The rent strike at Sidney Sussex has been called off after the campaign failed to collect enough signups for support from the Cambridge Student Union (SU). 

Students told Varsity that despite sympathising with the strike’s aims, they felt “afraid of doing anything to anger College” and “discouraged” to participate due to the possibility of disciplinary action. This included fears over applications for financial aid being rejected or student visas not being renewed.

Less than forty students formally committed to withholding their rent for Easter term. However, a poll conducted by the Sidney Sussex College Student Union (SSCSU) last week revealed that a majority of 64.9% of students were in favour of endorsing the rent strike.

As the campaign has failed to garner the 40 formal signups required for SU support, the organisers have called off the strike and are now considering alternative action with the SU. 

The campaign’s primary aim was for increases in accommodation charges to match maintenance loan inflation. A document compiled by the organisers highlights the perceived disparity between Sidney Sussex’s accommodation charges and the facilities they provide. Students have reported multiple incidents of flooding, as well as problems with mould, heating, sewage, and broken furniture. One student reported never having had a working main light or desk light.

The College has previously drawn criticism for its rent hikes and accommodation facilities, with students mobilising for a rent strike as recently as 2021. Last term, Varsity reported on Sidney’s shortage of accessible accommodation and “negligent” treatment of disabled students.

The College’s deadline for paying rent is 5th May. Alyssa Baker, one of the strike organisers, said: “We appreciate everyone’s support for the strike, and still hope that College reconsider their position. I encourage everyone to not give up in demanding a compromise.”

Alyssa Baker and Jake Charnley, both students at Sidney Sussex, began trying to gauge interest in a rent strike in April, after over 90 students at King’s College signed an open letter in support of a rent strike. The SSCSU JCR chose to endorse the strike last week (20/04) following the results of their poll.

A spokesperson for Sidney Sussex College told Varsity: "We share the concerns of many in our community about the rising cost of living, and the impact this is already having on students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.

“This year, we have substantially increased the College funds available to provide assistance to those in greatest need. Following our consultation with students, we also adjusted our formula to reduce the increase in accommodation charges due to inflation. The College has increased its automatic rent bursaries for Cambridge Bursary Scheme students and introduced a new rent bursary, open to non-CBS students and equivalent to 9.5% of the average cost of our accommodation.”

This article was updated (4/05) to include a comment from Sidney Sussex College