“Maybe it is the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Gatt said. “[The €3 tariff] changes close to nothing, maybe it’s even more dangerous since it could be seen as viable,” he said.

Along with GħSL policy officer Andrew Drago, he came up with the following four principles behind the protest.

• The University conceded land to a private entity, having had no consideration of the effect it will have on the students it supposedly caters for. University’s lack of consultation with the students throughout the curation of the project vis-a-vis student services, well-being and budget has led to rampant consumerism taking over student life.

The outlets currently operating from Campus Hub vary from eateries to retail outlets, with little to no consideration made to students, their well-being and financial limitations.

• Student organisations’ concerns do not solely lay in the lack of parking. Campus Hub Limited was intended to serve as an extension of the University of Malta Lija. Land was granted by UM for the building of what is today known as Campus Hub. It is now clear that initial intention centred around student accommodation was a pretext to commercialise student life at the core of University.

• The recent decision to increase parking tariffs and subsequently decrease them to €3 per day is a testament to Campus Hub’s failure to consider the people it needs, students. The newly published tariffs are nothing except an abuse of power by a private company withstanding the knowledge that parking at University is already a burden on all students.

In view of this, coupled with the questionable activities it holds on its premises, it is inconceivable to think that such a project is to be embraced, or appreciated by students when time and time again, it betrays its initial aim and purpose.

• The overarching issue of lack of effective alternative methods of transportation available for students has lead students to become dependent on parking and has facilitated the abusive consumerism present in student life. Proposals include a more efficient public transport system, increasing bike lanes and implementing safety measure to protect cyclists and the improvement of the parking situation on University grounds.

The protest has been endorsed by these student and national organisations – GħSL, MMSA, SACES, ESO, UESA, BETAPSI, Extinction Rebellion, Moviment Graffiti, ICTSA, MKSA, SDM, The Third Eye, ESA, PULSE, SĦS, MHSA, ASCS, CSA, HOASA, UM Rowing, JCA, KSU.

KSU president Alex Gaglione told Lovin Malta that the student council has long been critical about Campus Hub and even took at a dig at it during a recent protest against the proposed construction of a hotel in place of the former Mireva bookshop.

“Campus Hub’s values of the rampant commercialisation of student are mis-aligned with KSU’s values,” she said. “An issue that arose during COVID-19 was that campus life was dead and Campus Hub offered false hope that returning to campus would be fun because they would be offering new services.”

She criticised the new eateries and cafeterias present at Campus Hub, warning that they are either too expensive for many students – like Starbucks and Amani – or fast food options like Pizza Hut and Burger King.

“Are students really the target audience? We think not,” she warned.

Gaglione said she was initially unsure whether KSU should endorse the protest or not but that it decided to do so after it was made clear to them that its goal was much wider than reducing parking tariffs.

“The parking tariff increase was simply a consequence of a culmination of events, including the recent money drop, involving the rampant commercialisation of student life,” she said. “While it’s a pain that the parking issue had to be the trigger, we’re still glad that students are on board with the sentiment KSU has been pushing and we hope it doesn’t stop with the protest.”

“I understand that public perception might be that this is all stemming from parking but it has now culminated into something so much bigger and more important, and KSU cannot but support a protest that is aligned with our values.”

“The fact that the protest will still take place despite the reduction in parking tariffs is a testament to how we’re not just sold by parking.”

Speaking to Lovin Malta, Campus Hub CEO Chris Vassallo defended the project, noting that it was won by public tender in 2015 and includes several benefits for students.

These include accommodation for 800 students, a gym and swimming pool, laundry services, stationery and bookshop, 8,000 square metres of open space, and free WiFi.

A Campus Hub lecture hall for 600 students started being used after lecture halls at the University’s Gateway building were converted COVID-19 vaccination centres.

They are also building a new medical school but construction has been halted due to a failure to reach agreements with the authorities.

As part of the tender, the Vassallo Group must pay ground rent to the University of Malta every year and has entered into commercial obligations, including a commitment of investment and a generation of income for the University.

He said that everyone has the right to protest and that he has requested a meeting with KSU.

Gaglione said that while she intends to accept this invitation, KSU will not change its stand as a result.

“I’m not going to into a meeting to have my opinion swayed or to endorse anything that might come out of it,” she said. “I will express what I’ve been saying to them and listen to what they say but that’s it.”

Cover photo: Left: Giuseppe Gatt (Photo: Facebook), Centre: Campus Hub, Right: Alex Gaglione (Photo: Facebook)

Will you attend the protest?