UCL

Quad Closure: UCL to evict Art Museum following hasty consultation

The UCL Art Museum is being ‘evicted’ by the University in a ‘hugely sensitive and problematic’ move that has angered students, academics, and museum staff alike. Nick Miao Co-Editor-in-Chief The UCL Art Museum has been told to vacate its current premises in the South Cloisters next month to make way for the bicentenary works that […]

Quad Closure: UCL to evict Art Museum following hasty consultation Read More »

Cut ties and divest from genocide, careers fair protesters tell UCL

Pro-Palestine activists have in recent weeks carried out disruptions at UCL careers fairs to highlight the University’s ties to companies complicit in genocide. Rhi Skelhorn Student protesters from Action for Palestine took over the BNY Mellon stall at last Wednesday’s careers fair in the Wilkins Building, displaying banners that read ‘Bankrolling genocide’ and ‘Fossil free

Cut ties and divest from genocide, careers fair protesters tell UCL Read More »

What is it with the Provost and ‘Disagreeing Well’?

If you are new to UCL, you will probably notice very soon that the Provost has a particular obsession with ‘free speech’ and a little something called ‘Disagreeing Well’. Andrea Bidnic Investigations Editor After three years in office, the President and Provost Michael Spence’s record on free speech is convoluted on paper and contradictory in

What is it with the Provost and ‘Disagreeing Well’? Read More »

Top five spots on campus to have a breakdown in (tried and tested)

Has the thrill of Freshers been replaced by the eldritch horror that is Turnitin, or worse, UCL Accommodation? I’ve been there too. Just as the autumn leaves return to the ground each year, so did I invariably find myself questioning my entire existence in the same Student Centre toilet stall. But sometime last year, crouched

Top five spots on campus to have a breakdown in (tried and tested) Read More »

Graduation? No thank you.

The portal has opened, but its glow is far from beckoning… Instead, a rather grim, shadowy darkness looms, eager to swallow me up and spit me out onto a lacklustre graduation ceremony stage… Katherine Graham Having just finished three years at ‘London’s Global University’, both my personal and university email inboxes were flooded with insistent

Graduation? No thank you. Read More »

Quad Closure: Kiss goodbye to the Main Quad until 2026, says UCL

In a blog post titled ‘Improving experience and accessibility for our campus’ central spaces’, the University has announced its plans to close the Main Quad and the ground floor of the Wilkins Building from mid-December 2024 to January 2026 for major renovations ahead of its bicentenary anniversary in 2026. Nick Miao Co-Editor-in-Chief The works represent

Quad Closure: Kiss goodbye to the Main Quad until 2026, says UCL Read More »

No free speech for UCL’s outsourced workforce

Despite his repeated claims that the ‘right to protest, debate, and challenging ideas is fundamental to our role as a university’, the President and Provost Michael Spence appears to have no interest in extending the freedom of speech to UCL’s over 200 outsourced security workers. Malvika Murkumbi Investigations Editor While the Provost has begrudgingly agreed

No free speech for UCL’s outsourced workforce Read More »

‘This is Not Business as Usual’: UCL Stands for Justice Escalate Protests as University Fails to Meet Demands

Palestinian activists at UCL Stands for Justice (SFJ), a student-led coalition, have escalated their protests, disrupting awards ceremonies hosted by the Students’ Union last week, The Cheese Grater reports. SFJ has been maintaining an encampment on the Main Quad since May 2 2024, with three main demands for the university: As of June 7 2024,

‘This is Not Business as Usual’: UCL Stands for Justice Escalate Protests as University Fails to Meet Demands Read More »

Rats, Floods, ‘Fermented Pineapple Juice’: the Trials and Tribulations of UCL Estates

Robert Delaney, Malvika Murkumbi, Mayra Nassef, and Andrea Bidnic A year in student accommodation is a rite of passage for most undergraduate students at UCL. From the luxury of Garden Halls to the abject squalor of Ifor Evans, UCL accommodation is diverse in its residents, rents, and general demeanour. As such, there is a great

Rats, Floods, ‘Fermented Pineapple Juice’: the Trials and Tribulations of UCL Estates Read More »

