I am not surprised
Folk haven't thought this through, the economic dimensions....you have the NHS, agriculture and fisheries, the regions, various community groups like colleges and schools and so many more bitching how the so-called money sent to Europe will be spent. The amount of money coming in from the EU for research in our Unis is not inconsiderable - I recall over 600 mln Euro a year.....and our Unis have a superb reputation (this money is both the EU and EU companies). This is one hell of a sum to lose from our Uni budgets - and reputation.... My own Uni is also thinking along the lines of your Vice Chancellor.
I don't think we have heard of the last of this - for whatever reason, it shows some of the lack of factual presentation in the pre-vote.