UK TREND : Manchester University’s actions have triggered a Twitter storm

5 June 2023

Eleven students who participated in a prolonged rent strike at Manchester University by occupying buildings are now facing potential exclusion.

Disciplinary measures have been initiated against them after they barricaded themselves inside university premises during the standoff.

Students in Manchester University face potential exclusion

Since January, the strikers have been withholding their accommodation fees. One group occupied the Simon Building for over five weeks until they were removed by bailiffs.

In response to this development, individuals, particularly students, have expressed their criticism on Twitter, condemning the university’s decision to take punitive action against the students instead of addressing the underlying issue that led to their behaviour.

Manchester University students face expulsion over rent strike protest https://t.co/umtbP18CXY

— Phillip Allsopp (@AllsoppPhillip) June 4, 2023

Relatives and acquaintances of the students were spreading the news and urging others to attend the hearings in a show of support during this challenging period.

Pls come down to our hearings and support us on the 8th!https://t.co/uxPsVL7lHC

— lucy nichols 🇵🇸 (@lumnic) June 4, 2023

Bill McGuire, a Twitter user, revealed that his son is among the Manchester students who are at risk of expulsion for daring to challenge the University of Manchester regarding exorbitant accommodation costs. He called upon others to stand by his son and his friends in solidarity.

My son @frasermcguire_ is one of the #Manchester11 facing expulsion over daring to oppose the @officialUoM over dire accommodation at inflated prices

Pls support and RT@ChrisGPackham @GaryLineker @kiripritchardmc @GeorgeMonbiot @JamesKennedyUK https://t.co/ZoR35sld6a

— Bill McGuire (@ProfBillMcGuire) June 4, 2023

As individuals took to Twitter, they expressed their shock over the unfolding events, noting that the “deterioration of the right to protest in the UK, once regarded as a symbol of democracy, is occurring right before our eyes, while universities are transforming into profit-driven entities. It is a disconcerting situation regardless of one’s position on the democratic political spectrum.”

The right to protest in the UK, once a bastion of democracy, is crumbling before our eyes, while universities are becoming greedy, self-serving corporations. Scary stuff, whatever end of the (democratic) political spectrum you happen to lie on.https://t.co/m8JkuNcmpf

— Felipe Krause (@felipe_krause) June 4, 2023

They were wondering “ what has happened to UK universities as they have gone completely crazy”.

Manchester University students face expulsion over rent strike protest | University of Manchester | The Guardian

What on earth has happened to our UK unis. They’ve gone completely bonkers. https://t.co/sULewk02x7

— GaryFoster (@Prof_GD_Foster) June 4, 2023

Another user voiced their dissatisfaction, stating that this is yet another underwhelming course of action taken by Manchester University.

Manchester University students face expulsion over rent strike protest>>> another deeply unimpressive course of action by the uni https://t.co/8dvqLRVgVN

— Mitsouko (@DameV17) June 4, 2023

The news was circulated among younger students, who took to Twitter to declare their intention of not pursuing studies at Manchester University in response to the University’s actions.