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The author shares his reflections on how university administrators can best respond to unflattering reviews about their institutions. Topics discussed include staff's reviews of their institutions, factors that guide people's choices which include prior perceptions, information from others and marketing, and the need for administrators to address the complaints of staff.

The article reports on the appointment of David Bell as secretary of the Department of Education and Skills in Great Britain. Bell, an advocate of the diploma system and work-related learning, will replace David Normington. Before his appointment, he worked at Glasgow University. Also, he began as a primary school teacher.

The article discusses key issues facing university museums in Great Britain. In 2009, the Higher Education Funding Council for England will alter the way university museums and galleries receive money. Thus, there are fears among curators that the council will lump funding into institutional core grants. The article also explains the role of art collection in universities. INSET: TEN OF THE BEST..

Reports that Liverpool University vice chancellor Drummond Bone said Great Britain ministers must ensure that British education researchers are funded at the same levels as their overseas competitors. Inaugural speech as president of the Universities UK umbrella body of vice chancellors; Establishment of visa charges for foreign students at a level no higher than those levied by other countries.

Explains that Great Britain Education Secretary Ruth Kelly spoke to vice-chancellors of universities and colleges demanding that they identify and confront extremism among college students on campus. Duty to inform the police of unacceptable behavior or criminal acts; Lecturers' concerns that they may be expected to police academic debates and spy on students.

Reports on the assertion of the University of East Anglia that academics and students have been barred from their favorite canteen to make way for conference delegates in England. Designation of the Zest Caf&#00E9; to use by conference visitors and summer schools; Concerns of the postgraduates on the availability of hot cheap food on the campus in the evenings; Impact of the conferences and other summer activities on the income of the university.

Reports on findings of a survey of undergraduates in Great Britain, conducted by Opinionpanel. Rating of the university's approach to admissions, the location and campus facilities; Undergraduates' impressions of the university's academic reputation; Quality of the course and teaching; Perception of the university's position in league tables.

Reports on the first interview of British Secretary of State Ruth Kelly about higher education. Views on the significance of the target 50 per cent participation of the government in higher education; Opinion on whether the target would be met.

Reports on the introduction of the Student Survivor, a virtual pet game for secondary school pupils created by Uniaid, a charity that aims to help prepare pupils for university in Great Britain. Chance given to students to win a year's worth of free accommodation when they go to university; Sponsor of the program; Capability of the program to help players see how their virtual characters cope with the challenges of university life.

Reports on the thoughts of college teachers on the health of higher education depicted in the results of an ICM Research poll in Great Britain. Claim of some 500 academics that the Labour Party was no longer their choice; Concern of teachers on poor pay levels, stress and casualization; Satisfaction of academics who are members of trade unions with how their interests were being represented.

Reports that the Liberal Democratic Party have for the first time taken a narrow lead over the Labour Party for the campus vote according to the ICM Research and Opinionpanel Research polls in Great Britain. Percentage of academics who believed that Liberal Democrats had the best higher education policies; Ratio of students who expect a Labour victory on the election; Commitment of the Labour Party to building and renewing public services.

Reports on the predictions made by political strategists on the subjects to be debated on the coming general election in Great Britain. Expectation of little discussion on higher education; Preoccupation of politicians on issues concerning national order, Iraq and immigration; Citation of pledges made to increase government investment in research; Efforts of Liberal Democrats to gain voters through their no-fees policy.

Reports on documents about higher education targets, released by the British government in February 2005 under the Freedom of Information Act, suggesting that ministers reduced their initial plan to expand student numbers. Cost concerns; Fears that elite universities might go private if grants were further reduced; Background on the plans for expanding higher education through two-year associate degrees, geared to employability.

Reports on university officials' views on the ability of the revised fee and bursary regime to attract working-class students to higher education or generate additional income to prevent course closures in Great Britain. Additional income expected from variable tuition fees, grants and bursaries; Insights on the development of the market for bursaries.

Reports on the influence of tuition fees on the student vote at the next general election in the Great Britain. Determinant of the political preferences of college students; Public debate about the level of educational finances; Concern about job prospects.

Reports that the failure of qualified state high school students in Great Britain to apply to top universities suggests not only lack of ambition but a potential waste of talent. Comparison with independent-sector students; Tendency of poor students to study at local institutions; Preferred college courses.

Reveals that a map of economic and social patterns in Great Britain reveals that one's sex, when one was born and where one lives have a significant influence on one's chances of attending university. Sex difference in higher education participation rates; Link between teenagers' likelihood of going to university and the performance of their neighborhood state school in examinations for general certificate of secondary education; Favored college courses.

Reports on the controversy regarding the proposal to lower university entrance requirements for men in Great Britain now that there are more women in higher education. Comparison with the imbalance in higher education participation rates among the social classes; Disconnect between formations of masculinity and learning and being "academic"; Factors which have helped nurture girls' academic performance.

