As an academic I am officially a “University Officer” which means that I am also a member of the Regent House which is the governing body of the University and responsible for setting the rules. We have just voted on a motion of no confidence in David Willetts, the Government Minister of State for Universities and Science. If the motion was passed, the University would have sent a letter of no confidence in Mr Willetts for his handling of the increase in University fees. Amazingly, the votes were tied at 681 each way so the motion failed and Mr Willetts will have one less letter to open. I was somewhat surprised and disappointed at the number of votes against the motion given that this was a symbolic gesture by which academics could voice their disapproval of the fee increase. In contrast, Oxford University voted 283 to 5 in favour of a no confidence motion. Must be a hot bed of radicals in Oxford or perhaps they just have a better moral conscience.
Cambridge Punts
Punts moored by the Mill Pond early one morning. The most inefficient way to travel the Cam.
