area51novel Chapter 17 Settling In
Chapter 17 Settling In
September 8, 1990, sunny, wind level 9.
In front of a dusty police vehicle, two adults and two children, four local leopards from the mountains, stood looking up at Northeast Institute of Technology, a school with a history of over sixty years.
Beyond the European-style stone pillars and through the dense forest, you can see the tall European-style spire of the main building in the very center of the school, with the five-star red flag fluttering on it.
The predecessor of Northeastern Institute of Technology was Northeastern University, founded in 1922. It was built under the order of the "King of Northeast China" and became the first university established in old China, boasting the most comprehensive range of disciplines in Chinese educational history. From its inception, it offered science and engineering, as well as arts and law departments. The arts and law departments included Chinese Literature, English Literature, Russian Literature, Law, and Political Science; the science and engineering departments included Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Architecture. In total, it comprised 6 colleges, 24 departments, and 8 specialized programs, attracting a large number of European and American legal scholars to lecture and exchange ideas in Northeast China.
Historical figures such as Zhang Shizhao, Liang Shuming, Luo Wengan, Feng Zuxun, Liu Xianzhou, Huang Kan, Liu Bannong, Liang Sicheng, and Lin Huiyin were all teachers at this school.
They were the first to advocate for co-education and the first to establish a physical education college. In 1929, students from Tokyo University formed a football team and a basketball team, which went to Japan and won.
The first university to send representatives to the Olympic Games, the first foreign language college, the first electronic computer in China, the first university journal in China, "Scientific Research Materials", the first scientific report conference in China, the first student science and technology association in the history of Chinese universities, the first monograph on fatigue design, "Fatigue Strength Design", and the academic research of many professors in the university has become popular teaching materials in universities across the country.
This is a school that holds an extremely significant place in the history of modern Chinese education. In 1993, Northeast Institute of Technology reverted to its original name, Northeast University, and appointed General Zhang Liuzi, the school's founder, founder, and former president, as its honorary president for life.
"Wow, the school is huge! Brother Guizi, do you think this school compound is even bigger than our county town?" Xiao Hong exclaimed, looking at the mysterious school gate.
Xiao Wei nodded and said, "It should be close. I used to think the county town was huge."
Li Zhongguo said from the side, "This school compound is much bigger than our county town, it's at least three or four times the size. Xiao Hong, do you know the way? Don't get lost in the school, or you won't be able to find your classroom when you come out, or you won't be able to find your place to stay when you go back, haha, that would be interesting. Don't wander around alone before you've gotten to know it well, understand? There are a lot of woods in this school, sometimes there's no one around all day, if you really get lost you're doomed."
Xiao Hong stuck out her tongue and turned to Li Zhongguo, saying, "Uncle Li, you've been inside, haven't you?"
Li Zhongguo nodded and said, "I've studied here twice, for a total of three or four months. Now when I go in, there are still many places I can't find. Look to your right, that's Nanhu Park. You can go there for a stroll when you have nothing to do. It's quite big, about the size of several county towns. There are many things to do there. It's a good place to relax when you have nothing to do."
Following Li Zhongguo's directions, Xiaowei and Xiaohong saw a ring of blue-painted iron railings surrounding a large iron gate with four large characters above it: Nanhu Park. Peering through the gaps in the railings, they saw lush green trees extending outwards, leading to a seemingly endless lake. The water shimmered like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. Several small boats bobbed on the surface, and occasionally, unidentified birds flew across the water and among the trees, their melodious calls echoing through the air.
Xiao Hong clenched her fists and raised them in front of her chest, saying involuntarily, "It must cost money to go in, right? It must be quite expensive."
Xiao Wei stared intently at the other side and said, "Yeah, we have to pay. Everything costs money in the city; one trip there could cost the price of a meal."
Xiao Hong said, "Then let's not go in, let's just look from the outside, that's fine too."
Xiao Wei said, "It's okay, I'll go earn money. You can join if you want."
Li Zhongguo: ##@……%&&（）%……%￥……&
"Hello, students, are you new students here to register?" A voice rang out in front of the group.
Xiaowei and Xiaohong were startled back to their senses by the voices. They turned around and saw a short-haired girl with sweat on her head standing in front of them, looking at them.
Xiao Hong said, "Yes, that's right. I'm here to report for duty. Hello, classmate."
The female student smiled broadly and said, "Is this your first time in Fengtian? Come on over here to register and complete the formalities. You'll have plenty of time to visit later. Where are you from?"
Xiao Hong said, "I'm from Beixi Town. This is my first time in Fengtian! It's so big! Where are you from, classmate?"
The female classmate led the group towards the school gate, saying, "I'm from Pulandian, a year ahead of you. This way, did you bring your admission notice?"
Upon entering the school gate, there are tables and chairs set up on both sides of the road, with red cloths hanging on them: New Student Registration Office.
Several people followed the female classmate, who said as they walked, "My name is Chen Shulan, what's your name?"
Xiao Hong raised her hand to smooth her hair and said, "My name is Wang Xiao Hong. Sister Shulan, is it expensive to eat here?"
Chen Shulan shook her head and said, "It's not expensive, and it's quite delicious. It's right here. Xiao Hong, take out the admission notice; we need to register."
Wang Xiaohong took the admission notice out of her pocket.
University education in China has gone through several phases. In the early 80s, university education was completely free, and the government even provided monthly subsidies. Some students could even send money home every month. Keep in mind that at that time, ten or twenty yuan a month was a huge sum of money.
In 85, the state proposed that students could be admitted outside the planned enrollment quota. As a result, college students were divided into two groups: one group did not pay tuition fees and received subsidies, while the other group had to pay tuition fees and living expenses, but not much, usually one or two hundred yuan.
In 1989, the country began to implement a tuition system for universities, with a tuition fee of 200 yuan, but there was still a government subsidy.
Until 96, tuition fees for universities across the country jumped to three, four, five, or six thousand yuan, and government subsidies were also canceled. Going to university became the biggest burden for Chinese families. This situation continued until 2005, when going to university became the second biggest burden. The first burden was buying a house, which was even more burdensome than going to university. Going to university requires income for ten or twenty years, while buying a house requires a lifetime.
The reason fewer people went to university during this period was twofold: firstly, there were fewer admissions and fierce competition; secondly, it was a matter of money. University education costs money, and even though it might only be a few hundred yuan, it was a huge sum for an average family. Attending vocational schools or technical secondary schools, on the other hand, was completely free, fully subsidized by the government, and provided monthly payments home, just like a salary.
Wang Xiaohong handed the admission notice to Chen Shulan, who took it to look in the roster. After flipping through it for a while, she found it and said, "Xiaohong, you've been assigned to the Department of Management Engineering. You're studying management, haha. I'll register you."
After filling out several forms and having Wang Xiaohong sign them, Chen Shulan collected 200 yuan for tuition and 30 yuan for dormitory fees. She then checked the dormitory list, found the list, and got the keys, saying, "Let's go, I'll take you to your dormitory. You probably won't be able to find it yourself since you just arrived. Did you bring any luggage?"
Xiao Hong nodded and said, "I brought it, it's in the car." She turned to Xiao Wei, who said, "I'll go get it, you wait here for a bit."
At this time, universities are not recruiting many students, and they are all striving for excellence. The small number of students admitted outside the planned enrollment is only a tiny fraction. Therefore, the reception work for new students is very easy, and the campus is quiet. Xiao Wei and Xiao Hong have only seen three or five students registering after being here for so long.