Iranian students, we are here for you.
We're becoming increasingly concerned by reports we’re hearing from students affected by the devastating political situation in Iran.
A violent response to anti-government protests in Iran has resulted in thousands of protesters being killed and detained, and a communications blackout has left students unable to reach loved ones.
We stand in solidarity with all students affected by this. We understand how difficult this must be for you, and for those affected by political unrest elsewhere in the world.
As a diverse community, it’s important that we stand together in times like these. We want you to know we’re here for you and that support is available, both from the SU and the University.
How are students being affected?
-
As well as severe emotional distress, some students have told us they’re unable to pay for essentials, such as food and living costs, due to losing access to financial support from family.
What support is available?
We are pleased that, following our initial representations, the university is being proactive on this issue, providing support for affected students in the following ways:
-
Academic support: Where students are unable to complete assessments, the university will take a sympathetic approach to Mitigating Circumstances applications, which the SU Advice Service can support with.
What further action are we taking?
-
We are working with the university to establish what support can be made available to students who are having difficulty making tuition fee payments.
-
We will ask the National Union of Students (NUS) to raise this issue with the government, to ensure there are protections in place across the sector.
What should you do?
-
Keep attending classes and paying your fees, if you can. If you can’t, you must seek help urgently by contacting Student Zone. Your visa may be at risk if you fall behind, so communication is key.
-
Contact the SU Advice Service for support with applying for Mitigating Circumstances if you believe your assessments will be impacted.
-
Please let us know if you have been affected by emailing studentsunion@londonmet.ac.uk and telling us your story. This will enable us to understand the extent to which our members are affected and provide appropriate support.
The following support services are available, and we urge you to use them:
Students’ Union Advice Service
We offer confidential support and advocacy for London Met students. We are independent of the university, so we can give impartial advice on things like mitigating circumstances, appeals and complaints, and signpost to other types of support.
Visit our website for more information and to make an appointment.
Peer support
You can connect with other affected students by contacting us at LMSU. Visit the SU building on Holloway Road or email us at studentsunion@londonmet.ac.uk, and we can put you in touch with our Persian Society or other student groups.
LMU Student Zone
Student Zone is the university’s one-stop shop for student support. Support is available online, but we recommend visiting in person if you can, for the most efficient support:
Visit the Student Zone web pages for more information or to submit a support ticket.
LMU Student Services
Student Services have specialist teams who can help with things like financial support, counselling, and support for students with disabilities. Visit their web pages here.
Talk Campus
The Talk Campus app is a global peer-to-peer platform available 24/7, which connects students across the world. Talk Campus have produced a helpful article on managing your mental health in light of distressing news coverage.