sentences:  In February 1985, in what was generally viewed as a significant snub from the centre of the British establishment, the University of Oxford voted to refuse Thatcher an honorary degree in protest against her cuts in funding for higher education.This award had previously been given to all prime ministers since the Second World War.Although the Government's counter-claim of increased expenditure was also challenged, the decision of the Oxford dons was widely condemned as "petty" and "vindictive".