Oxford postal ballot

Plans to reform the way Oxford University is run will go to a postal ballot of the entire academic community of almost 4,000 scholars in a final attempt to push the reforms through.

The reforms, put forward by vice-chancellor John Hood, would in effect end academic self-governance by giving external business figures a majority on the university's governing council.

The plans were rejected last week by 730 votes to 456 after a debate that was attended by about one third of the Congregation, or voting constituency.

More than 50 members of Congregation called for a full postal vote. The results will be published on Tuesday, December 19.