E.—7a

70

Geographical difficulties in way of University Faculties.

Unfortunately, the wide distances which separate the constituent colleges make it impossible to use the University Faculty as is done in universities where all teaching is centred in one locality. A University Faculty consisting of all the principal teachers of the subjects contained within the Faculty can, especially if distingished graduates outside the University teaching ranks are co-opted upon it, be made most effective in advising the Council or the Academic Board upon all matters pertaining to the studies within its scope, and the administration incidental thereto. But if the conditions in New Zealand make it impossible for single University Faculties to function, we think that every college should have its definite organization of College Faculties, which shall report on matters referred to it by either the Council or the Professorial Board, in addition to having concern over all matters pertaining to the studies and examinations within its scope. Moreover, if it is too expensive in money and in time to arrange for joint meetings of similar College Faculties except on special occasions when conditions for degree courses are under review, they should be able|to work out some suitable arrangement to keep in touch with one another, and with their representatives on the Academic Board. The case of the Special Schools, such as medicine and engineering, is different. They, happily, have only one Faculty to consider, and this can function in the mode usual in a well organized university. A few words on the principle of co-option upon the Faculties of persons other than University teachers may be offered. Normally, Faculty membership consists of the .heads of departments, professors, and independent lecturers within the school represented. In some of the Australian universities the practice has been adopted of inviting a strictly limited number of distinguished graduates to join the Faculty. This is especially valuable in the case of the professional schools. The men chosen are usually leaders in their profession, and the object in associating them with the Faculty is to bring to bear upon all questions as to the suitability of university courses and examinations, the matured opinion of the profession concerned. In Melbourne University all of the Faculties are broadened and strengthened by this method. The regulation bearing upon the matter is as follows: "With the object of obtaining the services of those who possess expert knowledge and who are not teachers in the University, the Council may, after consultation with the respective Faculties, appoint not more than four additional members of the Faculty of Arts, not more than three additional members of the Faculty of Science, not more than three additional members of the Faculty of Law, not more than twelve additional members of the Facility of Engineering, and not more than three additional members of the Faculty of Commerce, who shall hold office for three years, and shall be eligible for reappointment, provided that no member thus appointed shall be a member of any other Faculty." It is further provided that all members of the supreme governing body or Council of the Melbourne University who are legally qualified members of the various professions shall be entitled to a seat on the appropriate Faculty. This has been a very valuable means of keeping the governing body in close touch with academic opinion. The College Faculty should be the body to advise the Council of the College on all matters affecting staff and appointments within the Faculty. The considerations we adduce later which in our opinion should govern the relations of the University Council to the Academic Board are applicable to the relations between the College Council on the one hand and the Professorial Board and Faculties on the other. The most efficient college administration, we believe, will be found to be that under which the Council acts with the advice of the Professorial Board and Faculties and delegates academic details to them. An essential part of the constitution which we recommend is the Academic Board. This Board is to be representative of the teaching staff, and is to have the oversight of all academic matters and act as an advisory Board to the Council. In the evidence submitted to us will be found complaints that the present governing body of the University, the Senate, interfered unduly with academic details, to the prejudice of University teaching. In recent years a Board of Studies has been constituted, and we learn that, on the whole, this has worked smoothly and well. The Academic Board should consist of the Principal of the University, who should be Chairman, and twenty members, being professors elected by the professors

Co-option of distinguished graduates upon Faculties recommended.

An Academic Board essential in new constitution.

Constitution of the Academic Board.