Letter: Momentous day for future of art college

Today, the governors of the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) meet to decide the fate of their distinguished institution: to merge with the University of Edinburgh, or to remain independent. Their decision is historic and momentous. They can vote to annul their role as guardians of the college they were elected to protect or close ranks.

Irony abounds. The university, itself in a weak financial position, cannot take over the ECA until it is solvent. Once solvent, there is no need for the ECA to merge with anyone. Exhortation to amalgamate comes from the principal of the university, Professor Timothy O'Shea. He promises academic nirvana. The ECA's ethos is founded not upon academic analysis and objectivity, but on creative subjectivity, the intense study of aesthetics. It embraces strident individuality in painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, design, fashion, theatre costume, film and architecture.

The merger has draconian conditions attached; the university demands 25 per cent cuts within a year, the removal of the ECA's architecture course to its own campus, and the demolition of the architecture building, yet the university, too, will fall under the scythe of savage cuts rendering its confident approach to the ECA nothing but bluff.

Piling irony upon irony, the principal of the ECA, Professor Ian Howard, rather than remaining neutral, impartial and dispassionate, supports the move vigorously. He cites a projected 2 million shortfall in annual operating costs as his reason.

A merger is estimated to cost at least 10m; the ECA will lose substantial private grants never meant for a university's coffers. He believes junking autonomy will protect independence.

Some time ago the Scottish Funding Council, deploring mergers for mercenary reasons, instructed the ECA to sell off a small car park to balance its books, an open sale with a closing date. One of the bids was acceptable and would have provided much-needed student accommodation. At the 11th hour, the ECA shut down negotiations, claiming it was only a "valuation exercise". From that moment on talks between the two principals began in earnest.

The scandal is bids remain open; indeed the car park could sell tomorrow if the ECA wished. Something smells rotten: why accept draconian cuts imposed by a supposedly benign institution and junk over 250 years of history?

The university stands to gain a campus valued at over 40m. It will inherit government finance currently at the ECA's disposal. Alas, it has a poor track record in protecting educational bodies fusing with it, a good record in knocking down buildings. Who talks of the Dick Vet these days as a world leading veterinary authority? After a circuitous voyage Moray House College of Education lost all identity sheltering with the university.

The ECA encourages rebellious creativity.To understand why art colleges here in Scotland, in the United States too, attest to the profound frustrations issuing from life with a university one need only imagine Edinburgh University Senates' dismay when the inevitable renegade artist or lecturer causes public controversy. Yet Prof Howard ploughs on. He has a plan. But is it his?

GARETH WARDELL

Northumberland Street Lane, Edinburgh