Leeds University Starts to Backtrack on Plans to Close the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building to Students

Before Easter, students at the Lifelong Learning Centre were notified that by the end of April, the building would be closed to them, the LLC and other student services, except by appointment only.

In recent statements¹, the University has said that no final decision has been made regarding the Ziff building and that Leeds University Unions and Students will be engaged in further discussions. Hopefully, the new policy will be rolled back, and access to student services and the vital Lifelong Learning Centre will be preserved.

University Announces Changes to Access to Ziff Building

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ziff_Building_1_27_August_2017.jpg – published under creative commons license, via Wikimedia Commons credit to Chemical Engineer

If you’re wondering what all this is about, it has been a fast-moving process which seemingly came out of nowhere at the end of March.

It’s life-changing because you’re able to go somewhere, to a university you wouldn’t normally have the entry requirements to go to, because they’re so high really, out there.
Student of the Lifelong Learning Centre

The unofficial reason has been stated that the decision has been made in response to the perceived threat of an Occupy Movement seeking to challenge the University’s partnerships and affiliations with fossil fuel extractors². In November last year, this movement occupied parts of the Ziff building in a peaceful, though potentially disruptive, protest³. Given the climate crisis and the University’s own climate pledges, it’s worthwhile noting the protests are an attempt to hold the university to account.

In what is widely recognised as a bizarre move, the university’s leadership announced the decision to close the Ziff building to students unless they are there for student services by appointment only. To this end, it appears the cafe in the building was closed, and the LLC (Lifelong Learning Centre) was required to move. The most recent proposal is for the LLC to move to an older building, which has been branded unacceptable to the needs of the students of the LLC. Many of whom have specific accessibility issues.

Lifelong Learning Centre

The Lifelong Learning Centre is a vital hub for underrepresented students (including disabled, ethnic, and mature students), providing access to undergraduate courses and specialist student support services⁴. It has been a vital resource for many students across East Leeds and the city. It allows people that have felt barriers to higher education to have access and achieve their goals in life.

There’s no judgement, they are helpful, they understand the value of life experience over traditional entry requirements, they make you feel valued as a person, and they genuinely care about your studies, and what you do next, and they’re not patronising.
Student of Lifelong Learning Centre

Other buildings suggested aren’t appropriate because of the diverse needs of LLC students, including the disabled, that need modern access requirements that older buildings can’t achieve without significant investment. The Marjorie and Arnold Ziff building has been ideal to support a diverse array of students. The student base keenly feels the loss of access to this building.

If the the Lifelong Learning Centre sounds just like what you need to meet your dreams for education, and haven’t had chance to go to university, they a drop-in session next week, please click here, or on the picture to book a place

The Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building is a six-story building that houses all student services at the University of Leeds⁵. It was opened in 2010 and named after Arnold Ziff, a significant sponsor of Tropical World, Roundhay Park, now named after him⁶. The building was funded by a substantial donation from the family foundation and businesses in memory of Arnold Ziff, who had died in 2004⁶. Marjorie Ziff, his wife, opened this building on her 80th birthday in 2009⁷. Marjorie was a lifelong supporter of the University and, with her late husband, Arnold, was the driving force behind many groundbreaking projects that helped transform the city of Leeds⁸.

Reactions to the Announcement at the End of March

The Lifelong Learning Centre creates a family feel. They genuinely care.
Student of Lifelong Learning Centre

Feelings on the issue have been strong. With almost immediate effect Leeds University Union put out a statement concerning the announcement:

As your Student Exec, we have already received a number of concerns about what the proposed changes will mean for students, as the changes may disproportionately affect those from marginalised backgrounds.

We recognise the particular value of a safe and supportive environment for marginalised students which enables them to feel part of a community at Leeds. It is of paramount importance that students are consulted throughout their education and treated as partners in the delivery of services.
https://www.luu.org.uk/news/2023/03/31/marjorie-and-arnold-ziff-building-update/

A Change.org petition was also created, citing what the creator believed to be a discriminatory policy towards disabled and marginalised students, to allow students, former students, staff members and faculty, and interested parties to have their say on the proposed changes to the use of the Ziff building, which currently stands 574 signatures.

There’s still time to support this and let the University know your feelings.

https://www.change.org/p/discrimination-against-marginalised-students-by-a-russell-group-university

A Padlet page was also setup to allow students, faculty and staff members to share their thoughts anonymously and provide further context to the events.

https://padlet.com/haveyoursayziff/uni-of-leeds-staff-thoughts-on-changes-to-the-ziff-building-qsv7v6h0efqwyvfm

Is It Right for a University to Potentially Disadvantage Learners?

It feels instinctively wrong that 3000+ students, including those at the LLC, are disadvantaged as Leeds University senior staff fear protests. Protests at Leeds University have long since been part of the fabric of its history, as they have worldwide.

I spoke to so many people until I reached the Lifelong Learning Centre at a popup stall. I really really wanted to go to university, so I didn’t need the encouragement, but I did need the information.
Student of Lifelong Learning Centre

Notably, in reacting to the protests in the past, the University has cited disruption to students learning as a reason for engaging in hostile legal action against protestors – which appears to be contrary to their efforts to stop protests now, which is to disrupt students learning themselves.

Ultimately, Leeds University’s role is to educate. I appreciate that it is easy to feel unsafe even with non-violent protests. However, a couple of dozen senior staff members seeking to protect themselves are achieving what they accuse protestors of doing.

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