Volume 1
Report of the royal commissioners appointed to inquire whether any and what kind of new university or powers is or are required for the advancement of higher education in London, together with an appendix.
- Great Britain. University for London Commission.
- Date:
- 1889
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Report of the royal commissioners appointed to inquire whether any and what kind of new university or powers is or are required for the advancement of higher education in London, together with an appendix. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
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![Appendix to Minutes of Evidence Kos. 3 and 4, Sir G.Young (Q. 126); Marshall (Q. 1733). Appendix to Minutes of Evidence No. 11. Appendix to Minutes of Evideuch No. 11, § 24, and 41; Paper No. 15. Sir G. Young (Q. 143). the object in view can be attained by enabling the greater teaching agencies of the metropolis to be brought (without interfering with their independence) into true academical relations, upon proper terms, with the one existing university, familiar with the conduct of examinations, and possessing the degree-giving power; so con- centrating and utilising all the strength and experience of the existing university, and of the existing teaching agencies, as far as possible, in one great institution. 18. The history of the movements and discussions which have brought the question to its present point, and the disposition which the authorities of the University of London have shown to give it fair consideration, encourage us to believe that this may be done. No resolution, indeed, has yet been adopted, either by the Senate or by the Convocation of the University, which seems to us adequate to the requirements of the case. But in schemes which have been suggested by committees of those bodies there has been some approximation to what might be a satisfactory settlement; and a witness of great authority. Lord Justice Fry, who appeared before us as representing the Senate, was under the impression that those bodies would not be likely to reject any reasonable settlement which we might recommend, so as either to force forward the alternative of a second university, or leave the want (which they have in principle recognised) unprovided for. 19. The Association for promoting a Teaching University for London was formed in May 1884. Its objects, and its original views as to the means of accomplishing them are stated in a paper which will be found in the Appendix to the Minutes of Evidence. The association then included many eminent persons, attached both to the present University and the University and King's Colleges. Sir George Young- has told us that the promoters of the movement had in view the attempting to arrange an understanding and a modus vivendi for the future with the University of London. Their scheme, as communicated to the authorities of the University, was (in the words of a paper drawn up by Lord Justice Fry) for two bodies under one head. In that respect it was (we think justly) considered open to objection. But it contained suggestions, not necessarily requiring a dual organisation, on the main linos of which a solution of the whole problem may, we think, be obtained; and which are thus summarized in Lord Justice Fry's paper :— That the teachers engaged in university work in Loudon might be organised .according to faculties, which, for present purposes, should be taken as four, wi?.., arts, science, medicme, and laws; '-'[that to each faculty should be added the examiners in the subjects, and certain members elected by special vote] ; that boards of studies should be elected by the faculties, to perform consultative functions; and that the governing body of this new university should be a single senate or council [of not more than 30 members], of whom a substantial proportion should be representatives of the faculties. At the outset, therefoi-e, of this movement, a modus vivendi, in the form of an organic connexion with the existing university, recommended itself to its promoters, as preferable to a new and independent university ; and, in like manner, the pro- positions of the Council of the Metropolitan Branch of the British Medical Association, for the creation of a new degree-giving power were contingent upon the failure to obtain what might be considered adequate concessions from ihe University of London. 20. It cannot be said that the Senate, or the Convocation, of the University of London has refused to make concessions on the general lines of the suggestions placed before them by the Association for Promoting a Teaching University. Their deliberations on those suggestions had not been brought to a close when the petition of University College and King's College for the creation of a new university was presented. So far was that step from representing the unanimous Council of University College, that it caused the secession of one number, including some oi' their most distinguished officers, who were with the University of London, either as members of the Senate or as active members of Convocation:—their President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Standing Committee. So far as the general objects of the Association were concerned, they were agreed to by the Convocation of the University, after discussion, opmion of the third of their also connected * The words witliin brackets relate to points of detail separable iroin the main lines of these .suggestions.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b24749448_0001_0016.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
