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n From the outside, universities look like peaceful oases of civilised calm. On leafyn campuses, professors are meant to toil quietly in an atmosphere of learning and contemplation, cut off from the noise and chaos of the outside world.n n This week, however, the illusion has been shattered. A. C. Grayling, a distinguished academic philosopher, shocked his colleagues by leaving his post to found an elite new private university. The New College of Humanities will charge students 18,000 a year for an education in subjects like English, Philosophy or Law. Including living costs, a degree could set you back as much as 80,000. n n Independent from the government, the university seeks to attract 'gifted' students with a uniquen syllabusn and a roster of 'celebrityn dons', including historian Niall Ferguson and biologist Richard Dawkins. But, as news of the announcement spread, the cloisters of academia erupted in a spectacularly vicious row that reveals the seething rivalries that lie beneath the surface.n n n Terry Eagleton, Britain's leading literary critic, led the charge against Grayling'sn 'odious'n idea. 'Nausea', he wrote this week, 'wells to the throat at the thought of this disgustingly elitist outfit.' He called teachers at the new university 'money-grubbingn prima donnas' who are 'betraying' their fellow academics for the sake of 'mega-salaries' and creating a situation of 'educationaln apartheid'.n n Staff at London University have launched a massive protest campaign. A Conservative commentator described Grayling's project as a 'university of big heads'. Baroness Blackstone, a former education minister, condemned the college as 'a very bad deal' for students. n Grayling attempted to respond to his critics at a question and answer session in London - but as soon as he tried to speak, protesters began booing him off stage. A smoke bomb set off in the audience brought the event to a premature close. n Buying success n Tempers are fraying because the stakes are high. If Grayling's project succeeds, it could bring a new generation of private universities to Britain. n That horrifies critics: why should the rich, they say, be allowed to buy an education that the poor cannot afford? They fear the creation of a two-tier system, where poorer students have to settle for second best. n Professor Grayling says he's passionate about funding for public universities and about extending the benefits of education to everyone. His college will offer significant financial help to those who can't afford to pay. More importantly, he says, it preserves - at least in one small corner of Britain - the traditional study of Humanities against the threat of government cuts. " A neutral
BBC
article on the new university... ...and Terry Eagleton's fierce critique. A. C. Grayling debates the value of his private university with Baroness Blackstone on Radio 4's
Today Programme. Campus: The grounds of a college or university, from the Latin
campus
meaning field. Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Expert Links
Word Watch
Q & A
n
This week, however, the illusion has been shattered. A. C. Grayling, a distinguished academic philosopher, shocked his colleagues by leaving his post to found an elite new private university. The New College of Humanities will charge students 18,000 a year for an education in subjects like English, Philosophy or Law. Including living costs, a degree could set you back as much as 80,000.
n Independent from the government, the university seeks to attract 'gifted' students with a uniquen syllabusn and a roster of 'celebrityn dons', including historian Niall Ferguson and biologist Richard Dawkins. But, as news of the announcement spread, the cloisters of academia erupted in a spectacularly vicious row that reveals the seething rivalries that lie beneath the surface.n n n Terry Eagleton, Britain's leading literary critic, led the charge against Grayling'sn 'odious'n idea. 'Nausea', he wrote this week, 'wells to the throat at the thought of this disgustingly elitist outfit.' He called teachers at the new university 'money-grubbingn prima donnas' who are 'betraying' their fellow academics for the sake of 'mega-salaries' and creating a situation of 'educationaln apartheid'.n n Staff at London University have launched a massive protest campaign. A Conservative commentator described Grayling's project as a 'university of big heads'. Baroness Blackstone, a former education minister, condemned the college as 'a very bad deal' for students. n Grayling attempted to respond to his critics at a question and answer session in London - but as soon as he tried to speak, protesters began booing him off stage. A smoke bomb set off in the audience brought the event to a premature close. n Buying success n Tempers are fraying because the stakes are high. If Grayling's project succeeds, it could bring a new generation of private universities to Britain. n That horrifies critics: why should the rich, they say, be allowed to buy an education that the poor cannot afford? They fear the creation of a two-tier system, where poorer students have to settle for second best. n Professor Grayling says he's passionate about funding for public universities and about extending the benefits of education to everyone. His college will offer significant financial help to those who can't afford to pay. More importantly, he says, it preserves - at least in one small corner of Britain - the traditional study of Humanities against the threat of government cuts. " A neutral
BBC
article on the new university... ...and Terry Eagleton's fierce critique. A. C. Grayling debates the value of his private university with Baroness Blackstone on Radio 4's
Today Programme. Campus: The grounds of a college or university, from the Latin
campus
meaning field. Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Expert Links
Word Watch
Q & A
