Roll Limit For Massey?

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30151, 7 June 1963, Page 10

Roll Limit For Massey?

(N.Z. Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, June 6. Whether the master plan of building at Massey University College of Manawatu should be enlarged so that it could accommodate more than 3000 students was debated at the meeting of the college council this afternoon. No decision was reached in open meeting, and the discussion was closed when the chairman <Dr. J. C. Andrews) said that if the meeting wished tn pursue the question further it should go i»to committee The question was raised rv Mr O. Conibear, the sec-

seniatrve on the council. He said that the master plan provided for a maximum roll of 3000 students, but he felt that the numbers were likely to exceed that in the years to come, and increase to 7000 or 8000.

He suggested that the Ministry of Works might, in view of the probable future numbers, amend its lay-out of buildings Dr. Andrews said that, in a largely residential university such as Massey, the emphasis was on the overriding importance of hostel accommodation

The universities at Wellington and Auckland would depend more and more on Palmersten North and Hamilton for relief from their overcrowding continued Mr Conibear. With the amalgan in the Manawatu, room had to be found, not only for the agricultural students, bu> also for those taking general studies. With students from Tara-

naki and Hawke's Bay to draw upon, he thought that the limit of 2000 students for the faculty of general studies would not be sufficient to 'ope with more than perhaps the next 15 years.

The principal of the college (Dr. A. Stewart) said that a 10-to-one student staff -atio had been considered appropriate, and that a staff of 300 appeared to be reasonable

The question could be asked why the college should stop at 7000 or 8000 students, said Dr. Stewart. There must be an upper limit to numbers, and the tendency to restrict numbers was noticeable in England. If the numbers rose to above 3000 another university could be started he said. The point was, replied Mr Conibear. that Massey in its location and possibilities, offered such a wealth of opportunity for students that it would be a pity to restrict numbers.