CHINA, NATIONAL, EDUCATION, NEWS: Move Back or Leave Forever?
By Deng Jing
To many a college student, living off campus was and is thought to represent romance, freedom and independence. But from this year on, many students will have to reconsider their decision since the emergence of a new regulation may cause them to live off campus forever.
Early in 2004, the Guangdong Education Administration began an effort to ban college students from renting apartments off campus. Students who insisted on living outside the college walls would be punished.
The national Ministry of Education also suggested that college students not rent apartments outside their universities. If they do, according to a new prohibition in force this year, students must submit an agreement signed by themselves and their parents, or be dismissed.
"Do they have this right?" is the first reaction of many students when hearing the news, no matter if they live on campus or outside.
Some believed that the new prohibition was neither proper nor legal, since it contradicts China's constitutional law. "Almost all college students are adults, so the Ministry of Education has no right to restrict us on that point," many people echoed this opinion on the Internet.
However, the school authorities see the "right" in another light. Mr. Liu, head of the BFSU Student Bureau, cited national laws requiring universities to be responsible for the security of students and their possessions. Liu pointed out that the rocketing numbers of students living off campus had obstructed the school's management. From that perspective, the school authorities have the right to require students to live on campus, he emphasized.
It is clear that living off campus one cannot enjoy as much protection and convenience as living within. Though, the number of students living off campus grew rapidly in recent years.
"I understand why BFSU students choose to live off campus," said Henry Wang, a third-year student in the International Business School. The dorms are acknowledged to be too narrow for study and rest, but the vital reason that confirmed many students' choice to move out, as far as he knew, was the lack of Internet, which is "so unbelievable in this information-booming age."
Mr. Liu said the school is making efforts to enhance the facilities. He admitted that most dormitories are still in poor condition, but compared with the risk students may face off campus, he thought dormitories seemed a wise choice: "In fact, many students have learned a lesson from their inexperience." Liu said the new prohibition was made out of care for students, "why not avoid any unnecessary risk beforehand?"
His reference to the risk involved is not groundless. Accidents that hurt students living off campus have appeared in the press in a rising frequency, especially concerning girls. They were reported as inexperienced and credulous.
But to a student named Cathy, there is no need to worry as long as you are alert enough. Living off campus for more than 2 years, she is as cautious as possible. "I had to take responsibility for myself," she said.
Some girls rent off campus so they can live with their boyfriends. Cathy commented that those girls were taking a risk. Girls should consider more seriously before taking such action, or they might get hurt by uncaring men, or their own blindness, she said.
Having gotten her parents' permission, Cathy fit the requirement of the new prohibition. But what policy will BFSU adopt to deal with students renting off campus? She is still concerned about it.
BFSU authorities do not approve of students living off campus, said Mr. Liu. But they might not take so strict a step as Guangdong colleges, where the students were told to quit school or move back.
"We would rather persuade students back than dismiss them," Mr. Liu explained. "But a regulation is in force. At least they should get permission from their parents."
To many a college student, living off campus was and is thought to represent romance, freedom and independence. But from this year on, many students will have to reconsider their decision since the emergence of a new regulation may cause them to live off campus forever.
Early in 2004, the Guangdong Education Administration began an effort to ban college students from renting apartments off campus. Students who insisted on living outside the college walls would be punished.
The national Ministry of Education also suggested that college students not rent apartments outside their universities. If they do, according to a new prohibition in force this year, students must submit an agreement signed by themselves and their parents, or be dismissed.
"Do they have this right?" is the first reaction of many students when hearing the news, no matter if they live on campus or outside.
Some believed that the new prohibition was neither proper nor legal, since it contradicts China's constitutional law. "Almost all college students are adults, so the Ministry of Education has no right to restrict us on that point," many people echoed this opinion on the Internet.
However, the school authorities see the "right" in another light. Mr. Liu, head of the BFSU Student Bureau, cited national laws requiring universities to be responsible for the security of students and their possessions. Liu pointed out that the rocketing numbers of students living off campus had obstructed the school's management. From that perspective, the school authorities have the right to require students to live on campus, he emphasized.
It is clear that living off campus one cannot enjoy as much protection and convenience as living within. Though, the number of students living off campus grew rapidly in recent years.
"I understand why BFSU students choose to live off campus," said Henry Wang, a third-year student in the International Business School. The dorms are acknowledged to be too narrow for study and rest, but the vital reason that confirmed many students' choice to move out, as far as he knew, was the lack of Internet, which is "so unbelievable in this information-booming age."
Mr. Liu said the school is making efforts to enhance the facilities. He admitted that most dormitories are still in poor condition, but compared with the risk students may face off campus, he thought dormitories seemed a wise choice: "In fact, many students have learned a lesson from their inexperience." Liu said the new prohibition was made out of care for students, "why not avoid any unnecessary risk beforehand?"
His reference to the risk involved is not groundless. Accidents that hurt students living off campus have appeared in the press in a rising frequency, especially concerning girls. They were reported as inexperienced and credulous.
But to a student named Cathy, there is no need to worry as long as you are alert enough. Living off campus for more than 2 years, she is as cautious as possible. "I had to take responsibility for myself," she said.
Some girls rent off campus so they can live with their boyfriends. Cathy commented that those girls were taking a risk. Girls should consider more seriously before taking such action, or they might get hurt by uncaring men, or their own blindness, she said.
Having gotten her parents' permission, Cathy fit the requirement of the new prohibition. But what policy will BFSU adopt to deal with students renting off campus? She is still concerned about it.
BFSU authorities do not approve of students living off campus, said Mr. Liu. But they might not take so strict a step as Guangdong colleges, where the students were told to quit school or move back.
"We would rather persuade students back than dismiss them," Mr. Liu explained. "But a regulation is in force. At least they should get permission from their parents."
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