UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 30

UNIVERSITY SENATE.

MEETING AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, May 23. The New Zealand University Senate met to-day, Professor Macmillian Brown (chancellor) presiding. Professor T. A. Hunter moved —“That for all university examinations, except matriculation and entrance, the pass mark shall be 50 per cent.” He said that at present there were two pass marks, of 40 and 50 per cent. It was the practice in law, medicine, and accountancy to require 50 per cent., but in the arts course the practice varied. Professor Wall opposed making a standard. Different pass marks might be desired by examiners. The motion was lost by 15 votes to four. The Senate agreed in regard to the recommendation of the Wellington Committee as to alleged irregularities in connection with examinations that the chief supervisor in each centre be asked to submit to the local committee his list of assistant supervisors, and his proposed arrangement for the approval of the local committee.

THE ACCDETING SYSTEM. WELLINGTON, May 27. The University Senate adopted the recommendations of the Entrance Examination Committee, first stating that the procedure which would be adopted in secondary schools (as- outlined in the replies of the heads of these schools to the committee’s circular) if the system of accrediting were established is quite satisfactory; but in view of the changes pending in the matriculation examination and the establishment of a Secondary Schools’ Board, the committee does not recommend any further action at present. The procedure would be approximately as follows: —Certificates would be given as the result of both written and oral examinations. Teachers would be consulted in determining the results, and written examinations would be conducted by the members of staffs under the general supervision of the departmental inspectors. The procedure is the same as for the higher leaving certificates. The committee also recommended that the date for the operation of the changes in the science prescriptions at entrance examinations be 1928 for the entrance scholarship and 1927 for matriculation. As a safeguard against possible error the marks of examination papers should be forwarded to all principals of schools as well as to candidates, and examiners should be reminded of the necessity of checking results before finally submitting them. SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED. WELLINGTON, May 27. The Senate awarded the senior scholarship in contracts and torts to J. R. Drummond. of the Auckland University College, and the senior scholarship in Roman law to H. J. Butler, of the Auckland University College. An additional senior scholarship in mathe* matics was awarded to Flora M. Wilson, of the Victoria College. The subject for the Arnold Atkinson memorial prize essay this year will be “What is the policy of Australia and New Zealand towards the international problem of the Pacific?” STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATION. * WELLINGTON, May 29. At the University Senate meeting Mr FA. De la Mare (Hamilton) moved—‘‘That this senate approves of the representation of students’ associations on university college councils.” He said students had something to complain about in not having representation. .An educated body like a university council should be prepared to allow university students to participate in its work. Objections to the proposal were merely theoretical. Sir Robert Stout seconded the motion, and said they had a very good precedent for what was proposed in.the University of Scotland The Txird Rector was elpoted by matriculated students, and a majority prevailed If chief officers could be elected, in that way he could see not reason to object to the present motion. He thoroughly believed in students taking a part of the responsibility, and then probably capping scenes not pleasant to read about would not take place. Professor T. A. Hunter was in favour of the motion, but did not think the. senate should be too hasty in expressing an opinion, as it had done .in February. Therefore he moved that the motion carried in February dissenting from the proposal to favour the representation of students be rescinded.

Professor Alpie seconded this motion. The Chancellor ruled that Professor Hunter’s motion should take precedence, and it was carried by 10 votes to 8. Mr De la Mare then withdrew his motion, and by genera] agreement no further motion was passed*