APPOINTMENTS AT UNIVERSITY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26511, 28 August 1951, Page 6

APPOINTMENTS AT UNIVERSITY

REPORT TO BE MADE ON NEEDS

DELAY THROUGH SENATE CRITICISED

The time taken to establish new chairs through the machinery of the Senate of the University of New Zealand is causing concern to the Can;erbury University College Council, v.hicn yesterday asked the staff and finance committees to recommend a quicker procedure and also to report on the development of teaching staff lossible with the finance available in he next few years. The staff committee had invited the Council to “express disappointment on learning that so much time must elapse before permission can be secured for the establishment of a new chair.” The report said that when a Chair of laws was being considered it was found that the approval of the Academic Board and the Senate Would prevent any action until Mr C. H. Perkins said he could not see much point in such broad generalisationaddreSSed to hobody in particular. The Council might he disappointed at delay in action, but this slow machinery gave some guarantee of mature consideration. Mr D. W. Bain said the complaint was hot against delays ih action by the University of New Zealand, but against the machinery by Which intervals between the lodging of an application. the meeting of the Academic Board, and the meeting of the Senate mleht total 18 months.

No business organisation would Stand for the methods employed by the University of New Zealand, said Mr S. J. frwin. The inquiry into the expansion bf teaching staff possible under finance available from 1952 onwards was proposed by Mr Perkins. This would give some positive indication of coliege needs on which representations to the Senate could be based. “This council has gone along too long without a Plan.” he said. The registrar (Mr J. Logie) remarked that there was little certainty about Hie finance that would be available. There Was no indication yet whether the big overdraft would be lionidated, there wou’d be a deficit in 1951. and little more finance seemed likely in 1952. Mr E, B. E. Tavior moved that suggestions for speeding un the machinery of appointments should be investigated.

Political Science Department The council then agreed that ultimately a separate department of political science should be established, but that ih the meantime a lecturer should be appointed in the history department who would specialise in political science. Mr Perkins tried unsuccessfully to have this matter deferred until after the report on statring nad been presented. but the amendment was defeated bv eight votes to five. Another staffing question caused a division of opinion. The staff committee reported deciding that when appointments of professors and heads of departments were considered, it would set up an ad hoc committee comprising the rector, three members selected by the Professorial Board ahd three by the staff committee to replace the present Scheme of seeking advice from outside specialists. ' Sit Joseph Ward suggested that the chairman and deputy-chairman of the council Slt °h the committee. The chairman (Mr W. J. CartWright) said they were ex officio members of all committees. This w „ as - n ° l a . standing committee, said Mr S. J. Irwin, so they might not have the right. Mr Bain considered that a standing committee was free to seek advice without the special consent of the council. . This advisory job was being done in at least two other colleges by a purely academic committee, said Dr H. N. Parton. The council still had the decision when a recommendation was submitted. Sir Joseph Ward said he had not wished to take up the point; but the proposal would requite rescission of the council’s nrevious resolution on such consultation, and he would insist on notice of motion being given. This course was agreed to.