Salient: Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Vol. 24, No. 9. 1961

Vic. for Ever!

Vic. for Ever!

Sir,—The mayor has proposed that the name of our university be changed from Victoria U. of W. to U. of W. The reason given was to "forge a stronger link between the university and Wellington and evoke in citizens a greater pride in their association with the university." Is the mere dropping of the name "Victoria" really going to achieve this? Or are there other and more valid reasons yet to be explained?

So what, we're Victorians in an Elizabethan world. Why take away what little individuality, what small entity we have?

The universities of New Zealand will soon be antonomous—do we, just because the others are nameless, have to become another geographical anonymity—like U. of Auckland, U. of Otagi—just to conform.

This move to erase the fair name of "Victoria" comes from outside the university—is Vic. itself to have no say? Why this "hideous conspiracy" to deny us our name?

No one would benefit from a change. It would be a definite loss to the university. As far as practicability and general usage is concerned "Victoria" is greatly superior to "Wellington University"—who can imagine yelling "Wellington" in preference to "Vic." at tournament? And lastly, there is the absurd fact that Vic. is ours and we are quite inexplicably attached to the name.

—M.B.

[See page 1.—Ed.]