STUDENTS at Manchester University have taken their protest against top-up fees to the top - by writing to Vice-Chancellor Sir Martin Harris.
They fear Sir Martin is warming to government proposals to increase top-up fees to a maximum of £3,000, which they believe would lead to a two-tier system and rocketing levels of debt.
They claim the vice-chancellor has so far failed to set a date to address students about the issue in the union building. And in advance of a meeting of the university court, they waved placards yesterday in protest at proposals for top-up fees and handed a letter outlining their concerns to the office of the vice-chancellor.
"Our union has a policy against the introduction of top-up fees because we see the proposals as the onset of a two-tier education system where only the elite can afford to study at university," said a spokesperson for Manchester University Students' Union.
'Disgusting'
"But our vice-chancellor has been quite outspoken in favour of the plans and we feel other members of the university community may also support the government's scheme. This is wholly inappropriate and, frankly, insulting to our students.
"We find it disgusting that so many of those advocating the increase in fees enjoyed a free education themselves, yet seem hellbent on introducing a system where only the richest can go to university."
Hassan Alvi, general secretary of the Manchester University Students' Union, who led the protest yesterday, said: "Top-up fees would create an elitist system.''
Protesters were joined by students from other universities in the area, including UMIST, which is set to merge with Manchester University in September.
A spokesperson for Manchester University said: "The vice-chancellor meets regularly with the student executive and will be meeting with them to discuss top-up fees next week. The university has no policy on top-up fees, which are still being discussed at government level."
Will increasing top-up fees to a maximum of £3,000 lead to a two-tier system?
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I witnessed this demonstration and was stunned to see the posters being carried. They read: F**k fees! Grants for all! Good to see taxpayers' money not being wasted on their education. If that's all they can come up with I say make them pay their own way.
I'm a student at the University, and while I am wary of the government proposals, I am also intensely irritated by the way that students seem to throw their rattles out the pram whenever they can.
There are more mature ways to deal with this issue that kicking and screaming. Anyone can stand on the Union steps holding a placard!
So what if these people advocating fees did get a free education. That education was paid for by many people who had very little education, and who don't earn half the amount graduates can earn once they have completed their studies. It is only right they should part finance their own futures.
I think it students spent less time travelling to London to protest and spent less money on getting bladdered every other night they might not be in such debt.
Stop moaning about it, you have to pay your way in life.