Dear Editor

Your article on the new UCD Registrar, E&L, January 16th, makes very interesting reading. Nowhere in the article does it mention that Dr Hussey will resign from the chairwoman of NCCA, now that she has the demanding job of registrar. The future of UCD needs extraordinary dedication to secure its position in the Twenty First century academic, financial and institutional.

The current threat to the independence of our universities is alarming and it's a source of regret that Fine Gael and Democratic Left have let the meddlesome proposals of the Labour Party upset the universities.

The top officers in the universities clearly need constant vigilance to secure their future in a climate of academic freedom. Hence, the need for such folk to resign from other major ventures.

Yours, 9 Town Hall Street, Cavan.