Britain's universities must now declare their independence | Simon Jenkins

The student fees policy is absurd. Higher education should kick its addiction to state cash and call the coalition's bluff

As Oxford University's bigwigs and donors cheered their boat race victory from their launch last Saturday, their delight was interrupted by a blatant fundraising speech from the vice-chancellor, Andrew Hamilton. Now, surely, he said, they should donate. I hope they give not a penny until that university has found the courage to face down the government on fees and gone...