File: Chancellor (Griffith)

Scope and Content

Correspondence between the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor (and Registrar) relating to matters of University governance and administration. J A G Griffith (1918-2010) was Chancellor of the University between 1986 and 1993. His period of office was considered to be controversial. He was the first University Chancellor to be elected through a contested election (defeating the 'Establishment' candidate, the Marchioness of Anglesey), and he broke with tradition by taking an active and occasionally contentious interest in the running of the University. Griffith frequently took the side of the constituencies he believed were responsible for his election (Assembly, non-professorial staff and students) against the 'official' University line (usually represented by the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Council). Griffith also encouraged Court (over which he presided) to discuss contentious topics, and exercised his right to attend and to comment on the proceedings of the University Council. Griffith also believed that the University should actively criticise aspects of government education policy, something he did frequently on a personal level.

Several of the letters in the file refer to Griffith's conception of his role and powers as Chancellor. Other topics include: investments by Vuman ltd., the potential sale of Tabley House, Griffith's pamphlet The attack on higher education, criticisms of the Education Reform Act 1988, the role of the CVCP vis-a-vis government, the role of the Estates and Services Committee, and issues of student debt and housing.

Former reference: 1034

Access Information

Access restrictions apply to some documents in this file. The documents have been removed form the main file and are closed to public inspection.