If you're a college student and your counselor calls you "psychologically and physically 'disabled'" just because you didn't sign up enthusiastically for the sports meet, how would you feel?
The incident took place at the Changzhou campus of Hohai University and sparked heated discussion after being exposed online. Some netizens thought the teacher's wording was too harsh and inappropriate, while others believed the teacher had good intentions.
In response, the school stated that the counselor’s choice of words was improper and that it will further strengthen training and education for counselors.
At around 3 p.m. the day before yesterday, a user named “He-Feng-Xia-Blue-Love” posted on Sina Weibo, claiming that at the Changzhou campus of Hohai University, counselors used provocative language to pressure students into signing up for the sports meet.
The netizen also shared specific text, which read: “Please submit the sports meet registration forms for Communications 1, Communications 3, and Electronic Science 2 as soon as possible. Given that only a maximum of two students from each class in Electronic Science 1, Communications 2, and Computer Science 2 have signed up—and the numbers are similarly low in other classes—I wonder if it’s due to inadequate notification, or if many students prefer to stay in their dorms rather than get moving, or if some are psychologically and physically 'disabled.' For these classes, all scholarships, financial aid, and extracurricular credits will be proportionally reduced in the future.”
After the content was exposed, it triggered intense debate among netizens, with both opposition and support. However, by around 5 p.m. that day, the original post had been deleted by the author, and Modern Express reporters’ private messages to the blogger went unanswered.
Yesterday morning, relevant staff at the Changzhou campus of Hohai University confirmed to Modern Express reporters that, after investigation, the message was indeed sent by a male counselor in his third year of teaching at the school.
However, this counselor is relatively young, having just joined the school last year and having worked as a counselor for less than a year and a half.
Regarding the incident, the teacher said the text message was meant to motivate students, but the wording was indeed inappropriate and did not take the students’ feelings into account. “The goal was to encourage students to participate in sports and improve their physical fitness, with no malicious intent. If the message hurt any students, I deeply apologize. But no matter what, as a teacher, I will continue to work diligently in the future, pay attention to my methods, and be responsible to every student.”
According to staff from the university’s Student Affairs Office, this counselor is usually very dedicated and cares about the students. While the wording and approach of this particular message were indeed improper, the intention was good. He said: “Going forward, the school will further strengthen training for counselors and improve working methods.”