Letter: Happy truth about Oxford

Happy truth

about Oxford

Sir: Accepting in full measure the tragedy of individual cases, we have been presented with no evidence that Oxford's suicide rate is any different from the general rate in Britain's universities.

I don't believe there is any such evidence. Unless you can produce some, may I suggest that, in future, you refrain from treating student suicide as though it had some peculiar connection with Oxford or its examination system. It is ironic, incidentally, how opportunistically the enemies of Oxford have switched from the Pimm's and punts image of sybaritic laziness to the entirely contradictory, and equally false, allegation of draconian pressure to overwork.

The truth may be a happy - and I mean happy - medium.

RICHARD DAWKINS

New College

Oxford