VICTORIA COLLEGE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 62, 14 March 1934, Page 10

VICTORIA COLLEGE

GRADUATES' MEETING

COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

ASKED TO EETIEE

Resolutions requesting the retirement of certain members of the Victoria University College Coun- ■- , cil and recommending student representation on the council and advocating the maintenance of academic freedom and protesting - against "recent attacks on the freedom of expression inside the college were carried at a meeting of the Court of Convocation of the Victoria University District (the graduates of the college), held on Friday night. The members of the college council referred to are Mr. Justice Ostler, Mr. A. Fair, K.C., Solicitor-General, Mr! P. Levi, the chairman, and Mr. S. Eichelbaum. They are the present representatives of the Court of Convocation. In the resolution that was passed appreciation is expressed of their services, but they are requested to retire and to offer themselves as may be desired for re-election. ' The meeting was attended by 79 graduates, and was-held at the .college. THE RESOLUTIONS. The text of the resolutions carried at the meeting was made available to a Jw^-— reporter today- Uis as fol- . y"ln view of the fact that no organisation representing graduates is taking an active part in university life this meeting of the District Court of Convocation resolves to set up a standS^TSStJ? fiTe persons whose (i) To keep in touch with all matters affecting the University; (ii) To recommend nominations of representatives of the Court on the College Council; (iii) To arrange a general meeting of convocation at least once during each college year. • . "This meeting affirms that it is the first duty of a university to maintain academic freedom, including the right of discussion in matters of current controversy; that, as far as the teaching : staff is concerned, the tolerance that has been characteristic of English universities is the minimum that should be conceded; that, so long as they keep the law, students should be permitted and encouraged to control their own affairs; that this meeting protests against recent attacks on the freedom of expression inside the college and that any direction from the college council or other authority that conflicts with these vital principles should be rescinded; and that in particular the letter from the chairman of the Professorial Board to the Students' Association dated October 19, 1933, should be withdrawn." "This meeting of graduates resolves: (1) That to facilitate satisfactory relations between the student body and the college authorities, provision should be made at the earliest possible date for student representation on the College Council in accordance with the- unani^ mous recommendation •of the Boval Commission on University Education, set up by the Government in 1925; (2) that a copy of this resolution be forwarded direct to the Government as well as to the College Council; and (3> that, pending legislation to give effectto the University Commission's recommendation in this matter, it is desirable-, that the- District-Court of Convocation should elect as one of its four! representatives on the College Council either the person (if qualified for election) who for the time being holds office as president of the Students' Association, or some other eligible person approved by the association. ■ "While expressing appreciation of the services of the present representatives of the District Court of Convocation on the College Council, the Court of Convocation requests that these-re-presentatives should retire, offering themselves as may be desired for reelection; and that, a copy of this part of the resolution be forwarded to eack. of the present representatives."