University Chancellor’s Views After Tour

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30313, 13 December 1963, Page 22

University Chancellor’s Views After Tour

The Chancellor of the University of Canterbury (Mr C. H. Perkins) has returned to Christchurch after a sevenmonth tour abroad convinced on three points of university management. His view that more halls of residence should be built for students has been confirmed by what he has seen in the United Kingdom and the United States; there is, he believes, great scope for private and corporate gifts to the universities; and he considers that the University of Canterbury has too few administrative staff. ‘"There must be more persons to relieve the admin isj trative burdens on the top I management officers,” said Mr Perkins. “We must also fee that the growth of the ■ academic departments does not place such a burden on the teachers because of the administration involved.” Nevertheless, Mr Perkins found that academic staff in New Zealand universities have a greater say in the running of their institutions than many of their counterparts abroad. | “The academic people should have a reasonable say in the administration of universities. But I found it is common practice for lay people to have the majority on controlling bodies,’ ’ he said of the discussions at the congress of Commonwealth universities which he attended in London. 1 “This was recognised to

be a good feature, especially in universities depending on State finance. But I think the arrangement in New Zealand for some academic staff to be members of the controlling body is a good one.” Of the financial arrangements of universities abroad, Mr Perkins was most impressed by the scale of private gifts for buildings. These, he said, sometimes amounted to £lm. “One of the criteria in Britain for determining the place for a new university is the local interest and financial support.” This had applied in the new universities of York and Sussex which he visited, he said. Two private contributions of £250,000 had been made recently Jo rhalls of residence at the University of London. Gifts were usually made for halls of residence, auditoriums, concert chambers, and buildings other than teaching and administrative buildings, he said. “It is an expression of a sense of public responsibility by people who are fortunate,” said Mr Perkins. “We must endeavour to do more for students’ accommodation. Living together is part of one’s university education. I think it is quite definitely of benefit to the student.” While populations were increasing and a higher proportion of them were wanting to attend universities or stay longer at universities there was a growing realisation that investment in education was becoming a top priority for any country, Mr Perkins said.