In an email seen by Varsity, King’s College has warned that striking students with outstanding debt “may ultimately not be permitted” to return to college accommodation over the summer or in Michaelmas Term. The email also stated that students may not be invited to participate in college graduation celebrations.

Following an open letter in March which attracted over 130 signatures, students at King’s College are withholding rent for Easter term. The total amount of rent withheld amounts to £143,000.

Last week (21/05), over 100 students gathered in Bodley’s Court in King’s College to show support for the strike. The strike was prompted by the proposed increase of 7.5% in rent for the 2023-24 academic year. The current annual median rent at King’s is approximately £5700, including mandatory catering charges.

The strike organisers are pushing for rent increases to be tied to increases in student finance and the Cambridge bursary. Maya Feinstein, a student organiser, said: “The reputation of King’s College as the progressive, trail-blazing anomaly in the archaic Cambridge institution is being fractured by their inability to understand the impact of this decision on student finances.”

Discussions between the college and the striking students are currently ongoing, and the students intend to pay the withheld money to the college once a settlement is reached. King’s College Student Union’s (KCSU) Access Officer Mya Saxby said that negotiations may continue into the summer, as King’s has indicated that they may refuse to decrease the proposed rent rates. “This would leave students who are already concerned about their finances, particularly estranged and low-income students, in a vulnerable position over the summer,” said Saxby.

Jack Robinson, the KCSU welfare officer, said: “The 7.5% rent increase put forward is simply not affordable for many students who already struggle to live in a city as expensive as Cambridge. We are on rent strike to protect student’s standard of living, and to fight to keep King’s accessible to students from working class backgrounds, now and in the future.”

One student who is not participating in the strike told Varsity that, although they support the cause, they were “conscious not to get into trouble” and “didn’t feel like [they] could think about this kind of thing during the stressful Easter term.” They also added that they “weren’t convinced with how organised the strike was”.

Easter bills this year were due to be paid during the week beginning Monday 8th May. The College has sent out emails reminding students of their outstanding bills and has waived late payment charges. They have also stated that students “will not be disadvantaged” when applying for financial support from the College.

When contacted for comment, a representative for King’s College told Varsity: “Accommodation charges for the 2023-24 academic year have been set in consultation with student representatives and are consonant with charges at similar UK institutions. In addition, our students are supported by a range of generous bursaries designed to ensure their financial security over the course of their studies.”

Rent increases for 2023-24 announced so far at other colleges range from 5.6% to 11%. Students at King’s College have previously organised successful strikes in 1995 and 2003.