UNIVERSITY EDICT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1932, Page 3

UNIVERSITY EDICT

RE PUBLIC STATEMENTS

BY MEMBERS OF STAFF,

AUCKLAND, May 17.

The Auckland University Council, in committee, discussed the matter of a foreword contributed by a lecturer on its staff to a political pamphlet relating to Russia published recently in Auckland.

The matter was considered in conse■quence of a letter received from the Minister of Education;

The president (Sir George Fowlds) reported that he had replied to the •Minister and had al'o .sent a memorandum to all members 'of the staff, xhe memorandum in part was as follows: “It is : my penspnal opinion that- any public .statement, by a member of the college staff, either under the address of the college or .in his capacity as a private citizen, should be made only after a full and thorough examination of all known information. It should be a reasoned statement, giving both sides of the. question. The University attitude should be detached and impersonal.

‘T regard recognition by the staff of the responsibilities referred to in this memorandum as a matter of vital instance and as- being intimately related to the question of fitness for the tenure of a University post. Finally, my fixed purpo-e is to maintain and uphold our old-established University right of an academic freedom.”

A resolution passed by the Professorial -Board expressing sympathy with the principles of the memorandum and loyal co-operation with the president was received.