Author Archives: Don

Dr R Thornton University Advocate University of Cambridge Emmanuel College Cambridge 7th March 2012 Dear Dr Thornton, We understand that a student has been charged with “recklessly or intentionally impeding free speech within the Precincts of the University” in connection … Continue reading →

Cambridge February 21, 2012 Dear Vice-Chancellor, It is our understanding that, following a complaint lodged by the Proctors, the University has initiated disciplinary proceedings against a student for ‘impeding freedom of speech’ in the course of a protest action against … Continue reading →

THE NO CONFIDENCE VOTE: RAISING FURTHER QUESTIONS about the trustworthiness of balloting procedures, the accuracy of the counting, and whether, in the circumstances, the decision to refuse a request for a recount was correct. GRACE OF 15 JUNE 2011: NEW … Continue reading →

Dear Simon Goldhill, I have read your books. I have learned a lot from them, and I admire you. You are an educated man. When David Willetts came to Cambridge to speak on a CRASSH platform last week, he came … Continue reading →

From the start of this election project, in the very middle of our crisis in attempting to protect this university and all of HE from commercialised deconstruction, there were two stark issues. ONE was the attempt by our central authorities … Continue reading →

RESULT OF NO CONFIDENCE BALLOT The ballot on the Grace of 15 June 2011 closed yesterday (25 July). A spokesman for the university said: “[The ballot] delivered 681 votes in favour and 681 votes against a motion of no confidence … Continue reading →

1) A PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE USE OF A GRACE Flysheets calling for a non placet vote have insisted that this is an improper use of the Grace mechanism. This is clearly spurious. If the Council had believed this Grace was inappropriate … Continue reading →

The White Paper on Higher Education dismantles the idea of the public university opens HE to private, profit-seeking companies skews the playing-field against existing universities withdraws support for institutions in financial difficulties promotes competition rather than collaboration between academics encourages … Continue reading →

As Cambridge University dons, we view with some disquiet the 16 month prison sentence imposed on Cambridge student, Charlie Gilmour, following his arrest during a student fees’ protest last winter. Charlie was charged with violent disorder related to kicking in, … Continue reading →