WHERE’S YOUR GOWN?

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 912, 4 March 1930, Page 1

WHERE’S YOUR GOWN?

NEW DIGNITY OF VARSITY STUDENTS ROBING FOR LECTURES

A new dignity rests on the shoulders of Auckland University College students, strolling through the corridors or sitting composedly in the lecturerooms. The academic gown that is traditional .of British universities is coming into its own here, and its use will probably invest students with a greater sense of decorum and dignity. The students themselves, as represented by the Students’ Association, are responsible for this commendable move to. give distinction to the college. For years the “some gowned; some not” attendance at lectures has exercised the minds of the association. The untenable position culminated late last year in the association recommending the Professorial- Board that all students attending lectures must wear gowns. This body, however, while appreciating the move from an academic viewpoint, got down to basic facts and realised hardship would be inflicted on many part-time students,' who are earning small wages, and. | therefore, cannot afford the expense of a gown to attend lectures. A numerically strong faction of the j students, principally part-timers, is I opposed to wearing gowns, and there iis much in his or her favour, who finishes work at five o'clock and has to rush to the college to attend a lecture that starts at that hour. There is no time then to go rummaging for a gown. A gown costs about £2 these days. The Professorial Board therefore modified the Students* Association’s proposal to read that all matriculated students, excepting freshers, are expected to wear gowns at all lectures. And in this form the College Council confirmed the decision. A notice in these terms, under the hand of the chairman of the Professorial was a striking reminder to students who attended the first lectures at the opening of the term yesterday. Few gowns were in evidence among the men students at the college last evening, although it is perhaps too early in the term for this to be taken as any indication of the attitude they will take to the latest move by the authorities. Gowns were more popular with girl undergraduates, no doubt because a ! greater percentage of them are full- : time students. I The gown adopted in Auckland is j similar to that of Cambridge. The cusi tom of \vearing the robe has in- ; creased largely since the decision was . made last year, and the Varsity : authorities believe it will go on inj creasing. The habit of passing gowns 1 on by students as they complete their | studies and leave the university, it i is believed, will also tend to increase [the custom and incidentally assist ? those whose finance* will not permit iJJajz euilaiL*. -— — —-