Welcome to New Students

In the absence of John Hercus, the President of V.U.W.S.A., it is my pleasant duty to Welcome new students to Victoria on behalf of the Students' Association. The duty is certainly a pleasant one, for we have for the first time in the history of Victoria student facilities unrivalled in New Zealand, and these will be a far more tangible form of welcome than any words written here. With the best multi-purpose gymnasium in Welligton, a Student Union Building incorporating committee rooms, common rooms, Students' Association offices, a large modern cafeteria, and the best Little Theatre in New Zealand, if not Australasia, there is no need for me to describe these facilities in detail, as you will all be using them In a very few weeks when, I am sure, their qualities will be obvious.

I hope that by the time you are reading this, you will have overcome the difficulties of finding suitable accommodation, and that you will have earned enough money to keep you at University, or if you are part-time, you will have a satisfactory job. For those of you having trouble in these directions, I would like to remind you of the help and information available at the Students' Association office on these, and indeed any other problems which can arise while you are settling in.

During the first week of lectures, the Students' Association runs its Orientation Week functions. These include tours of the University, an official welcome and Students' Association evening, lectures on methods of study, the use of the library, university administration, a church service, freshers' social and, of course, the freshers' ball. Naturally, the success of Orientation Week depends on a full attendance of new students at all these functions, and I strongly recommend them all to you.

One small request. You will all become members of the Students' Association when you enrol. The Association is run by students. Unless you, as students, give some active support to its activities and clubs, you cannot in fairness expect to derive any benefit from the Association's functioning. While no student must forget that his or her purpose at university is to obtain a degree, a certain amount of time away from study is equally essential. Finally, may I wish you all a most enjoyable and successful year.

Armour Mitchell, Acting-President.