2011 Hetherington House Occupation

The 2011 occupation of Hetherington House at University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, was a student, staff and community occupation. It commenced 1 February 2011, ending 31 August 2011, becoming one of the longest-running student occupations in the context of the wider movement of student protests in the UK in 2010, early 2011, and 2011 United Kingdom anti-austerity protests.

The occupation was referred to by the occupants as the 'Free Hetherington'. Its purpose was to protest against cuts to higher education within Glasgow University and nationwide. The occupation hosted an active schedule of talks and discussion sessions. It triggered debate about the legitimacy of protest action versus consultation with University management. One manifestation of this was a debate hosted by the University Dialectic Society on the utility of the occupation's approach. Ultimately, the University implemented some of its proposed cuts, though its plans were scaled back in some areas, although this was not directly related to the protest. The occupation ended peacefully at noon on 31 August 2011, after an agreement between the occupation and University management.

Hetherington House, at 13 University Gardens, was acquired by the University in 1956. The building was formerly used as a place for postgraduate students and staff to meet, and is believed to have been the first University Research Club of its kind established in the UK. The building was named after Hector Hetherington, principal of the University between 1936 and 1961. Its final incarnation was as the Hetherington Research Club (HRC), which additionally permitted mature student membership alongside staff and postgraduates.

The Hetherington Research Club ceased operating in February 2010 due to financial problems. The University later stated that they were unwilling to continue supporting the club after the Student Finance Sub-Committee rejected two proposed business plans on the grounds that they lacked financial viability. The building was largely unused until the occupation commenced on 1 February 2011, but was scheduled to be redeveloped by the University.

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