Letter: Art school pact

With reference to your article on the proposal for merger between Edinburgh College of Art and the University of Edinburgh (9 September), I'd like to clarify the strategic review process of such a proposal.

Following many years of collaboration and academic excellence, and in anticipation of wider and enhanced academic opportunities for students and staff, the governing bodies of both the college and the university mandated their principals to explore options for closer collaboration, including the option of merger, on the clear understanding that the college's name, identity, pedagogical methods and ethos would be preserved.

Over the course of several months, staff and students were consulted at several stages on aspects of the proposal and their contributions have helped to shape the final document. Staff and students were also represented on some of the working groups.

The draft proposal was published on the websites of both institutions on 7 September and will be considered by the college's board of governors at two meetings in September and by the University Court later in the month. If the two governing bodies approve the proposal, it will be forwarded to the Scottish Government, which will conduct a 12-week public consultation before making a decision.

This process has been transparent at every stage with staff meetings, student focus groups, e-mail updates to staff and information published on the college and university websites. Comments and questions continue to be welcomed by both institutions at all stages of the process.

(Prof) Ian Howard

Edinburgh College of Art

Edinburgh