Academics have spent much time moaning about the limited numeracy and literacy skills of their students, with one senior don even publishing a list of his students' howlers in a national newspaper, which included a list of misused words. But next time, he may have to look closer to home. In a press release this week, the University of Central England, Birmingham, confirmed that it had continued its tradition of appointing the local mayor as its chancellor, with the comment: "UCE Birmingham is one of only two institutions nationwide to have adopted this unique link with its local region [Peep's italics]."