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Following strong representations from CVCP and HESA, as well as individual vice-chancellors, the Sunday Times have agreed to reduce considerably the data they are requesting directly from universities. We urged them to postpone the project. However, they are determined to continue with it, although they will be extending the deadline for responses to October 13. We also urged them to establish what information could be obtained from public sources in order to seek from universities only that information which could not. Vice-chancellors and principals will shortly receive a further communication giving the Sunday Times revised position. In outline, they will obtain from published HESA and UCAS sources all the data they need for parts II, V and VII of their original survey questionnaire, except for the question on % of entrants through clearing, and they have eliminated some questions altogether. It is of course a matter for each institution to decide whether, and to what extent, they are able to respond to the Sunday Times' revised request for data when they receive it. Whilst I recognise that many universities would prefer that the ST not continue with this project, it is clear that they will be publishing a feature and league tables in early November, based on the data they collect. We have again pointed out the inappropriate timing and requested that, if they intend to repeat the exercise next year, they allow much more time for its preparation. By that time, UCAS will have established its database service for publishers and should, along with HESA, be able to supply most of the data that the Sunday Times, and other publishers, require for such projects. Barry Jackson Corporate Affairs Director CVCP [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%