Students who staged a sit-in at Aberdeen University have left the organisation to foot a £12,000 security bill.
Around a dozen protestors camped out in the corridor leading to the principal’s office for eight nights and nine days last month in solidarity with striking lecturers.
Figures obtained by the Press and Journal have revealed that the stunt cost the university at least £12,700, as it had to pay for 102 separate security guard shifts to keep the peace around the clock.
This total could rise even further, as several of the claims and invoices for the work are still being processed.
The cost also includes £302 spent on heating and electricity to keep the students warm overnight, when the Regent Walk building is usually empty.
Depute Provost Alan Donnelly said: “Free speech and the right to demonstrate are the main instruments in any democracy, but who picks up the cost?
“Will that fall to the taxpayer or the students who pay fees?
“I have no problem with people demonstrating but they should do so at their own cost.
“People will say that the £12,000 could have been spent on facilities within the university.”
The students began occupying the building on March 13, using banners and flags to show their support for a nationwide strike organised by the University and College Union.
It had organised the industrial action over claims that changes to pensions would leave lecturers £10,000 a year worse off.
During the protest the students slept and studied in the cramped corridor, relying on classmates to send them food and newspapers through an open window.
At one point police were called to the building following a scuffle at the foot of a stairwell, when protesters claimed estate and facilities director Angus Donaldson had rugby tackled several students.
Following the occupation, a spokesman for the group said it was “an incredibly stressful and difficult time” which was “far beyond even our worst expectations.”
The Press and Journal contacted the group for comment yesterday, but did not receive a response.
