According to the student demonstrators, this decision signified a crucial loss of student representation in University affairs.

The protest started at around 9am. Students assembled on the concourse outside the old Students’ Union building holding banners with slogans such as “Silence is Not Golden” and “Give the Students a Voice.” A barbeque offering burgers kept the crowd in high spirits despite the disappointingly grey weather conditions.

Many students wore specially designed protest t-shirts to demonstrate their disagreement with the University’s decision. Bandanas bearing the word “Silenced” were also worn as gags to symbolise the Southampton students’ recent exclusion from University affairs.

SUSU President Sarah Moore and Societies Officer Tom Constable had been responsible for arranging the protest. The demonstration, which had been approved by the Union Council, Annual General Meeting and Emergency Union Meeting, was well-organised and remained entirely peaceful throughout the day.

At 2.30pm the student protesters marched towards Theatre Room East in Building 32 where a meeting with University officials was due to begin... (read more)