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Universities should face up to age discrimination, not run away ("Age law adds to campus burdens", THES , August 2). Their credibility as centres of intellectual excellence depends on the recruitment and retention of the ablest academics of whatever age. Regulations such as European Directive 2000/78 will not prevent universities from getting rid of older staff if they fail to perform. How can universities that discriminate expect to attract mature students?

Frederic Stansfield
Canterbury