STUDENT CRITICISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26531, 5 August 1947, Page 9

STUDENT CRITICISM

Sir,—During the year the people of Dunedin have had several opportunities of studying student mentality. It - appears they (like so many sections of the community) are dissatisfied with everything. The amalgamation in Australia and Wellington of students and watersiders seems appropriate. The thing that seems to emerge from recent controversy is—are the students of Otago going to dominate the University or are the University Council and Professorial Board going to get together and keep these adolescent minds in their correct place?—l am. etc., Worried Parent. August 4.

Sir, —I would like to comment on Dr Brooks’s reported remarks, appearing in vour issue of August 1, wherein he replies to student criticism of the teaching of physiology ot the Otago Medical School. I have not read the article in the Critic and have no knowledge of the justice or otherwise of the criticism. I merely wish to point out a fallacy in Dr Brooks s remarks. He apparently assumes that a man with a brilliant and distinguished record in research work is inevitably an inspiring—or even adequate—teacher ot the elements of his special subject to undergraduates.—l am. etc. Detachment. August 4.

Sir,—l do not wish to prolong further the controversy which has recently been prominent in your columns on the subject of my article in Critic Oa July 10 on “Medical Education in Otago. ilie bringing of this matter to the attention ot the general public was not of my choosing, nor do I consider that any useful purpose has arisen from it. I would like, hoover to correct your statement in tne Daily Times of August 4 that Ine initials A. S. were appended to the original article in the student journal Critic.” The article in question was signed “ Hygeia,” and the initials ‘A.S. were used by Dr Eccles for the first time. —I am, etc., Hygeia. [The initials “A.S.” were wrongly interpreted as having been appended to an article in the student newspaper. Professor Eccles used them merely as an abbreviation of the term “Anonymous Student.” It is desirable also to point cut that Dr Brooks in his address to the Graduates' Association did not accuse students of using the word " fool as applied to Professor Eccles, and comment on such a basis is without substance. We regret that this error occurred.—Ed. O.D.T.]