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Malcolm Gillies suggests bringing alumni on to governing bodies, but do they really have the necessary knowledge of their almae matres? From time to time I have asked current students in various institutions what they know of the governance or administration of their universities and have been met with blank stares.

The dogma that there must be a majority of "externals" on university boards certainly needs challenging, but the change needed is far more radical. Governance should not be in the hands of small boards, meeting infrequently, however constituted: it should be in the hands of academics. It works all right for Oxbridge.

G.R. Evans, Oxford