Reveals that teenagers born in September are 20 percent more likely to go to university than youngsters born in August. Research finding published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England; Gap in the performance of the sexes, with teenage girls more likely to study for a degree than their male peers; Challenge of improving participation rates for those from poorer backgrounds.

Reports on the plan of British universities to offer financial aid rather than lower fees to students to attract a higher number of enrollees. Amount of tuitions fees that will be charged by the universities in 2006; Types of financial aid packages being offered by universities to students; Number of universities that have filed financial plans to the Office for Fair Access; Implication of the tuition fee trends on higher education.

Reports on the amount received by Cambridge University in England from an anonymous donor to set up an endowment fund to honor cosmologist Stephen Hawking. Cambridge as the top university in the first international science league table; Implication of the donation and the ranking on the university, particularly in its science and research department.

Reports on the opposition of Kat Fletcher, president of the National Union of Students against the introduction of top-up fees by Charles Clarke, the Education Secretary in Great Britain. General election tactics in the union's campaign against tuition fees; Attempt by the Tories and Liberal Democrats to gain the student vote with no-fees policies; Leadership changes at the students' union.

Reports on the positive effect of widening access to Bristol University on academic life in Bristol, England. Increase in the number of first-class degrees awarded; Improvement in the learning environment with a more socially diverse student body; Accusation of offering places to students from poorly performing state schools.

This article reports that universities are considering putting part of the income from top-up fees into cash awards to attract bright students, rather than restricting their bursary programmes to applicants from poor backgrounds. Conventry and Middlesex universities have pioneered performance-linked scholarships this year by offering 1,000 pound a year to undergraduates who achieved a higher A-level score than the institution's average, regardless of their family income. Mike Goldstein, former Conevntry vice-chancellor, said Conventry's scholarship scheme was "designed to get a little more commitment from students but also to move away from modern universities being just second-choice institutions."

Reports on the call for reforms in grading system in Great Britain, according to a study by Peter Tymms of Durham University. Study's findings that it is easier to ge top grades in some A-level subjects than others; Use of A levels as predictors of students' performance; Expected A-level grade of student with average General Certificate of Secondary Education grade B.

Reports that several deserving state school students are missing out on their rightful place at elite universities to less-qualified students in Great Britain, according to a research by educational charity Sutton Trust. Estimated number of students missing opportunity to study in elite schools; A-level grades of top students; Influence of family finances and university distance on top students' decision not to enroll in elite universities.

Reports on the move of the government in organizing a job advertisement for the vice chancellor of fair access to higher education in Great Britain. Effort of Charles Clarke, the Education Secretary in encouraging candidates from outside academe; Schedule of the interview for prospective applicants; Qualifications need for the vacant position.

Reports on the findings of an investigation conducted by British education journal "The Times Higher" regarding the decline in numeracy and literacy of college students manifested by aptitude tests and special courses. Competence in key subject skills; Criticism for modification in curriculum and examination methods; Loss of interest in engineering courses. INSET: ANDREW MOTION, POET LAUREATE: GIVE STUDENTS A BASIC GROUNDING,....

Reports on the apprehension towards the expected decrease in higher education funding despite Chancellor Gordon Brown's pledge to prioritize science and innovation in his budget statement in England. Prediction from the Institute of Public Policy Research report that higher education will be facing problems when Whitehall budgets are set for 2005 to 2008; Modest budget for science compared with the other public services; Exclusion of tuition fees in the chancellor's higher education funding.

Reports on lecturing stints of British academics on luxury cruise ships. Luxuries given to participating academics; Criteria used by cruise lines in selecting academics.

This article presents the findings of a survey conducted by the company Hays on the salaries of British finance officers in health, education and local government services. The survey reveals the discrepancies in pay between college teachers and university administrators and the average salary of finance officers in further education.

The article reports that British university leaders are not expecting institutions to reduce tuition fees and increase bursaries to fill course vacancies. According to Julian Nicholds, vice-president for education at the National Union of Students, if the institutions are planning to reduce tuition fees, Universities UK must issue guidance to its members to discourage such reductions. According to the Office of Fair Access, there is no reason to prevent universities from reducing fees or from increasing bursaries.

The article reports on the financial risks facing universities in Great Britain following wage increases for staff and their failure to recruit enough fee-paying students. According to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the university costs are expected to surpass income. The council predicts that the introduction of £3,000 tuition fee will benefit the higher education sector. It is also predicted that the deficit will be covered by income from exceptional items such as profits on property transactions.

The article reports on the support of the majority of secondary school teachers for the proposal of the British government to reform the admissions system in universities in the region. A poll commissioned by Sutton Trust reveals that only 14 percent of its respondents opposed the proposal. Sutton Trust chairman Sir Peter Lampl said that the support should encourage the introduction of post-qualification applications (PQA) method. The implementation of the PQA is slated in 2010.

