Students occupying the management offices in the Cottrell have been sent a letter from the university warning that their actions are in breach of the student discipline code.
The letter outlined that the barricaded doors at the rear of the management block were blocking fire exits and that the occupiers were in violation of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as well as the university’s fire safety regulations.
Occupiers have been told that their actions have been referred for a level two discipline to the Deputy Principal and Academic Registrar.
Penalties for a level two offence can range from a fine of £250 to exclusion for a whole semester.
The letter claims that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed the risk posed to the occupiers and university staff by the barricades.
One of the barricaded doors was opened by the protest group as a response to this and security have cordoned off the passageway to the door, although it can still be used in the event of an emergency.
A statement posted on the USSN (University of Stirling Solidarity Network) Facebook page read,
“Students of the University of Stirling Solidarity Network have been served a notice of discipline.
“The university would rather criminalise its students than support lecturers, improve mental health provision, and provide affordable rents.”
The university has been approached for a comment.
[…] Nov 29: Occupiers issued with discipline warning over blocked fire doors. […]