"It is better to write for oneself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self." I was reminded of this delightful Cyril Connolly quip on learning a professor had been disciplined for a letter to the editor of the local newspaper questioning the accuracy of a report that UCCB President Jacquelyn Scott had published "numerous articles and books" (Bulletin, November 2001).

This case may have analogues at other universities, where public claims to have published or have written numerous books don't always stand up to scrutiny. The word "book" has a wide range, as have the words "published" or "written," not everything falling within it is such that academics accord it respect. The UCCB case may alert academics to the need for scrutiny in order to separate the wheat from the chaff and maintain credible standards in their profession. It may also warn other university presidents not to try to silence such questioning, lest they look foolish.

To both write for a scholarly public and have a self is no doubt best. Failing that, though, all honour to those who either don't pretend to write at all or write only for themselves.

Martha Husain
Philosophy, Brock University