student and politics
Students and Politics, Student politics
Students have generally shown themselves to be relatively conservative or moderate in their views, though from the 1960s onwards more outspoken students of radical and leftwing persuasions dominated student political activity on campus.
World War One
With the onset of World War One AUC students had no hesitation in declaring themselves ready to accept any wartime responsibilities to come their way. Setting up an officers training corp on campus was discussed, and there was support for compulsory military training.
Great Depression
Initial student reaction to the depression reflected their predominantly middle-class origins and political conservatives. Little understanding of working class or labour relations had emerged in student revues and publications before the 1930s. Political activity by students was officially frowned upon. Indeed, a 1925 AUCSA executive motion resolved ‘that this association view with distinct disfavour any organised demonstrations on the part of students, at any political meeting.’ One university group which discussed wider issues and alternative ideas was the Aesthetics Club, as did the Student Christian Movement.
Appeals for special’ constables to combat unemployed workers rioting in Queen Street in 1932 met with a good response from students. However, some found their duties distasteful, and this emerge in the student press. Craccum editor John Mulgan commented in an editorial that his sympathies now lay with the workers. Other contributors suggested students had held themselves aloof from world affairs for too long.
At the 1934 AUCSA AGM, a resolution empowering the executive to speak for students on ‘matters pertaining to the general welfare of the community’ was passed overwhelmingly.
World War 2
Attitudes towards the Second World War less enthusiastic than towards World War 1, however nevertheless highly supportive of the war rather than for pacifism. AUCSA took up the cause of
Students have generally shown themselves to be relatively conservative or moderate in their views, though from the 1960s onwards more outspoken students of radical and leftwing persuasions dominated student political activity on campus.
World War One
With the onset of World War One AUC students had no hesitation in declaring themselves ready to accept any wartime responsibilities to come their way. Setting up an officers training corp on campus was discussed, and there was support for compulsory military training.
Great Depression
Initial student reaction to the depression reflected their predominantly middle-class origins and political conservatives. Little understanding of working class or labour relations had emerged in student revues and publications before the 1930s. Political activity by students was officially frowned upon. Indeed, a 1925 AUCSA executive motion resolved ‘that this association view with distinct disfavour any organised demonstrations on the part of students, at any political meeting.’ One university group which discussed wider issues and alternative ideas was the Aesthetics Club, as did the Student Christian Movement.
Appeals for special’ constables to combat unemployed workers rioting in Queen Street in 1932 met with a good response from students. However, some found their duties distasteful, and this emerge in the student press. Craccum editor John Mulgan commented in an editorial that his sympathies now lay with the workers. Other contributors suggested students had held themselves aloof from world affairs for too long.
At the 1934 AUCSA AGM, a resolution empowering the executive to speak for students on ‘matters pertaining to the general welfare of the community’ was passed overwhelmingly.
World War 2
Attitudes towards the Second World War less enthusiastic than towards World War 1, however nevertheless highly supportive of the war rather than for pacifism. AUCSA took up the cause of