A ‘Culture of Overwork and Abuse’: Years after the first Complaints, the Mistreatment of Post Graduate Teacher Assistants continues

Andrea Bidnic, Malvika Murkumbi and Mayra Nassef  In 2017, The Cheese Grater published an article titled “Teaching on the cheap: UCL’s exploitation of teaching assistants revealed”. This article illuminated the plight of UCL’s Postgraduate Teaching Assistants (PGTAs), PhD students who assist module convenors by dispensing lectures, teaching seminars, and marking assignments.   PGTAs currently constitute between

A ‘Culture of Overwork and Abuse’: Years after the first Complaints, the Mistreatment of Post Graduate Teacher Assistants continues Read More »

Life in the Encampment

Robert Delaney *On the request of the interviewee, their name has been changed to Ramallah19 On the 20th May The Cheese Grater spoke to Ramallah19, a member of UCL Stand for Justice (UCL SFJ), a student-led coalition dedicated to advocating for Palestinian rights and statehood. On the 2nd May 2024, UCL SFJ, Ramallah19 included, occupied

Life in the Encampment Read More »

‘I am happy to accept further training is needed’: UCL ‘Report + Support’ and their self-admitted negligence

Rebekah Wright Content warning: discussions of sexual assault and rape All the people in this article have been given pseudonyms to protect anonymity. This includes the UCL ‘Report + Support’ caseworkers. If the pseudonyms overlap with the real names of other caseworkers at ‘Report + Support’ this is purely coincidental.  Earlier this year, The Cheese

‘I am happy to accept further training is needed’: UCL ‘Report + Support’ and their self-admitted negligence Read More »

On the Provost’s Update

Dayan Mustafa In his attempt to say nothing at all (nothing political, that is) Dr Michael Spence, the UCL Provost, has revealed more than he might have wished about his inclinations––and by extension, those of the neoliberal business who embody the University’s higher management.  Many of you will have already read Dr Spence’s latest update:

On the Provost’s Update Read More »

The Jeremy Bentham Room Occupation: Highlighting UCL’s role in the Suppression of the Palestinian People

Sirjan Narang and Robert Delaney  UCL Action for Palestine (AFP), a Palestinian advocacy group not affiliated with the Students’ Union and with membership from across the student and staff community at UCL, has been at the centre of campus activism in recent months. Their ongoing occupation of the Jeremy Bentham Room highlights the growing tensions

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The Bleak Reality of UCL History Department’s Redundancy Crisis

Robert Delaney  Higher education is in a bad place. Those reading who were at UCL last year know exactly what I mean. Marking boycotts, strikes and post-coronavirus abnormalities have made this university a nightmare to navigate for teaching staff and students. Yet, despite all the disruption of the last few years, 2023/24 has been hailed

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Unfair Gordon Square: The Problems with Accessibility at UCL

Finley Littlefair, Yash Zodgekar, Emma Begley-Collier, and Sirjan Narang From the picture-perfect Portico to the houses lining Gordon Square, the historical charm of many of UCL’s oldest buildings is what makes them so iconic. However, this allure comes at the cost of accessibility. These buildings often lack lifts, automatic doors, accessible desk space, and many

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Case closed: A Testimony to the Failure of UCL ‘Report + Support’

Mads Brown and Zhenya Robinson Content warning: discussions of sexual assault and mental illness  [‘Report + Support’] doesn’t exist to help students. It exists to protect UCL from reputational damage. The caseworkers don’t need to decide whether or not I’ve been assaulted. They need to decide whether or not it’s a big enough deal. It’s

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UCL v. Security Staff: Echoes of Exploitation Ignored by Student Apathy

Rusheen Bansal “They’re hiring new people when employees are losing hours.”  On December 4, spirited chants reverberated across campus as aggrieved black and brown security officers called for an end to UCL’s derogatory outsourcing practices in their latest bout of strike action. Having swapped their shiny blue jackets for crimson vests, the officers raised megaphones,

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2000 Yen, a Watch, and a Few Laptops: Unlocking the Secrets of UCL’s ‘Lacklustre’ Accommodation Security

