UNIVERSITY SENATE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 6

UNIVERSITY SENATE

ARTS AND SCIENCE EXAMINATIONS. Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 24. At the University Senate Dr Benham moved: “'That the report on the work of each student sitting for a degree in arts or science bo furnished by professors through the Registrar to. the Dniversity agent for communication to the meeting of examiners at Home; and that this report shall include the marks gained by the student at his college examinations, so that these marks may be taken into account in deciding the result by the Home examiner.” Dr Benham said the idea in his mind was to give the professors here a little more care in the awarding of the degrees. Ho would be glad to receive suggestions for the improvement of the motion in the direction indicated. It would remove the disadvantage to which attention had sometimes been drawn that a student had to stand his chance of gaining a degree on the result of an examination heeld quite possibly on some occasion when he was not feeling at his best. Dr Eitchett seconded tho motion. The Rev. Mr Cameron urged that the reports ought to be sent direct to the examiners, so that they might look through them at leisure. He moved as an amendment that the words “meeting of” be deleted to give effect to his suggestion. Mr Hogben seconded Mr Cameron’s amendment. Professor F. D. Brown stated that he would support the first part of the proposal, but would not support the suggestion that marks gained by a student at his college exaiuinaiions bo sent along with the report, and at his suggestion that portion of the motion referring to the forwarding of marks was deleted by general consent. Professor itankino Browne pointed out that there still would be difficulty with exempted students, who did not attenu college classes, lie moved that the whom question should be deferred and referreo for consideration at tho professorial conference. This was seconded by the Rev. Mr Evans. Pro lessor F. D. Brown did not approve of the matter being shelved in this way, or of the Senate passing the question over to some other body. Dr ■ Eitchett agreed with Professor F. D. Brown, and urged with him that Dr Bonham’s proposal was uppn the righ: lines. Professor Rankino Brown’s proposal was rejected, and the motion (amended a» follows) was adopted by 14 votes to 7; “That a report on the work of each student sitting for a degree of arts or science he furnished by tho professors through the Registrar to the university agent for communication to the meeting of examiners at' Home.” An amendment of tho conditions for tho final examination for tho degree oi bachelor of arts was proposed by Mr Hogben, ffiis suggestion being that a candidate might in lieou eof the fifth and sixth subjects repeat any two subjects in which he had already passed. Mr Hogben said if this was permitted a candidate would be enabled to concentrate his attention on two subjects so that he might carry his study to a reasonably high standard. The Chancellor said the proposal would encourage specialisation at the beginning of a student’s degree course, and that was most undesirable. It would he a great mistake to allow a student to obtain his degree in four subjects. The motion was defeated hy 12 votes to 10. A series of motions relating to pass degrees in arts and science were proposed by Profeessor P. Marshall. He first moved : “That all bachelors of arts who desire to take the degree of bachelor of science should be required to keep terms at a university college for an additional two years, and to pass an examination in four subjects, including any or all oi the subjects pure mathematics, chemistry, and physical science, which have not been previously, and the others selected from applied mathematics, botany, zoology, or geology.” He explained that in the past there had not been a sufficient distinction between the two degrees, and candidates had passed too easily from one degree to the other. No attempt had been made previously tv separate them radically, and his present intention was that a bachelor of arts should not he allowed to obtain the second degree without satisfying stricter conditions. Professor Marshall’s proposal in regard to the bachelor of arts degree was “that all bachelors of science who desire to graduate as bachelor of arts bo required to keep terms at a university college for two years and to pass an examination in four of tho following subjects, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, English, French, German, .mental science, economics, and history, other than those in which examinations have been passed previously." He also submitted three motions proposing restriction of repeat subjects for B-A. and B.Sc., and the elimination of physical science, chemistry, and natural science from the subjects allowed for the M-A. degree. After some discussion on the first motion it was agreed that'the set of proposals should be referred to a committee for a report. The Senate adopted a proposal by Prceeesor Hunter that recess committees of the Senate should be appointed, one in each college town. They were constituted by distributing members of the Senate among them according to their places of residence. It was resolved that each committee should deal with matters referred to it by the Senate or by the Chancellor, with power to deal with matters of detail and to repeat to tne Senate on other matters. Authority was given to each committee to elect its own convener and to consult any members of the teaching staffs of affiliated institutions in their respective centres. Professor Hunter, Mr H. A. E. Milnes, and Mr Hogben were appointed examiners for the Habens prize. Upon the motion of Dr McDowell, the question of reviving the General Court of Convocation was referred to a committee consisting, of representatives of the District Courts of Convocation on the Senate.