University chiefs’ pay and ‘insane’ tuition fees

The dismantling of this regressive tuition fee scam must be a priority for any government.

Willie Mills

Principal and chief executive, Preston College 2007-11

Sir, Your report on vice-chancellors’ high pay (“University chiefs are riding the gravy train, says Oxford bursar”, Aug 4) was right to highlight the damaging changes that have occurred over the past few decades. The introduction of highly paid career vice-chancellors is just one of a number of strategic errors that have transformed UK universities from high-level academic places of learning to budget-controlled mega businesses.

Future British governments, of any political colour, need to restore some semblance of sanity by taking a degree of sensible control and making contributions to university finances, thereby easing the insane pressure imposed on students by high fees. Universities could then concentrate on academic matters rather than on highly commercial business models.

Emeritus Professor Malcolm Mackley

Salcombe, Devon

Sir, It is misleading for Iain Martin to suggest that universities are awash with “plentiful reserves”. The shift in 2012 to £9,000 fees in England replaced income that universities used to receive directly from government funding. This funding has enabled universities to continue to provide students with the high- quality education they rightly expect.

Surveys suggest that students are satisfied overall with their courses and that skilled graduates are increasingly in demand. Universities continue to listen to feedback from students and are striving to further improve and personalise the learning experience they offer.

Alistair Jarvis

Acting CEO, Universities UK

Sir, The vice-chancellor of the University of Bolton thinks that his salary and Bentley will inspire his students (“I’m worth every penny, says £220,000 university chief”, Aug 3). Well, maybe. However, it is worth noting that at a time when the University of Cambridge was immensely successful in obtaining Nobel prizes, and other major honours, the only privilege awarded to the vice-chancellor was a reserved bicycle slot.

Sir Michael Pepper FREng,FRS

Cambridge

Sir, Iain Martin gives the fictional Porterhouse College, Cambridge, a quad. This Oxonian term has always been anathema to those fortunate to study beside the gentle river Cam, where the colleges provide courts for recreation and noisy demonstrations.

Lord Lexden

(Graduate of Peterhouse, Cambridge), London SW1

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Sir, Jonathan Bate (Comment, Aug 2) is right to highlight the underlying intolerance of those who seek to block speakers at universities or suppress subjects and topics they don’t like. Free speech is a phrase that rolls off the tongue but it absolutely requires that, within the law, people can say things that offend many, not least at universities. So far so straightforward. But not all developments at universities can be lumped together as if to prove that free speech has been crushed. Curriculum change (letter, Aug 4) can be good or bad, but widening what students have to study, or can choose to study, is likely to be an advance. And there is nothing wrong about being aware of the sensitivities of those who, rightly or wrongly, feel fragile. Then, if you want to publish or speak, do so.

Mark Damazer

Master of St Peter’s College, Oxford, and former controller of BBC Radio 4

DEMENTIA ‘BUFFER’

Sir, Your report highlighting the possible protective effects of moderate drinking in the development of dementia needs cautious interpretation (“Drinkers less likely to suffer dementia”, News, Aug 3). There are pitfalls in drawing any meaningful conclusions from such studies. The older white middle-class population has several advantages that may skew any possible benefits from drinking. These include a higher level of education and healthier overall lifestyles. Indeed, the research team have qualified their findings by stating that the study does not suggest that drinking is, in itself, responsible for increased longevity and cognitive health.

There is also often a major problem when comparing drinkers and non-drinkers. The latter group may contain ex-drinkers who have given up for health reasons and can therefore make drinkers appear healthier than they actually are.

Dr Tony Rao

Co-chairman, older people’s substance misuse working group, Royal College of Psychiatrists

RELATIVE PRICE CAP

Sir, Greg Jackson (letter, Aug 3) suggests tying an energy company’s standard price to its cheapest tariff as an alternative to the rather blunt approach of a price cap. This idea is sound and not without precedent. The old regional electricity boards were prevented from showing “undue preference” between classes of consumers in setting tariffs. Such regulation would prevent the “Big Six” from overcharging customers on standard tariffs and subsidising others. It would help to reduce the exploitation of the disadvantaged and the distortion of competition.

Chris Wakeman

Churchdown, Glos

PART-TIME GPs

Sir, I am not surprised that trainee GPs find it too stressful to work full-time (report, Aug 2). Many have or want children and many have well-paid husbands. When I was a medical student less than 10 per cent of my colleagues were female. Is it not time someone insisted on medical schools recruiting at least 50 per cent males?

Dr Tony Barson

Altrincham, Cheshire

Sir, The obvious way to ensure that GPs work full-time is to pay them less. Full-time earnings for GPs are so great that most can have the luxury of a very comfortable life working only three days a week.

If they feel that their work is too stressful to work any longer, perhaps they should try some of the occupations that pay half as much as theirs.

Elizabeth Clarke

Sheffield

QUESTION OF TRUST

Sir, Further to your report “National Trust volunteers pushed out in row over gay lord of the manor” (Aug 4), R W Ketton-Cremer, known as Bunny, was as a close neighbour and good friend of my parents, who had rented Beeston Hall from him before the war. My father was particularly prejudiced against homosexuals and would not have accepted Bunny as a friend if he was homosexual.

I met Bunny many times and there was nothing to suggest he was anything but a bachelor who was interested in literature and history and spent much of his time writing fairly learned books. The only outstanding feature was that as a result of rheumatic fever as a youth he had a noticeably limp handshake, which could have made people who did not know him well think he was rather effete. I hope it is not too late for the National Trust to think again.

Simon Batt

Halstead, Essex

Sir, Since when has it been the business of the National Trust to impose its views on its volunteers, or the visiting public for that matter? I was under the impression that its remit was the stewardship and upkeep of important land, buildings and grounds.

Ian Carman

Newport Pagnell, Bucks

BUMPER HARVEST

Sir, Jill Belcham (letter, Aug 3) is right that wild blackberries are ripening very early. We have blackberries planted along our garden fences. This year we had our first pick (1lb 12oz) on July 16 and, since then have been getting 2lb to 4lb most days. From our garden diary it is clear most other produce has been at least two weeks early: beans, peas, courgettes, chard, beetroots and so on. Most amazingly, we first picked outdoor plum tomatoes on July 31. Last year we picked the first ripe one on August 31. Even the grapes are turning already, so that the anti-blackbird nets will have to go on this weekend, more than a month earlier than usual. At this rate grandchildren will have to be rounded up for the vendange in September, rather than October. I keep referring back to the garden diary in disbelief.

Robert Jones

Chelmsford, Essex

BOGUS OCCUPATIONS

Sir, Steven Pacey (Aug 2 ) may have been economical with the truth in claiming to be an international secret agent. I would tell people, accurately, that I made my living from crime, particularly drugs and prostitution.

Philip Browning

District judge (magistrates’ courts) 1994-2011, Newport, Shropshire

Sir, On the topic of hiding one’s true occupation, for a number of years our window cleaner described himself as a “vision technologist”.

Ged Clarke

Southport, Merseyside

GENUINE ARTICLE

Sir, Many years ago, when I was a university chaplain and not long priested, I attended a student social wearing a dog collar (“Sorry gents, no stag dos: priests are barred by pub”, Aug 2). I was somewhat offended to be mistaken for a stripagram. Now I would take it as a compliment.

The Rev Janet Fife

Whitby, N Yorks

PERFECT PAIRING

Sir, Tut tut, Michael Coles — claret with pheasant, not burgundy (Aug 4)! Preferably a St Emilion or a Pomerol.

Andrew Dyke

London N21