VARSITY PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1933, Page 2

VARSITY PROBLEM

EARNING FEES, FOR STUDY

AN AMERICAN SOLUTION

AUCKLAND,. March 25

A very interesting American plan for ©nabling a student t° work his way through a college* course is described by Mr M. Rocket O’Shea, registrar of Auckland University ■ College, in his rejport upon lunivorsity administration abroad.

IThe system is followed at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, which Mr O'Shea visited in' the course of his tour. Ninety per cent, of the student body is formed into two division, which alternate, in periods of -about five weeks, between study fn the college and work in outside-positions. This work is at the current rates of wages and mostly in the near by city of Dayton or one of the other neighbouring communities, although a few positions are as far away as Cleveland or <} ven Philadelphia. Two students take turns in each position. As a result, the full college course occupies six yeans, instead of the, usual four, but exceptionally able and industrious students finish in five. Anothe r feature is that with a given equipment the college can deal with twice the number of students that it could in the ordinary way. The positions are of almost any conceivable kind, from farming to stenography. It is found in practice that on the whole th e interruptions are a benefit to study and prevent staleness. The students are brought into contact with workaday life throughout their cortege career and learn to correlate it with their academic studies. The scholastic standards of the college -are strict ,and exacting, entrance is' not easy and there is a steady endeavour to improve ithe quality and 'atmosphere of the positions to which the students are assigned.

Mr O’Shea also inquired into .a rather similar plan instituted for engineering students at the University of Cincinnati in the same State.

The New Zealand gystem of catering for the evening student, he remarks elsewhere, appears to be indigenous to the soil—-an expression that c°' rel ’s a multitude of sins. However, opponents of the practice would probably be optimistic if they foresaw any change for -many years to come. Overseas be found nothing corresponding 1° it. American universities are very conscious of an obligation to provide for evening students, but they do not always do s o, and then, almost universally, one years at least of “residence” or daywork is required for a degree.