Letter: Call that torpid?

Sir: I am surprised that Dr Jon May (Letter, 24 August) is having such an easy vacation. During the long, languorous days of summer he has apparently reviewed no books or journal papers; organised and run no short courses or symposia; attended no meetings to review student feedback and propose improvements to courses; prepared for no assessments, audits or accreditation visits; attended no meetings to try to find a way to balance the books; hosted no visits from foreign visitors, potential sponsors or school parties; attended no research contract meetings with sponsors or EU colleagues.

I can only think that he wasted much of his time thinking, for which, in today's educational climate, there is no excuse.

FRANK FAHY

University of Southampton