Students at Exeter University are currently conducting a university wide referendum which could determine the fate of their chancellor, Lord Alexander of Weedon. The referendum was called in response to respond to the formal decision of the Guild of Students (NUS) to call for him to either resign from his post at the university or relinquish his non-executive directorship with the French multinational oil company TotalFinaElf.

TotalFinaElf is heavily investing in the construction of an oil pipeline through Burma (now Myanmar). During the construction of this pipeline watchdogs and NGOs have reported serious human rights abuses, and instances of forced labour. As a consequence of this and atrocities in other parts of the country, many high profile companies (including Levi-Strauss and Heineken) have felt it necessary to pull investment from Burma. TotalFinaElf is now one of the shameful few with interests in the country.

Burma's illegitimate military rulers seized power in 1962, and refused to abide by the results of democratic elections in 1990, which saw 88% of the votes cast for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's National Leauge for Democracy, who are still outlawed. The Regime has closed most of the universities. Burmese students are therefore unable to access the education that UK students enjoy. Many amongst the student body feel that it is inappropriate for Exeter University to be represented at a national and international level by a businessman who benefits from the deprivation of education to students in other parts of the world.

Over the past year, students have held a number of high profile demonstrations on campus, at one point occupying the University's main administrative building. Additionally, the Free Burma Group has been in dialogue with the Chancellor and representatives from TotalFinaElf, with no positive outcome. The referendum represents the chance for students at this typically apathetic university to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with this clear conflict of interest.

The result of the university wide vote will be announced to students on the evening of Friday 15th February. Should it demonstrate student dissatisfaction with the Chancellor's interests it will be the focal point of further campaigning by the Free Burma Group on the basis that the Chancellor's position is proven to be unsupportable.

For further information about the situation in Burma, visit  http://www.freeburmacoalition.org or  http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/

or, if you are disturbed by what you have read, please write to the university to express your dispproval. (please, please, please do not send rude or openly abusive letters as these will not help our cause!);

The Vice-Chancellor - Sir Geoffrey Holland
The University Of Exeter,
Northcote House,
The Queen's Drive,
Exeter,
Devon
EX4 4QJ
United Kingdom

or

 G.Holland@exeter.ac.uk