This morning our correspondents discuss St Andrews University’s plan to refurbish the student union and the controversy ove the money it received from Syria, the probable repercussions of Bin Laden’s death, the need for a proper opera theatre in Dundee and overtaking cyclists.
Good day for university to bury bad news?
Sir, The news (May 2) that St Andrews University is to spend £12 million refurbishing the students union is disgraceful in light of the threatened job losses in residential and business services.
The response last week from Stephen Magee when the news of the jobs fears broke, which he described as “mischief making”, was insulting to staff.
It now seems that all staff in residential and business services are likely to be put on term-time only contracts, with the exception of those in the central office.
St Andrews University was happy to receive publicity in the run-up to the recent royal wedding.
A timely occasion in which to bury such bad news for, potentially, hundreds of staff.
Iain Mitchell.Hawkhill,Dundee.
Syria cash row overstated
Sir, It would be a pity of the reputation of St Andrews University was to suffer as result of the controversy over finance for its Centre for Syrian Studies (April 30).
The events in that country have been tragic, but I think the Green Party’s Mark Ruskell gave a knee-jerk reaction in suggesting that part of the centre’s funding be withdrawn.
The Syrian ambassador Dr Sami Khiyami may well have helped secure a donation from the chief executive of the Petrofac Oil company.
But it is not the fact of the donation but the conditions of its use which should concern us.
The university is right to stress the importance of rigorous academic standards as well as independence.
It would be a pity if students were denied the chance to study one of the most ancient civilisations in the world, or, indeed the causes of the current turmoil.
The £105,000 donation is not large by the standards of universities.
The real challenge for higher education is to get finance from as many sources as possible and ensure that the conditions of support are in line with the academic rigour its students, staff and sponsors expect.
Bob Taylor.24 Shiel Court,Glenrothes.
Killing will not end terror threat
Sir, The death of Osama bin Laden has achieved the aim of the initial invasion of Afghanistan, namely to get the man who carried the worst terror attack in history.
Now that has been achieved, there is no more need to be in Afghanistan. A withdrawal of troops should take place immediately.
Bin Laden could have been captured or killed in the early days of the Afghan war but for the arrogance of George Bush and Tony Blair. They decided to divert resources into invading Iraq instead of deploying them to get the al Qaida leader.
Bin Laden’s death will not end Islamic terrorism. The al Qaida ideology has spread across the globe and is prevalent in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan and most notably Saudi Arabia.
Bin Laden’s death will be hyped by the US as a propaganda coup but in reality he had been neutralised for most of the last decade. Terrorism can only be defeated when the bombing of civilians comes to and end and Western support for dictators ceases.
Alan Hinnrichs.2 Gillespie Terrace,Dundee.
Tayside needs opera talent
Sir, In a recent review, your music critic, rightly admired the wonderful voice of local mezzo soprano Karen Cargill.
Karen won the Bill Dewar Award for operatic singing while at the Royal Academy Glasgow, and she is gaining international status now. Tayside Opera, based in Dundee, sponsors this award to help young singers at the Academy.
A quick look through the event schedules for local theatres and halls this summer reveals that only Tayside Opera, with professional and semi-professional principals as well as the amateur chorus are presenting a costumed opera with orchestra in Dundee Puccini’s Tosca, Whitehall Theatre, May 26 until May 28.
This opera has been rescheduled from last December when the bad weather caused postponement. Scottish opera and a touring opera group are performing in Perth, Stirling, Inverness and St Andrews as well as the usual venues in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
When they do perform in Dundee it is usually without an orchestra. The main problem is the lack of a theatre with a large orchestra pit.
Gardyne Theatre is due to reopen this year and the improvements include extending the pit which may make it more suitable for opera.
Tayside Opera laments the lack of good operatic singers most of its members are from outwith the city.
Musical societies abound in the Dundee area, and with the help of modern PA systems, make good use of the talent.
The talent is in Dundee to move on to learning how to project the voice as the young singer develops.
Perhaps, culturally, it is easier and more attractive to sing with electronic devices but a better technique strengthens the voice and it will last longer.
So young singers may consider coming along to Tayside Opera’s first night. They may be inspired to pursue opera singing.
Philip Kearns.47 Grove Road,Dundee.
Power in cyclists’ hands
Sir, Your correspondent Robert Anderson, who complained about cyclists using the A92, can count himself lucky that he is talking about now, rather than 60 years ago.
I can recall driving past signs on the A1 which stated, “No overtaking except of cyclists in single file for the next three miles.”
Cyclists minded to ride two abreast (which they were legally entitled to do) could have the satisfaction of creating very long tail-backs indeed.
Stephen Younger.43a Main Street,Strathkinness.
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