A New Era Begins 1975-78

X I I Epilogue: A New Era Begins While this Report is entitled “ A New Era Begins, 1975-1978, ” it is obviously concerned wi th the last four of the fifteen years just past, the four that have ushered The Chinese University of Hong Kong into a new era. Though the time period of fifteen years coincides wi th the term of office of the first Vice-Chancellor, there is no identification of era with administrative tenure. The New Era, as demonstrated in this Report, is defined by fundamental changes in organization and function, officially sanctioned by new statutes. Before glancing ahead, it is of interest in this brief epilogue to cast a backward glance of the past fifteen years, noting some factors which were critical in the historical development of The Chinese University. In retrospect, it is clear that from the earliest years there were imperatives in the aspirations for The Chinese University of Hong Kong which were not, and could not be, encompassed in the original plan for a "federal- t ype " association of three undergraduate Colleges. This fact constituted an issue that was implicit in all the developments described in The First Six Years, 1963-1969. I f one looks for a specific turning point in the resolution of this implicit issue, it can be readily found in the acquisition of the 330.54 acre site, including the Chung Chi campus (the ceremony marking the land transfer from Government took place on 3rd July, 1970). This enabled the University to bring the three Colleges together on a single campus, and to begin to operate as a whole on the organic principle, which replaced the original principle of “we" and “ t hey ”. From that turning point, one might note, again in retrospect, that the particular aspirations, the unified campus, and the organic principle dynamically combine to produce a complex, modern university with a distinctive character and educational mission. This development is fully described i n The Emerging University ， 1970-1974. Though The Chinese University had indeed emerged in its essential form and character, certain fundamental problems of authority and organization, rooted in the original arrangement, remained to be solved. The solution of those problems, recorded in this final Report, brings to an end the developmental process of th e first era of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and lays the foundation for a new era of growth. Upon the announcement of the retirement of the first Vice- Chancellor, the University Council established a search committee, and on 9th November, 1977 appointed Professor Ma Lin, Professor of Biochemistry, Vice-Chancellor, effective 1st October, 1978. Professor Ma Lin has given outstanding service to the University, is highly respected 95