No leak in rents row

The representative of the Cambridge University Student Union Rents Campaign who said "the proposed increases only came to light via a leak" (Letters, THES, November 12) deserves a response.

This is the procedure by which these rises were agreed: first, an informal consultative process between student officers of the junior common room and the bursar, second a discussion at the finance committee (including one graduate and two undergraduate representatives), which made recommendations to the college council (including one graduate and two undergraduates). The council's proposals were put to an open meeting of the JCR and approved. No need for a leak in our open processes, in which student opinion plays a valuable part.

Anne Lonsdale President, New Hall, Cambridge