25 NOVEMBER 2006, Page 28

Hoodwinked

From Ian Rumfitt

Sir: The Warden of All Souls puts the best possible gloss on Dr John Hood’s plan to change the way Oxford University is governed (Letters, 18 November). But his argument comes down to this: the members of Congregation should surrender control of the University to a council dominated by outsiders because, if they do so, the University can hope to receive more money than it does at present. Normally, however, when people surrender valuable rights they receive in return some definite benefit, not just the hope of more jam tomorrow. Dr Hood has been a businessman. He cannot be surprised that many members of Congregation regard his proposal as a poor deal.

Ian Rumfitt

Professor of Philosophy University of London, WC1