The rector of Aberdeen University has slammed its senior staff, claiming they “lied to, insulted and assaulted” students conducting a sit-in.
Around a dozen protesters had occupied the institution’s administration building in solidarity with striking lecturers, but said they experienced conditions “far beyond” their worst expectations over the nine day campaign.
Maggie Chapman’s comments come as a legal challenge against universities across the country is launched, claiming students affected by the industrial action are entitled to compensation.
Last night the university rector, who was re-elected to the position last month, issued a scathing attack against management for their handling of the situation.
She said: “A group of students occupied a corridor of the University Office building, in support of their lecturers.
“They were lied to, insulted and assaulted by senior university staff.
“They were promised open access to the occupation, but this was revoked within hours.
“The students were also refused access to showers in another corridor and weren’t allowed to go to the toilet alone.”
On the second day of the occupation, video footage was filmed showing one of the university’s directors seemingly rugby-tackling a group of protestors at the foot of a stairwell.
The university has since launched an investigation into the behaviour of all parties in the scuffle.
Ms Chapman added: “Such behaviour by senior managers does nothing to encourage trust and respect.”
The student occupation was organised in support of staff members in the University and College Union who had taken to the picket lines to protest pension changes.
So far students at 60 UK universities have lost a total of 14 days of teaching as a result of the industrial action, with further strikes remaining a possibility.
Solicitors at Asserson Law Offices have now launched a group court action to allow students to sue for tuition fee refunds.
A spokesman from the firm said: “More than 100,000 students had already signed petitions protesting the loss of hours of lectures, classes and library access funded through their annual tuition fees.
“The universities who are responsible for any ‘refunds’ to students have so far almost without exception given no indication that they plan to offer compensation, even though they currently hold the savings from salaries withheld from staff on strike days.”
