Future Problems

The effects of the imminent substantial increases in enrolment are going to be felt in two ways. In the first place the Library, built in 1920 when the total enrolment was of the order of 600 students, cannot seat more than 200. By accepted standards a University Library should be able to provide one seat for four students; this year the Library can provide one seat for thirteen, and unless there is some relief the figure will reach one for twenty.

In the second place the number of teaching staff is related directly to the number of students, and as enrolments increase, so do the number of lecturers. With the normal forecast increase in staff, every staff study will be occupied by the end of 1959, with every room that can be shared being shared.

These two are the main factors leading to the, consideration of limiting student numbers. This University has never turned students away, but the question of the University's obligation to the student body is becoming more pressing. At what point does the swamping of Library facilities lead to a deterioration of standards that can only be detrimental to all students attending the University? And at what point does an adverse staff-student ratio bring about the same effect?