The article reports on the changes to the immigration rules for overseas students and additional funding to foster British-China University Partnership Scheme. The British government intends to spend £1.3 million on the marketing and promotion of British universities outside the European Union. Uksoca CEO Dominic Scott commends the employment entitlements for overseas students. Shadow Higher Education spokesman Stephen O'Brien questioned the sufficiency of funds committed to the project.

The article reports on the plan of the Russell Group of research universities to appoint a director-general as part of the expansion of operations in Great Britain. Malcolm Grant was appointed chairman of the group. Russell Group intends to commission and conduct its own research. The need for the group to develop evidence-based policy work was prompted by its identification as an important representational body.

The article reports on the decision of the British government not to give post-92 universities the share of Higher Education Innovation Fund for applied research and knowledge-transfer work according to Michael Driscoll, chairman of the Campaigning for Mainstream Universities. Old universities will receive up to £3 million each. He states that the influence of Russell Group universities affected the decision. A Department of Trade and Industry spokesman said that the move is aimed at achieving a better funding distribution.

The article reports on the assessment of the activities and value of the vice-chancellor body Universities UK (UUK) by independent consultants. Based on a report about its structure and lobbying, there is a lack of interest for UUK to merge with the Standing Conference of Principals. Subscription rates and alternative finding sources are some of the factors to be considered by the consultants. There are varied opinion about the segmentation of the higher education market in Great Britain.

The article focuses on a petition signed online and supported by the student committee of the British Medical Association urging to allow graduate medical students to defer paying tuition fees until their course ends. A letter states that paying an additional fee annually could decrease the numbers of medical students. The fee difference for graduates and undergraduates could deter more experienced candidates from studying medicine. Graduates wishing to study medicine could seek a National Health Service bursary.

The article focuses on a report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) which revealed that law schools are less likely to offer a place to candidates from several ethnic minorities. There is a need to withhold the names of the candidates to prevent racial bias. The percentage of minority students studying law is higher than for any other single subject area except medicine. Sir Howard Newby, CEO of Hefce, insists the need for more research on the issue.

Reports on the implications of the provisions of the British government's Terrorism Bill for the universities' efforts to deal with hate crimes and intolerance. Guidelines for universities in responding to protests; Responsibility of universities to report unacceptable behavior or suspicions about criminal acts; Concerns over the bill. INSET: COULD YOU FALL FOUL OF THE LAW?.

Reports on the dispute between Tory leadership candidates David Davis and David Cameron over the policies on tuition fees for universities in Great Britain. Suggestion from Davis on the delay in the expansion of universities; Encouragement for endowments and charitable donations to universities by Cameron.

Highlights the assistance of Lew Hardy, professor of health and human performance at the University of Wales in Bangor, to the Infantry Training Centre Catterick of the British Army. Significance of the work of Hardy on the psychology of sporting performance; Behaviors that were suggested by Hardy for the Centre instructors; Optimism of Warrant officer Steve Higgins on the approach of Hardy.

Reports on an amount to be provided by the board of directors of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) and the British government to universities for the costs of teaching part-time students in November 2005. Influence of the Higher Education Bill on the provision of the fund; Condition of part-time premium being paid to universities according to Hefce CEO Howard Newbey; Need for early monitoring and support by the students.

Reports on the results of the "Gateways to the Professions" report published by Alan Langlands, vice-chancellor of the Dundee University in Tayside, Scotland, on November 2, 2005. Recommendation on creating bursaries that are linked to courses; Acceptance of the results by higher education minister Bill Rammell; Proposal of a graduate recruitment forum.

Reports on the initiation of salvage attempts at the Southampton University after a fire accident in England in 2005. University research facilities that were destroyed by the fire; Estimated cost of rebuilding at the university; Views of Attila Emecz, director of program operations at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, on the accident.

The article reports on the increasing number of applicants vying for a place at Cambridge University in England. Figures show that there are 13, 527 applications that have been received for 2006 entry. The figures do not include data on the social backgrounds of applicants, which would indicate whether Cambridge's bursary scheme has attracted more working-class applicants.

The article reports that the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council have agreed to commit funds to support area studies relating to the Arabic-speaking world, China, Japan and Eastern Europe. The money will be used to support collaborative projects between universities. Meanwhile, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the London Mathematical Society, the Royal Statistical Society, the Heads of Departments of Mathematical Sciences and the Higher Education Academy have received funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England to carry out their own study of how to increase the number of graduates in the subject.

The article reports on changes to the funding system for university museums and galleries in Great Britain. Starting 2009, they will receive funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) rather than direct grants from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Meanwhile, curators fear that the change will see their funding absorbed into universities' core grant from Hefce.

The article focuses on Simon Burgess, professor of economics at Bristol University and director of the Centre for Market and Public Organisation. He presented the findings of research on the economics of parental choice to the Prime Minister's Strategy unit the day before the British government published its White Paper on education. He reacted to the White paper saying that he wants to see more emphasis being placed on support for poorer families to make choices.