Locked Out of the Library

It is a matter of some concern that during the 'varsity year the college libraries close on Saturdays at 12.30 p.m.

It appears that most of the rules and regulations which govern the use of college facilities are based on the fiction that the university is for the "full-time" student only. Ideally perhaps it is, but in fact, at least so far as V.U.C. is concerned, most of the students are "part-timers". I have no wish to become involved in a Full-Timers v. Part-Timers controversy, but I do suggest that the requirements of the part time student are entitled to as much consideration as those of the full-time student, if for no other reason than the fact that both have to comply with the same standard of scholarship and the same Scale of Fees.

Whether or not the part-time student is part-time by choice or necessity is immaterial, his opportunity to utilize college facilities is sufficiently limited—most of his lectures and tutorials are in the late afternoon or early evening thus frequently excluding him from using the libraries at night—without being further penalised by what appears to be an arbitrary rule, namely that the college must close on a Saturday at 12.30 p.m. (sharp).

The main reason why more use is not made of the college on Saturday mornings probably lies in the fact that for most a trip to V.U.C. involves a considerable amount of travelling time which, coupled with 12.30 p.m. closing, makes such a trip on a Saturday morning unprofitable.

On the other hand, if the college were open until 5 p.m. or p.m. (or even later) on a Saturday the parttime students' difficulties mentioned above would for the most part be eliminated. I have no doubt that the opportunity to use the college libraries all day on a Saturday would also be welcomed by a large number of full-time students as well.

J. T. Devine.