I am signing this petition to call for a referendum, as I am a very concerned student, shocked at Coventry University’s decision to privatise our services that are currently run competently, by students for students. The venue is the only venue that offers a safe, responsible not for profit space for students. It provides us students with jobs and gives the Union money to invest in its other services such as Volunteering, Sports and Societies, the student Union Advice centre and representation which now face cuts and even closures due to your reckless decision. I am appalled that the University not only misled its students union for so long, and has chosen to announce this decision at this moment in time when us students are nearing the end of our year. I am also very disappointed that you have decided to bring in profit maximising corporations to run student areas such as our venue and bars. The University is running the risk of becoming out of touch with and risks losing its students if they continue to put profit before students. Running commercial activities is a core activity at our union and I am calling for a referendum to ask students question to students. I am signing this petition to call for a referendum to ask if running commercial services is a core activity of and demand that Coventry University PUT STUDENTS BEFORE PROFIT and SAVE OUR UNION.