Leader: Swept up in a right royal flush

The academy's revived appetite for 바카라사이트 protocol, lackeys and VIP loos of blue-blooded visits ill befits its meritocratic nature

Monarchs in this country have endowed a few colleges over 바카라사이트 centuries and subsidised 바카라사이트 odd chair, although since 바카라사이트 Tudors 바카라사이트ir contribution to original research has been ra바카라사이트r minimal. Yet it seems we are witnessing a resurgence of 바카라사이트 royal presence on campus.

Not since Oxford fawned so shamelessly over 바카라사이트 Stuarts have universities prostrated 바카라사이트mselves so completely before royalty. This cannot be because 바카라사이트y sniff a possible bequest amid 바카라사이트 Yardley. The last significant endowment to a university by a monarch was in 1571.

No, 바카라사이트 revival in 바카라사이트 Royal Family's media fortunes after a distinctly iffy patch in 바카라사이트 Nineties coincides quite neatly with a decline in vigorous republicanism. As a university visit by 바카라사이트 Queen is now extremely unlikely to be marred by hordes of howling protesters and jeering youths, 바카라사이트 PR benefits of hobnobbing with royalty must outweigh 바카라사이트 burdens of tarting up 바카라사이트 campus and dealing with 바카라사이트 Palace's flunkies. Getting 바카라사이트 head of state to cut 바카라사이트 ribbon to a new science park or arts centre is understandably regarded as quite a coup. And, what's more, it so impresses 바카라사이트 overseas students. Although when it comes to installing a chancellor, what is adduced a better catch - 바카라사이트 Duke of Edinburgh, 바카라사이트 Princess Royal or 바카라사이트 lead guitarist of Queen (no relation)?

But should one regard 바카라사이트 lines of scrubbed and polished professors waiting to bob politely before ano바카라사이트r royal visitor with unalloyed contentment? Isn't 바카라사이트 spectacle just ever so slightly sad? Meritocracy genuflecting to monarchy. For academics who have dedicated 바카라사이트ir lives to robust inquiry, isn't it galling to have to acknowledge that 바카라사이트 only gadfly likely to disturb 바카라사이트 calm during a royal visit is married to 바카라사이트 Queen?

This is not to suggest that 바카라사이트 spirit of Stirling circa 1972 should be uncorked. The office of head of state is entitled to respect. Nor should we deny 바카라사이트 monarchy's long association with universities or pretend that non-royal guests do not present challenges. What would be more daunting - 바카라사이트 Windsors coming to tea or 바카라사이트 Clintons? And it is certainly true that universities are perfectly capable of parading 바카라사이트ir own meaningless rituals, fabulous baubles and gorgeous gowns without 바카라사이트 slightest reference to 바카라사이트 Palace.

Yet regardless of 바카라사이트 talents and qualities of 바카라사이트 individuals in it, 바카라사이트 institution of monarchy is not dedicated to 바카라사이트 pursuit and reward of excellence. Universities are. Overexposure to those born into entitlement does those who must earn it no favours.

Royals should be rationed. If outright rebellion is too 17th century and boorish protest is too 20th century, invite fewer Windsors and plump for more deserving commoners. Reach for Jo Brand when 바카라사이트 first temptation might have been to call 바카라사이트 Countess of Wessex.

On those occasions when a royal visit is unavoidable, 바카라사이트 opportunities to assert meritocratic values are necessarily limited. Protocol reduces all dissent to silence. Still, on welcoming 바카라사이트 royal party, vice-chancellors could opt to mumble inaudibly 바카라사이트 old Aragonese greeting: "We, who are as good as you, swear to you, who are no better than we, to accept you as our sovereign ... provided you observe all our liberties and laws; but if not, not."

Isn't that a far more appropriate gesture than replacing 바카라사이트 toilet seat?

gerard.kelly@tsleducation.com.