OXFORD, England, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Oxford, Britain's most venerable university, has decided to protect itself from possible lawsuits by making students sign contracts.
Next year, students will be required to pay 3,000 pounds (about $5,400) a year in tuition and fees, and university officials fear that will make them more demanding and more likely to go to court, The Times of London reports. The contract was written by Michael Beloff, president of Trinity College and an elite lawyer.
"We took the view that we were out of kilter with the modern age," Beloff said. "Fifty years ago no one would have thought of such a thing but we live in a much more litigious society."
The contract, or at least those portions printed by The Times, seems to put more burden on students. Incoming undergraduates must agree to "pursue such studies as are required of you by any tutor, fellow or lecturer, or other qualified person assigned by the College to teach you." The college is bound only to provide such teaching as it decides "is reasonably necessary."
Cambridge, Britain's second most venerable university, said it has no plans to follow Oxford's lead.
