LSE chooses Giddens

CAMBRIDGE sociology professor Anthony Giddens is to be 바카라사이트 new director of 바카라사이트 London School of Economics, plunging him into 바카라사이트 controversial debate over tuition fees for home undergraduates.

Professor Giddens, who is in 바카라사이트 faculty of economics and politics at King's College, was selected three weeks ago from a shortlist including Baroness Blackstone, master of Birkbeck College, and economist Nick Stern. He was due to be offered 바카라사이트 job at a special meeting of 바카라사이트 court of governors last night.

Professor Giddens is set to start on January 7. And, while 바카라사이트 court of governors will be asked to approve fees in principle at its meeting on December 12, it is thought unlikely that a final decision will be taken until Professor Giddens has had a say.

He will face a tight timetable. The interim report of 바카라사이트 LSE's working party on fees has advocated a swift decision so that 바카라사이트 information can be included in 바카라사이트 1998 prospectuses. This would leave 바카라사이트 door open for charging 바카라사이트 1998 intake. The report recommends that fees be set at Pounds 1,000, with a scholarship scheme for poorer students. Failure to introduce fees as early as possible, says 바카라사이트 report, would necessitate alternative measures to tackle a deficit which is projected to reach Pounds 3.7 million by 1999/2000.

Measures would include staff reductions or an increase in student numbers, leading to an "even greater deterioration in 바카라사이트 staff-student ratio and thus in quality than is already planned".

Professor Giddens, who did his MA in sociology at 바카라사이트 LSE, said: "I am keeping an open mind on tuition fees. I want to investigate what is going on at 바카라사이트 LSE and look at 바카라사이트 financial position."

The interim report reveals 바카라사이트 concerns of some academics over fees. A survey of 16 departments found that half predicted a fall in 바카라사이트 numbers of home students, some by as much as 90 per cent. Half again thought that it might be necessary to reduce entry standards or accept a general decline in student quality.

Former pro-director Leslie Hannah has been acting director of 바카라사이트 LSE since John Ashworth's contract expired at 바카라사이트 end of August. Comptroller and auditor general Sir John Bourn was offered 바카라사이트 post in December last year, but turned it down.