The 2023 University of Manchester protests are ongoing student protests and a rent strike at the University of Manchester in England. The protests began on 19 January 2023 and are currently ongoing.
Background
The protests were in reaction to living conditions in university accommodation provided by the University of Manchester and the cost of living crisis. The goals of the protesters are for a 30% reduction in rent for halls of residence, 30% of the October payment to be refunded, no rent increases for the next three years, to make 40% of student halls affordable (as per NUS guidelines), and for no disciplinary action to be taken against the protesters.
The students said issues included rat infestations, leaks, mould, and high rent during the cost of living crisis.
Protests
Rent strike
On 19 January 2023, a group of 350 students from the University of Manchester withheld rent and said that they will continue to until their demands are met. The group stated that over half a million pounds worth of rent has been withheld so far.
The group has stated that their numbers have grown to over 650 due to students joining the strike for the next rent installment which was due on 20 April 2023. They claim this now accounts for roughly £2 million being withheld from the university.
Occupations
On 8 February 2023, students in the rent strike group announced that they had occupied three University buildings; the Samuel Alexander building, the Engineering building, and the John Owens senior management building which contains the Vice-Chancellor's office. The students barricaded doors to prevent access to the building and similarly to the 2020 protests, banners were hung on the occupied buildings targeting the university and its Vice Chancellor.
On 13 February 2023, the student group also occupied the Simon Building.
The University switched off heating and WiFi in the John Owens building on 15 February 2023, which was being occupied by students at the time. Students demanded that the heating and internet be turned back on, and left the building soon after. The University also placed bike locks on fire exits.
The University of Manchester sent a memo to staff members on 28 February 2023, stating that they aimed to remove the occupiers and start disciplinary action following the discovery of alleged illegal actions taken by the protesters. The University also started disciplinary action and sent emails to 11 students involved in the John Owens occupation the same day, saying the students broke the University's "Conduct and Discipline" regulations.
On 24 March 2023, the rent strike group posted on social media that they had occupied the University's security office.
The students had presence in four buildings, including the Engineering building, the Samuel Alexander building, the John Owens Building and the Simon Building for at least 100 hours as part of the strike. The Simon Building was first occupied on 13 February 2023, with those inside stating that they would not leave unless bailiffs forced them to, or the University negotiated directly with the protesters.
Demonstrations
At 6:00 pm on 1 March 2023, protestors marched from Owens Park to the Whitworth Building arch on Oxford Road. The protest was held in support of the demands of the rent strike, the occupations, and a demand for £1,500 to be given to every student as a cost of living support package. The demonstration ended with a rally outside the then occupied Simon Building. The protestors also showed support for other activist movements including the movement to free Palestine and ACAB, which some spectators claim caused confusion.
On 21 March 2023, protesters disrupted a board of governors meeting.
On 24 March 2023, another demonstration took place. Meeting again at the Whitworth Building arch, protesters marched through the campus ending at the Simon Building which they briefly re-entered. The students at the demonstration also hung a protest banner between the Williamson and Simon buildings.
The rent strike organisers have also shared that they are planning future demonstrations during the days the University is planning to collect rent payments.
Referendum
On 3 March 2023, a petition was published and successfully reached the required 400 signatures allowing students at the University of Manchester to call for a referendum. The referendum calls for the Student Union to support the demands of the rent strike and broader cost of living support detailed in the demands of the occupation. Campaigning began on 13 March 2023 and voting took place between 20 and 23 March 2023.