Professor Clark's Lecture

Under the auspices of the V. U. C. Graduates' Association Professor Clark, M. S. Ph. D., gave a lecture on September 5th entitled "University College Life in America." The Gymnasium was well filled to welcome Professor Clark on his first public address, and the subject was on which he is well qualified to speak, having so recently come from Harvard University. Mr. Eichelbaum, who was in the chair, introduced the speaker and welcomed him on behalf of all the students. The Professor began his address by pointing out the differences between the American Collegesand Universitives, a distinction which does not exist in New Zealand. The American Colleges grant degrees only up to B. A. standard the University grant the higher degrees. He also showed the difference between New Zealand and American in regard to the system of conducting examinations—in the latter place the oral examination is largely used, especially in the examination for Doctor's degrees. There are also great differences as regards the teaching staff, in America there are Assistant Professors and Instructors. Professor Clark did much to clear up our ideas in regard to many terms used in connection with American Universities which we have hitherto read of in books and magazines, but only understood in a vague way. He described the four classes of students Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen, and the hostile attitude of each class to the one above it. The lighter side of College life was also described and illustrated with amusing anecdotes, the "hazing" of residential life (which is unknown in N. Z. University Colleges), and also the boycotting of women students, which goes on at some of the more benighted American Universities. The national sport of America—baseball—is naturally largely indulged in by the students of Universities, and the great football page 37 match between Yale and Harvard Universities attracts enormous crowds each year, almost any sum being paid for a seat.

At the conclusion, Mr. Clement Watson, Chairman of the College Council, thanked the Professor for his most interesting lecture, and the audience endorsed his remarks enthusiastically.