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Never famed for its ability to react rapidly, the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Prinicpals appears to be getting slower as it expands. With staff member Sean Fielding off to a new job at Exeter University his colleagues are doing the normal thing and arranging a leaving do in his honour.

Mr Fielding's final day at 29 Tavistock Square will be March 16. So when is his leaving do? 14? 15? 16 even? Er, no . . . March 31. Should he fail to make the 174-mile trek back from the West Country, possibilities include setting up a cardboard cut-out or contacting the hologram-makers formerly responsible for Lord Chilver.

More mischievous spirits among the CVCP staff ( there are a few) have taken to suggesting that there is still time to hold a leaving do for former general secretary Brian Taylor on the grounds that he only left about five years ago.