Point of Principal
ST HUGH'S HAS become the first Oxbridge college to appoint a principal educated at a comprehensive school. Andrew Dilnot, 41, is set to replace the current principal, Derek Wood, in October, after stepping down as the director of the Institute of Economic Affairs.
Dilnot was educated at Olchfa comprehensive school in Swansea, going on to St. John's to read PPE before becoming an acclaimed economist and regular Radio 4 presenter.
Due to be one of the youngest college principals in Oxford, Dilnot said that it would have been "surprising" for there to have been a principal educated at a comprehensive before, as they weren't set up until the mid-1970s.
Joining a college that prides itself on its "unstuffy" atmosphere and "rich variety of backgrounds," Dilnot said "If being appointed head of college has the effect of sending out a signal that Oxford is open to all kinds of backgrounds, that is good."
One of the first issues Mr Dilnot will have to face in his new job is the current stand-off between the JCR and College governing body over rent rises, as reported in the OxStu throughout this term. After a four and a half hour meeting last week, the College's finance Committee agreed to drop the proposed rises from 16% to 8.84%, and reinstate the twelve free vacation days which had been under threat.
The JCR remains unsatisfied, however, insisting that rents should only rise in accordance with the Van Noorden index.
13th Jun 2002