UNIVERSITY SENATE

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 21

UNIVERSITY SENATE

- SIXTH DAY—JANUARY 22. The University Senate continued its proceedings on the 22nd, the Chancellor, Sir Robert Stout, presiding. NEW ENGLISH LITERATURE PERIOD. Mr von Haast moved: —"(a) That to the periods of. English literature be added a new period, 1640-1914: (b) that this addition take, effect in 1821 ; (c) that the professors of English bo asked, through the Board of Studies, to suggest the books for pass and honours to be taken with the period and the principal authors to be indicated." Professor Maemillian Brown seconded tho motion, and said that they now had a literary period that came to a clear termination. They should try to stir not merely students but professors into new grooves, and arouse new energy and enthusiasm. The motion was carried and subsequently referred to the Board of Studies. TOWEBS OF THE BOARD OP STUDIES. Professor Scott moved, in accordance with notice:—" That the Senate reaffirm its resolution of 1917, and again request the Government to amend the New Zealand University Act so that- the Senate may have power to deal with matters concernin" medical, dental, engineering, and mining professional education without receiving recommendations on such matters from the Board of Studies." Professor 6cott said he understood that* unless this resolution was reaffirmed the bill desired by the Senate would not go through owing to the opposition of the Board of Studies. Mr von Haast seconded the motion, -which was carried by a large majority after some debate. EDUCATION AND THE WOBKERS. The Rev! A. Cameron moved: "That a committee be appointed to consider the alterations, if any, which should be made in tho requirements for matriculation for students of mature age." Mr Cameron said that something ought to bo done to meet the very real need indicated. The groat majority of leaders in this country had been men who had had no connection yith uni-" versity life. The danger was . that the future of the country might fall into the hands of men who had very inadequate training, and who tfn-ough their very ability and earnestness might become a peril rather than a help to the. community. Mr von Haast, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and referred to a special committee. SCHOOL OF DENTAL SCIENCE. The Hon. Dr Collins introduced, without notice, those portions of the Medical, Dental, and Home Science Committees' reports relating solely to dentistry. The object of a proposed now statute governing the certificate of proficiency in dental surgery and the registration of dental students was explained by Mr O. V. Davies, acting director of the Dental School. Art amendment was rejected by a large majority, and thp clause adopted without alteration. The whole"''of the clauses under consideration were adopted and referred to the Statutes Committee. . COMMITTEE BEPOETS. The interim report of the Finance Committee, moved by Mr von Haast, contained tho following clauses: —"(a) That the number of junior scholarships to be offered in 1918 be 10; (b) that tho special scholarship awarded to Miss K. M. Curtis in lieu of the 1851 Exhibition Science Scholarship be extended for one year; (c) that the full fee be paid to each of the two examiners in medical and dental subjects, but. the halffee be paid to each of the two examiners in home science, as in the case of matriculation." —The report was adopted. DEGREES AND COMMERCE. The report of the Degrees and Commerce Committee was, presented by Professor H ; ght. The committee recommended inter alia that ability to read a modern language be henceforward required from B.Sc. candidates, this to bo decided by the teachers of modern languages in the student's college along with the© teachers of the 801015003' which he takes. The committee further recommended that in future 'there should be two examiners in English, one in lan" guage and one in literature, and proposed certain modifications of the syllabus for Advanced Economics and honours in History. WEDNESDAY—SEVENTH DAY. The Senate of the University of New Zealand continued its sittings at the Otago University library on Wednesday, the Chancellor, Sir Robert Stout, presiding. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr von Haast moved that every candidate for a degree presenting a science bo required to do during the long vacation some practical work in connection with agriculture, forestry, or a New Zealand industry to the satisfaction of his professor and to embody the results of his work in a written report. After some discussion, in which it was pointed out that students had to work hard during the recess to earn money, the motion was withdrawn. Mr von Haast moved that a candidate for B.A. be allowed to take both subjects^ —(a) jurisprudence and constitutional history, and (b) history.—Carried. Mr von Haast's motion—" That tho statute with reference to tho Arnold Atkinson memorial prize be treated as a case of emergency," was carried. CONFERRING OF DEGREES. Tho Chancellor conferred the following degrees :—M.A. with honours, Alfred Johnson Buchanan (Canterbury College) ; M. 8., Ch.B.—William Aitken, Ashley Aston Haworth, and Spenoer Tauria Parker, all of the university of Otago. LL.B Edward Opotiki Mousley (Victoria College). 8.50., George Bruce Dall (Victoria College). It was mentioned that Mr Mousley is now a prisoner of war in Turkey, and that Mr Dall has received his commission in the Royal Engineers. INTERCHANGE OF TEACHERS. Tho report of the Ad Eundem and Obituary Committee-submitted by the convener, the Rev. W. A. Evans, contained reference to the proposed scheme for the interchange of teachers among the Universities of the British Empire. . Mr Evans explained that the secretary of the University of Edinburgh had w-ritton asking certain questions with regard to after the war conditions in the educational world. The letter was sent with a view to securing more active cooperation in tho exchange of teachers. It was agreed to send tho subject matter of the letter on to the councils of tho various colleges for their consideration and report. EIGHTH DAY—THURSDAY. The Senato of the University of New Zealand continued its sittings in tho Uni-

versi'ty library on the 24th. The Vice-chan-ceJlor, Professor Macmillan Brown, presided in tho absence of the Chancellor, Sir Robert Stout. • It was resolved to instruct the Dunedin Recess Committee to frame a courso in social science for a degree. The question of granting a diploma in social science was referred to the same committee. The report of the committee on concessions in tho matriculation examination was also referred to the Recess Committee.. Tho object :s to enable those of "mature- age" to pass the examination as modified in their case, as it is hoped that working men and others might bo thereby encouraged to attend university classes. Tho Rev. A. Cameron, the mover of the adoption of the report, said he was not sure that tho time had not come when a man should not be allowed to take part in politics without some training in social science. On the other hand! it was contendod-that working men wanted knowledge, not a degree. DEGHEE EXAMINERS. ' A large number of examiners were recommended by. tho Medical, Dental, and Home Science Committee, and the list was finally adopted. "FLOATING" SENIOB scholarships. N Professor Segjar moved —" That the two\ senior scholarships no Icfnger awarded speci-\ lically for mathematics and physics respect tively shall in future be'awarded to such candidates in whatever subject as may seem to the Senate most deserving." The mover pointed out that the demand for scholarships varied greatly from year to year, and it would be very useful to have at least two scholarships to be awarded according to circumstances. Professor Hunter seconded tho motion, on the understanding that it took effect when the proposed change in scholarships came into operation. The motion was carried. DEGEEES. It was decided to award Major Aitken his degree, M. 8.. Ch.B., and to grant the D.P.H. to Dr Dorie" Gordon. Prescriptions for -papers in physical science and chemistry in the preliminary examination for the certificate in dentistry were adopted. GENERAL. The Senate dealt with a number of reports on various subjects, including a recommendation that a deputation wait upon the Government to urge the necessity for further funds for the work of the Workers' Educational Committee. The question of establishing a diploma of education was referred! to the Christchurch. Recess Committee. It was decided to hold the next annual session of the Senate at Christchurch on January 22. 1919. THE .CLOSING SESSION. The sessions ofMho University Senate of New Zealand was resumed in the University Library on Friday. Examiners were appointed for the 1919 Habens prize, and a number of questions of a more or lesa technical nature, largely in connection with matters previously discussed, were dealt with..