Cambridge rent rises

Students "know all about rent policy", says Charles Larkum (Letters, THES, November 5). In fact, the proposed increases came to light only via a leak. The Cambridge University Student Union wants bursars to justify recommended rises of up to 61 per cent over the next five years by showing exactly how college money is spent. Larkum's estimate of Pounds 60 as an average post-increases rent does not include the Pounds 9 weekly kitchen charge. We are not protesting at current rents, but at the level to which they will rise over five years, making Cambridge the most expensive university outside London and even more elitist.

Verity Susman, CUSU Rents Campaign