QUESTION OF FOUR UNIVERSITIES

Evening Star, Issue 18998, 21 July 1925, Page 9

QUESTION OF FOUR UNIVERSITIES

OPPOSED BY SPECIAL SCHOOLS OTHER FACULTIES FAVOR PROPOSAL. Professor Jack submitted further evidence on behalf of tho Professorial Board. Ho said there was a distinct cleavage here on the question of four separate universities. The medical and dental faculties were almost wholly against it, and tho arts and science faculty and the home science faculty are almost, wholly in favor of it. There was a division of opinion on the other faculties. Arts and science faculty tolt that the main reason for opposition to the change was duo to tire fear of multiplication of special schools, but it thought that could bo provided for by setting up some authority for regulating the numbers of these. The arts and science faculty felt that it would have a very real grievance if this obstacle was to be the cause of holding back much-needed developments of the largest part of the University, in Otago the students in the various faculties wore: Arts and science, 423; mining, 24; agriculture, 2; medicine, 267; dentistry, 113; homo science, 75; law, 70: commerce, 116. Next year there would be a larger lead in arts and science owing to a smaller number entering some of the other faculties. The arts and science professors had in their classes students belonging to other faculties, but their numbers were not credited to that faculty. If arts and science were put on tho same terms as tho special schools the payment for the conduct of examinations would be very great. 1 f the present Senate were transformed into a court of governors of very restricted powers, would it attract the type of men required as a governing body for a university? The difficulties of such a scheme seemed so great that it would break down in a few years. It had been said that if there wore four separate universities the cost of examinations and general administration would bo much greater. The cost last year was £23,000, but surely the cost with four universities would not be more than £5,750 each. It was said that with four universities four different standards would arise, but at present there were quite-different standards for granting of terms, and these could not be controlled. With four separate universities there would be no difficulties in regard to distance, cost, or time for _ consultation, and there would be continuous opportunities for discussion of improvements. He was convinced that in Otago and Southland the support given by the community would be considerably greater if there was no confusion between the New Zealand University and the Otago University. With four universities there would be healthy rivalry between the centres, but each would develop its own character, and this would bo all for good. It had been said that the population was not large enough for separate universities, but there were four universities in Scotland long before its population was equal to that of Now Zealand, and that at a time when the

percentage attending the_ university was much smaller. The time was already ripe for the change. In this country a vital factor was the great distance between the centres which prevented consultations and led to doJays. It was felt by all faculties that the number of special schools must be limited, as the country could not sup-, port special schools of all kinds in four centres. There was great need for radical changes in the constitution of the council of the University so as to utilise the services of men of high academic standing who wore at present excluded. The essential should bo knowledge of, and sympathy with, University ideals.

The powers of the Court of Governors should bo restricted to general policy, finance, and responsibility _to the public and Parliament for efficiency. The Professorial Board would become the Senate if the change were effected. Its powers would be ns at present, in addition to tbe following all purely academic questions, appointment of examiners, approval of syllabus, and control ot standard and conduct of examinations. It was suggested that there should be freedom to appoint a principal if desired. Freedom from Government control in academic matters and a more assured basis ot finance were greatly stressed. It could safely be said that the staffing in tbe arts"faculty was worse than in any other arts faculty in any university in the British Empire. The professor became a teacher, and bad no time for proper reading and thinking. Most professors bad to work seven days a week, and the result was that the standard of work was lower than the professors desired. Some moans should he taken to lot the leaders of industry know that help could be given to them by the University and to let University staffs have time to tackle problems for industry. There was row a rapidly-growing number of students capable of doing good research work. Additional fellowships and scholarships would enable good students to remain at tbe University, flic establishment of a research fund was highly desirable. It would bo good for New Zealand to have one University Press for the publication of books and original papers. . . ■ There was no provision lor leave ot absence, but it was essential to allow professors and lecturers to visit,_ Britain and America from time to time.