The idea of a university

A BBC Radio 4 series started today called The idea of a university. You can "listen again" in the week after it's broadcast. It is describing the huge changes to British Higher Education since the 2nd world war. Interesting to hear about the motives at different stages. Nowadays the political/pragmatic motives seem to have pushed out idealistic/ character developing and "community of scholars" visions for universities. Lord Lindsay, who founded Keele University, is quoted as saying that the purpose of a university education was to "enable everyone to read the Times intelligently". He meant particularly that people should be well-rounded, and know something about most things, but I like to think it also implies information literacy..... Listen again at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml (listed under "i" rather than "t" you will be glad to know.

Photo by Sheila Webber: University Life 1: Nature's cup-holder. To use the convenient back entrance to the Department you have to swipe an ID card (in grey device on left). When holding a bag and takeway coffee, this could be awkward. But the hedge has obligingly formed a natural cup holder to use whilst one swipes.