Andrea Bidnic, Adnan Bader and Rebekah Wright Every year, thousands of bright-eyed new students take the obligatory pre-university trip to IKEA to gather a collection of pots, pans, bed sheets and maybe even a tin opener. For many students, life in halls is an iconic and exciting part of their university experience. Whilst flatcest, midnight

2000 Yen, a Watch, and a Few Laptops: Unlocking the Secrets of UCL’s ‘Lacklustre’ Accommodation Security Read More »

“Complicity in Genocide”: Students Call for UCL’s Support of Gaza

Mads Brown, Rebekah Wright and Shaza Hafez On Friday the 17th November, UCL’s main quad was crammed with over two hundred students, converging at the epicentre of the University, all fuelled by a shared conviction. The crowd swarmed the Student Centre, before parading through the south cloisters passionately chanting “Spence, Spence you can’t hide, complicity

“Complicity in Genocide”: Students Call for UCL’s Support of Gaza Read More »

“Painting the Town Orange”: Just Stop Oil, UCL and Fossil Fuel Investment

Paige Johnson, Yash Zodgekar, Ary Ris-Luamhain and Rebekah Wright This October, Just Stop Oil (JSO) marked another destination on its Irn-Bru coloured tour of the UK: the UCL Portico. Though the paint has now been washed away, the infamous image of JSO activist Arthur Clifton posed defiantly between orange-stained pillars remains imprinted on our minds.

“Painting the Town Orange”: Just Stop Oil, UCL and Fossil Fuel Investment Read More »

Exploitation and Inequality: The Plight of UCL’s Outsourced Security Staff

Andrea Bidnic, Mads Brown & Lily Park In a statement made in November, UCL claimed outsourced security staff were “employed under the same terms and key conditions as in-house staff”. Yet, security workers at the picket line from the 14th to 16th November 2022 told The Cheese Grater a different story.  UCL introduced outsourcing: the

Exploitation and Inequality: The Plight of UCL’s Outsourced Security Staff Read More »

Nightmare at Gower Street! How Negligence and Administration Errors Pushed One Student to the Brink

Anna Maria Papaoikonomou & Neil Majithia If you’ve ever had to change your modules, inquire about extenuating circumstances, or even been through the enrolment process at UCL, you’ve likely realised that the university is far from efficient when it comes to admin. However, the experience of one UCL student in particular highlights just how debilitating

Nightmare at Gower Street! How Negligence and Administration Errors Pushed One Student to the Brink Read More »

Cost of Greed Crisis: UCU’s Persisting Strike Actionucl

Zhenya Robinson & Finley Littlefair On the 24th, 25th and 30th of November, universities saw the biggest strike turnout in higher education, estimating over 70 000 academic staff taking action and 2.5 million students being affected across the UK. If you’re a returning student at UCL, you are probably quite familiar with the strikes that

Cost of Greed Crisis: UCU’s Persisting Strike Actionucl Read More »

One Pending Street: Communication Failures Worsen Accommodation Delays at UCL East

​​Rebekah Wright, Thais Jones, Samir Ismail and Nandini Agarwal To protect anonymity, some names have been replaced with pseudonyms.  On the 22nd of September, many students, leaving home for the first time, prepared to move into UCL’s newest accommodation, One Pool Street (1PS). Many were already anxious, if not confused about moving in, as despite being

One Pending Street: Communication Failures Worsen Accommodation Delays at UCL East Read More »

Open Season on The Student Centre: The Lack of Security & Support at UCL

Samir Ismail, Investigations EditorThe Student Centre is a study spot frequented by most UCL students. It is common knowledge that it is always a challenge to find a space unless you arrive early enough.  As such, when a student successfully finds a coveted spot in the Student Centre, they do all they can to ensure

Open Season on The Student Centre: The Lack of Security & Support at UCL Read More »

Race To The Bottom: UCL’s Commercialisation Comes At A Cost

British universities are in the midst of a transformation. Higher education institutions are competing, like enterprises in consumer markets, to maintain and increase their positions in world rankings. At UCL, misguided policy encouraging endless expansion prioritises reputation over quality of education. This commercialised mindset perpetuates a cycle of expansion that, if not controlled, can jeopardize

Race To The Bottom: UCL’s Commercialisation Comes At A Cost Read More »

Student Support Whilst Studying Abroad: Is UCL Doing Enough?

