London student unions push to ban military presence on campus
Royals in uniform
University College London Union (UCLU) has followed the London School of Economics (LSE) and Goldsmiths College student unions in attempting to ban any military presence on campus.
UCLU has attacked the government for waging "aggressive wars overseas" in Afghanistan and Iraq and consequently has voted to sever all ties with the military services.
The union, which passed the motion with a majority of 80 votes to 50, stated: “This union believes that because the British military under the Labour Government is currently engaged in an aggressive war overseas, for the union to use its resources to encourage students to join the military or participate in military recruitment activities at this time would give political and material support to the war.”
The successful motion, led by Sham Rajyaguru, will result in a breakage of all links with the University of London Officer Training Corps, Royal Air Squadron and Navy Unit.
The military services will be prevented from setting up recruitment stalls at fresher’s fairs and all union events.
The ban will also apply to all student run media and UCLU premises.
This could have a significantly negative impact on the recruitment strategy of the armed forces as approximately 50 percent of British military officers are recruited through university based military organizations.
Although the annual general meeting reached its quorum and had the largest attendance in UCLU recent history, with 325 people attending, the successful motion has caused considerable controversy at the university, amongst students and in wider community.
A spokesperson for UCL emphasized that the university has reconfirmed its relations with the military services.
He said: “It has no implications for any activities held on the main campus of UCL, or sponsored by the university”
He continued: “This vote was taken by the student union and refers to union premises and events only.”
He concluded that UCLU have temporarily suspended the decision due to concerns as to the validity of the vote.
Students across the United Kingdom outraged at the motion passed by UCLU have set up a Facebook group, which has the support of over 5000 members, to condemn the union on the basis that the motion is not representative of the views of most students.
The group also points out several impracticalities of the measure, including the prospect of members of the royal family, many of whom serve in the armed forces, being prevented from entering union premises on ceremonial duties.
Tosca Robertson, in her second year studying History of Art and Italian at UCL, questioned the validity of a military ban in light of various other recruitment drives that occur on campus.
Ms Robertson told The Journal: “Have they not considered that students are accosted by Scientologists, Harry Krishner devotees, Socialists and yet they have not been able to convert the masses? Rather, their controversial presence has stimulated debate and made students more aware of these 'causes.'
“The war in Iraq is just another cause and, though I don’t agree with it, I think the army should be allowed to recruit in the UCL campus on a principle of free speech.”
The London universities involved appear to have led the way for other institutions across the UK in anti-war agitation, including Manchester, Newcastle and Cardiff.
In November 2007 students at the University of Essex protested against investment in the arms trade and military recruiting on campus.
The action at UCLU and other universities’ student unions will add to the public debate over the treatment of military personnel, after servicemen in Cambridgeshire at RAF Wittering were instructed not to appear uniformed in Peterborough due to reports of abuse.
A Ministry of Defense spokesman disappointed at the UCLU vote, said: “Universities play an important role in raising awareness among young people about the important work our Armed Forces do and we enjoy a good relationship with most universities.
“However people view specific military operations, everyone should be able to respect the brave and professional job our Armed Forces perform.”
A spokesman for the National Union of Students said that UCLU works as an autonomous union and therefore is not under NUS jurisdiction.
He explained that since the ban was lifted in 2000 on homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces, most student unions have worked amicably with the military services.
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