STUDENTS in Cornwall and Exeter held protests yesterday in response to the University's partnership with a major fossil fuel company.
On Thursday, February 9, students from the University of Exeter, both at Streatham and Penryn campuses, took to protest against the university's recent partnership with Shell.
The students' demonstration was a response to the university's announcement of a new five-year "strategic" partnership with the oil giant, which they believe is not compatible with the ethical standards of a university that declared a climate emergency in 2019.
In light of recent activism on both campuses by students calling for Fossil Free Careers, End Fossil activists, and the Be The Change community, the announcement of this partnership was met with disappointment and frustration.
A spokesperson for the student protestors said: "This demonstration has not been taken up on a whim.
"A People’s Assembly organised and facilitated by students from Penryn campus last week discussed the University’s deal with Shell, and how partnerships should be created in the context of a Climate and Ecological Emergency.
"The consensus reached was that this partnership does not meet a standard which is compatible with being ethical; showing that Exeter Uni chose to put profit over people with the deal worth £4 million.
"It shows their contempt for the future of the planet as well as their contempt for the students who come here to invest in their own futures.
"The only way the university can show us otherwise is by immediately ending this gross partnership and seeking more ethical partnerships with organisations looking to power our future in cleaner ways that do not have a detrimental effect on the planet and humanity"
Failure to do so, they warn, will result in more cross-campus disruption, as they are united in their opposition to this deal.
A spokesperson for the University of Exeter said: “We respect and support each student’s right to protest, provided they do so in a safe, legal and considerate manner."
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