13 students at the University of Stirling have been suspended from campus, after occupying a university building during last year’s UCU strike action.

The students, who were part of the University of Stirling Solidarity Network (USSN), occupied a university building for two weeks last year in support of striking UCU university staff, and have now received formal disciplinary action in the form of eight-week suspensions.

The move has come under fierce criticism from union bodies and politicians, with the chairwoman of the Scottish Labour Party, Cara Hilton, giving her support to the students affected, saying she is ‘shocked to hear they are being penalised for showing their support with UCU Scotland lecturers.’ The suspensions, which have been called ‘heavy handed’ by students, are particularly worrying as USSN claim suspensions over the peaceful protests could leave students homeless and unable to complete exams – forcing students to either resit the year or drop out altogether. 

A petition has been launched to both condemn the universities actions and support students affected. Over 4,000 people have already signed this petition which hopes to collect at least 5,000 signatures.

Various universities have come under fire for their responses to strike action, with the University of Reading receiving particularly strong criticism with the security staff’s forcible removal of students now under investigation by the university. The University of Winchester also made the headlines after it used the Winchester Student’s Union’s support of the strike as one reason it would not be considering compensation for lost teaching hours over the strike action in a statement which has now been retracted.

The University of Stirling has defended itself over the affair, arguing that the reaction was justified due to the protesters breaking health and safety violations, with the occupants locking fire exits throughout the building. 

It stated: ‘The University respects the rights of students to make their voices heard. However, this must be done safely and in accordance with fire, and health and safety, legislation, as well as university regulation.’