September is a curious month in the academic calendar. Lectures are ‘dusted-down’ and ideas surrounding teaching that were mere flickers back in June burst into flames (or are quickly dampened down) as the new year approaches. Administrative staff continue to be perplexed as to why their academic colleagues remain unable to remember what happened this time last year. It also is a time of closure. A number of departments hold their postgraduate exam boards in September, and exam grids are circulated or shown on large computer screens.
And there, in top left hand corner of the grids, is the swoosh – just shows you cannot keep a good brand down. It was also heartening to see at the recent Open Day prospective students sat on seats with the good old swoosh emblazoned on the back.