Page last updated at: Thu, 19 November 2009 16:34 PM UTC Printable version

More or less secure?

by Will Harmon
There has been a lot of security lately at LCC. Obviously it is due to all the recent protests and sit-ins because of this year’s restructuring of the college, but is it really necessary? Has anything occurred where we genuinely need a stronger security presence? Yes, there was a sit-in last week, but it was a peacful sit-in. I fail to see why so much extra contracted security was needed.
It’s interesting that following Jonathan Leader’s letter to the administration, the aformentioned security guards traded in their black bomber jackets and covered ID tags to black suits and clearly visible ID necklaces. They look more like secret servicemen now than West-end club bouncers. But still, are they really needed? I’m curious as to how much the University of the Arts London is paying for this contracted security service when I believe they should be using university funds to eradicate all the redundancies. 
The ‘Oppose’ group made it very clear that they were peacfully occupying the main lecture theatre in protest and they absolutely did not want to interupt any lectures.
The administration finally decided they’d had enough on Wednesday November 11 when there was an open day at LCC. In an attempt to remove the protesters I actually think the college management created such a scene that any prospective student visiting LCC on that day must have reconsidered. 
What’s the use of hiring a security company if they don’t actually know the laws regarding the removal of peaceful protesters? Shouldn’t they have been briefed on what they were legally able to do and not do? 
Not to mention the fact that some of the bouncers security guards kept insisting: ‘Don’t take my picture. You are not allowed to film me.’ Are they really going to question journalism students about media law? Clearly these guards were caught off of their’s. 
Bottom line is the ‘mismanagement’ of this university seems to be ongoing. With extra unecessary security, constant protests, sit-ins at multiple places, and court injunctions against students, clearly something is not right.
I worry that LCC’s reputation is suffering, and that means even though not all courses at LCC are facing closure, the repurcussions of the 16 that are; are affecting us all. 
I hope this all can be sorted out soon… 

Security staff hired to handle protesters at LCC[Victoria Mullins]There has been a lot of security lately at LCC. Obviously it is due to all the recent protests and sit-ins because of this year’s restructuring of the college and course cuts, but is it really necessary?

Has anything actually occurred to warrant a stronger security presence?

Yes there was a sit-in last week, but it was a peacful sit-in. I fail to see why so much extra contracted security was needed.

It’s interesting that following Jonathan Leader’s letter to the administration, the aformentioned security guards traded in their black bomber jackets and covered ID tags to black suits and clearly visible ID necklaces.

They look more like secret servicemen now than West-end club bouncers but still, are they really needed? I’m curious as to how much the University of the Arts London is paying for this contracted security service when I believe they should be using university funds to eradicate all the redundancies. 

The ‘Oppose’ group made it very clear that they were peacfully occupying the main lecture theatre in protest and they absolutely did not want to interupt any lectures.

The administration finally decided they’d had enough on Wednesday November 11 when there was an open day at LCC. In an attempt to remove the protesters, I actually think the college management created such a scene that any prospective student visiting LCC on that day must have reconsidered. 

What’s the use of hiring a security company if they don’t actually know the laws regarding the removal of peaceful protesters? Shouldn’t they have been briefed on what they were legally able to do and not do? 

Not to mention the fact that some of the bouncers security guards kept insisting: ‘Don’t take my picture. You are not allowed to film me.’ Are they really going to question journalism students about media law? Clearly these guards were 'caught off of their’s.'

The bottom line is the ‘mismanagement’ of this university seems to be ongoing. With extra unecessary security, constant protests, sit-ins at multiple places, and court injunctions against students, clearly something is not right.

I worry that LCC’s reputation is suffering, and that means even though not all courses at LCC are facing closure, the repurcussions of the 16 that are; are affecting us all. 

I hope this all can be sorted out soon… 

 

 

 


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