2021 Open Letter to Michelle Donelan, Minister of State for Universities

2021 Open Letter to John Swinney, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, and Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science

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ABOUT US

Pause or Pay UK is a UK-wide cross-university action group led by students that emerged in April 2020 as a response to the disruption of studio-based learning by the pandemic. We're from Arts University Bournemouth, Bath School of Art & Design, City & Guilds of London Art School, Coventry University, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, East 15, Edinburgh College of Art, Goldsmiths University of London, Kingston School of Art, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University, Manchester School of Art, Teesside University MIMA School of Art & Design, Nottingham Trent University, Ravensbourne University London, Royal College of Art, UCL Slade School of Fine Art, University of the Arts London (Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, Wimbledon College of Arts), University for the Creative Arts, University of Leeds and the University of the West of England Bristol and always looking to expand! We’re working closely alongside other student and staff action groups, such as the UCU branches at our universities, Liberate the University and Unis Resist Border Controls. To date, we have campaigned to MPs, initiated complaints procedures at various institutions, supported tuition fee strikes and planned direct action. 

The current strategy is to exhaust all internal institutional complaints procedures so that we can bring the case to the OIA (Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education) and other higher education ombudsmen for specific regions. We’re adopting this strategy as Universities Minister Michelle Donelan has stated that universities are autonomous and are responsible for setting their own fees, in response to campaigning from various groups, including Pause or Pay UK, on tuition fee refunds (quote below).

“If students have concerns, there is a process in place. They should first raise their concerns with their university. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education to consider their complaint”

You can read more of her response here: https://dfemedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/09/university-students-covid19-faq/.

We are also planning direct action, and supporting other campaigns, to present a united front! We’re aiming to eventually convince our universities to lobby the government for a sector-wide bailout with this action. To do this – we need your help! Come join us by emailing us at pauseorpayuk@gmail.com!

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MANIFESTO

 

Art and Design Schools in the UK need to listen to their student bodies and offer current students flexibility that is accessible for all. Provisions must be made for studio-based learners in order to work towards a mutually beneficial agreement, whereby students receive quality education without jeopardizing the financial stability of HEIs (Higher Education Institutions). In unity, the government needs to play a role in financially aiding the higher education sector to reach an ideal solution for the future of education in the UK. 

 

It is necessary that HEIs:

• Fight for the Two-Year Post-Study Work Visa Extensions to be brought forward for graduates.

• Support and safeguard international students with regards to visas, financial aid in lieu of work hour restrictions, and No Recourse to Public Funds.

• Guarantee a physical degree show for graduates - This includes provisions for 2-3 months of full access to workshops and studios or financial support to access external facilities. 
   

And allow students to either:
 

PAUSE

• Deferral Regulations to not disregard requests made based on impacts of the pandemic - It is a physical impossibility and dangerous to suggest a continuation of artistic activities outside the studio and the safety of a workshop. 

Or 

PAY

• Refund previous fees and discount upcoming fees to reflect the loss of teaching, studios, access to facilities, and industry networking opportunities - Which has been ongoing since the start of the pandemic restrictions. This refund should not affect contractual terms, pay rate, or workload of staff.

 

Pause or Pay UK was established in April, 2020. We are a cross-university, student-led, campaign arising from inadequate provisions for studio-based learners in the UK. Together our solidarity can transcend this crisis and change the future of arts education. 

 

Get in touch pauseorpayuk@gmail.com

Join us on Instagram @pauseorpayuk

Follow us on Twitter @pauseorpayuk

Visit our website pauseorpayuk.org

Pause or Pay UK