NEW RECTOR OF UNIVERSITY

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27710, 14 July 1955, Page 12

NEW RECTOR OF UNIVERSITY

PROGRESS TOWARDS SELECTION DATE OF APPOINTMENT UNCERTAIN The “short list” of applicants from which the Canterbury University College Council will select a new rector will probably be ready in August, but it is not yet known when a decision is likely. \ A special committee, with members from the College Council and from the Professorial Board, was appointed last year, shortly after the resignation of Dr. H. R. Hulme, to prepare a brochure setting out conditions of appointment and to call applications for the vacancy. This was published in November. It offered a salary of £2252, an entertainment allowance of up to £2OO a year, approved fares to Christchurch, and removal allowances. Applications from and suggestions about suitably qualified persons were requested, and it was stated that the position might be filled by invitation. On April 30 this year, 30 names had been received, including 20 formal applications from New Zealand, Australia. South Africa, England, and the United States. In* the committee stages of the council meeting at the end of May. the special committee reported the candidates offering and that it had finished its assignment. The special committee was reappointed to make inquiries about Candidates, and submit a short list of candidates recommended for the full council’s consideration. During last month, the committee met several times, and it also obtained reports from the referees named by candidates. On Monday week, the committee will present a confidential progress report to the full council on the reduction of the 30 names by elimination, so that the council will be kept fully informed.

It is probable thatrthe short list will be ready in August, and that a special meeting of the combined academic and finance committees will be called almost immediately afterwards to hold preliminary discussions before the chosen names are submitted to the full council for the final selection. There is no certainty that a recom-

mentation will be made when the full council meets at the end of Avgust and, as the academic year will end on November 5, the new rector may not formally take office until the beginning of next year, though he may arrive earlier and thus became familiar with the organisation of the college before* hand.

Apart from the formal tabling of the brochure, there has been no discussion in open meeting on filling the vacancy since Dr. Hulme resigned.