DEGREE QUALIFICATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 21, 24 January 1917, Page 2

DEGREE QUALIFICATION.

STUDENTS WASTING TIME. SUGGESTION BY 3IR. TIBBS. FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. An interesting proposition was put to the University Senate this moraing by Mr. -T. W. Tlbbe (Headmaster of tile Auckland Grammar School), dealing with tihe qualification of university entrance winners in relation to 8.A., degree examination. Mr. J. W. Tibbs moved: 'That a candidate who has qualified for an entrance scholarship and has obtained 50 per cent, of the marks in any of the following subjects:— English, Latin. Greek, French, German, pure mathematics, be deemed to have passed in such subjects for the six subjects B.A. degree." The mover said the object of the resolution was to obviate the waste of time of vounsr people, who having passed an examination higher than the 8.A., have to wait to sit for an easier examination. This was being done on the part of a la-rge number of students of our University Colleges and it seemed to be a deplorable waste of time. The idea of tihe Speaker's proposal was to encourage students having qualified as mentioned to go on with higher work, The matter was worthy of close consideration. Professor Hunter eaid that tiie proposal if carried would demand a complete revision of the statutes governing those examinations. For that Teason he hoped the Senate would not take action at present. Dr. Marshall eaid the Senate was indebted to Mr. Tibbs for bringing forward the suggestion, which the speaker felt wa= a very grave matter. The waste of time amongst junior university students for the first year or two of fcihe course, was sometimes stocking. This waste, he conceded, might not co apply to students taking mathematics as to those taking languages and arts. The question, 'however, was a very urgent one and. although, he. did not think the Senate t-ould- deal with it, owing to the TKssibility of creating a disorganisation of the Statutes, as mentioned by Professor Hunter, he. (the speakei - ) considered that . the Senate should not shirk the question or allow itself to be blinded by the possibility of trouble with the regulations, whidh would 'have to be altered if necessary. He trueted that members would thoroughly investigate the matter during the year in order to effect a saving of time in higher university work and prevent w&at ie now nothing less than a loss to the university and to the State. The Rev. Cameron said he heartily agreed that this was a very important matter. He suggested that it should be dealt with by the Auckland committee and then referred to the other committee, before going to the Board of Studies. Mr. yon Haast thought the resolution should be referred to the Profeseorial Board. By general agreement it was decided that the question raised be Tβ ferred to the local committee of the Senate and to the committees in tihe other centres, then to the four Professorial Boards, all of which bodies should .report to the BoaTd of Studies in the matter.