Abstract
BIRMINGHAM.—In his annual report to the Court of Governors, the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Charles Grant Robertson, announces that during the past session the upward tendency in numbers of students at the University was maintained. The number of new entries for the present session, however, shows a slight falling off. Sir Charles Robertson is of opinion that while the depression of trade may have little effect on the number of students entering the University, it has marked and far-reaching effects on the student who has, in consequence, perhaps £10 a year less to spend on the amenities which mean so much in a university education, as distinguished from mere university instruction. Considering that 49 per cent of the students hold scholarships or have assistance in meeting the expenses of their university careers, and that about 53 per cent began their education in elementary schools, it will be understood that such a curtailment of spending power affects many. “Hence, particularly in hard times, it is wise as far as possible to remember that expenditure on Library, Refectories, and Halls of Residence have their educational values. . . . In principle, the application of university income to promote activities or create opportunities, so as to secure that a university education, and not merely university instruction, is provided, is as justifiable as the allocation of that income to scholarships, exhibitions, lecture rooms, or apparatus.” Reference is made to the increase in the Government grant to the University, and it is suggested that about half of this should go to increase the salaries of professors. The voluntary medical examination of intending women students has proved so satisfactory that all the women avail themselves of it, and it is suggested that a similar opportunity should be given to the men students.
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University and Educational Intelligence. Nature 127, 328 (1931). https://doi.org/10.1038/127328a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/127328a0