Professor and student differ in morals

Sun Jiazhou, a professor at Renmin University of China, recently used his WeChat account to say he will not continue the tutor-student relationship with a newly enrolled student after the latter ridiculed professors from other universities. This has sparked a public debate. Comments:

Sun has the right to pull out as adviser, but he still needs the approval of the university authorities, and only after they decide that his reason to withdraw is strong enough from the education point of view can he do so. Under the existing education system, it is not that easy to either prevent advisers from eliminating "unqualified" students or stopping students from applying to seek another adviser in the name of "honoring the teacher and respecting his/her style of teaching". Therefore, a mutual-selection mechanism needs to be introduced to ensure students can exercise the right to choose and advisers can enjoy some autonomy. This will also help build a healthier teacher-student relationship.

Beijing Youth Daily, Sept 22

A teacher has the freedom to quit as adviser. But the question is: Is it proper to make such a decision public? The incident, despite reflecting the adviser's attitude, has created social pressure on the student. The student's remarks against other professors are the root of all the problems and have invited public criticism, putting his adviser in an awkward position. Criticizing others in public, even if the criticism is well founded, will almost always invite public discontent and even disgust. Perhaps the professor's decision is his way of saying he had no role to play in what the student did and to avoid worries in the future.

Guangzhou Daily, Sept 22

In the current teacher-student structure, professors have the upper hand. So, the concerned student's version should be considered before allowing the teacher to quit his role as adviser. The legitimate rights of students, as the disadvantaged party, should be guaranteed. However, it is also worth noticing that as adults, graduate students should be responsible for what they say or do, and in academic criticism, sound logic and reasoning, rather than personal attack, convinces people.

Beijing Times, Sept 22