Students on study abroad programmes have always had to deal with a unique set of challenges, such as visa complications, communication between institutions, and geographical isolation from support systems. While welfare support is more readily available to students studying on campus, there is a grey area when considering the resources available to study abroad students.

Student Support Whilst Studying Abroad: Is UCL Doing Enough? Read More »

furlough

Workers demand furlough after being compelled to work in non-essential buildings at UCL

Although Sadiq Khan declared COVID-19 to be a ‘major incident’ in London, many workers are still being compelled to provide cleaning and security services in non-essential buildings across universities in London. The Universities of London branch of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) are concerned of the health risks that are posed as

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93% club

Why we need the 93% Club at UCL

It is no secret that state-school students have faced, and continue to face, significant barriers when accessing higher education – especially in comparison to their private-school counterparts. Following the A-Level results day fiasco, many state-school students had their initial grades downgraded on the basis of an algorithm that used postcodes and income as a deciding

Why we need the 93% Club at UCL Read More »

COVID-19 UCL

The ‘high risk’ of working in UCL Halls of Residence during the spread of COVID-19

Recently, UCL students received an email that condemned a case of ‘exceptionally poor behaviour’ in Schafer House, which resulted in some students facing potential disciplinary action. Students were allegedly throwing microwaves and televisions out of the window, and vandalising hallways and lifts. UCL has advised that all UK students return home immediately, if possible, due

The ‘high risk’ of working in UCL Halls of Residence during the spread of COVID-19 Read More »

deaf ucl cares

“If it weren’t for my parents, I would have dropped out.” Deaf first year student left with little support from UCL

Daniel is a deaf first year student who started started studying at UCL in September, however by the end of first term he was already close to dropping out. Until Christmas his access to lectures was severely restricted as UCL failed to provide him with a reliable British Sign Language interpreter. His experience shows how unprepared UCL is to fulfil its legal obligation of providing access and support to disabled students.

“If it weren’t for my parents, I would have dropped out.” Deaf first year student left with little support from UCL Read More »

disabled students

UCL Cares? Disabled Students’ Network report reveals bleak treatment of students

On January 20th, UCL Disabled Students’ Network published a report detailing the issues surrounding disabilities at UCL, containing students’ testimonies and recommendations for improvements to the treatment of disabled students at UCL. As of the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful for a university to discriminate against a student based on disability or long-term mental

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disabled students' network

Open Letter From the Disabled Students’ Network

Dear Provost, Six weeks ago the UCL Disabled Students’ Network released a report based on the testimonies of 33 disabled students. This report described patterns of disability discrimination at UCL and the institutional failings that caused them. When we released the report it received praise from students, staff and experts, as well as significant media attention. Upon

Open Letter From the Disabled Students’ Network Read More »

Administrative Globetrotting

Our internship provider friends at Come On Out Japan (COOJ) have been at it again. COOJ have been promoting their Global English Camp internships on campus for the third year running: the unique selling points of this internship last year included dangerous safeguarding failures and hazardous accommodation. Last year, The Cheese Grater exposed how COOJ

Administrative Globetrotting Read More »

UCU Academics Strike Explained

At the end of October, a majority of UCU (University and College Union) members voted in favour of strike actions, which have begun on Monday, 25th of November. Sixty universities across the UK, including UCL, and approximately 40,000 UCU members will be partaking in the industrial action. The strike actions are being taken in response

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Black female academics

“The risk of internalising your own inferiority”: In conversation with two black female academics at UCL

As of 2016-17, only twenty five black women were documented to be working as professors in the UK. In light of a report published by the Equalities Challenge Unit, now known as Advance HE, about the experiences of BME academics in higher education, The Cheese Grater Magazine interviewed two black female academics at UCL, who

