I NOTE Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski’s comment that Scottish universities have not changed since the Middle Ages and were not accountable (“University head claims institutions remain in Middle Ages”, The Herald, September 14). He is entirely wrong in both assertions.
Scotland’s universities are very much accountable to their employees and students, both present and former, as well as to the Government and their funders. University governance has been reformed by several Acts over the centuries. A notable reform being in the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858 which introduced the representation on a university’s governing body of students, staff and alumni. There have also been further reforms via the Universities (Scotland) Acts of 1889 and 1966.
Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea,
Principal and Vice-Chancellor,
University of Edinburgh,
Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh.
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