N.Z. UNIVERSITY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1929, Page 13

N.Z. UNIVERSITY

COUNCIL OR SENATE?

CHAXGb) IN" NOMENCLATURE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, 28th January

The Council" of the University o£ New Zealand met this morning in continuation of its annual session. The Chancellor (Professor J. Macmillan Brown) was in the chair. Some discussion took place concerning the following motion: "That when any amending legislation of the University Act is under consideration, the Government be asked to amend the law by omitting the word 'council' wherever it appears as referring to the University of New Zealand, and substituting the word ' senate.' " In putting the motion to the meeting, the Chancellor said that the introduction of the term "council" had caused a great deal of ambiguity, for there happened to be several other councils in connection with the University in New Zealand. Personally, he had always had great difficulty in explaining the position, and he thought that ambiguity should be removed by means of reversion to the old name. It had been preserved for 54 years, and many graduates and others still adhered to it. The motion was seconded by Professor Thomas. Professor Segar did not agree with the motion. He stated that the name "council" had been agreed upon only after a lengtfty struggle, and they now had a name which applied to similar bodies in Britain. The senate over there referred to an academic body. Mr. Bakewell thought that the mattor of confusion in names carried a great deal of importance. He was in favour of a distinct designation, which • would make. it clear what particular body it was. v The motion was.opposed by Professor Hunter, who maintained that there was no justification for the use of the term "senate." Mr. Morrell considered that no interpretation coming from outside the Dominion was of any significance, for they were not brought into contact with such bodies. He favoured the motion. The motion was carried on the voices. It was decided that the Wellington committee, after consultation with the executive of the Academic Board, be authorised to deal with applications for admission ad eundem,'in cases that present no difficulty, provided that in each case the executive committee of the Academic Board reported favourably on the application. Mr. W. J. Morrell moved, and Professor Hunter seconded, that the proChancellor be ex-officio a member of the Wellington Committee. This was carried.

It was decided that the Wellington committee be in future called the "executive committee," and that the executive committee consist of all members of the council for the time being resident in Wellington (as provided for in Statute), together with three members, as may from time to time be selected severally by the members of council resident in Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago.

The Hon. J. A. Hanan, M.L.C., was elected pro-Chancellor. There were two other nominations, Sir George Fowlds, and Mr. H. D. Acland.