20 years ago

The fact that vice-chancellors were conducting their campaign against the Education Reform Bill from Australia, where they were attending the Commonwealth Universities Congress, did not escape the notice of Kenneth Baker, the Education Secretary. He said he was glad they had followed Churchill's advice and were fighting from the beaches: "Never a day goes by than I get a missive from some distinguished person." He did wonder, however, how they could talk about the harsh climate inflicted on universities when they were themselves "enjoying the sun-drenched Antipodes".

Oxford Polytechnic produced a 30-page document titled 253 Ideas for Alternative Learning Week. Number 14, "Giving Students More Control", suggested that students who needed time to catch up with their notes should stop lecturers mid-lecture by raising a hand then wave them on when ready. In seminars, it recommended that students should enter the discussion by saying "BUZZ!"