Xi'an Daily recently reported that Peking University, one of China's most prestigious universities, will arrange consultations for "problem students," including those with "radical thoughts," in a new campus-wide program starting in May.

In addition to these "radical thinking" students, the university listed nine other categories of "problem students" who would receive counseling, including those with poor academic performance, those with fragile mental health, those with underprivileged families, those having difficulty in finding a job, and those with Internet addiction or severe illness, according to a notice on the school's website.

Zha Jing, PKU's deputy head of student affairs, explained that students with "radical thoughts" were targeted because they frequently exaggerate slight deficiencies in the school's services.

"For example, [such students] will criticize the university if the price of food in the cafeteria increases a few cents," Zha said.

Despite how exaggerated these criticisms may seem, to discourage them entirely through enacting this special program is a mistake, especially for a university like PKU that is well-known for its long history of academic excellence and intellectual freedom.

What program sponsors don't realize is that student criticism can be good for the development of the university. Student complaints can help the school recognize and address potential problems before they become exacerbated.

Some proponents of the new program have said improper criticism could potentially harm the school's reputation. However, I don't see this as a threat. The school has the right to refute a dishonest rumor or inappropriate criticism. Just like a patient should not have to hide his or her sickness for fear of treatment, the university should not be afraid to identify and improve its weaknesses.

In my point of view, the program, not student criticism, will hurt the school's reputation. Once the university decides to stifle its traditional atmosphere of openness, the victim who will suffer the most will be the university itself. Once this program is implemented, all criticism, no matter how trivial, will be effectively blocked. As a consequence, the university will lose its ability to self-improve.

As a faculty member, I value independent criticism of the university as well as opinions and suggestions from students.

According to the freedoms of speech stipulated by the Constitution of China, students have the basic right to criticize their school. Furthermore, since the New Culture Movement in 1919, openness has been a core brand of Peking University. To damage this brand is akin to destroying the spirit of PKU.

Students are subject to the management of university, so they are entitled to know more about the efficiency and rationality of school policies and measures. The school has no right to judge which thoughts are "moderate" or "radical".

The author is a Professor of Law at Peking University.

(This article was written in Chinese and translated by Zhou Jing.)

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn

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