In Depth: Chinese Professor’s Death Draws Attention to Faculty Paying to Meet Research Quotas
Caixin Global · Zhao Zhouqiao; Fan Qiaojia Published Nov 6 ·
Teachers say funding targets can force them to front money for projects that lack substantive research, then seek reimbursement from their universities
1. Shaanxi education authorities are investigating the death of a university professor who left a letter alleging research targets forced teachers to pay out of pocket to meet quotas and publish papers. [para. 1] Bai Baoguo, 54, an associate professor at Yan’an University’s Lu Xun School of Arts, died in October after the university threatened to downgrade or reassign him for failing evaluations over two appointment periods. [para. 2] Meeting corrective requirements would have meant paying 150,000 yuan for a commissioned project and 50,000 yuan for publishing, which he called “academic and research fraud.” [para. 3] The education department confirmed his death on Nov. 4 and formed a joint investigation team; allegations remain unverified. [para. 4][para. 5] The university did not respond to Caixin, and students were told not to talk to media. [para. 6]
2. Bai’s letter alleged that most teachers met funding requirements by routing their own money through cooperating companies into university accounts and recovering it via financial procedures, involving inaccurate accounting. [para. 10] He criticized an evaluation system based on fixed funding and paper quotas, arguing arts faculty should be assessed on teaching quality, student development and stage performance. [para. 9][para. 11] He also alleged unequal attendance enforcement—some long-absent employees passed evaluations while late teachers faced severe penalties. [para. 12] During his corrective period, his attendance records were never corrected despite student statements. [para. 13]
3. Several teachers told Caixin that using personal funds for commissioned research targets is common, particularly at local public universities where arts disciplines have few corporate opportunities. [para. 14][para. 15][para. 16] Wang Zhi of a Shandong university said annual targets were about 100,000 yuan per teacher, often met by self-funded transfers with reimbursement. [para. 17][para. 18][para. 19][para. 20] Management fees of 5% to 10% were often deducted. [para. 21] Li Mu in Shanxi said “paying to work” is a common predicament, citing a teacher who borrowed money but failed promotion. [para. 22][para. 23]
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