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President

There was an item on TV recently about Otago's Capping Revue. The concert figured male ballerinas performing rather incredible contortions, remotely connected with dancing. But the item was noteworthy, not because of the concert's humour, but because the Capping Revue was the last one to be held in the country. Capping and the varsity revue used to be the social highlight of every university's year, but even the bastion of capping activities—Otago University—has had to scale down its programme. Why?

Let's look at Victoria's capping. In 1970 there used to be a capping magazine, a procesh, charity raising activities, raft race, numerous capping stunts, drinking horn, pub crawl and the ball. Virtually the the whole university took a week off to take part in a festive and exciting time. It was an opportunity for students to meet other students and to feel part of the university. What happend this year?

The powers that be in the University decided that the 2 hour free period scheduled in past years for the procession, should be dropped due to the lack of any procession in recent years. The university could have decided to keep that free period for another capping activity, but it decided not to. Though that does not really affect capping significantly it typifies the attitude of this University.

What did affect capping was the fact that last week of term was one of the busiest for students in terms of cramming for tests and completing assignments. Though most of the capping activities were well attended and highly enjoyed, a whole university taking part, was a long way off—because most students were in the library.

Students don't ask for much, and they receive even less. They asked for a 2 hour free period on Wednesdays from 12-2 so that any student could attend and vote on Association policy. Every year that free period has been encroached upon, until now tutorials, labs and even tests are scheduled at that time. Internal assessment and a total lack of regards for students by this university has made this place a cultural, social, political and sporting desert. Let's make this University look after students, not just degrees and staff members.

Come to SRC on Wednesday where we will be discussing these questions. It's up to us to restore student life—the University bureaucrats won't do it for us.

Lindy Cassidy