Leading article: Oxford blues

The attempt by Dr John Hood, Oxford's vice-chancellor, to reform the university's decision-making process may be understandable but the question is: is it wise? Oxford's governance process may be far from ideal but many Oxford academics say that it is not really holding up important decisions.

The attempt by Dr John Hood, Oxford's vice-chancellor, to reform the university's decision-making process may be understandable but the question is: is it wise? Oxford's governance process may be far from ideal but many Oxford academics say that it is not really holding up important decisions.

Dr Hood's first Green Paper on strategy tackled some issues that badly needed addressing. His clear-out of central administration can also be justified on the grounds that he needed to get the best possible people around him. But is it worth sqandering so much goodwill for a new committee structure?