Letter: Luton qualification

The quotes attributed to me on the front page last week ("Cuts looming as students fail to sign up", THES, February 2) require qualification as to their accuracy and legitimacy. I was invited to comment on the theme of the article but declined. Accordingly, you seem to have taken observations from papers circulated to all staff at the University of Luton (dealing in part with changing student demand), and then included them within the narrative in a misleading manner.

For the record, therefore, I strongly support the government's policy of 50 per cent participation, but question whether the present rate of addition of full-time places can be sustained, if demand for this category of higher education provision is more or less stable.

Dai John
Vice-chancellor
University of Luton