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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 18, No. 12. September 6, 1954
Bursaries
Bursaries
Mr. Brewster gave a summary of events to date, and after general discussion, Mr. Dalgety (Res. Exec.) suited the two bases for our case as he saw them: first, redistribution and reorganisation involving the points merit versus a general grant and part-timers versus full-timers; secondly, he asked, is an increase in bursaries, in general, valid economically?
At this point Dr. Currie. Vice-Chancellor of the U.N.Z., was welcomed by the President, Mr. Eric Ireland, and the meeting went into committee to hear a letter from Mr. Algie on the subject of bursaries. Dr. Currie then gave a very valuable address on the general subject of bursaries. Following this a subcommittee was set up consisting of one member of each delegation and Messrs. O'Brien and Brewster, of Resident Executive.
The sub-committee reported back later with the following recommendations: (A) A reconsideration of the present merit system of awarding full-time national bursaries of £30 cash payment annually, with a view to raising the standard of bursary award.
| (2) | This is to be done by having all students sit an external examination such as the scholarship exam, prior to leaving school, and a £30 cash payment would be made, based on the results, to those students qualifying. The standard of qualification would depend upon the number of ordinary bursaries available and' their value. |
| (3) | Following the first year at University, each student would have his bursary reviewed and reconsidered on the basis of the results of the Stage I examinations. Three Stage I or equivalent units successfully completed would be considered as the basis of continuance or award of the bursaries (i.e., even without an initial bursary, a student of merit could qualify for a second-year bursary). In addition, students whose secondary education was carried out overseas and who are at present not eligible for ordinary bursaries, would be considered following the first year on the same basis as above. |
| (4) |
The number of Junior and National Scholarships based on the moneys available and on the number of first and second class honours graduates. Further that the number of boarding bursaries be increased from 65 to 200 annually with the proviso that the moneys are available for increasing the value of the present bursaries before increasing the number. |
| (5) | That those receiving boarding bursaries and scholarships would receive additional moneys if hardship were experienced in continuing their studies. That is a combined merit and means test. For students receiving the ordinary bursaries a special hardship fund be established of approximately £10,000 annually to be earmarked from the present bursary grant. This fund would be administered by the individual College Councils. |
| (6) | Special Bursaries: That special bursaries granted by the Education Department be abolished. |
| (7) | That "tied" bursaries be retained as at present. |
| (8) | That all fees at present payable by the Education Department remain for those who have gained their University Entrance examination, with the proviso that in the event of failure of any subjects the present moneys payable for taking alternative subjects in the Arts course would be cancelled. |
These recommendations were adopted as a basis for further negotiations.