University Discussions

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31993, 21 May 1969, Page 30

University Discussions

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 20. In the face of public criticism it could not be reasonably denied that the universities had a case to answer, according to a paper presented today to the universities’ conference. Parts of the paper, “The Function of the University,” were released by the conference for publication. The conference is closed to the press. The paper, presented by Professor A. L. Titchener, a member of the Auckland University Council, said criticisms of the universities were frequently described by university staff as uninformed. The objects of the universities were said not to be understood. “It is equally true, however, that university staff do not all have identical views of the functions of a university. “Because of su«h differ-

ences of opinion, which are entirely? proper, universities in the corporate sense seldom attempt to set out their objectives in public statements. “Yet it is surely obvious that a university as a corporate body should have settled in its corporate mind what are its primary objectives,” he said. When a university had settled, its objectives it would be wise to state them publicly. “Only in this way can misunderstanding be replaced by understanding.” The paper said that a university was judged by the quality of the scholars working in it No other answer was conceivable, and no other standard of judgement was possible. Professor Titchener said that the scholar who worked in a university had three chief duties: First, to his branch of learning, second, to his pupils, and third, to society outside. “Most of the criticisms levelled at university activities by persons outside the universities arise, not because the critics believe in objectives different from these, but

because they hold to a different order of importance—usually, in fact, the reverse order.” The conference, which will continue until Thursday, is being attended by representatives of the seven universities, the University Grants Committee, the Association of University Teachers and the University Students’ Association. The main topics include:— The function of the university and the relevance to the needs of the country of its teaching and research; The use of the resources of universities, and the quality and performance of students; The relationship of universities to one another and to the University Grants Committee; • The establishment of a continuing body for further university consultations.