Prof. David Farrell Room 2.005 Arthur Lewis Building Bridgeford Street, The University of Manchester Manchester M13 9RN Dear Professor Farrell, I wish to express my dismay at the recent set of policy and operative changes introduced this academic year 2007-2008 in relation to undergraduate access to the administrative and teaching staff in the School of Social Sciences. The course outlines and reading packs have not been produced in time for the beginning of the semester and are now only available at restricted times, which conflicts with teaching times. The lack of open office hours and the associated booking system for tutor and lecturer access has resulted in long queues and confusion in the Arthur Lewis building. Furthermore, the lack of an undergraduate common room in the Arthur Lewis Building has further restricted our ability to interact and exchange ideas. This is more than just inconvenience; it is merely the most immediately apparent manifestation of a policy that contradicts the pedagogical imperative of the university. In addition to the limited contact hours, tutorial sessions have been substantially reduced and the tutors are not permitted to provide feedback on assessed assignments. This seems to conflict with Alan Gilbert's stated mission to make Manchester one of the leading universities in the world by 2015. The School of Social Sciences is blessed by a having an outstanding academic staff and the impetus given to producing world-class postgraduate research is admirable. However Humbolt's maxim that the heart of any serious educational program is fostering the ability to â