UNIVERSITY STANDARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22119, 27 May 1935, Page 12

UNIVERSITY STANDARDS

Sir, —The reports of the four professors at Auckland University College make interesting reading, though there already appears to be a striking divergence of official opinion. It is a matter of regret, however, that except by implication there is no reference in the vice-chancellor's comments to the part-time student, who seems to bo the object of the professor's attack, for an attack it certainly appears to he. Even a short year in this country should have sufficed to demonstrate to these gentlemen that the- part-time student, far from being a burden and a hindrance, is a vital force in university life, indeed, without him, the very existence of the institution would be imperilled. The part-time student is a product of, and an essential part of, our social and economic system, which is by no means that of the Motherland. Nearly always he is forced to earn a living and to study at the same time, and it is to his credit that external examiners have so favourably reported on his work in the past. He is oft-times afforded university education through great parental and personal sacrifices and, seemingly, for a long time to come, economic considerations will force a continuance of this method of study. Have not the professors yet discovered that the student (or parents) who can afford full-time tuition is ono of a small minority, and that a sufficiently wealthy and independent class whose children would supply full-time students is almost nonexistent here? Do they realise that fees paid by part-time students constitute an essential contribution to university finance? Further, do these gentlemen realise that if the standard in any subject is too low, there is a logical method of raising it by defining the prescription in a subject and stiffening the marking of the papers? It would remain for them to teach to this standard, and if this were done few would fear "the evil-purposed and hostile examiner," which ono professor conjures up That there is insufficient time for preparation of lectures and thorough oversight and direction of students' reading is surely not the fault of the student, but of ft defect in staffing, finally, may J repeat that, wnatuver the student system pertaining abroad, that which exists in New Zealand appears to be the only one possible here at present and must be accepted and used ns best they can by the gentlemen concerned. The ability of the part-time student is admitted, and if he knows exactly what he has to do ho will do it for its cultural as well as its, perforce, economic value. Tighten up the requirements for a pass; prescribe what is essential for a worthwhile degree: realise that part-time (and ex-mural) students must persist for many a day and leave the "part-timer" to work out his own salvation. On past performances lie v wtfl do 60* I?AIIONU<i