Letter: Oxford dons fear for green space

Sir: I have nothing to do with Oxford or business schools, but I read with dismay the letter from the President of Magdalen College (8 November). He says that "Oxford values its democracy more highly than its short-term reputation". If less than 40 years ago, the Congregation gave an undertaking to leave the site green "in perpetuity", why on earth is it trying to go back on its word? Perhaps the Oxford Dictionary has a different definition of the word "perpetuity" from the rest of us.

MARCUS MURPHY

Brussels