Strike Wave Hits CambridgeMore than 600 students at Cambridge University are refusing to pay their rent this term in protest at rent increases which they believe will deter applicants from state schools and low-income families. The rent rises follow recommendations laid out in a University Bursars' report, which calls for real term rent increases of between 33 and 47 per cent by 2004/05. These huge increases will push the average weekly fixed costs to £70 a week, compared to the current national university average of £45 outside London. The Government subsidy to Cambridge was cut in 1998 because the Government felt Cambridge could meet its academic goals more efficiently. University authorities have responded to this by raising student rents. Striking students believe that the University can and should address any shortfall in funds by making economies in non-academic areas, rather than pushing up rents. Under the Bursars' proposals, Cambridge will become the most expensive university outside London, deterring applicants from those groups already under-represented in Cambridge. Mat Coakley, Chair of King's Access Alliance (the group co-ordinating the strike in King's) said, "Cambridge should be for the able not for the wealthy. If these rent rises had been pushed through six years ago myself and many of my friends would no be here today. We cannot, and will not sit by and watch fair access opportunities to this university be destroyed." Emma Reilly, Chair of Trinity Access Alliance said, "All the work we've put into getting State School pupils to apply will be reversed if the rent hikes go ahead. Ability not wealth is all that should matter." Further Contacts:
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