Sir: Is it not strange that the four protesting members
of Wolfson's governing body appear to be primarily concerned about Mark Almond's supposed misrepresenta- tion of procedural matters, rather than with the central issue of academic free- dom? SCR politics aside, the fact is that Professor Nolte was `disinvited' merely because his arguments might have caused distress to members of Wolfson College. This act was rightly seen by many to be contrary to all accepted principles of academic freedom, and an error that one hoped would be corrected by the college. However, Wolfson further disgraced itself by attempting to present the affair as a purely private, college, matter.
We might ask ourselves, in the light of the recent clamour about free speech in Britain, and the government's ex- perimental musings on the role of our universities, whether the actions of the president and the governing body of Wolf- son have been, and are 'in the interests of the college', and universities in general.
Stephen M. Cullen
1 Rossie Place, FOrgandenny, Near Perth
Previous page
