E.—7a

84

for related reading in works of reference ; and tutorial assistance in the form of exercises to be returned for criticism. There are, of course, obvious dangers in sending out from the college full notes of lectures. The conclusion arrived at by the Melbourne Committee above referred to is, we think, a sound one. The only assistance which willjbe of substantial value to students unable to attend the University must be in the form of tutorial supervision involving advice oil a course of study, followed up in the case of each student by periodical exercises and criticism and advice based upon the work thus done. . . . . It is an essential condition for the success of the scheme that the student should have access not merely to the usual text-books in the subject, but to, at any rate, the principal works of reference used in the course. Without this it will be impossible for him to do the work of a university course or for his exercises to have a character which will give the tutor any sound basis for advice. We feel that the present position in regard to the exempted students calls for early action. They form an important section of the University, and at present nothing is being done for them. All students wishing to attend university classes for part-time, or wishing to be exempted from attendance, should be required to show cause why full attendance could not be given. When a student has been registered as an exempted student he should be required to carry out his work satisfactorily, according to conditions prescribed for exempted students. Thus, for example, no exempted student should in any year be permitted to take more subjects than, having regard to his circumstances, the Faculty is of opinion that he can study to a proper standard. The University colleges should undertake to supply to exempted students the tutorial assistance available for internal students, and should, further, send to each such student an outline of the course in each subject taken, and an indication of the course of reading, together with such further advice and aid as the professor may consider suitable for exempted students. It is desirable that every exempted student ought to spend at least one year in attendance at university classes. These recommendations will involve additional expense, but the gravity of the situation demands this. One-tenth of jthe students to-day are receiving no direct teaching from the University, and such a state of things shall not be allowed to continue. New Zealand provides very liberally for bursaries, which are practically free places for students in University colleges. Indeed, it is open to question whether there are not too many such bursaries. The prevalence of the part-time habit among students raises the question whether the institution of a students' loan fund, which forms part of the administrative system of many universities, would not be equally serviceable in the Dominion. We trust we have made it sufficiently clear throughout this report that, in our opinion, the full benefits of University life and teaching cannot be secured under a system in which the whole of the University practice is dominated by the necessities of evening students. Every effort shall be made to encourage students to devote their whole time and energy to their University education. Where a students' Loan Fund has been established, the University has usually been given an adequate capital sum, which it lends out in varying amounts to worthy students. As a rule, loans are without interest during the undergraduate period, and at a low rate of interest thereafter. The borrower begins to pay back his debt at the end of the first year after his graduation through a system of easy instalments. Experience has shown that bad debts are very rare under such a scheme. It is a method under which a deserving student can be given substantial assistance and yet not feel any loss of self-respect, or that his self-reliance is being undermined. UNIVERSITY EXTENSION. We desire to call attention to the importance of the extra-mural or extension work which has become such a fruitful activity of the modern university. This work has in recent years found new life and acquired a new significance from the union of two movements which had different origins, University Extension and the

Tutorial supervision is essential.

Conditions which should be imposed;

Students Loan Fund.

Development of English university extension.