faithful students

On the eve of the Year of Faith yesterday, students at St Mary's University College, Twickenham, set up a stall near their chapel, with leaflets and posters promoting their campaign to save their school of theology, philosophy and history from being merged with the school of communications, culture and creative art. They also voiced concern over the sudden suspension of their Professor of Theology, Dr Anthony Towey.

A student told ICN: "We started setting up at around ten and carried on til just gone half four.  Everything was very peaceful and amicable. The stall attracted a great deal of interest from staff and students."

Last week at least eleven students have already sent official individual complaints to the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) over the merger plans.

A meeting with management is planned later today. "We are hoping and praying that the school can be saved" the students' representative said. "The theology department is a thriving feature of St Mary's and it was one of the reasons why I chose to study here."

For earlier reports see ICN's Education section.