VICTORY

Victory to the UWE students' occupation!



After 3 days of occupying the atrium area outside of lecture theatres 2B25 and 2B20 the UWE students occupation in solidarity with the people of Gaza victory has finally been achieved.



Following a series of still ongoing intense negotiations with UWE Vice-Chancellor Steve West and Deputy Vice-Chancellor John Rushforth a significant number of the occupiers' demands have been met.



UWE has agreed to set up a conflict fund for full scholarships for students affected by conflict across the world. This is to be funded by a joint fundraising agreement between students and university, combined with partial funding directly from the university.



In addition to this an agreement has been reached whereby the university will begin this bursary by donating an amount significant enough to provide a full scholarship, along with an agreement to underwrite the same amount for a second student should there be a shortfall in funding. This is subject to an as yet to be agreed trigger amount of funds to be raised by students at UWE.



The University of the West of England has declared that funds held by the university are not invested in any companies or funds. The university declared that all funds are held in deposit bank accounts and therefore are not directly invested. The university simply must give evidence to the above.



The university will present to the governors a proposal for clean investment schemes. Information of which is to be provided by students from the occupation.


The University of the West of England will begin to support the DEC charity. This will be through a combination of supported fundraising events and university publications as appropriate.



The vice-chancellor will send a letter of solidarity and support to the Islamic University In Gaza City.



The Vice-Chancellor will send a critical letter to the BBC & Sky Outlining the University of the West of England's support for the DEC appeal following the afore mentioned institutions refusal to air an emergency appeal.



The University of the West of England will introduce a system whereby any surplus or old resources such as computers, textbooks and furniture will be donated through the DEC appeal



The University of the West of England will set up a committee involving members of the current movement, the student president & the deputy Vice Chancellor as a vehicle to get the practical aspects of the above agreements up and running.


I would like to take this chance to send a thank you to all those who were involved in the occupation and campaign process, also a massive thank you to each and everyone of you out there who showed us the solidarity we needed to keep going through the 3 days, but most importantly the solidarity was shown for our brothers and sisters in Gaza who have to endure constant hardship in their lives. This was never about us, but for the people of Gaza & Palestine. Viva La Palestine!