Sent: Thu 29/04/2010 08:53
To: Michael Driscoll; Waqar Ahmad; Margaret House; e.esche@mdx.ac.u
Subject: Philosophy cuts

I write to register my sense of outrage and disgust that Middlesex has decided to set itself on a reckless course of action in attempting to throw away its world class programme in philosophy. This is probably the only programme that Middlesex has any reputation in internationally. As an employee of a university that is making similar bottom-line decisions, I am far too familiar with the business rationale for cuts like the ones your propose. To sacrifice what is essentially the jewel in the crown of your university for purely (and quite dubious) financial reasons is to make a mockery of Middlesex’s claim to be a ‘university’. Furthermore, the comment by Dean Esche that has been made public that the department does not contribute ‘in any measurable way’ to the university is not only, quite frankly, embarrassing, it also betrays an attitude that is as unprofessional as it is ignorant. I hope you will reconsider this course of action.

Yours sincerely,
John David Rhodes

—
John David Rhodes, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer in Literature and Visual Culture
School of English
University of Sussex
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/english/profile198618.html