The protest tent encampment in Brunswick Park has remained in place over the weekend, with Campus Support and Security continuing to be on site. 

Further to the attempt to disrupt our Making a Difference Awards last week, we have seen an escalation in attempts from protesters to cause disruption today. People have attempted to place large volumes of calls to IT Services and Estates and Facilities as part of a ‘phone blockade’, and there was a protest held in the Kilburn Building which has meant the IT helpdesk there has closed. 

However, IT Services is operational and you can still contact the IT Services Portal online, and Estates here, so your request will be dealt with in the usual way. We’ll return the phone and office services to normal as soon as possible. 

You may also have read our earlier notice today about the criminal damage caused to our Queen’s Arch and Museum overnight which police are investigating. 

As this is the exam period, which is so important for our students, we are urging people involved in the protest to be respectful and considerate.  

If there is significant escalation of disruptive and/or illegal activities by the protestors, we will take proactive and reactive measures to intervene to mitigate impact of those activities on our business and other staff and students, working with the police as required.  

If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed any form of harassment, or has a safeguarding concern, I would urge you to report this to the University’s Report and Support Team or the Students’ Union Advice Centre, both of which have trained advisors ready to provide support. 

You can also download and use the SafeZone App to help keep you safe on campus and to access help quickly. Members of the Campus Support and Security team will also remain onsite at all times for the safety of our staff and students.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. 

Patrick Hackett   

Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer.