In 1886, Owens College circulated a pamphlet calling for university status. The replies presented, not surprisingly, a wide range of divergent views on the desirability of establishing a new university in Manchester, its potential structure and organisation, and its possible relationships with other institutions. The responses varied from matters of principle to highly practical concerns. The reaction among the advocates of university status in Owens College was that the replies had been overwhelmingly favourable to their cause. The main issues to be considered were whether an expansion of higher education was desirable and, if so, whether Owens College was suitable for such status.