Fabric unravels

The news that Robert Gordon University, on the advice of some consultancy, is considering outsourcing its information technology provision is another nail in the coffin of the idea of "academic community" and a further step towards a commodified idea of education ("Outsource the source code? Robert Gordon considers it", 7 October).

IT is so embedded in the fabric of the learning and teaching experience that for a university to opt out from any responsibility in the matter of its delivery is short-sighted to say the least. Unfortunately, Robert Gordon, "the professional university", is no stranger to controversial decisions: it recently made Donald Trump an honorary doctor of business administration, a move harshly criticised by one of the institution's former principals, among others. One only hopes that the arrival in March of the new principal, Ferdinand von Prondzynski, will restore its wisdom.

Anna Notaro, Programme leader, contemporary media theory Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.