SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS STUDENTS STAGE SIT-IN
London School of Economics students began a sit-in, accompanied by a boycott of lectures and classes, March 13. The action protested the suspension of two leaders, David Adelstein, president of the Students' Union, and Marshall Bloom, president of the Graduate Students Association, for calling a meeting banned by school director Sir Sydney Caine on January 31. The banned meeting was part of a campaign against the appointment of a new director, Dr. Walter Adams, previously of the University College of Rho~ desia. His equivocal attitude on racialism in Rhodesia touched off the movement but it soon broadened into a demand for a say in the appointment of administrative personnel and in the administration of the school in general.
Like other British universities, LSE has increasingly become a "factory" for the production of experts in planning and administration in private business and government. It has also become more dependent on big business for its finances.
Students have thus felt a growing desire for redefinition of the concept of a university. An increasing number of them are seeking a way towards a university that will be a centre of criticism of existing society not a passive organ of it. Thus at LSE the idea of a "free university" is in the air.
Over the last two years there has been a very considerable resurgence of Marxist thought in the British universities; and at LSE, Marxists are playing a leading role in the struggle. The influence of their concepts is evident among broad sections of the students and a considerable number of teachers. If this battle is won it can have considerable impact in further extending a very promising movement.