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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 28, No. 2. 1965.

Third Leader

Third Leader

A University at Colgate, near New York, is worried about its students. In particular, it is worried about its students' inhibitions. It is so worried that, rather than provide a student counselling service like Victoria does, it instead requests, nay demands, that for four weeks in the academic year the students let fly at anything, anything at all, that inhibits them.

They are exhorted to do what they like. Two examples are given—cutting down trees, and playing a guitar, but it is stressed that the students must feel free to do whatever is necessary to ensure that they return to work rid of all inhibitions.

The two examples given are very different. The inhibitions of one student which can be relieved by strumming the thrings, or thrumming the strings, or whatever it is one does on a guitar, are evidently quite different from the inhibitions of another student who has to indulge in tree-felling in an effort to return to sanity.

This all sounds rather wonderful and a wishful imagination that puts the scheme into operation here at Victoria. Now you can do what you like about your inhibitions. They are your problem. But as for mine—and I have several—I have a few plans which should rid me of my heavier psychological restrictions. Firstly, I propose to dynamite the Easterfield Block. The bang will be emotionally satisfying, and the rubble could be posted to Auckland as an ersatz substitute for the Science block which the Government can't afford to build.

Then I shall throw darts with John Masefield's poetry written on them at Weir House from various near regions of the City. By then I will be well on the road to emotional recovery, so that if I disclose our town plan to lust a fewpeople (keeping it undisclosed has really been very trying for me) I may once again be ready and able to face the world with all its rigours.

One small thing worries me, though. I know, my psychologist knows, even the University at Colgate knows, that these actions are essential to my mental well-being. But what will the Public think? They might disapprove, and perhaps even label me as irresponsible. And that would be bad for me. Psychologically, I mean.