With a new Rector due to be announced in the coming months, the man who has presided over some of the most radical changes in the College's 100 year history is coming to the end of his term.
Sir Richard is the man who abolished the old constituent colleges as soon as he arrived, before announcing a merger with UCL, then leading the tuition fees charge. To round off his first two years, Imperial also rebranded.
All of this produced a lot of negative feelings and out and out dislike for this businessman, among both students and academic staff. Times change however and - abortive mergers aside - the reforms have done immense good for Imperial College, with it now in good shape for the future. Students have even been calling for a Sykes clone to take over as Rector, something which was unthinkable five years ago. Sir Richard is known as a man who says what he thinks, even if he has to apologise later. Unfortunately they've got a bit better at stopping that sort of thing, but he's still good fun sometimes.
Live! has teamed up with stoic tv to give you the chance to put your questions to the Rector, anonymously if you wish. On 18th June we'll be asking the questions in a recorded "Ask the Rector" show, similar in format to "Ask the President" but with a person with actual power, rather than delusions of grandeur, in the chair.
Whether you're a current student, member of staff or alumnus please get in touch by using the discussion below, emailing the editor, or using the anonymous tip-off form. Bear in mind that if you post in the discussion below it will give our interviewee a lot of advanced warning!
We'll be looking for three different types of questions:
- Questions on current affairs in College and HE in general
- Looking back over his time as Rector
- Slight more off the wall questions, which we wouldn't ask if he wasn't leaving
Whatever you want to ask, please send it in by 15th June.
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