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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 18, No. 2. March 18, 1954
Principal's Address . . . — "Take Part in Student Affairs"
Principal's Address . . .
"Take Part in Student Affairs"
On Monday, 8th March, the Principal of the College, Dr. "Jimmy" Williams, addressed the Freshers in his usual manner. The speech of welcome was as of old, some of the phrases verbally identical to those used last March, but nevertheless interesting to those who could hear.
Dr. Williams welcomed the students to the University of New Zealand, and pointed out that although the U.N.Z, is primarily a degree-conferring piece of machinery, V.U.C. is part of U.N.Z. Thus V.U.C. begins to take over where U.N.Z. leaves off. V.U.C., as with the other constituent colleges of the University of New Zealand, now, said the Principal, takes an increasing interest in what goes into a degree—liberal arts and science degrees were arranged to give the student as wide a general education as possible.
He requested students to take as general a part as possible in student affairs, In sporting life at the College and the cultural clubs. Toleration for "the other man." so essential for a critical and alert mind, can be mainly gained by full participation in student functions.
Among the distinguished ex-members of the College, Dr. Williams mentioned Professor MacLaurin, onetime President of the now world famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Hon. Mr. Marshall. M.P., the first ex-student of V.U.C. to gain Cabinet rank. Students should realise what a wealth of opportunity lies before them: it is up to the students themselves to make the most of it.
The differences between secondary school and the University were stressed by the speaker: here the students would have to do a certain amount of work outside the lecture rooms. Set books were provided for the various subjects: it was the duty of the student to assimilate them properly. "Books on learning are great matters: but it is the job of the university to promote learning." A sometimes fatal hesitancy on the part of students to approach members of the teaching staff was becoming more apparent.
Dr. Williams, in concluding, reiterated his contention that University life, more especially for the full-timer, would play a very important part in enabling the general student to better understand the world about him, his fellow-men, and, most Important, himself.
—Brian Shaw
"Salient" records herein its sincere sorrow at the news received on Sunday last that two members of the Academic staff had been killed in an aeroplane crash at Kulang airport, in Singapore. Professor R. O. McGechan, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Mr. W. F. Monk, senior lecturer in History were among the 31 passengers killed
To their relatives and friends we offer our sympathy.