If Three hundred American students had their way, the "University of the Seven Seas" would still be tied up at Clyde Quay.

A Similar number of New Zealand students would support the idea as well.

This enthusiasm springs from a hectic three-day visit of the floating university to Wellington.

The students, on an extension course from Chapman College, California, came from all sections of American life and from most States.

They are drawn from other American universities. Their shipboard courses will bring them course credits at their own university.

Victoria students turned on a welcome for the students which endeavoured to introduce them to New Zealand life outside the usual tourist sights.

Government tourist officials had laid on traditional tours of places such as the Wellington zoo and a trio to Masterton for the "Golden Shears" contest.

Counterparts

Victoria students welcomed the American students with impromptu parties and trips. Although enrolments were not yet complete and many students had not returned to Wellington most American students became well acquainted with their New Zealand counterparts.

Of the 300 students, about 200 are girls and the rest are—presumably—males. They are required to take two compulsory courses in "Comparative World Cultures" and "Physical Education" and may choose from a wide range of courses in Art. Biology, Economics, Education, English. French, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Philosophy. Science. Sociology, Spanish, Speech and Drama. History, Mathematics and Music.

The ship, the "University of the Seven Spas," is a German ship of 12.574 gross tonnage owned by the Europa-Canada line.

Facilities

Facilities on board this "floating campus" include 10 classrooms, a theatre, a library of 5000 volumes, an oceanography laboratory, dining rooms, a swimming pool and a fully staffed hospital.

There are 45 staff members, including faculty members and also religious, counselling and welfare staff.

Student body

The college has its own Associate Student Body, a student organisation more akin to a prefectorial system than to the student associations of New Zealand universities. Its president is Bruce McKenzie, and he has two executive members to assist him.

The "Seven Seas" has its own large student union and other facilities including a cafeteria shop and stationery service.

Its student newspaper, "The Helm" is a small duplicated publication.

Student clubs cover social, cultural, and sporting interests. The last are necessarily confined to sports which can be played on the confined area of the ship, such as volleyball.

Sea study

During voyages students study while at sea and travel during their short stays in port. The 1966 voyage takes students to Tahiti. New Zealand, Australia. Singapore. India, Ceylon, Malagasy Republic, Tanzania, French Somaliland, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Greece, Italy, Algeria, Morocco and Madeira.

The six-month course costs students 2300 dollars, which is somewhat more expensive than the comparative cost of studying at a private university in the United Stales. Some scholarship assistance is available.

Students expressed considerable interest in New Zealand attitudes to America, to the Vietnam situation, and to American foreign policy in general. Other topics of interest included the New Zealand "accent" (which is claimed to be musical!), the New Zealand hospitality (which is supposed to outstrip even the famed "southern hospitality" of Georgia), the "socialist" nature of New Zealand government, and the system of education and job opportunities in New Zealand.