Selwyn JCR

Passed by Online Ratification 4/2/11
Lapses 4/2/14

The JCR notes:
1. An asylum seeker is someone who has lodged an application for protection on the basis of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
2. Asylum seekers are in the UK seeking protection and may wait months or even years for their application to be processed.
3. Article 26 of the UDHR which states "Everyone has the right to education... and higher education shall be equally accessible to all..."
4. That at Cambridge University, asylum seekers are classed as international students and for a typical undergraduate degree at Cambridge have to pay between £10, 752 to £14,073 pounds per annum fees instead of the "home fee" rate of £3,290.
5. That asylum seekers cannot afford these fees (or living costs) because they are neither allowed to apply for student loans nor work in the UK and that asylum seekers are unable to apply for a bursary from Cambridge University.
6. Cambridge Student Action for Refugee's campaign for equal access to university for asylum seekers.
7. NUS policy in support of STAR's campaign to guarantee equal access for asylum seekers in UK Higher Education (2008).
8. The success of STAR’s campaign in Manchester, London Met, Liverpool, Manchester Met, Middlesex and Edgehill universities, which now offer home-rate tuition fees to asylum seekers.

The JCR believes:
1. That everyone ought to have an equal opportunity to education.
2. That no-one should have to put their entire life on hold for years unable to get an education.
3. That the current funding system, both nationally and within Cambridge University, is unfairly punitive towards asylum seekers.
4. That Cambridge University should take a leading role in this national Campaign.

The JCR resolves:
1. To pledge support to STAR's campaign.
2. To mandate The JCR President and External Officer to vote in favour of this motion at CUSU council, with view to lobby Vice-Chancellor and pro Vice-Chancellors to:
3. Offer degrees at ‘home rate’ prices to Asylum Seekers (this would essentially require the university to subsidise degrees for Asylum Seekers, to make up for the gap in government funding).
4. To make the Cambridge Bursary available to Asylum Seekers.
5. To pledge Cambridge University's support and campaign for a change in government policy that will give Asylum Seekers equal rights to government funding.