The student occupation of the Old Schools site continued this afternoon, despite protestors being given notice by University authorities to leave the premises.

The occupation began around 11 am this morning, when a number of students from the group Cambridge Defend Education entered the grounds of the Old Schools building.

The entrance to the Old Schools building in Senate House passage was being monitored by a University Proctor who warned every student going in that the grounds were private property, and that they did not have permission to enter.

Despite these warnings, many students continued to enter and exit. Some students stood at the entrance next to the Proctor and told entrants, "You have every legal right to enter. They [the proctors] can't do anything."

According to Varsity estimates, approximately 200 students are taking part in the occupation. Some students appear to be staying in the grounds, while others appear to be coming and going after temporary periods.

A spokeperson for the group told Varsity, "We have no plans to leave." When asked if they expected to stay overnight, the spokesperson responded, "Yes. There are many of us here who have brought duvets and sleeping bags, and we currently have no plans to leave."

The group's website also asked supporters to being food and bedding.

The occupation prevented some Gonville & Caius College students from accessing the College library, the entrance to which is also located inside the grounds. The College has closed the library.

In response, a spokesperson for the group said, "We are not disturbing the library space in any way. It is the College's decision to close it."

Responding to the occupation, a spokesperson at the University said, "The University’s primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of the protestors and our staff.  This occupation is not affecting the academic life of the University, apart from Gonville and Caius students being prevented from using their library.

"We have served notices to the protestors to quit the University premises they are occupying. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that no disruption occurs to the normal teaching, research and business of the University.”

The occupation seems to be a direct response to higher education funding cuts and tuition fee increases. Cambridge Defend Education released a statement saying, "All over the country, people are realising that we can no longer rely on the politicians or university management to do what is best for our education system and the country.

"We need to act together and act now - occupation is the proportionate response to a political system which is absolutely broken."

Speaking to Varsity, one student taking part in the occupation, said, "We are here because the University has betrayed us. And because the politicians have betrayed us."

The occupation also appears to be part of a national movement to occupy important and symbolic sites. Cambridge Defend Education's website stated, "The Old Schools is the nerve centre of the University - this is where the decisions about which shape the future of the University are made.

"The Vice Chancellor, Finance Office and many other senior positions are housed in the Old Schools- we are in the belly of the beast. We are just next door to the Senate House, one of the most emblematic buildings in Cambridge."

A similar student protest group at University College London (UCL) tweeted this afternoon, "LSE students are occupying Simon Hughes' office."

Cambridge Defend Education also sent out a tweet which stated that a meeting would take place tonight at 7 pm at Clare College Colony on Chesterton Road.