The Forgotten Students campaign believes students should be compensated for the impact the pandemic has had on their educational experience. We are therefore supporting students who choose to participate in a tuition fee strike.

Background

The Forgotten Students campaign, led by Bali (your Education Officer) and Laura (your Community and Welfare Officer), believes students should be compensated for the impact the pandemic has had on their educational experience. We are therefore supporting students who choose to participate in a tuition fee strike.

This fee strike would entail withholding payment that is due for the 3rd payment deadline (28 April). The amount of time you choose to withhold payment is decided by you, and we advise that you make this decision based on your circumstances and risk appetite.  

A fee strike is a campaigning technique that tends to be seen as a form of escalation rather than an initial approach. Whilst the decision to strike must be made by the individual, below are some reasons why a student may choose to do so:

  • To make a statement that the School will almost certainly notice
  • To make a point about not receiving what they have paid for
  • To put the School in a financially precarious situation, therefore forcing it to engage with the campaign asks
  • To act in solidarity with those who are unable to afford their fees
  • To draw attention and use as a bargaining chip to a set of demands.

Bali, the Education Officer, has drawn up a set of asks in the form of a compensation package. Among these is that the School will join the SU in lobbying the government for a 30% reduction in tuition fees this year for all students. 

Compensation package

Financial

  • Substantial reduction in course fees.
  • Clarity on how course fees are spent, for home undergraduates, international students and PGT students. Explanation of different price points for courses (varying MSc costs, international vs home fees).
  • Financial breakdown of extra costs incurred and savings made during the pandemic and LSE’s overall financial position.

Advocacy

  • LSE should publicly fight for more funding for Universities from the Government to ensure that students and staff do not take on the burden of the pandemic.
  • Continue to protect LSE staff from redundancies.

Accommodation

  • Meet the demands of LSE Rent Strike.
  • Offer all residents to extent their contracts for free for 4 weeks over the Summer  (similar to the offer given by Unite)

LSE Online Access

  • LSE email expires 1-year post-graduation.
  • Access to Moodle for reading lists and recorded lectures for courses.
  • Access to Language (e.g. English for Academic Purposes) and Data courses post-graduation.
  • Targeted provision of events, communications and networking from careers and the alumni division for 2020 and 2021 graduates.

Summer at LSE

  • If allowed, have a set of in-person events at LSE over the summer.
  • Networking and Careers.
  • Research & Academics.
  • Sports.
  • Departmental meets.
  • Short-course of lectures/classes.

Graduation

  • Forgotten Students have been in discussion with senior members of staff on plans for graduation and is thrilled with LSE’s receptiveness. We are looking forward to the release of the plans for graduation this year.
  • We ask that a formal in-person graduation be planned for the future, for 2020 and 2021 graduates.

Solidarity

  • Forgotten students stands in solidarity with Justice for Cleaners, UCU, and Students United Against Fees

On this website you can find out how to strike, the potential consequences and the support we’re offering.

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