ACCOMMODATION AT UNIVERSITY

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26874, 29 October 1952, Page 6

ACCOMMODATION AT UNIVERSITY

Deputation To Minister COLLEGE COUNCIL DISCUSSION Accommodation difficulties at Canterbury University College have become so acute that the college council will send a deputation to the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie) asking for relief from the stipulation that no more buildings be claimed pending the erection of the new school of engineering. provision of extra accommodation. and urgent action on the plans for building at Riccarton. Next year it is believed that the college will have some trouble, but in 1054 limitation of classes, direction of students to less full courses, and recommendations that some mew applicants should spend another year at secondary school are expected to be necessary. Five to seven years is now the estimate for transfer into the new engineering school at Riccarton. and by then it is expected that already-heavy rolls will have increased by 30 per cent.

Yesterday afternoon the college council adopted the following statement of the policy and development committee:—“The position regarding staff and student accommodation has become so acute that extra accommodation is essential for the beginning of 1953. In view of the Cabinet decision that no new property is to be purchased or new buildings erected pending the erection of the engineering school at Riccarton, the committee recommends that the position as it exists be reported to the Minister of Education and that he and the Prime Minister (Mr Holland), who is a member for the district, be asked to receive a deputation so that the position can be explained to them in detail to see what the Government is prepared to do to meet its obligations and provide essential requirements for university education in Christchurch.” Admission of Observers

Before the meeting proper began, the Registrar (Mr J. Logie) announced that the president, secretary, and two other officers of Rolleston House Hostel were waiting outside and had asked that they be admitted as observers to any discussion which might arise on Rolleston House. He explained that standing orders said that meetings of the council should be in private, but that this clause could be suspended by unanimous agreement. Reporters were allowed to attend at the council’s pleasure. Mr W. T. Langley asked what the expected discussion concerned. The chairman (Mr W. J. Cartwright) said Rolleston House was mentioned in the report of the policy and development committee. Students’ opinion should be heard if they were concerned. Mr Langley said. “Have they been consulted on the question that Rolleston House may be closed and . . .?” he asked. Mr D. W. Bain moved that the council should go into committee as there was some doubt about what was to be proposed. He was seconded by the Rector (Dr. H. R. Hulme). There was a division on this issue and on a show of hands the council decided by 10 votes to 7 to go into committee. When the open meeting resumed the chairman reported that suspension of a standing order had been discussed and no resolution was passed. (Visitors were not admitted.) Formal business was then taken and when the* policy and development committee report was announced, Mr Bain moved that the council again go into committee for a few moments. “I assure members that my motives are of the best,” he said. After this the chairman reported that the report had been amended in committee. (After the meeting he announced that “no suggestion of closing Rolleston House was before the council.”) The difficulties about accommodation needed little elaboration. Mr Bain said, moving the committee’s statement. If there were new premises available a total of 32 more rooms could be used in 1953.

When the over-all plan for Riccarton was submitted to the Cabinet, approval had the tag that no permanent buildings should be erected on the north block or present site. “We were not consulted. We don’t like it. It isn’t fair to university education,” Mr Bain said. The council was not making claims only for itself or even for nresent students. It was seeking accommodation in the light of needs of the whole community. “These facilities must be provided,” he said. Minister’s Letter on Riccarton

Mr Bain read a letter from Mr Algie in answer to requests for news on tne plan for the engineering school. “I shall let you know as soon as the Cabinet has reached a decision on the matter,” it said. “We know that the specifications went from the Director of Education to the Minister in July and this is October,” Mr Bain continued. “I suggest that the deputation should also press this matter.” The Rector said the situation was worse than anyone realised. “We may not now get to Riccarton for five to seven years, and during that period students of university age may increase by 30 to 40 per cent.,” he said. Repeated lectures were already given at the college because all students could not get in for the one lecture, and next year it might be necessary for laboratory classes to be held in the evenings. Staff could not be worked round the clock and might entail additions. Such new men, in turn, would require more accommodation. Even now there were instances of four lecturers using the same room. There were research students with no place at all. Mr Langley suggested that the old buildings in Montreal street, next to the Registrar’s office, be demolished and temporary buildings erected. “That would not cope with next year,” Dr. Hulme said.

Mr C. H. Perkins raised a question of procedure, saying that since the machinery of a full-time vice-chancel-lor of the university and a University Grants Committee had been set up, the council should use the proper channels for its representations. Dr. Hulme said the immediate need was to obtain relaxation of the Cabinet ruling on additional accommodation. As that was a Cabinet decision it was quite proper to "o direct to the Government. said Mr S. J. Irwin. The council adopted the committee’s recommendation unanimously. The meeting then referred back to the Minister’s letter about the engineering school at Riccarton. “Wnat action does the council deem desirable since we have got this most helpful letter from the Minister,” asked Mr H. F. Baird. "It’s just over a year since we sent this thing to Wellington, and I think there is a desire in the community that the case for the new school should be stated directly to the Minister. We have tried the normal ways and get this reply. That should not satisfy this council.” It was agreed that the deputation should also raise this issue with the Minister. Applications for Enrolment A Professorial Board recommendation that for 1954 applications for enrolment be called in botany I, chemistry I, geology I. physics I. and zoology I was next adopted. Next year the college hoped to be able to fit in all stage I students but in 1954 it would probably be a physical impossibility. Dr. Hulme said. The council had previously agreed that application would have to be made for some stage II subjects and this was an extension. Refusal of admission misfht be necessary unless some students could be persuaded to vary their courses and new entrants persuaded to spend another year at school. Mr E. B. E. Taylor said the Professorial Board’s recommendation would have.to be accepted. Even if the Minister acted on the claims of the deputation the time taken over the engineering school, heating provisions, and other matters, showed that trouble might not be averted by 1954. Questioned on the effect of the resolution. Mr Cartwright said it only provided for applications to be called for enrolment m certain subjects. Further powers would have to be granted by the council if limitation of students was necessary.