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The article discusses that being wary of cynical and uncaring, emeritus professor Ebenezer Scroose has given up on higher education and mentions whether ghostly vision of universities past and present will have any impact on him. It mentions topics including humanities in context to divinity and theology. It also reveals his contact at the Oxford University Press.

The article contends the digitization age has brought the demise of the scholar-adventure and the thrill of discovery amid dusty, uncatalogued manuscripts. The author recalls his first trip to the Huntington Library in California. The author also notes the first serious effort he made in scholarship in the late 1960s, an edition of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel, "The History of Henry Esmond." The author claims there was adventure and zest to the apostolic touch with primary materials.

The article presents the author's insights on lavatories in various universities. Topics discussed include the analogy provided by lavatories regarding the changing culture of universities in the country, the author's experience of using the restrooms in University of Edinburgh, University College London and California Institute of Technology, and his experience of being in the communal facilities with future Labour Party politician Robin Cook.

The author reflects on the preservation of philanthropic institutions of higher learning in Great Britain. He states that these institutions were given protected status as specially designated institutions (SDIs). He asserts that one way to foster smooth assimilation is the budget-price educational programmes the SDIs can no longer afford to run. He argues that it is unfair to reduce the government subsidy that these institutions receive.

The author focuses on the impact of the role of the University and College Union (UCU) in a boycott of Israel's academies on Great Britain's higher education institutions. He stresses that UCU should see itself as the conscience of Great Britain due to the fact that universities consider themselves the mind of the country. He argues that the union's motion to boycott Israel is irrelevant. He compares the boycott with that of the South African sporting boycotts of the 1960s and 1970s.

This article comments on several autobiographical works. Published in 1857, "Life of Charlotte Brontë," by Elizabeth Gaskell confirmed that the Lowood Asylum was based on the Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge where four Brontë girls had boarded. In the novel "Jane Eyre," Lowood was depicted as a sadistic, murderous hellhole. The degree to which autobiographers are to be trusted had been considered a legal matter. One example was the case of James Frey, the author of the book "A Million Little Pieces: An Autobiography."

This article is an opinion piece on the lack of a tuition-free educational experience for foreign students to the United Kingdom. Fees were introduced in the 1960s, minimal at first, but have exponentially increased over the years, so now only the wealthiest foreign students can study in the UK. The author comments on the idea of free higher education as an exporter of democracy and the kind of advantages that were offered to the world.

Discusses the plan of the British government to abolish the research assessment exercise (RAE) in 2006. Impact of the plan on university teachers; Reasons presented by the Department of Treasury for the planned abolition of the RAE; System that will replace the RAE.

Presents opinion on the film adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic fiction "V for Vendetta." Reason of Moore for removing his credits from the film "League of Extraordinary Gentleman"; Failure of the film to translate graphic fiction to the screen; Comparison between the film and "The Matrix."

The article provides information on the newly refurbished Wilkins Library in the University College in London, England that will be reopened on January 19, 2006. The library aims to have books related to political reform and education. The description of the library is also discussed. The library now has new staircase and exhibition spaces.

Comments on the university system in Great Britain. Number of years needed to produce a graduate; Concern of academics about jobs and salaries; Medieval approach to learning.

Offers suggestions for arts academics on how to earn an extra income by moonlighting in Great Britain. Rules in devising a program of moonlighting; Suggested jobs; Other ways of enhancing an academic salary.