Cramped University Cannot Be Useful

Chronicle (Levin), 5 October 1949, Page 5

Cramped University Cannot Be Useful

Received Tuesdav, 7 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 4. Lack of staff and of aceommodation, was handicapping the usefulness of the University and creating problems . which must be faeed at once if its higli repirtation at home and abroad was to ' remain unimpaired, said tlie YiceUhancellor of Cambridge, Dr. O. E. ( ltaven, in liis address to the Senate. So long as the present routine business ' of the University eontinued — and he . saw no prospect of it diminishing — tlie ! machine was overworked and under- J staffed, said Rr. Raven. This meant that there was no possible opportunity for an adequate diseussion on long term and large scale issues because tliose who ouglit to be talcing tlie lead in such discussions, had neither tlie time nor the opportunity to do so. It ivas plainly the duty of tlie University to safeguard academie freedom and to inaintain priniary and disinterested researcli, Yet too often tliey saw their oi vn resources and discoveries neglected and misused and their education dictated or distorted by professional, technical and praetical needs. Dr. Raven suggested that the University authorities sliould, without further delay, seek advice and assistance from persons of liigh position outside the University, who had tlie knowledge they did not possess 'and who, lie believed, would respond eagerly to a request for advice. Stressing the problems created bv lack of aceommodation, Dr. Raven said they were still able to aceept only oue applicant in twelve and all their buildings were crammed to capacity.