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Update on tent protest in Brunswick Park

10 May 2024

An update from Patrick Hackett

Dear colleague

Ahead of the weekend, I wanted to provide you with an update on the ongoing student tent encampment in Brunswick Park. The protesters also continue to have access to the Simon Building in a limited way.

The camp has remained largely peaceful, and Campus Support and Security continue to be on site.

However, there was a protest and attempt to disrupt last night’s Making a Difference Awards which Campus Support and Security attended with modest intervention from the police. The event proceeded as planned and no protesters entered the building. My thanks to staff from across the University for all their efforts in difficult circumstances.

We fully intend to carry on business as usual, but if you have any forthcoming events that you have concerns about, please contact Julie Walker in the Compliance and Risk team, to make sure the correct risk assessments and mitigations are in place.

I would also add that if you work in one of the buildings near Brunswick Park there are a few practical steps we would ask you to take.

Please would you:

  • Avoid out of hours working in these buildings over the weekend where possible.
  • As we would always recommend, operate a clean desk policy – safely securing any confidential or sensitive information.
  • If you need to access a building, for example to check on an experiment, please use card access and, as ever, be aware of who is around you and might try to access the building behind you.

If you need to access a building, for example to check on an experiment, please use card access and, as ever, be aware of who is around you and might try to access the building behind you.

If you or someone you know, whether a member of staff or a student, 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. To report an incident to the Campus Support and Security Team, you can contact the 24-hour Control Room on 0161 306 9966.

Our employee wellbeing services are also available to all colleagues.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Patrick Hackett  

Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer.