Research officer appointed

By NZSPA Bob Dey and Judie Falloon

A new position, NZUSA Educational Research Officer, was set up at Easter Council.

An additional levy may be placed on students to help finance the position, if existing funds are insufficient.

The caution of constituents about the matter was expressed in a motion "That before appointment of the Educational Research Officer is completed, NZUSA shall draw up detailed conditions of appointment to be circularised to all constituents, approval for these to be obtained by postal ballot before an appointment can be made."

The Officer will be paid $2,400.

Auckland President Ross McCormick opposed any proposal to raise levies on students in constituent universities.

"Auckland is absolutely and completely opposed to any increase in levies,'' he said.

"We have just got back on our feet."

The problem of a correct name for the proposed new office caused concern to several delegates. Educational Research Officer or Information Officer were the two main contenders.

Canterbury's Lindsay Wright claimed the new officer would not be one involved in research but in finding and presenting information required by NZUSA.

Immediate past-President Ross Mountain replied, "Whatever hypocrisy there may be, people like the term Research Officer better."

Discussing the new position, NZUSA's current Education Vice-President Edna Tait said, "The work-load and the things that need to be done are so incredible, you could have 25 full-time Education Vice-Presidents and the work still not be done. At the moment, you are only getting superficial, partial coverage."

With the new office, she said, "Perhaps you will get one thing in depth, and that's more than you're getting at the moment. Research is slow, methodical, accurate work."

Otago's Lady Vice-President Virginia Blakely suggested that, "Unless you've somebody trained in statistics, this position is going to be worthless."

Another subject considered by Education Commission at Easter was Accrediting.

"Accrediting is a thoroughly bad system but alternatives are formidable", said Canterbury's Lindsay Wright.

Delegates showed concern that school pupils could use the entrance qualification for other things. They also showed concern at the self-confidence imbued by the accrediting system.

"They think they're better than those who have to sit the exam and they decide to go to University but they crap out all over," Auckland observer Anne Waters commented.

"I'm not saying the people who are accredited are incapable of passing units," she added hastily as the accredited members of the Commission moved to attack her across the table.

On the subject of examination, guest speaker to the Commission Dr. Allan Robinson said, "Given the staff-student ratio you have at the moment, any other system than examinations would be rather burdensome on the staff. You might find difficulties on the basis of practicality."

Dr Robinson is executive Vice-President of the Association of University Teachers (AUT).