If you're a college student and get called 'psychologically and physically "disabled"' by your counselor 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 felt 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 inappropriate and that they will further strengthen training and education for counselors.
At around 3 p.m. the day before yesterday, a user named '和-风-夏-蓝色之恋' posted on Sina Weibo, claiming that counselors at the Changzhou campus of Hohai University 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 Electronic Science 1, Communications 2, and Computer Science 2 have at most two students registered per class, and other classes aren’t much better—whether it’s due to poor notification, or many students preferring to stay in their dorms rather than get active, or some being 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 some opposing and others supporting the move. However, by around 5 p.m. that day, the original Weibo post had been deleted by the author, and Modern Express reporters' private messages to the poster went unanswered.
Yesterday morning, staff at the Changzhou campus of Hohai University confirmed to Modern Express reporters that, upon 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 arrived at 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 intention was to encourage students to participate in sports and improve their physical fitness, with no malicious intent. If the message hurt any students, I sincerely 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 for every student.'
According to personnel from the school’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 inappropriate, the intention was good. He said: 'Going forward, the school will further strengthen the education and training of counselors and improve working methods.'