Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol. 38, No. 18. July 23rd 1975

Murmurs from the Prof. Board

Murmurs from the Prof. Board

Beware all student motorcyclists - the heavy hand of bureaucracy is about to strike. The following motion came up for discussion at last Thursday's meeting of the Professorial Board:

"that the Board strongly urge that the parking of motorcycles in the Rankine Brown Courtyard be stopped and the goods entrance to Easterfield be moved to the Kelburn Parade side of the building so that the courtyard can be entirely free of vehicles and developed with paving and planting."

Now this is quite a fine sentiment. But there is only one small snag- what to do with the hundreds of motorcycles that are now parked there. The suggestion was that they all be moved to the staff car park, and that the staff find alternate parking, didn't meet with a very positive response. Instead the idea of a beautified courtyard was so appealing to members of the Board (except to the two professors who ride motorbikes) that the motion was passed. While one critic of the motion described it as "Cavalier". Professor Munz was so enthralled by the idea of landscaping the courtyard that he proposed that the whole area be covered by a glass roof, so that all sorts of convivial things could go on in shelter and comfort underneath - but his motion lapsed for want of a seconder. All current motorcyclists who park in the courtyard need not worry too much at the moment however - if things move with the usual speed, nothing will be done for a long while yet.

Other matters also raised at the meeting - of more serious concern in particular was the following recommendation:

"Thar the present Calendar, already approved by the Board for 1976, be continued for a further three year period, viz 1977, 1978 and 1979."

This was passed, and what it means is that the present mixture of terms, vacations and examinations will remain until 1980 at least. Now, as everyone is aware this system is an extremely uncomfortable combination of three terms, and a two-semester system with the year split into teaching and examining halves. It is thus neither a complete end-of-the-year exam system, nor a proper semester system but a mixture of both. This 'hybrid' or compromise has had a whole host of ill effects on university life - heavy workloads, increased pressure on staff and students, decline in student activity and so on. And yet, despite all this, the go-ahead was given to continue this state of affairs for another five years, a truly incomprehensible decision.

A brighter note was reached when the Committee on the status of academic women produced its report. The fruits of its nearly two years of research were well presented and very interesting. The Report deals with the position of women in society and their position in the University and the way in which social attitudes subtly discourage women from pursuing academic careers. For instance it points out how women academics spend much longer periods as Junior Lecturers and move more slowly through the Lecturer and Senior Lecturer grades; how only 3% of professors and 6% of Associate professors and Readers are women. These facts and others like them are not to be explained by any sexist conspiracy on the part of male academics but rather point to a whole complex of social attitudes, sex role stereotypes, and educational patterns. In its recommendations, the Committee proposed a number of ways of remedying the situation. These ranged from providing for adequate creche facilities and maternity leave, to provision for part-time academic positions so that women with families will be able to pursue academic careers. Discussion on the report was brief however because most of its recommendations will be raised at the next Board meeting. It is hoped that copies of this excellent report will be available to all interested staff and students.

Among other matters discussed by the Board were those relating to the University's overall development, the use of calculators, the examination timetable, and other problems large and small. Any students who feel their reps. might be of any possible assistance are encouraged to approach their following representatives on the Board:
  • Gyles Beckford
  • Pip Desmond
  • Pat Martin