Following the protests, an inquiry into the erection of the fences was set up to investigate the events of the 5 November, making a number of recommendations relating to communication with students and COVID-19 management.[12] Additionally, following charges of common assault, on 18 November 2021 two security officers were acquitted of wrongdoing in the case of the racial profiling allegation.[17] Later in March 2021, a referendum was held by the Students' Union on a motion of no confidence in the vice chancellor and other senior management staff.[18] Despite a vote in favour of 89%, the union motion was not binding on the university and the turnout was only 13%.[7] On 12 March 2021, the university board of governors reaffirmed their support for the senior management team.[19]
Protests
Demonstration
On 5 November 2020, over 1,000 students[12] gathered in the centre of the campus to protest against the temporary fencing with the organisers claiming additional motivating issues. Students then began to tear down the fencing across the campus.[20] Intended originally to address "increasing concerns over security" the university later apologized for the decision and an inquiry by the university identified "a number of failings in process and decision making".[12][21][22]
On 12 November 2020, around 10 students involved with the rent strike occupied the 19-storey Owens Park Tower within the Fallowfield campus. They pledged to continue the occupation until the demands of the rent strike were met.[14] The university attempted to stop food deliveries reaching the occupiers and turned off the Wi-Fi in the building but later relented after an intervention by local Manchester Gorton MP, Afzal Khan.[23] Banners and projections with slogans were displayed on the tower and other buildings, targeted at the university and its Vice Chancellor, Nancy Rothwell.[24][25]
The event and the actions of the university were reported by national media[1][26][27][28][29] and condemned by singer Liam Gallagher.[30] On the 25 November 2020, the tower was vacated after the university announced the 30% rent cut.[16]
Rent strike
From October a group was formed of around 200 students to withhold their rent until a series of demands were met.[3] Issues cited included; flooding,[4] rat infestations,[5] high rent, lack of access to facilities and support for students during lockdown[6] and a belief that the university had misled students that face-to-face teaching would be taking place despite all teaching being moved online.[25]
Following media coverage of the protests[16] and negotiations with the University of Manchester Students' Union, the university conceded a 30% rent cut for all students in halls from September to January.[31]
Alleged racial profiling
On 14 November 2020, a student named Zac Adan was filmed being held and questioned by university security.[15] The incident led to renewed media scrutiny and allegations of racial profiling and the university was forced to suspend 2 members of its security force as a result. They were later acquitted of all charges in court.[32][17]
Following the incident, Nancy Rothwell appeared on the BBC Newsnight program to address it and wider issues at the university. During the interview she claimed she had written to Adan to apologise. It was later revealed that she had not in fact written to him and issued a public apology and correction.[33]