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Wednesday, 7 February, 2001, 21:28 GMT

Student protest at Oxford library

More than 100 Oxford University students have occupied the city's Bodleian Library as a protest against paying tuition fees.

The students, including seven who have been suspended from the university and banned from lectures and exams for failing to pay their annual fees, entered the library at 1700 GMT on Wednesday.

President of the Oxford University Student Union, Kirsty McNeill, said "The non-payers have now been told that unless they pay up they will be deemed as non-residents and will not qualify for their degrees."

The university is working to ensure that disruption to staff and other students is kept to a minimum
Oxford University

The protest would continue until the university withdrew its non-resident claims against those who refused to pay tuition fees, she added.

Students who are not at the university for more than six weeks a term are counted as non-residents and can be prevented from being awarded their final degree.

Protests against tuition fees have been widespread around the country since they were introduced by the government in 1998.

The maximum contribution is Ł1,050 per person per year.

An Oxford University spokesman said: "The university is working to ensure that disruption to staff and other students is kept to a minimum."

Related to this story:
Oxford students suspended over fees (22 Jan 01 | Education) Students owe £3m tuition fees (03 Feb 00 | Education) Oxford students protest over tuition fees (22 Jan 99 | Education)

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