We propose a gauge model where quark-lepton universality is an accidental
symmetry which is only approximate, in analogy to the well-accepted notion that
strong isospin is accidental and approximate. This is a natural framework for
explaining possible small deviations of quark-lepton universality which is
applicable to the recently reported apparent nonunitarity of the quark mixing
matrix. As a result, small departures from quark-lepton universality are
expected in Z decays as well as in the recent neutrino data of the NuTeV
collaboration and in future low-energy experiments. New physics is predicted at
the TeV scale.Comment: 11 pages, no figur