n Terry Eagleton, Britain's leading literary critic, led the charge against Grayling'sn 'odious'n idea. 'Nausea', he wrote this week, 'wells to the throat at the thought of this disgustingly elitist outfit.' He called teachers at the new university 'money-grubbingn prima donnas' who are 'betraying' their fellow academics for the sake of 'mega-salaries' and creating a situation of 'educationaln apartheid'.n n Staff at London University have launched a massive protest campaign. A Conservative commentator described Grayling's project as a 'university of big heads'. Baroness Blackstone, a former education minister, condemned the college as 'a very bad deal' for students. n Grayling attempted to respond to his critics at a question and answer session in London - but as soon as he tried to speak, protesters began booing him off stage. A smoke bomb set off in the audience brought the event to a premature close. n Buying success n Tempers are fraying because the stakes are high. If Grayling's project succeeds, it could bring a new generation of private universities to Britain. n That horrifies critics: why should the rich, they say, be allowed to buy an education that the poor cannot afford? They fear the creation of a two-tier system, where poorer students have to settle for second best. n Professor Grayling says he's passionate about funding for public universities and about extending the benefits of education to everyone. His college will offer significant financial help to those who can't afford to pay. More importantly, he says, it preserves - at least in one small corner of Britain - the traditional study of Humanities against the threat of government cuts. " A neutral
BBC
article on the new university... ...and Terry Eagleton's fierce critique. A. C. Grayling debates the value of his private university with Baroness Blackstone on Radio 4's
Today Programme. Campus: The grounds of a college or university, from the Latin
campus
meaning field. Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Expert Links
Word Watch
Q & A
Staff at London University have launched a massive protest campaign. A Conservative commentator described Grayling's project as a 'university of big heads'. Baroness Blackstone, a former education minister, condemned the college as 'a very bad deal' for students.
Grayling attempted to respond to his critics at a question and answer session in London - but as soon as he tried to speak, protesters began booing him off stage. A smoke bomb set off in the audience brought the event to a premature close.
Buying success n Tempers are fraying because the stakes are high. If Grayling's project succeeds, it could bring a new generation of private universities to Britain. n That horrifies critics: why should the rich, they say, be allowed to buy an education that the poor cannot afford? They fear the creation of a two-tier system, where poorer students have to settle for second best. n Professor Grayling says he's passionate about funding for public universities and about extending the benefits of education to everyone. His college will offer significant financial help to those who can't afford to pay. More importantly, he says, it preserves - at least in one small corner of Britain - the traditional study of Humanities against the threat of government cuts. " A neutral
BBC
article on the new university... ...and Terry Eagleton's fierce critique. A. C. Grayling debates the value of his private university with Baroness Blackstone on Radio 4's
Today Programme. Campus: The grounds of a college or university, from the Latin
campus
meaning field. Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Expert Links
Word Watch
Q & A
Tempers are fraying because the stakes are high. If Grayling's project succeeds, it could bring a new generation of private universities to Britain.
That horrifies critics: why should the rich, they say, be allowed to buy an education that the poor cannot afford? They fear the creation of a two-tier system, where poorer students have to settle for second best.
Professor Grayling says he's passionate about funding for public universities and about extending the benefits of education to everyone. His college will offer significant financial help to those who can't afford to pay. More importantly, he says, it preserves - at least in one small corner of Britain - the traditional study of Humanities against the threat of government cuts.
"
A neutral
BBC
article on the new university... ...and Terry Eagleton's fierce critique. A. C. Grayling debates the value of his private university with Baroness Blackstone on Radio 4's
Today Programme. Campus: The grounds of a college or university, from the Latin
campus
meaning field. Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Word Watch
Q & A
Word Watch
...and Terry Eagleton's fierce critique. A. C. Grayling debates the value of his private university with Baroness Blackstone on Radio 4's
Today Programme. Campus: The grounds of a college or university, from the Latin
campus
meaning field. Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Word Watch
Q & A
A. C. Grayling debates the value of his private university with Baroness Blackstone on Radio 4's
Today Programme. Campus: The grounds of a college or university, from the Latin
campus
meaning field. Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Word Watch
Q & A
Campus: The grounds of a college or university, from the Latin
campus
meaning field. Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Q & A
Syllabus: The programme of subjects that a university course covers. Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Q & A
Don: An academic. Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Q & A
Odious: 'Hateful' or 'disgusting' Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Q & A
Prima donna: Someone with an exaggerated idea of their own importance. Leading ladies in operas were once called 'prima donnas' (from the Italian meaning 'first lady') and were famous for being bossy and showing off. Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Q & A
Apartheid: a political system that used to be used in South Africa, where white and black people were strictly kept apart, or segregated. Black people had many fewer rights and privileges than whites. If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.Q & A
If people want to pay more for their education, why should we stop them?: There are two main worries. First, private universities could allow the rich to buy an advantage which the poor can't afford. Second, private universities might steal the best teachers and students away from public universities, making them worse for everyone. It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.
It sounds like the debate over private schools.: It's pretty similar. In Britain, private schools - which only richer people can generally afford - often do better than state schools. Critics say the system 'entrenches privilege'. Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.
Meaning what?: Well-educated people usually get good jobs and earn good money. That means they can pay for a good education for their children, who then get good jobs and good money, and the cycle continues.