thanks Jim, I'm an aussie (sydney).

Bee, I know academics can be a vague lot, ivory towers and all. but we have an international trend of decisions being made for financial reasons only. and managers without specific skills are popped into positions of power specifically because they don't understand what the hell is going on in their particular area - and so won't rock the boat and oppose blatantly poor decisions with appalling consequences.

there, enough said, soapbox has been tucked away & I'm off to sleep. 'night all.

freda zz