(LI SHIGONG)

Since May, Peking University, one of China's leading universities, began to practice a "consultation" program. Students who have difficulty with their studies or life, or are thought to have "radical thinking" are covered by this program.

The university started a trial of the program in November 2010 in Yuanpei School and its Health Science Center. The pilot colleges first conducted a survey among students and reported problems the students have to the school office in charge of the "consultation" program. The office then contact relevant departments of the school, such as the psychological health consultation center, employment guidance center and student aid center, to help students.

Peking University is famous in China for its concepts of encouraging liberal mind and freedom of thinking, making it unique among China's universities. Including students who have "radical thinking" in the "consultation" program has therefore triggered a huge debate. Many people think it is going against this university's tradition of valuing freedom.

A greater number of students are opposed to the idea of including students who have "radical thinking" in the program. For example, a student in Yuanpei College said students in the college were mostly among the top three in college entrance examinations in their respective provinces or municipalities. Most of them were very talented and excellent students, who cherish freedom in thinking and speaking. So it's hard to define "radical thinking" among these students. An erroneous "consultation" program might stifle these students' individuality.

But, a number of students of the university say they will support the "consultation" program, because they find some students in the school are censorious and they often criticize the school for minor dissatisfactions with the school.

Good intention

Zhou Qifeng (Xiaoxiang Morning Herald): The original intention of the "consultation" program is good, but we find it is being misunderstood by many people. We hope society shows tolerance toward teachers of the relevant offices of the school. Not long after I took on my position as Peking University's president, I received a letter from a student's parents, saying their child used to be an excellent student, but he was not doing well in studies at the university. Frustrated by failure to pass exams in many courses, he had to drop out. This is a sad story. These students need early care and guidance from teachers to help them through difficulties and to move on smoothly for the rest of their university days. That's why Peking University has decided to launch the program.

Zha Jing (www.chinanews.com): The "consultation" program is not to control students or punish them, but to help them. Students plagued by academic problems are major targets of the "consultation" program, and other students in need of care and help will also be included. The university classifies the students who need help into 10 categories, such as those suffering from psychological problems, Internet addiction, difficulties in studies and life, serious illnesses and those who are thought to have "radical thinking."

After the pilot program was launched in the Yuanpei School and the Health Science Center, the two colleges set up a suitable plan to carry out the work smoothly. Thanks to this program, some students have overcome their difficulties.

At present, the two colleges are trying to draw experience from their ongoing work. Based on their experience, the university will work out an improved plan to carry out the program throughout the university. The "consultation" program is aimed to help students resolve various problems and overcome difficulties in their studies and life. It is now at the trial stage, so it needs time to operate better. The university is also willing to listen to opinions of teachers, students and society.