Newsletter No. 446

2 446 • 4.11.2014 校園為家 順理成章 張越華教授笑稱:「我從1994年起出任何宿舍監,現已是崇 基最資深的舍監。」 從學生時代開始,張教授已入住宿舍,更是活躍分子,「既 參與宿生活動,也擔起籌劃工作。」回來教書後,亦接手崇 基學院的學生事務。當何宿舍監出現空缺,院方自然便想到 他。張教授也不用考慮,便與太太和兩位分別九歲和兩歲的 女兒遷入校園。他說:「這就像自然而然的事。」 何宿是中型的男女宿舍,約有兩百名宿生。「舍監的工作 主要是協助宿生適應,解決他們在宿舍生活遇到的問題,並 為宿生會的活動提供意見和支援,當然亦會參與他們的活 動。」張教授說。另外,雖有院務室同仁處理宿舍工友的招 聘、分派工作、編更等事宜,他亦要監察工友的工作,「儘管 工友只是負責清潔、櫃面當值等雜務,由於做事方式不同, 不時會有不協調的現象,這情況尤以早晚班工友交接時較易 出現,我便要居中調停,花在這方面的時間也不少。不過,管 理工友也是一門學問,讓我在專業以外增添新知。」 早睡寳遇上夜貓子 二十年過去,這位崇基最資深舍監概談宿生的變化:「初期 宿生以本地生為主,約從2000年初開始,內地生和交換生 的數目漸多,現在佔何宿整體的一成半至兩成。宿生多元化 了,背景不同,生活習慣也就大相徑庭。好像內地生偏愛早 睡,但本地生則愈夜愈活躍,多在晚上十時過後,才結集在 大堂或大門外的草地,談天說地、討論功課、籌備活動,或 是為舍音盃及傅元國盃等舍堂比賽而練習,有時更會聊至凌 晨三四時,擾人清夢,造成滋擾。 「這時候,我得介入,提醒他們降低聲浪。類似情況雖時有 發生,但都是小問題,而宿生也是明理的,稍加勸說即可。」 張教授又指出,電腦化年代互聯網的普及和社交網站的流 行,沒有把宿生留在房中,反而方便了他們組織和聯絡,設 計的宣傳物品亦更有創意。 「監倉」聯歡 亦甘亦甜 張教授坦言,當舍監要付出頗多私人時間,減少了晚上陪伴 家人,「幸而太太和兩個女兒未有太多怨言,他們也喜歡在 這麼優美的校園生活。雖然女兒不是唸中大,但早認定自己 是中大人。」 對舍監工作,他樂在其中,也喜歡與學生打成一片,「每年開 學不久,我會找一個晚上舉行『探監』─舍監室開放夜,廣 邀宿生來我家中聯歡,互相認識。每次『探監』,家裏都會擠 滿宿生,我總會彈結他帶唱歌,並表演魔術,十分熱鬧。有的 宿生會讚揚我的工作;有的畢業後專程回來探我;有的又會 請我出席婚宴,這些都讓我安慰,也是續任舍監的動力。」 Setting up House on Campus Prof. Cheung Yuet-wah joked, ‘I have been the hostel warden of MHH since 1994, making me the most senior warden of Chung Chi College.’ Professor Cheung was an active student resident in the past. ‘I loved not only participating in hostel activities, but also taking up the job of organizing activities.’ Upon returning to CUHK to teach, Professor Cheung also took care of the College’s student affairs. It was natural that the College Office approached him when they looked for a warden for MHH. Without hesitation, he moved in with his wife and two daughters—then nine and two, respectively. MHH is a medium-sized co-ed hostel with about 200 student residents. ‘The job of a warden is to help students adapt to life in the hostel and solve the problems they encounter living there. In addition, a warden has to support and participate in hostel activities organized by the students,’ said Professor Cheung. While the College Office is responsible for recruiting workmen, delegating jobs, and preparing rosters, Professor Cheung has to monitor the workmen’s performance. ‘Though they are only responsible for minor works such as cleaning, front counter service, incongruity does occur as each staff has his/her way of working. This is particularly pertinent during the handover of day and night shifts. I have to play the mediator which is time-consuming. However, it allows me to learn a lot about managing workers, which is something beyond my area of expertise.’ Early Bird Versus Night Owl As the College’s most senior warden, Professor Cheung gave a brief account of the changes in student residents over the last two decades. ‘In the early years, most of them were local students. Starting from the 2000s, the number of mainland and exchange students gradually increased. Today, they account for 15% to 20% of the total student population in MHH. That means we have a more diversified residents’ backgrounds and lifestyles. For instance, mainland students tend to sleep early, whereas local students are more active at night, like to gather in the lobby or on the lawn outside the main entrance after 10 pm. They chat, discuss homework, prepare for activities, practise for the Inter-Hostel Singing Contest and Fu Cup, etc., till 3 to 4 am occasionally. The noise they produce may disturb those who want to sleep. ‘When this happens, I have to intervene and remind them to keep discussions at moderate voice levels. These disputes happen from time to time but they are minor. The students are rational and all I need is a little art of persuasion.’ Professor Cheung pointed out that computerization, the advent of the internet and social media has helped to facilitate the coordination and connection among students, and have not kept them inside their rooms. The design of the students’ publicity materials has also demonstrated more creativity than in the past, thanks to these technological improvements. Open House Professor Cheung admitted that being the warden entails sacrificing a lot of leisure time that would otherwise be spent with his family, especially at night. ‘I am glad that my wife and daughters do not complain much. They love the beautiful campus, too. My daughters regard themselves as CUHKers though they did not study here.’ Professor Cheung enjoys being a warden and interacting with students. ‘At the beginning of each academic year, I host an open house in my apartment. All student residents are invited and the place is packed. I play the guitar to lead them to sing and I perform magic. It’s full of fun. Some students praise my work; some visit me after graduation; some invite me to their weddings. Such shows of goodwill and gratitude encourage me to go on with my job.’ 中大人對大學那份濃濃的情誼,向來讓中文大學引以為榮。中大就是他們的家,這話不盡是比喻, 因為不少中大人是真正把家築在校園的, 張越華 教授和 蘇鑰機 教授是表表者。 The University has always been proud of the strong sense of belonging of its members. CUHK is a home away from home for them, and this is more than a metaphor—some CUHK people live on campus. Among them are Prof. Cheung Yuet-wah and Prof. So York-kee Clement . 張越華教授 崇基社會學(1975) 社會學系系主任 崇基院務委員 崇基何善衡夫人宿舍(何宿)舍監 Prof. Cheung Yuet-wah Sociology, Chung Chi College (1975) Chairman, Department of Sociology Member, Chung Chi College Assembly of Fellows Hostel Warden, Madam S.H. Ho Hall (MHH), Chung Chi College 家在中大 Home at C U H K 舍監室開放夜張教授彈奏結他,並一展歌喉 Professor Cheung singing and playing the guitar at open house 張教授伉儷(後排左一及二)與兩名女兒(後排左三及右一)及拜年的宿生 Student residents visiting Professor and Mrs. Cheung (1st and 2nd left, back row), and their daughters (3rd left and 1st right, back row) during Chinese New Year Photo by ISO staff

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