THE UNIVERSITY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1847, 31 July 1907, Page 44

THE UNIVERSITY

AN AMERICAN EDUCATIONALIST’S VIEWS. IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS. Through the courtesy of the Chan-, oellor of the University of New Zealand (Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice), we are enabled to publish an important memorandum he has received from Professor Starr Jordan, the eminent American educationalist, on the subject of improving the teaching effectiveness of the colleges of New Zealand. Professor Starr Jordan, it will be remembered, recently visited this country,' and his recommendations will in duo course be submitted to the Senate of the New Zealand University, where, no doubt, they will carry considerable authority. They are as follow „ 1. Let examination be a function or the professor, not of the University. Each professor should certify to the college the work which the student has actually accomplished in satisfactory fashion. Each college to certify to the University of New Zealand, through a vote of its professorial board, those students entitled to a degree. 2. Requirements of degrees shoiild be stated in terms of work accomplished, not in terms of examinations required. The examination of any class should bo controlled by its teacher. 3. The. chairman of the professorial board should have as many as possible of the functions of the American University president. Especially he should have the initiative in academic matters, the choice of professors, and the adjustment of courses. In this he

should appear as representative or the professorial faculty; looking after their common interests and keeping in touch with them.. He should frequently visit universities of Europe and America, and, in the work of teaching, should ho retain his chair, he should be assisted by a competent associate. 4. So far as possible, the certificate of masters of approved secondary schools should be received in place of matriculation examinations. In receiving students a generous range of substitution of subjects should be allowed, and book-cramming, especially in science, should be discouraged. 5. In American experience the best method of adjusting the course of study is through that form of the group system known as the “Major Professor” system. In New Zealand this could be adjusted as follows: — (a) Each student on matriculation shall select his major work in some one of the recognised departments of the college, as classics, modern languages, English, philosophy, education, history, economics, zoology, botany, geology, physics, chemistry, law, civil, electrical or mechanical engineering. (b) The professor in charge of the department becomes the student’s adviser, and his approval is necessary in all adjustments of studies at the beginning of each college term. (c) Each of these departments will carry on such courses as the staff is able to carry, the higher value of advanced over elementary work being kept in mind. (d) The courses thus offered in some one department shall constitute the major work of each student in the department. Any part of this work may be chosen as minor subjects, or as electives to students in other departments. (e) To be eligible to the Baohelor’s degree a students must have completed the equivalent of (three) years of instruction in collegiate work. In this must be included the major work of somo one department, with such minors as may be indicated by the head of the department, and also such electives as may ha approved by the “Major Professor” at the time of registration. (f) A student may change his “Major Department” on petition (and with the consent of the professor conoern-

ed). In this case the work done as major becomes a minor, and tho back work of the new major must be made good. (g) Departments should stand on a basis of academic equality, no student being obliged by the department to take one subject rather than another. Such prescription of studies should be the work of the “Major Professor.” The colleges in New Zealand should devote themselves primarily to the actual needs of New Zealand. The professorship should carry greater power and greater responsibility than now, and much of the work of the Council should be transferred to the four professorial beards. (6) Degrees should not be granted for extra-mural study, and in general not for attendance on night lectures or extension lectures. To do work really worthy of University recognition, the student should enter the University atmosphere. He should make all possible use of teachers, laboratories, and libraries. 7. Taxation of University students is the most oppressive form of State taxation. 8. In general, the professor as teacher has far too little initiative in Australasian universities. The students with their varied interests and varied talents should bo tho first consideration of the University. Honours may be granted on the judgment of the professorial body. It is impossible to arrange good students in linear series, as each one should bo striving for a goal of his own.