“The risk of internalising your own inferiority”: In conversation with two black female academics at UCL Read More »

outsourcing

Strikes to end outsourcing of UCL cleaners, porters, and security workers

Despite being one of the wealthiest universities in the country, UCL implements some of the worst terms and conditions for its outsourced workforce and refuses to bring staff in house. As such, strikes have been conducted in protest of outsourcing workers. Currently most of UCL’s catering, cleaning, and security staff are not employed by the

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UCL’s ambiguous approach to Disabled Students’ Allowance

In 2014 the minister for Universities and Science, David Willets, announced changes to the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) which has been in place since 1974. DSA was an non-repayable government funded grant aimed to cover any additional costs that students may incur due to disability, such as specialist software or accommodation. The changes meant that

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Students with disabilities excluded from UCL libraries

It is a commonly acknowledged fact amongst UCL’s student population that library facilities leave a lot to be desired. But, whilst for abled-bodied students the libraries might seem as though they are filled with an unending litany of minor inconveniences, for those with disabilities they are often outright inaccessible. Representatives of SU UCL’s Disabled Students’

Students with disabilities excluded from UCL libraries Read More »

The search for the next Provost begins

Michael Arthur will be stepping down as Provost at the end of September 2020, and the search is on for his successor. The Cheese Grater reviews the candidates. Michael Arrr-thur Strengths: plundering experience (valuable fundraising skills) Weaknesses: has scurvy Lil Provost Strengths: 250,000 followers on Soundcloud Weaknesses: literally everything else Arthur Michael (1853–1942) Strengths: American

The search for the next Provost begins Read More »

Will the Eugenics Inquiry learn from past mistakes?

At a town hall meeting on 1 March, students and staff came together to debate and testify to UCL’s complex relationship with eugenics and scientific racism. Last year’s revelations about the eugenicist London Conference on Intelligence taking place on campus sent shockwaves through the University. In its aftermath, UCL announced a two-pronged approach to address

Will the Eugenics Inquiry learn from past mistakes? Read More »

A brief history of Eugenics

UCL is finally facing up to its past. An inquiry has been convened to investigate UCL’s history of eugenics and make recommendations as to how to best confront it. The Provost has said it is likely that buildings and rooms at UCL bearing the names of eugenicists will be changed. But more difficult issues of remembering

A brief history of Eugenics Read More »

Academics oppose GRA reform

‘Academic Freedom’ or something more? Six UCL academics were among the signatories of an October 2018 letter published in The Guardian. They expressed reservations about proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act, arguing that it would stifle genuine academic research by labelling it as transphobic. The letter expresses concern about the introduction of self-ID for

Academics oppose GRA reform Read More »

Has scrapping hardship bursary disadvantaged UCL’s worst-off students?

In a year when UCL accommodations are less accessible to the most financially insecure students due to the scrapping of the Accommodation Bursary and Hardship Fund, UCL now appears to be trying to curb the activities of Cut the Rent. Whilst attempting to organise an event for Max Rayne and Ifor Evans students, Cut the

Has scrapping hardship bursary disadvantaged UCL’s worst-off students? Read More »

Why is UCL’s WiFi so bad?

This academic year, it has often been impossible for students to access WiFi in UCL libraries. Though eduroam functioned fine before the summer, since the start of September, coverage has been incredibly spotty, often going down for hours at a time. In one notable episode last week, WiFi was down across the university, greatly inconveniencing

Why is UCL’s WiFi so bad? Read More »

Why are lectures being held at the Royal National Hotel?

Room bookings in ‘still bad’ shocker. Quelle surprise, UCL facilities have proven insufficient, and students are bearing the brunt. A lack of lecture theatres has forced various UCL departments to hold lectures at the Royal National Hotel (with on-site parking, a range of facilities, and great value central London rooms, all from £88 per night;

Why are lectures being held at the Royal National Hotel? Read More »

Students throw their mortarboards in the air during UCL graduations in 2017.

