700 students attend library 'work-in'

Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) have staged a ‘work-in’ at Edinburgh University’s main library in George Square, in a bid to secure round the clock opening hours for all Edinburgh students.

Seven hundred students refused to leave at the normal closing time of midnight. Throughout the night this number dropped considerably but at 6am there was still 70 students using the facilities.

The protesters argued that Edinburgh, as a world class University, should have a 24 hour library like other institutions in the UK.

Vice President of Academic Affairs and co-organiser, Evan Beswick told The Journal: “There are a huge number of students who are fed up with a university that’s way behind the Russell Group in terms of access to facilities. This is ridiculous for the 20th top university in the world, not to mention one of the wealthiest in the UK.

"The university has an extremely diverse student body, and is actively recruiting postgraduates and international students – who pay high fees to be here. A world class university needs to provide facilities that meet the needs of all, not some of them.”

Some students expressed concern that they would be asked to leave by staff. However, Director of Library Services Sheila Cannell stayed behind with the protesters and spoke to students. Mr Beswick was keen to point out: "I'd like to stress that this isn't an occupation – we don't have a list of ‘demands’ which must be met before we leave.

“It's meant to be a fun way of showing the university that students value their education, and that current opening hours don't work for all of them. At the moment we are throwing upwards 200 students out of the library every day. That's bonkers from my point of view!

“I'm hoping this kickstarts a grown up discussion on the sort of access a world-class university should provide students to its facilities."

Mr Beswick came up with the idea with Vice President of Services James Wallace. The pair informed the University of the ‘work-in’ and were in contact with Vice Principal of Information Services Jeff Haywood.

Students who took part in the protest were asked to sign a petition upon arrival at the EUSA ‘base camp’ in the foyer. Whilst 700 people attended, over 2,200 students joined the official facebook group in its fortnight.