By Nicole Canning, Hannah Rogers and Alice Scruton

Students from Knights Park were notable by their absence from the ASM yesterday.

Out of the 35 students RiverOnline spoke to at the meeting, only two full-time Knights Park students were present. Although students and staff were informed that all classes were cancelled, many chose to use this time for optional tutorials and independent study.

Vice-Chancellor, Sir Peter Scott who addressed the meeting, had informed the university through StudySpace that all lectures were to be cancelled between 1pm and 4pm. This was to give students the opportunity to attend the meeting.

But RiverOnline spoke to students at Knights Park who claimed they still had to attend tutorials and seminars and were unaware of the ASM.

One first year Photography student said: “Yes, I was told by a friend about it – I would have gone but my tutor organised a seminar. It would have been interesting to hear what everyone had to say.”

Eight undergraduate Graphic Design students said they could not afford to take the afternoon off as mounting workloads took priority.

Rebecca Wright, Course Director of BA Graphic Design and Photography, said that students had been told at meetings that classes were cancelled and if they chose not to attend they could organise private study. She added: “We have done the utmost to let students know about the ASM.”

Whilst the ASM was in progress, RiverOnline asked Knights Park students what issues they hoped would be raised in the meeting. These included limited studio space, expensive materials and the lack of cash machines on Knights Park campus.

Hayden Wilcox, 20 said: “If I had time, I would have gone. We bring these problems up but nothing gets done.”