Bulletin Spring‧Summer 2003

Changing Roles and Perceptions Chow Chun-yum Vice-President of TheChinese Universi ty Student Union 2002 Changing Role of the Colleges Chow Chun-yum had little knowledge about the University's history and ethos before joining CUHK. It was only after entering these gates that he learnt, through historical documents or talking to alumni, how the colleges had contributed to the personal growth of students, and how the college spirit had enhanced student-teacher relationship. Before 1976 when the colleges were vested with what the second Fulton Report called ‘subject-orientated’teaching, Chun-yum said, the interaction between teachers and students gave rise to a unique college culture. Yet, following the University's subsequent reorganization, t he colleges retained essentially their 'student-orientated' non- formal teaching function plus the duties of awarding scholarships and allocating hostel places. Without a formal teaching role, it has become harder and harder for the colleges to maintain their unique cultures. ‘Although the colleges still organize student activities, students participate because they find them interesting rather than because they want to experience college life. I personally rarely take part in those events. Wh en t a l k i ng to f r i ends f r om other universities, we might compare teachers of the same subjects; we rarely compare them on the basis of their college affiliation .' ‘ My feeling is that our campus culture today is not very different from that of other local campuses. Many of my classmates feel the same .’ Chinese University Bulletin Spring • Summer 2003 22