by Gerry Warren

gwarren@thekmgroup.co.uk

A small but determined group of students spent Christmas occupying the Kent University Senate building in a protest over increases in fees.

And they plan to remain at the Canterbury campus into the new year, despite the university authorities taking legal action to remove them.

A hearing is scheduled for January 7 at Canterbury County Court at which the university will seek a possession order.

It says the building needs to be vacated for important maintenance work before the start of the new term.

At its peak there were 60 students occupying the building, but now just a hardcore of five remain.

They claim the university is 'waging a war of attrition’ against them by taking measures to make their occupation increasingly uncomfortable.

They claim the heating has been turned to 'frost-setting’ during the day, that the students are unable to leave and re-enter the building and the internet connection has been cut.

In a joint statement from The UKC Occupiers they say they are suffering 'mental fatigue' and being kept under virtual house arrest.

They said: “We are not being allowed to even leave and re-enter the building for fresh air or a cigarette.

“Our university, which claims to have a duty of care to its students, has us under house arrest.

“The university is waging a war of psychological attrition against its students. This is not a question of comforts but basic human rights.

“Some of the students are suffering from real mental fatigue and we have considered ending the peaceful protest for the sake of our wellbeing.

“But now our morale has lifted and we are determined to continue the occupation into the new year.

“Our commitment to what we are fighting for remains unwavering, but the university’s actions should not go unnoticed.”

No-one from the university was available to comment.