FULL-TIME BASIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 145, 22 June 1938, Page 10

FULL-TIME BASIS

UNIVERSITY REFORM

AUCKLAND PROPOSAL

A COMMITTEE APPOINTED

A committee to consider the reorganisation of Auckland University College on a full-time system was set up by the council of the college at a meeting on Monday, reports the "New Zealand Herald." Jt was stated that the interests of th* part-time students would be watched, and that the council was not prejudging the matter by approving of the formation of such a committee.

The committee consists of the president, the chairman of the Professorial Board, a representative of the lecturers, Mr. G. Grey Campbell, Mr. A. K. Turner, and Mr. H. G. Cousins, and it is "to consider the reorganisation of the college on a full-time system by (1) studying the difficulties and making recommendations to the council thereon; (2) fostering interest in stan* and students, and co-ordinating efforts in preparation for the change; (3) when desirable, extending these activities extra-murally; and (4) reporting to the council from time to time on the progress of its efforts."

Mr. Cousins, on-whose motion the council acted, said that the matter had been in the minds of many persons for the last 30 or 40 years. It had never become practicable politics. His object now was to stimulate interest and see. if there was any waV of bringing it about. If the step was possible, it must react most favourably for the college and strengthen its influence In the community. GENERAL MOVEMENT DESIRED. Mr. Cousins said the council could not make the change itself, but must enlist help in all quarters. Possibly all four university colleges would have to move abreast if anything important were to be done. What he wanted was to find a way to set the most promising of the country's youth free economically for three years, SO that their minds would-be completely free for the great effort of their university life. Something more than the present bursaries would he needed. There was scope for students to help pay their way by working in the vacations, and some suitable form of lending them money, possibly by the Government, might be considered. For 4000 full-time students throughout New Zealand, only about £80,000 a year would be needed, and this stun was not too great when the Tesults to be achieved were considered. The students would repay ' whatever money they might Jiave to borrow. SUPPORT FROM PUBLIC. Sir Henry Horton, who seconded the motion, said that, as this would be the last meeting before his retirement from the council, he'would like to say that the idea of a full-time University was excellent, and. was what the city and the province required. But he did think, that before this could be done it was essential to get proper housing for the university. In this respect he could not help thinking that the report of the policy committee had been unfortunate, in that it stood between the college and the public, whose wholehearted support was needed for the college, and who comprised really the only body which could provide the college with sufficient finance. If the council rgave, the public a scheme on which there was no debate or dissension, said Sir Henry, the! public would, he felt sure, come forward with large and generous sums for its assistance. The policy report had spoiled this.- He also commended to the council's attention the need for a large and adequate site, from the city, so that a" full-time university, which was unquestionably what the college".should be, would start properly, fie felt that the proposal to extend over the Government House section was not the ccfrect solution, and, if the college must stay where it was, it would have to grow upward. The acting chairman, Mr. T. U. Wells, gave members an assurance that all such details would be considered, arid the motion was carried.