Mick for short - but not for long

It's a hard life being a vice-chancellor. Not only do they have to make do with the dwindling amount of cash in the institutional pot, but they also have so many different people to please - students, department heads, researchers, the Government... and their mothers. Having left Southampton University as plain Mick Arthur, the new vice-chancellor of Leeds University was unveiled this week as Michael. Rumour has it that his mother decided that a man of his considerable stature couldn't be referred to casually as Mick. That just wouldn't be proper. So remember, it's Michael Arthur from now on. Or you'll have Mrs Arthur senior to answer to.