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We have observed with pride the career of our alumna Norma Reid Birley, which culminated in her becoming vice-chancellor of Wi****ersrand.

The reflections on her competence and the questioning of her integrity lack credibility when weighed against her reputation of many years in senior management roles in three universities in the UK. Sussex gave her an honorary doctorate only last summer.

Wits officials have been conducting an undignified campaign against their former v-c. Words such as "dysfunctional and divisive", used in the registrar's letter, and the reported attacks on her probity and competence serve only to bring Wits into disrepute.

Charles M. Goldie and John Haigh
University of Sussex