I take offence at comments by Richard Brown, CIHE chief executive. I was the first from my working-class family to go to university. I learnt to wash at an early age, and my social skills are better than Brown's as I do not patronise those I deem to be higher or lower than myself. That I earn less than my middle-class colleagues may have more to do with the old school tie than knowing how to ingratiate myself with bosses. For example, I no longer tug at my forelock when the vice-chancellor passes.
Rob Burton
Corporate information department
University of Plymouth