前天文台台長林超英致函港大校長馬斐森，質疑理學院院長艾宏思（Matthew Evans）在未經理學院院務委員會或教務委員會討論和正式通過下，擅自決定取消天文學和數學/物理兩個主修科。林質疑做法越權，要求馬斐森調查和否決有關決定。
由於報讀人數偏低，理學院早前計劃於2018 / 19學年起取消天文學和數學/物理兩個主修科。主修數學/物理、1971 年畢業的林超英早前曾批評取消數學/物理主修會令理學院「失去靈魂」，林日前去信港大校長馬斐森，指取消兩主修學科的決定並未得到理學院院務委員會的批准，艾宏思單方面宣布有關決定是偷步和越權（ jumping the gun and ultra vires）。他引述艾宏思曾明言不會裁減有關教職員和課程，質疑在不扣減資源的情況下減少主修是低效率（inefficient）所為。
此外，他表示物理學系用多年時間建立一支強大的天文學研究團隊，艾宏思作出有關決定明顯犯下多項錯誤，包括罔顧學術人員投入巨大的時間和精力而建立的高學術成就、降低學生對有關學術領域的熱情和令天文團隊士氣惡化。
林超英續指應屆文憑試考生已在大學聯招系統（JUPAS）填寫志願，取消天文學和數學/物理兩個主修科會對新生構成誤導，故作出相關決定的時機不恰當（bad timing）。林批評艾宏思的做法不當，對香港大學產生不良影響。他要求馬斐森調查有關做法是否符合適當程序，並盡快否決有關決定，以確保物理學系的學術實力（academic strength）能充分反映在港大的本科教育上。
註：
林超英信件原文：
Dear Professor Mathieson,
Cancellation of the Majors of Astronomy and Mathematics/Physics
I refer to my letter dated 22 March 2017 requesting you to review and reverse the decision of the Dean of Science Faculty on the cancellation of the two above-mentioned Majors. I am awaiting your reply.
In the meantime, a number of issues have emerged. They deserve your attention and urgent responses lest damage is done to HKU.
Firstly, the cancellation of the two Majors has apparently not been deliberated nor approved by the Science Faculty Board. That it was announced by Professor Matthew Evans as fait accompli is jumping the gun and ultra vires.
Secondly, on being questioned by students, Professor Matthew Evans apparently stated that the cancellation of the two Majors would not result in any cutting of staff or courses. But he had previously said openly that “teaching niche programmes is I am afraid too inefficient”. If efficiency is indeed the key consideration, then I am afraid delivering two less Majors with the same resource is terribly inefficient on the part of Professor Evans.
Thirdly, the Physics Department has spent several years in building up a strong research team in astronomy as part of its strategic development plan. In making the decision to cancel the two Majors in haste, Professor Evans has blundered by:
(a) failing to appreciate and understand this established strategy,
(b) failing to recognise the immense investment in time and effort to build up this strength,
(c) extinguishing students’ enthusiasm in this fast-growing academic area, and
(d) demoralizing the astronomy team to the detriment of the University.
Professor Evans has been in post less than one year. To rush into the present decision without due consideration and consultation is bad practice with undesirable consequences.
Fourthly, secondary school students have already made their choices under the JUPAS system for 2017 entry based on information available from universities at the time, including the existence of the two Majors. Cancellation at this point in time could generate complaints from potential students about HKU misleading them and causing them to make wrong decisions. Making the decision now is therefore bad timing.
In the light of these issues, it is obvious that the action taken by Professor Evans to cancel the two Majors NOW is improper and ultra vires, poor resource management, poor academic judgment and poor timing. His move is very damaging to HKU.
You are requested to investigate into whether the cancellation of the two Majors has gone through proper procedures within the University. You are also requested to reverse quickly the cancellation of the two Majors, to ensure that the academic strength of the Physics Department is reflected in undergraduate education at HKU.
We urge you to act quickly to defuse the situation by announcing to the public that the two Majors would continue to be offered by HKU.
