Apathy is not Enough: Changing Modes of Student Management in Post-Mao China

Figures & data

TABLE 1 Characteristics of Universities Explored in this Study

University code	University type	Location	Year of fieldwork	Surveys (Y/N)
Beijing 1	Elite	Beijing	2009–2010; 2012–2015	Y
Beijing 2	Elite	Beijing	2009–2010	Y
Jiangsu 1	Elite	Jiangsu	2012–2015	N
Jiangsu 2	Mid-ranked	Jiangsu	2012–2015	N
Zhejiang 1	Technical	Zhejiang	2009–2010	N

FIGURE 1. Ratio of CCP Members Among Regular Higher Education Students

Sources: Educational Statistics Yearbook of China (1993, 2003, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019).

FIGURE 2. 2010 Survey—Frequency of Participation in CYL Events (%)

FIGURE 3. 2010 Survey—Usefulness of Campus-based Organisations for Students: very/somewhat useful (%)

TABLE 2 Changes to the Management of Student Societies at Peking University (2006, 2019)

Themes	2006 regulations	2019 regulations
Activities of student societies	A broad range of educational, volunteer and hobby-based activities.	‘Student societies must implement the party’s education policy’ (Article 5).
		‘Societies may not engage in profit-making activities; they may not carry out any religious activities; they may not join organisations outside the school without authorisation, or join overseas organisations, or become their de facto branches’ (Article 7).
External funding	When receiving funding from units on or outside the campus, societies must first have the approval of their supervisor (in practice, the CYL) and share the information with society members.	In addition to previous requirements, the society must seek the approval of its supervisory unit when receiving funding, and the funds must go through the university’s finance system.
Head of society	Democratically elected by members and approved by CYL, sponsor unit and instructor.	Democratically elected by members and approved by CYL, sponsor unit and instructor.
		Should normally be a CCP or CYL member.
		Foreign students or students from Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan wishing to act as head of a society should be approved by the relevant authorities of the school.
Academic supervisor	Must be a full-time teacher in the university.	Must be an active, full-time faculty member.
		Should not supervise more than one society.
	Approves the societies’ appointments and activities.	Approves the society’s activities, appointments, certificates and publications.
Supervising unit	Focal point for approval and management.	Evaluates the work of the academic supervisor.
		Organises trainings for societies’ leaders.
		Approves society’s charter.
		Assesses activities, financial conditions, rules, appointments, internal inspection and disciplinary issues; veto power in accepting new members; supervision of publications, online activities and budgets.
Party committee	Not mentioned.	Leads the work of student societies and supervises the implementation of these regulations by the CYL.
League committee	Implements the management and supervisory system.	Implements the management and supervisory system.
		When three CYL members are present, they must establish a branch.

Table

	Position	Location	Date
Interview 1	University CYL official	Jiangsu	26 June 2012
Interview 2	University CYL official	Beijing	3 July 2012
Interview 3	University CYL official	Jiangsu	2 February 2015
Interview 4	University CYL official	Beijing	10 July 2013
Interview 5	University CYL official	Jiangsu	9 June 2013
Interview 6	University CYL official	Beijing	10 July 2013
Interview 7	University CYL official	Jiangsu	8 February 2015
Interview 8	Beijing Volunteers Federation official	Beijing	January 2010
Interview 9	Central CYL official	Beijing	18 March 2015
Interview 10	Student society volunteer	Jiangsu	10 June 2013
Interview 11	Student society volunteer	Jiangsu	12 November 2014
Interview 12	Student society organiser	Beijing	29 October 2009
Interview 13	University CYL secretary	Zhejiang	19 May 2010
Interview 14	Student society volunteer	Jiangsu	15 June 2013
Interview 15	Academic	Jiangsu	15 July 2018
Interview 16	Local CYL official	Beijing	28 July 2017

Educational Statistics Yearbook of China (1993) (Beijing, People’s Education Press).

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Educational Statistics Yearbook of China (2003) (Beijing, People’s Education Press).

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Educational Statistics Yearbook of China (2013) (Beijing, People’s Education Press).

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Educational Statistics Yearbook of China (2016) (Beijing, People’s Education Press).

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Educational Statistics Yearbook of China (2017) (Beijing, People’s Education Press).

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Educational Statistics Yearbook of China (2019) (Beijing, People’s Education Press).

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Peking University (2006) ‘Beijing daxue xuesheng shetuan guanli tiaoli’, 4 April, available at: https://baike.baidu.com/item/北京大学学生社团管理条例/9344827, accessed 3 September 2020.

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Peking University (2019) ‘Beijing daxue xuesheng shetuan guanli banfa’, 8 May, available at: https://tfzx.pku.edu.cn/rules/98231.htm, accessed 3 September 2020.

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