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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1936. Volume 7. Number 13.
Apathy and the Student
Apathy and the Student
Victoria's Attitude
We have found, among the members of the student body up here at Victoria so little evidence of a real apreciation of what Student representation on the College Council may mean, that we consider it necessary to devote more space and attention to the subject as a whole than our last week's editorial permitted.
Such a thing as a University Consciousness, by which we mean an understanding of the things implicit in the institution of a University, and further, the individual responsibilities attaching has never been a marked characteristic of Victoria.
This curious apathy, or is it carlessness, with which students have almost invariably treated their political life is something difficult to explain, or account for; difficult to analyse and prescribe for.
Take, for example, the recent election for the EDxecutive. The general indifference which it received was deplorable, although the Annual General Meeting relatively less important, received more emphasis.
It is ridiculous that, Students, having the right as they have, to run their own affairs to a certain extent, should chose to ignore their responsibilities and yet express indignation, subsequently, when affaire take a course which does not meet with their approval.
The failure of the procession is a case in point.
The wrong things receive the emphasis.
Much more interest is taken in the continually dishertening fate of the senior football team, than in the hopeful outlook provided by the imminence of student representation.
It is in the hope that students will develop a more appropriate interest in the subject, that the following article has been prepared:—
A Place in the Sun
"That the necessary steps be taken to make provision for one students' representative on the college council, such representative to b e nominated by the executive of the Students' Association and at the time of nomination to be either a student actually attending lectures or one who has within the preceding two years attended lectures to hold office for two years."
To the layman just another uninteresting and rather involved sentence. To the student the glorious achievement of the first step to official recognition of his humble existence. It is an achievement the importance of which cannot be over-estimated, and like most democratic rights it has been gained after a hard fight. "I remember 33 years ago bringing this matter up and fighting for it as a student," said the Hon. Mr. Justice Ostler when supporting the motion.
Now that this aloof assembly of patricians is to be invaded by one of the plebs, it is pertinent to consider briefly the constitution of the Council. Full details are give in the V.U.C. Calendar at page 175. It is interesting to note that included in the 15 members are one representative approved by the Wellington City Council, one representative elected by teachers of primary schools and two representatives elected by education boards. There will now be one students' representative when the Act is amended. It appears to be most peculiar that until a few weeks ago it was thought proper that a representative ppointed by the Wellington City Council or by primary school teachers had a greater title to a seat on the council than students. The council has authority "to act in such manner as appears to it to be best calculated to promote the interests of the college." And yet students who are the College, have just been allowed one representative.
What will be the results of student representation? Those who look for a palace revolution will be disappointed. Of course a great deal depends on the person appointed but it is the principle of the thing the matters—it is our right. The Council will lose its aura of sovereign aloofness. Students will be able to prove to the council that they are not overgrown schoolboys. Co-operation. Understanding. And then who knows!
An unusual note was sounded at the council meeting by Professor Hunter who "suggested that the proper body for students to be associated with if representation was wanted, was the Professorial Board." With that the writer heartily agrees. Coupled with council representation, student representation on the Professioral Board would be a recognition of students' rights and would achieve results that would bring benefits undreamed of to the college. If Proffessor Hunter can secure the support of the Professorial Board, he will provide the means for the greater understanding and co-operation so necessary for both professors and students.
Forward then to the brighter future of Victoria Univeristy College!
—J.N.S.