"Students Assn. Evening"

The Students' Association evening held in the Main Lecture Theatre last Monday was a much needed innovation in the orientation programme. For the first time freshers had the organisation and functions of the association explained to them; and what is more important they were able to see and hear for themselves exactlv who made up this mysterious 'guiding hand' which directs student affairs above our disinterested needs.

Yet in spite of this praiseworthy effort on the part of the Students' Association, it was disappointing to record that barely one-third of the nine hundred freshers who enrolled this year turned up at the official welcome by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. T. Williams.

It can be assumed that the other two-thirds of the fresher body will remain unacquainted with the officers and committee members of Students' Association (She'll be right, mate!). It is to be hoped that the characteristic antipathy of many Victoria students to varsity affairs has not already taken root among this year's freshers!

In his speech of welcome Dr. Williams stressed that although the main purpose of a university career is study, the student will gain full benefit of university life if he is prepared to take part in extra-curricular activity such as offered by the various clubs. He also pointed out that although students were spoken of as a privileged group, they were preparing themselves to nerve the community later on

Armour Mitchell, Acting-President of the Students' Association, then called on various members of Exec, to give brief talks on their spheres of business. Steve O'Regan spoke on the university publications, "Salient," an organ of student opinion which all students should supnort; "Spike," a more cultural publication due to appear after a prolonged absence at Easter; and "Cappicade" (sniggers). Diana Picton of the Culture Committee explained that students could voice complaints and suggest improvements about what they are taught, and the way they are taught, to the Education Sub-Committee. Little Congress, which is intended to hasten the process of integrating student thought, is also under her care. Cecilia Frost, who is in charge of the Social Committee, promised the revival of the fortnightly social once suitable facilities are available. Don Brooker spoke on the set-up of the sports organisation at Victoria, and the New Zealand Universities Sporting Union.