UCL blames computer glitch for degree certificate blunder

It has been revealed to The Cheese Grater that a number of students at UCL have had their names listed incorrectly on official records — everything ranging from email addresses to degree certificates. UCL has conveniently shifted the blame onto a pesky glitch. The students most affected are those who have unhyphenated two-part first names,

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Keeping it casual: UCL outsource temporary staff to Unitemps

From September 2018, UCL will outsource employment of temporary workers to an external agency, Unitemps in a move which UCU representatives have described as ‘undermining … staff rights’ and propagating an ‘anti-university community culture’. Student Ambassador jobs will be the first to be outsourced. However, in time, all temporary and non-academic student contracts will be

Keeping it casual: UCL outsource temporary staff to Unitemps Read More »

Inside the Panopticon: UCL surveillance creates a hostile environment for Tier 4 students

Recent changes to the attendance monitoring policy for Tier 4 students in several UCL faculties are generating opposition from staff and students. It is alleged that the new policies not only unjustly target overseas students, but also force teaching staff to act as border officers, making them responsible for enforcing immigration policies. On 23rd April,

Inside the Panopticon: UCL surveillance creates a hostile environment for Tier 4 students Read More »

Inheriting Galton: The people working to make UCL less racist

“If we had Muslims or people of colour holding the same conference … we would have seen counter-terrorism police on our doorstep the next day.” SU UCL BME Officer Ayo Olatunji was incensed by the news of the London Conference on Intelligence, held at UCL. The now-infamous annual eugenics seminar, convened by an honorary senior

Inheriting Galton: The people working to make UCL less racist Read More »

Seven Things We Learned from UCL Spin Doctor’s Crazy Rant That Got Him Fired

In a bitter twist to the short reign of Charles Hymas (he was hired last April), UCL’s now former Head of Media Relations leaves the university in a blaze of terrible PR. On Valentines Day, Hymas sent an email to all staff in the Communications Department detailing the infamous town hall set-up by academics that

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How UCL Risked The Immigration Status of Vice Wardens For Years

Earlier this year, an international student and former vice-warden of UCL accommodation shared her story with The Cheese Grater. Her tale exposes a system that cares little for international students other than the money they bring in. It is a story of bullying, dishonesty, and mistreatment by senior staff. In our resulting investigation, The Cheese Grater has

How UCL Risked The Immigration Status of Vice Wardens For Years Read More »

Israel-Palestine Conflict Resolved In Comments Section Of The Guardian

In what has been described as a breakthrough for international diplomacy, the Israel-Palestine border dispute, often viewed as one of the most contentious socio-political issues of modern times, has finally been resolved. After days of negotiations, hostile debate, and over 150 Facebook likes, housewife Brenda Reid (43) and urban-dance student Craig Grimble (19) believe they

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Daily Mail sensationalises UCL fundraising

A series of articles in the Daily Mail accuse various universities, including UCL, of using wealth screening companies to target alumni for donations. The Mail alleges that universities accessed and recorded private information for fundraising purposes, including details of former students’ finances and personal lives. The Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) at UCL admitted

Daily Mail sensationalises UCL fundraising Read More »

Logo of the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment scheme

“Zero Tolerance is just a marketing scheme”: Union hypocrisy fails sexual assault victims

“They make you run around in circles until you give up.” Imagine having a drink with a friend in Phineas. All around are posters and T-shirts advertising the Union’s ‘Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment’ pledge. Little do you realise just how much this pledge has failed her. Although she’s been at UCL for over two

“Zero Tolerance is just a marketing scheme”: Union hypocrisy fails sexual assault victims Read More »

Zero hours, agency workers and rodents: investigation reveals Sodexo staff concerns

An anonymous letter criticising Sodexo’s management staff, seen by The Cheese Grater, purportedly sent by an employee, has raised alarm amongst Sodexo and UCL Facilities. Addressed to the Provost, and initially sent to Michael Arthur, Rex Knight and UCLU BME Officer Sayeeda Ali, the letter makes several damning claims regarding the treatment of Sodexo employees.

