Regulatory Ransom违规的代价

英国的教育消费一向令人瞠目结舌，尤其是牛津、剑桥等名校其昂贵的收费把许多平民百姓拒之门外。而英国的官方教育机构则从历史的教训中开始对这种贵族和封闭式的教育体系采取强硬态度。

Oxford University will face fines of up to £500,000 if it fails to
satisfy the requirements of a new 'access regulator'(入学资格管理者),
the Office for Fair Access (OFFA)(公平入学办公室).

The Government this week published details on how the proposed watchdog(监察者)
- designed to encourage disadvantaged groups into higher education - would
operate.

The guidelines show a determination to attract students from poorer
backgrounds through a series of "access agreements", such as bursaries(资助基金)
for poorer students of at least £300, and also detailed punishments for
non-compliance from universities. Institutions will also be obliged to keep back
up to ten per cent of their fee income, in order to fund these bursaries.

Education Secretary(教育大臣) Charles Clarke has however said that
top universities, such as Oxford, will be expected to offer bursaries far in
advance of £300, owing to their more secure financial status. Cambridge
has already signalled its intention to provide bursaries of up to £4,000
for poorer students.

According to Charles Clarke, "In extreme circumstances of
non-implementation...OFFA has the power to fine universities or refuse to renew
their agreement - preventing them from charging above the standard fee."

The manner of the fine imposed by OFFA would be the cutting of the
University's Government grant by up to half a million pounds.