A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 09 February 1967

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" Prof Rautenbach, UP rector, welcomed the 1967 first year students. This year Prof Rautenbach commented on the high first year failures rate and UP’s plan to address this.

Perdeby 19670217, 23(1), p. 1 © UP Archives

Prof Rautenbach explained that Tuks would follow a different approach when accepting first years. The student newspaper, the Perdeby, reported on this event and is featured above. “A university is not a school and first years students will not be supervised continuously to ensure that they complete their work and study”, stated the rector. “University is a time we’re students should act like adults”.

Professor Casper Hendrik Rautenbach was the first Tukkie alumnus to become rector of his alma mater. He served in this capacity from 1948 to 1970 – by far the longest of any other rector here. His career at the TUC ( Transvaal University College) began in 1923 as a student lecturer in Philosophy. The following year he was appointed as a temporary full-time lecturer. In 1925 he was promoted to senior lecturer in Philosophy. Under his leadership, the University grew to become the largest in the country and qualitatively as a leading place of teaching, learning and education. The academic functions, as well as culture, sport and broader scholarship of students benefited by his direct involvement.

The UPA preserves the history of the University of Pretoria. We have an extensive photo collection and earlier copies of the senate, council and faculty minutes. The volumes of the University’s history captured in Rectores Magnifici as featured here, also forms part of our collection. Please contact us on [email protected] to share your memories of Tukkies or access our collection virtually.