Bordeaux, France – Protests at Université Bordeaux Montaigne (UBM), a partner institution for international students including those from the University of Warwick, have escalated as the academic calendar nears its end, prompting the intervention of riot police and casting doubt on whether the university will reopen before the next academic year.
The demonstrations began more than three weeks ago in response to the French government’s proposed €900 million cut to university research funding. Since then, the university has seen widespread disruption to teaching and exams, with the student protest committee and university administration unable to reach a resolution.
Although the university reopened briefly on April 14, protestors re-blocked the campus on April 14 and 15, forcing the cancellation of all in-person exams once again. Confusion persists among students, with inconsistent information regarding exam formats and class delivery.
Police Intervention and Escalating Tensions
On April 11, UBM President Alexandre Péraud called in the French riot police (CRS) to break up the blockade, stating: “I decided to call on the police to liberate our university premises […] the blockade had to be lifted because nothing can be built on violence and disunity.”
The move sparked outrage among student protestors, who quickly convened another general assembly (AG). Approximately 300 students participated, facing off against police while chanting and protesting the CRS’s presence on campus.
Unresolved Demands and Disruptions
Student assemblies previously voted to prolong the blockade, with 394 students in favor on April 2 and a reaffirmed vote of 556 on April 7. Protestors have insisted the university remain closed until their three core demands are met: cancellation of exams on strike days, suspension of attendance requirements, and access to a lecture hall for AG meetings.
Additional demands include university-wide communication rights via email, a request President Péraud has denied. Instead, he offered use of the Students’ Union — rejected as “too far” — and a legally authorized independent mailing list, which was also refused by protest leaders.
The continuing blockades have left many instructors unable or unwilling to teach. While some courses moved online, most faculty have opted to delay classes or distribute materials without offering live sessions. Meanwhile, security staff have been hired to guard critical administrative offices.
Academic Chaos and Student Concerns
An email from Péraud’s office on April 8 raised vague concerns about campus safety during the protests, but failed to detail specific threats. In the face of sustained disruption, all midterm exams were postponed to the final week of term and shifted online. Final exams are scheduled for the week of May 5.
Students have expressed frustration at the compressed timeline and lack of instructional clarity. “There’s not enough time to prepare, and no one knows what’s actually going on,” said one student.
To address the delays, President Péraud has proposed holding retake exams in June. However, this decision has sparked additional backlash, as many students’ accommodation contracts expire before the proposed retake period.
With negotiations stalled and tensions escalating, Université Bordeaux Montaigne remains effectively shut down, leaving the future of the academic year in limbo for both local and international students.
