N.Z. UNIVERSITY MUST BE IMPROVED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 19, 23 January 1946, Page 4

N.Z. UNIVERSITY MUST BE IMPROVED

THE SENATE’S RESOLVE THIRD RATE STANDARD NOW FIVE-YEAR PLAN PROPOSED (P.A. Auckland, Jan. 22. "We are attempting to administer a third-rate university, and it is time we set to work to raise the standard,” said the Chancellor, Mr. Justice Smith, in speaking to a resolution which he moved beiore the University Senate:—

“That the executive, after consulta. tion with the Academic Board and the College Councils, should bring down a five-year policy for the university, to be dealt with at a special meeting of the senate.” The resolution was seconded by the pro-Chancellor, Dr. J. Hight (Christchurch), and carried unanimously. "I have felt, for a long time, that the university was proceeding without any comprehensive view of the policy it was pursuing, and no definite idea of what it was really aiming for,’’ said Mr. Justice Smith. “That impression was deepened when I examined the extent to which our university is equipped by compariso'n with other universities. The teachers are overburdened men, with classes larger than they can handle. C~te professor In Victoria College has 300 students in English to teach. It is impossible for the professor to give proper university education when he is hampered in this way. All of our professors are over-burdened with teaching, and then doubly overburdened with admihistrative work. The vice-chancellor of the University is also the principal of Victoria College, and how he finds time to do ail the work that is needed is hard to understand."

The vice-chancellor, Sir Thomas Hunter: He does not do it all. The chancellor quoted cases of other professors whose time was taken up with answering letters, and said there was need for a business man of academic standing to survey all the departments in each college to epse this clerical burden on the teaching staffs. To remedy the state’ of affairs existing it would be necessary to examine the standard of entrance. It was this which determined the number of buildings and the quantity of equipment required. He did not, however, suggest raising the standard merely to reduce the applicants. The appointment of fulltime heads for all colleges was essential, and these men should be paid up to £2OOO a year. “Then we need someone who could decide what finance is required," the chancellor continued. "There is need, too, for publicity. We are not appreciated by the public as a whole; we have no public enthusiasm behind us, and to get this we must explain to the public what we mean to do." Lack of finance was the root of the whole trouble, said Mr. A. E. Flower (Christchurch). Progress within the university in the las- 25 years had been enormous, and the funds allowed were now not nearly commensurate with needs.

SENATE MEETING CONCLUDES

(P.A.) • Auckland, Jan. 22. The University Senate, which has been meeting in Auckland since last Thursday, concluded its business today. Some of the delegates returned south to-night, and the others will leave to-morrow. The 1947 conference will he held in Christchurch.