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F R @thebadgersussex E badger@sussexstudent.com E

The

Badger

thebadgeronline.com

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Official newspaper by and for University of Sussex students and community

Printed on recycled paper

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15 April 2024

Students Threatened with Withdrawal from University Over Fee Payments

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Around 900 students were blocked from University IT Open Letter services after being told they had to pay outstanding fees or be withdrawn from the University. For international students, this also threatened their student visa status and right to remain in the UK.

Abigail Keyla and Ada Carpenter Staff Writer and Senior Editor

tudents have been “threatened” with having their student status revoked due to finance system

errors made by the University. According to the Students’ Union (SU), just under 900 students, including many international students, received emails from the University’s Finance Team informing them that they must pay their outstanding fees in their student account, and that failure to pay their fees within a 14 day period would result in their suspension from the University. During this time, the Finance Team remained unresponsive to students, causing panic and confusion for those affected. For international students, the threat of withdrawal also implied that they would be removed from the UK, as the University would report their withdrawn status to the Home Office, resulting in the loss of student visas. This issue affected both undergraduate and postgraduate taught and research students, with the same ‘reminder letter’ sent to everyone with debt in their student accounts, whether this was outstanding tuition fees or late rent payments. During this time, the students were blocked without warning from the University’s IT and library services, including Canvas, Sussex Direct, and Outlook among other digital services. Continued on page 3...

The camp, located along Lewes Road, was set up on 16 March. Image: Brighton Peace Camp via X

Brighton Peace Camp Continues Protest Against Weapons Factory

Yesenia Mahe Darlington Staff Writer

ear the Home Farm Road junction on Lewes Road, a large banner with the words ‘Peace Camp’ is visible. It the presence of the autonomous group ‘Brighton Peace Camp’ who declare they are occupying the space as a protest against the nearby L3Harris weapons factory in Moulsecoomb and the manufacturer’s role in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The camp was initially assembled on 16 March, which marked 161 days since 7 October. Numerous workshops were held throughout the week and the camp was decorated, “creating a space the council would feel ashamed to destroy.” The public were invited to join them on Saturday 23

March for a performance by The Agitators Jazz Band, further induction, a discussion on antifascism in Brighton, and a stop L3Harris Campaign Teach Out with food. Joy is seen to be an important aspect of the protest, according to the organisers of the camp. Not only does it ensure the wellbeing of the individuals participating, but is a stark juxtaposition against the institutions which they challenge. It is deemed as “tactical frivolity.” The band was invited to take part for this reason. They had originally formed over three years ago as part of Extinction Rebellion (XR) and have been known to host mock funerals for extinct species. Their Facebook page states they also support related progressive causes, such as the plight of the Post Office workers and the Palestinian movement as

a whole. The induction served as a means to share how the camp is sustained and how they can be welcoming to all. While some participants may choose to stay the night, all are free to come and go as they please. However, there is a rota in place to ensure that a minimum amount of people remain Continued on page 4...

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