“One casualty is one too many” A submission to the Treasury Committee Student Loans Inquiry that addresses specifically the terms of reference relating to; “ the impact of student finances on students ”. The inquiry states that, “ It will focus on the impact of student loans on the public finances, the success or failure of fee funding to act as a 'market' for higher education, and the impact of student finances on students ”. By Professor Mike Larkin. 23 rd October 2017. Emeritus Professor of Microbial Biochemistry, Queen’s University Belfast. Retired early and living in Edinburgh.   Thirty six years of experience in teaching and supporting students at all levels in Higher Education.   Research experience in environmental science and biotechnology, microbiology and biochemistry. Former lead academic of the award winning QUESTOR Centre ( http://www.questor.qub.ac.uk/ ).   Former UCU president at Queen’s University Belfast, Chair of UCU No...

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When is a University not a University? Belfast Telegraph Article 20th October 2015 see: http://www.belfasttelegraph. co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/ were-all-poorer-if-profit-not- learning-is-bottom-line- 34122818.html#comments When it is a business perhaps?    The recent episodes of Queen’s: A University Challenged on BBC were illuminating.   They shed some light onto the vast extent of an operation that is typical of a modern university.   But shocking to many was the incessant stressing of Queen’s as a “business”. That the programme makers dwelled on this reflects an emphasis deliberately concocted by the management. This uncovering of Queen’s as a “business” reveals an inherent dilemma and tension affecting many universities. The programme’s episodes serve us well by opening up the debate about what a university is, what it is for and its mission in our advanced society.   For if indeed it is a “business” it is a strange one.   Strange for a busines...