"I Would Fire Martin Amis"

PROFESSOR TERRY EAGLETON spoke alongside Union representatives at a lively debate last week, entitled "Education In a Neoliberal World".

The Roscoe Theatre audience cheered as a poem written by Sheila Rowbotham, Professor of Gender and Labour History, targeted the Arthur Lewis building in rhyme.

"I rarely see students/except in the queue/Oh students and teachers, what can we do?"

Rowbotham is being asked to retire by the University, but has receiving much support from students and sparked interest in the national press.

Students at The University of Manchester set up a Facebook campaign to keep her on the staff list. "I'm in suspended limbo," she said.

Professor Terry Eagleton, who is also up for the axe, took the opportunity to add to the now infamous war of words with Professor Martin Amis.

He pontificated: "Say my name were put forward as venerable chancellor of this institution. My first act would be to fire Martin Amis!"

"My second act would be to give a brown paper envelope with £500 to every student who votes for me!"

UMSU General Secretary Tom Skinner began his talk with an allude to the previous day's Reclaim the Uni demonstration, inciting thunderous applause.

Skinner claimed that the University was being "run more like a business". He also branded the SCAN building as a "waste."

"Last year, the Finance Office said: increase numbers. They duly did…now lectures have overspill rooms with video link-ups."

David Jones from Unite the Union sent apologies for his absence. David Beale, the University's UCU Executive talked about "bloody and bitter battles" fought by academic staff.

Eager audience members took to the microphone as the talk was opened up to the floor. One man said: "We're an absolute mess. Save £240,000 by tomorrow – [sack] Alan Gilbert!"

The conference was part of "Another Education Is Possible" week run by the Students' Union.