Zero hours, agency workers and rodents: investigation reveals Sodexo staff concerns Read More »

Logo of UCL Fossil Free

Jurassic Arth: Dinosaur Provost backpedals on fossil fuel divestment

With the Fossil Free UCL divestment campaign seemingly gaining momentum, Provost Michael Arthur and co. are deliberately dragging their feet. Despite promises to Fossil Free UCL that UCL council would “give its Investment Committee an explicit remit to monitor its approach to responsible investment”, comments made by Arthur at the Academic Board meeting on 25th

Jurassic Arth: Dinosaur Provost backpedals on fossil fuel divestment Read More »

NSS: No Student Say

In the face of a national campaign encouraging students to boycott the National Student Survey (NSS), which measures the student satisfaction of a university, UCL has pulled back on promoting its completion. In previous years, senior management has heavily incentivised the NSS through prize draws, extensive advertising and financial bonuses for high-performing departments. However, this

NSS: No Student Say Read More »

Teaching on the cheap: UCL’s exploitation of teaching assistants revealed

A UCLU report, released this past week, has laid bare the unfair and exploitative conditions postgraduate teaching assistants (PGTA) experience A startling gender pay gap has also been revealed, along with a big difference between the pay package of international PGTAs and that of their British counterparts. Low Pay UCLU estimates that PGTAs receive an

Teaching on the cheap: UCL’s exploitation of teaching assistants revealed Read More »

Bloomsbury Theatre

Bloomsbury Theatre Updates

At last, there is more news of the much-missed Bloomsbury Theatre, as students were finally briefed on the Bloomsbury renovation consultation process. Simon Cane, UCL’s Director of Public and Cultural Engagement at UCL, Frank Penter, the Bloomsbury’s Theatre Coordinator, and Nick Edmonds, Activities and Events Officer briefed arts society representatives. Also present was Matt Aldridge,

Bloomsbury Theatre Updates Read More »

UCL, I Just Need Some Space

UCL is spending over £1 million pounds on short term solutions in an attempt to solve the College’s impending facilities crisis. Solutions range from booking expensive external rooms, stealing space from halls and building a lecture theatre in the Quad. No Space Student numbers have almost doubled in the past 5 years but teaching space

UCL, I Just Need Some Space Read More »

Spotlight on… Rex Knight

Who exactly is the man that students love to hate? Among left-wing and activist circles at UCL, no name inspires quite as much derision – and venom – as Rex Knight, College’s Vice Provost for Operations. A hangover from the trigger-happy ancien régime of ex-Provost Malcolm Grant, and said by critics to have an unsettling

Spotlight on… Rex Knight Read More »

The Provost’s Dream Diary

January 5th: dreamt that a swiss old cruel man with tiny cloth eyes sold me a whistle I played the whistle and hannah sketchley became unhappy 6/10 January 7th: dreamt that I was back in leeds northern hands grasping at me northern fingers pulling at my shirtsleeves northern fingernails digging into my delicate skin 2/10 January 11th: dreamt

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Violence between police and protestors over Senate House occupation

Bloomsbury streets were stained with blood as protestors clashed with police during demonstrations. What began with the occupation of Senate House ended with a total of 41 arrests: five from the occupation and a mass arrest of 36 on Thursday 5 December. These included London Student editor Oscar Webb (the third of four ULU sabbatical

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New Provost Michael Arthur

Hey, Big Spender!: new provost’s expensive tastes

The incoming UCL Provost has expensive tastes. In the last six years, Professor Michael Arthur, who will replace Professor Malcolm Grant in September, has charged the University of Leeds, where he is currently Vice Chancellor, over £70,000 in accommodation, entertainment and other expenses. Professor Arthur has been staying in some of the world’s most expensive

Hey, Big Spender!: new provost’s expensive tastes Read More »

Why Were Newham Complaints Not Heard for Eleven Days?

For background on this story, see CG34 (March 2012) and the September 2012 Welcome Issue. Warren Lubin, chair of the Carpenters’ Residents Steering Committee, and Tony Bird, their independent advisor, unexpectedly turned up UCL today. When they were spotted walking around UCL they told this magazine that they’d tried to meet the Provost, Malcolm Grant,

Why Were Newham Complaints Not Heard for Eleven Days? Read More »