Send your letters to editor of the Reporter, Vanessa Bridge. Email the.reporter@leeds.ac.uk or send by internal post to press office, 12.67 E C Stoner building.

All letters will be considered for publication. We will not as a rule publish 'round robin' letters, letters that have been published elsewhere or letters that have also been sent to University colleagues for action. Letters may be cut (for space) and we will indicate where this has happened. If writers have asked questions, we will attempt to answer them. If they assert things we know to be untrue, we may add an editor’s note.

CREST OR TOWER? (from Tony Moulson, retired) My sincere hope is that the University takes careful note of Chris Hatton's observations regarding the logo. From my very considerable experience of Thailand and of Thai academics and students I know he makes a very important point.

To those unaware of its association the Parkinson tower logo would seem to me to be somewhat bland and dull. In contrast the crest is artistically attractive and dignified, and surely the Latin message is appropriate for past, present and future members of the University. I am in no doubt whatsoever that, of the two, the crest would be by far the more attractive to overseas aspirants, especially those in the Far East.

ROOM FOR BOTH: (from Martin Holmes, director of marketing) As Chris Hatton suggests (Reporter 510), there is a clear role for the heraldic crest in selected institutional activities. To date, the ‘Parkinson’ logo is confined to stationery, but as we look at the full range of our external activities, especially overseas promotions, we need to ensure that our visual identity conveys an impression of gravitas and status.

When we discussed logo options with stakeholders, including staff and students, the one thing that they wanted to see was ‘Leeds’ being made as clear as possible. I think the combination of the new logo and selective use of the crest will help achieve this. Many people have commented favourably on the Parkinson logo, and the impression of quality it conveys.

WHAT IS IT? (from Chris Needham, computing) Any idea what the two patches of concrete just south of the E C Stoner building are for? They’ve appeared recently, with some fencing around. They look like two long jump pits, but are a bit hard for that. If no-one knows, it would make a good caption competition!

Estates confirm they are the foundations for undercover cycle stands - good news for green transport disciples! - Editor.

ELVES WANTED: (from Alexis Ragaliauskas, city and regional) After the tremendous successes of our previous Christmas appeals, the city and regional office is once again recruiting ‘elves’ from across the University to help collect toys and food parcels for local charities and needy members of the community.

If you fancy making someone’s Christmas a little brighter this year we need your help now. As an elf your chief tasks are to co-ordinate activity, raise awareness and encourage your department to be involved as well as collect and label the gift parcels donated.

The outstanding generosity of staff and students has allowed the University to collect over 8,000 gifts in the last two years, representing over half of the total donations across all the participating organisations in the city.

The appeal runs until December. Anyone interested in becoming involved should contact Alexis Ragaliauskas by Wednesday 9 November a.j.ragaliauskas@adm.leeds.ac.uk or on extension 33755.

SAVE YOUR STAMPS (from Andy Murray, Oxfam LUU) Oxfam needs your help in the form of your used stamps (especially foreign). We have a volunteer stamp expert who sorts through donations and assembles bags of stamps which we sell from £2 to £5 per bag. They are extremely popular and donations of stamps alone can contribute £400 a month towards our work tackling poverty and suffering.

Given the large number of people at the University (particularly from overseas), the campus could be a great source of stamp donations and for staff and students to make a big difference in a simple way. All donations are welcome at the shop in the students union, or perhaps departments could organise central collections. Please contact me on 0113 2450861 if you can help.