Student Welfare Services

Dr A.J.W. Taylor, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Victoria University, spoke on the problems faced by homosexuals in New Zealand society. Placing an emphasis on the family relationships in early childhood as a causal factor in the homosexual condition Professor Taylor suggested that the problem is used by society as a way of establishing its primacy in matters of private morality.

Dr B. Fleming, director of Student Health Services at Victoria University, outlined the scope of the work undertaken by the service. On the question of student payment for treatment he emphasised that student health services must be seen as part of the overall welfare services for students. He said that if the health services are singled out as an area for which students should pay then their objectives are singled out as being different from those of other welfare services. The doctors with the service must have the freedom to interpret and meet needs and this freedom is lost where there is student payment.

Mr B. Stothart, Assistant Physical Recreation Officer at Victoria University, referred to the variety of activities available at the university gymnasium, and to his hopes for increased facilities in the future—particularly a second gymnasium and a swimming pool. About 20 per cent of students used the gymnasium, said Mr Stothart—a figure that compares favourably with other universities. Among the new facilities hoped for are an outdoor ski slope, a rifle range, billiards, and all-weather training services.

Two speakers from Alcoholics Anonymous, both university graduates, spoke on their role in helping other alcoholics to recover and return to useful life. Referring to the feelings of personal loneliness they both experienced they traced their early experiences through from the "drinks with the boys" to the patterns of compulsive drinking that developed, and suggested that the first step in reducing the scope of the problem was to develop an intelligent approach to alcohol while young.

Miss D. Dawbin, Assistant Liaison Officer at Victoria University, stressed the difficulties resulting from the increasing numbers of sixth and seventh formers intending to go to university-more than 10 per cent of the third form in take—and the consequent time and space problems faced by Victoria's liaison officers who have to discuss courses with the pupils of 93 schools.

Miss R. Swatland of the Student Counselling Service at Victoria University spoke on the function of the service in the prevention and treatment of emotional disturbance She stressed the need for welfare services to combat loneliness, which she said was the main human problem facing students, and referred with praise to the Students' Association information and referral service—Contact.

Miss A. Scars, former Research Officer for the Society for Research on Women, outlined the range of problems associated with illegitimacy. She referred to the financial problems of solo parents, the question of the tasteless exploitation of sex in advertising, the issue of the welfare of the child, the particular difficulties of the unmarried pregnant girl in a small community, and the issue of sex education.

On the question of pre-marital and extra-marital sex Miss Sears referred to the NZUSA booklet "Living with Sex" and said there were few books which she ad seen on male and female relationships which put the information so succinctly and well.

The Seminar itself, organised by NZUSA's Welfare Officer. John Eade, provided opportunities for Executive members and elected officers of all constituents to assess the developments needed in welfare work on their own campus.