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In the 1960s, university vice-chancellors were paid 30 per cent more than the professors in charge of departments. Today, if a vice-chancellor's salary is three times that of the top professors on whom the university depends for its reputation, this is regarded as a modest differential.

Presumably the reason is that priorities change over time. For example, in the 1960s university libraries were full of new books, including multiple copies of titles that were particularly in demand.

Nowadays, many university libraries seem to have hardly any books published since 1984. No doubt other readers can think of other instances where campus budgets have been rejigged to keep up with the times.

A.D. Harvey, London.