Work diagram for the roots, connections and influences of the Antiuniversity of London (x)

An invitation by Joseph Berke calling for a discussion meeting on the setting up of an Antiuniversity in London. The meeting was to take place on November 16 1967 at the Institute of Phenomenological Studies in Belsize Park.

The emphasis is on high level teaching and independent research within the social sciences. (x)

Document Courtesy of the PETT Archive

Already at the opening of the Antiuniversity on February 12, 1968 discussions and antagonism between students, teachers and the Ad-Hoc Coordination Committee flared up, according to Harold Norse’s report in the International Times. The problem was that the coordination com-mittee had made arrangements with the BBC about coverage of the Antiuniversity. There were questions about whether a media organisation of the Establishment should be trusted as a way to promote the ideas around the project or whether this was a sell-out of the revolutionary aspirations to which the project was committed.

The history of The Free University of Berkeley written in the fall prospectus of 1968. The structure of FUNY, FUB and the AntiU was very similar with a collection of diverse courses on offer. And the fee structure with a membership fee. The FUB had in 1968 no course fee, as FUNY and AntiU had initially.

According to the prospectus FUB offered courses in “Philosophy, Literature, Revolution, Group Dynamics. Language, Arts & Crafts, Movement, Practical Skills, Survival, Wilderness, Universe.” (x)

Poster from the Free University of New York second session in the fall of 1965. (x)

The Hornsey Film (1970)

A student revolt as re-lived by the students themselves. The Hornsey Film reconstructs the arguments and succession of events that led to the occupation of Hornsey College of Art between May and July 1968.

“Students are trying to change values, not seize power.” Stephen Spender

UK 1970 Dir Patricia Holland 60 min.

Here a text by Nick Wright who himself took part in the Hornsey Occupation: http://1968andallthat.net/node/82

The third prospectus from the Antiuniversity of London offering 56 courses either in the late afternoon or in the evening. Courses took place on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The third quarter of the Antiuniversity started in July 1968. The front cover was designed by Bob Cobbing, the coordinator of the AntiU. This last prospectus of the AntiU was published in July 1968 and was presented as a provisional catalogue at the ‘Anti-U Course Creation Rally’ at the Speakers Corner in Hyde Park on July 21.

The second prospectus from the Antiuniversity of London offering 60 courses either in the late afternoon or in the evening. Courses took place on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The second quarter of the Antiuniversity started at the beginning of May and lasted until the end of June 1968. (x)

This letter was send to the course leaders before the third quarter inviting them to the ‘Kip-in’ weekend of July 12-14 at Rivington Street for the preparation of the ‘Anti-U Course Creation Rally’ that was going to take place the following the weekend at Speakers Corner.

Initially it was intended that the course leaders/teachers should be paid for running a course. After the first quarter this pay structure was abolished due to lack of funding.

This letter also announces that Bob Cobbing steps down as coordinator of the Antiuniversity. (x)

The first prospectus from the Antiuniversity of London offering 37 courses either in the late afternoon or in the evening. The catalogue was designed and printed by Asa Benvenista. Courses took place on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The Antiuniversity opened on February 12 1968. The year at the Antiuniversity was divided into four quarters each lasting about eight weeks. The first quarter lasted until end of April 1968. (x)

The registration form for courses at the AntiU. The registration took place in the two weeks prior to the start of the quarter from January 22 and February 12 1968.

In the prospectus it was stated that the Antiuniversity was to be self-supporting. The fee structure was based on a membership fee on £8 a quarter and a course fee of 10 shillings [half a pound] a course. (x)

In relation to the opening of the Antiuniversity in February 1968 the International Times published three articles about the AntiU under the headline: ‘Three views of the Antiuniversity (others invited)’. Here the poet Harold Norse, the author Alexander Trocchi and the IT journalist Robert Tasher each wrote a statement about the new anti-institution.  (x)

An unsigned report about the first quarter at the Antiuniversity published in International Times. Barry Miles, one of the editors of IT, was himself teaching at the AntiU during the first three quarters. (x)

The week schedule of the first quarter at the Antiuniversity. The courses were scheduled in the afternoon and evening to make it possible for people going to work during the day to attend. (x)

Joseph Berke writing in the London Peace News 1965 about his experiences with the Free University of New York that he had just been involved in setting up in the East Village in New York. In this text he calls for a Free University of London to be sat up. (x)