Uproar teaches a lesson in candor for university

China University of Political Science and Law has sparked a heated debate by appointing former ping-pong champion Deng Yaping as a part-time professor. Xu Heng, a student of the university issued an open letter on Dec 6 challenging the decision, after which the university clarified its stance. Following are the excerpts from the letter and the university's statement together with China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang's comment:

The student's letter

I have checked the university's official website and there is no policy on how a part-time professor should be hired. The common practice among universities includes forming an academic committee and reaching a decision through a vote; the university should make public the appointment procedure (of Deng Yaping).