IT doesn't appear that Bolton Institute is going to get a Christmas present of university status.

But, like the town's MPs, we shall continue to support the Institute's bid for higher ranking, which we think would be well deserved.

Government ministers take the advice of the Quality Assurance Agency on whether to upgrade the Institute. And the Agency has, apparently, uncovered weaknesses in Theatre and Film Studies. Superficially, at least, that does not seem sufficient reason for turning down the bid.

But Institute Principal Professor Bob Oxtoby refuses to be downhearted about this setback. He believes that a Government White Paper due out in late January next year could result in a review of the criteria for awarding the university title.

We wish Professor Oxtoby success in his continuing fight for university standing. Such status would be good not only for the students, but for the town.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.