We are going to work to keep up momentum, to galvanise and stimulate the student body into action to stop top-up fees. To work initially around the vice-chancellor's position on the top-up fees review board, and later around the elections. Via our actions we aim not only to raise awareness and activism amongst the student body, but also in wider society, as this is an issue which affects everyone. We are looking for co-operation with all sections of the student movement and support actions undertaken by the guild of students, maintaining an active dialogue and ensuring our actions do not undermine the guild or NUS. We aim to organise not just nationally, but possibly internationally, and work to build strong and lasting networks. We will use channels formal and informal and work with both organisations and freely associating individuals.
While we respect the work of the guild and NUS, we believe change happens when it's visual and sustained, when it's a force of its own coming from below, not above, when individuals act spontaneously and freely, and in doing so become a catalyst for wider change. We refuse to wait for "official" approval or leadership -we are going to use our own initiative and encourage others to do so as well.
A diversity of tactics is required to stop top-up fees, but institutions like the NUS and the guild of students are limited in the actions they can take by the nature of their relationship with the university and state. The more tactics students are able to utilise, the better. We are ready and willing to utilise a broad range of tactics and organise autonomously.
Education is not a privilege or a product to be bought - it's a right, and should be democratically run for the benefit of all.
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