Education Letter: University of Luton

IN YOUR "Oddly Enough" column (Education, 12 November), you alleged that the University of Luton is teaching students in a pub.

The university wishes to place on record that this teaching was for three weeks only at the start of the academic year . It also wishes to place on record that such steps were in no way related to the financial position of the university. Indeed we have reported a strong financial performance for 1997-98.

The emergency was created by an overrun in a major summer works building programme, and buoyant student demand for our many courses. These short term measures were undertaken only after full consultation with all parties concerned, and the actual facilities used were dedicated to meetings and conferences and were entirely appropriate for our purpose.

DR S PETTITT

Pro Vice Chancellor (Corporate Affairs)

University of Luton