees and further marketisation. Many students voted to sabotage the survey in order to make it harder for the government to implement these changes.