PART-TIME STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 5

PART-TIME STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY

A motion supporting the system of part-time study so prevalent in the New Zealand University was carried by a narrow majority in a debate in the Court of Convocation of Auckland University College last evening. The motion before the meeting was, “That while believing students should be encouraged to give full time to university work, this meeting is of the opinion that the best interests of university education in New Zealand will be served by the encouragement of the legitimate part-time student.”

Opening the debate Miss M. Crookes described a “legitimate” part-time student as one who was a part-time student by necessity. The standard of London University was very high, though it was largely composed of part-time students. A univeristy exclusive to whole-time students would become a class institution.

The example of the Scottish students was cited by Mr. W. A. Beattie, speaking against the motion, to show that lack of money need not prevent students from taking the benefit of fulltime study. Full-time study was better for the student himself.

The Rev. Dr. H. Ranston. who seconded Miss Crookes, said that 17 per cent, only of the students at the University College were whole-time students and if the college were closed to part-time students it would exclude a large class.

Mr. R. O. Sinclair declared that the reason why the standard of degree was so low in New Zealand lay in the part-time study system.