Southampton students oppose unjust collective punishment

For democratic oversight of Covid-19 measures by elected staff and student committees

Socialist Students, photo Naomi Byron (Click to enlarge)

Southampton Socialist Students

The University of Southampton had planned to "hold all students equally responsible" for a party that took place in Chamberlain Halls on 29 September. This was a gathering that most residents of that block did not attend - many were not even aware of it taking place!

Socialist Students deem this suggested blanket punishment unjust, and agreed we wanted to put out a statement expressing our support for the students unfairly affected.

The university has now backtracked and students affected have received news that only the people in attendance will face consequences. While we are pleased with this news, we still thought it was a good opportunity to show our solidarity.

We agree and acknowledge that Covid-19 restrictions are essential in order to curb an outbreak of the virus. However, as students, we have largely been encouraged to go about our university experience as normal.

The majority of students have some teaching on campus, and first-years have all been given the green light to move into halls as they would in other years.

In a time where people are trying to form new friendships, and adapting to a new environment, we think it was unfair to expect students to have reported the party.

It's important for us that in the future we're not treated unfairly in circumstances like these. The majority of us try to take every precaution to be safe and reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading.

We hold the university management responsible for the situation developing. Staff employed in halls of residents to support us have been put in an impossible situation.

The focus should be on continuing to test all students and staff regularly, and to give support and resources for mandatory isolation periods.

University management has shown that it is incapable of providing this. We call for the democratic oversight of Covid-19 measures by elected staff and student committees.

Vilifying a large group of students - most of whom were not present at the party, or even aware it was happening - is only going to cause tensions within the university community. We call for solidarity between students and staff - to fight for free, safe, and high-quality education.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.