CONFERRING DEGREES

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1930, Page 9

CONFERRING DEGREES

ACTION BY OTAGO UNIVERSITY. DUNEDIN, August 20. So far as the undergraduate body is Concerned, the doors will be barred to its members when the University of Otago in future confers its degrees. I.iast month’s function was a disgraceful exhibition of hoodlamism by a largo section of undergraduates. The lari iliinism ind.’t ated a concerted move to upset the proceedings and the University was held up to disrepute. Commenting on the deplorable display, the ’Critic,' official organ of the student body, stated as follows: — "The afternoon’s entertainment commenced with the Entry of the Gladiators, in full court, attire, and was, naturally, the opportunity for ribald mirth. The rest of the proceedings went off. from some points of view, extremely well. The papers, however, took quite another view and, tho •evening paper especially, referred to the occasion in a manner which was very uncomplimentary to the students, implying that it was a disgraceful exhibition and generally holding up their editorial hands in pious horror. Now. this report, oi rather the jucicr portions of it, appeared in papers al! over New Zealand and undesirable and unfounded notoriety has been gained.” However, the action by the University Council at its meeting yesterday afternoon proved that the reports were correct. * The- Professorial Board recommended that in future the Graduation Ceremony be held in private, i.e., that- admission be by invitation. The board has set up a committee to forward recommendations to the council of means whereby the dignity of the university may be ensured. In adopting the recommendation, which was fully discussed in committee, the council indicated its strong disapproval of the' action of not a small section of the students. Save for the University of London, all the old universities at Home confer their degrees in private but for many years aago University has invited the public, as it frankly admits its indebtedness to the people of Dunedin and the province and has shown a desire ‘to retain their sympathy. If the recommendation is carried into effect next year, only the council, the staff, the graduates, their relatives and close friends, and the friends of the university will be present. There is no spirit of aloofness from the public in the action. The ‘Critic’ ha;said: “A ceremony. like this should not be allowed to' go on without interruption. Such a thing is against all traditions of university students all over the world. Let us have interjections, the more the merrier.” Remembering their own undergraduate days, the council and the Professorial Board probably do not object to interjections so long as they arc witty but low hooliganism as blotted the escutcheon of the ’Varsity last mouth is strongly discountenanced.