The Newly Merged Jilin University
In February, 2000, the red character documents from The State Council has confirmed that
Jilin University will merge with other four institutions of high learning of Jilin Province.
The other four institutions are Jilin University of Polytechnics, Bethune Medical University,
Changchun Geology Institute, and Changchun College of Post and Telecommunications. The
grace period for this merge is half a year. In other words, the newly merged Jilin University
will be functioning in the fall. The newly merged university will have a population of 55,000
immediately after the merge. Rumour has it that the head office of this university will move
into Dizigong (Geology Tower), and Computer Sciences Department will move to Changchun
College of Post and Telecommunications to form a Computer Sciences and Telecommunications
College; etc. etc..
Reactions are different from original Jida and other fours. Jida people are cool and not very
excited because they think the well-beings of the teachers will be affected; but people from
other four institutions are very active and excited as they are mostly funded by Jilin Provincial
Government which has not had money for them for quite a while. There will be lay-off of both
administrative staff and faculty members. For example, can you guess how many teachers of
English in these five institutions?
As alumni abroad, we may just keep our fingers crossed for the better of the university and wish
the merger smooth!
JUAAC Executive Committee