Angry students gathered today to protest over the pay dispute that led to the ongoing marking boycott at the University of Edinburgh.
The protest, which was held in Potterrow at 12.30pm, found both current students and graduates standing in solidarity with their teachers and fighting against being handed ‘empty degrees’.
The marking and assessment boycott was initiated in April by the University and College Union at institutions across the UK due to a row over pay and working conditions for the staff.
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Due to the boycott, some students have left university with no degrees, some students are going into their final year having not completed their third year and some students have luckily received their degree.
Francesca, 21, is a Sociology and Psychology student who received a deferred degree at the end of her four years studying at the University of Edinburgh.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live at the protest, Francesca said: “I received a deferred degree in Sociology and Psychology and that made me really angry and frustrated just because I’ve been there for four years and it just feels like it’s been a waste of time if I get nothing at the end of it.
“I have literally asked, point black, to staff ‘is there a possibility that we can come out with no degree?’ and I got an ‘oh we can’t really answer that’, which has an impact on my job prospects and opportunities.”
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Many students attended the protest with homemade banners, sashes, placards, some even wearing their own graduation gowns.
Throughout the protest there were speakers discussing various aspects of their education that they believe is not acceptable and needs improving including racial issues, mental health support and funding.
Mariangela Alejandro Cortez is a final year student who spoke out at the protest about her experience of being an international student.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Mariangela said: “Obviously I have had a good time at Edinburgh University, I’ve met some really good people and I do think Edinburgh University has some amazing staff.
“Because of the fact that Edinburgh University fails to distribute its funds in a way that is equitable and fair, I have had very little aid in terms of my disability, I’ve had very little aid from the university during the pandemic and I’ve also had very little aid from mental health services - this university severely underfunds student services and staff as well.
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“Since my first year of university, I have witnessed staff rally and I have witnessed staff fight to get equitable pay and despite the fact that this university has had years to settle its dispute, they have failed to do so.”
Not all graduates at the university have received deferred degrees. Some students are on courses that have not taken part in the ongoing boycott.
Eleanor, 22, spoke to Edinburgh Live on the picket line about why she is predominantly attending the protest to fight for better pay for the teachers at the university and how she feels incredibly lucky to have received a degree.
Eleanor said: “I have just graduated thankfully with a degree but that was obviously incredibly uncertain.
“The university is clearly so embarrassed by this and they don’t want to admit that ultimately their actions have consequences. Their own selfishness has led to the university not doing what a university should do, which is to give students a degree at the end of it.”
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Photography graduate, Izzy, 22 spoke to Edinburgh Live about how students and graduates of the university will continue to fight for their teachers, not only for better pay for the lecturers, but for a better education for students.
Izzy said: “The staff at Edinburgh University need to be paid equally and properly. We are calling on the University of Edinburgh to re-negotiate and settle the dispute.
“Not having a degree, only having a pathetic apology letter is not good enough for employers, it’s not good enough for post-graduate courses and it’s not good enough for those that hold visas.”
Responding to the organisation of the protest, a University of Edinburgh spokesperson told Edinburgh Live: “Graduation day marks the culmination of years of hard work, in difficult circumstances for this particular cohort.
“We are acutely aware that delays associated with the boycott are a major source of anxiety for our students, and we are deeply sorry about the continued uncertainty they face over their futures. We welcome the confirmation of exploratory talks between the Universities and Colleges Employers Association and joint union representatives, due to take place this coming Friday (14th July), aimed at bringing an end to the marking and assessment boycott.
“We understand the strength of feeling on these issues of national dispute and we support the right of our students to demonstrate lawfully and peacefully.”
