Yale University is a top private research university located in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, and is recognized as one of the best private universities in the United States and the world. It is the university that attaches the most importance to undergraduate education among the eight Ivy League universities; It is also one of the most influential top private universities in the United States, with a history of nearly 295 years.

The morning sun shines on the beautiful Gothic and Georgian buildings, permeating the classical romantic atmosphere, and the occasional modern architecture reveals the modern elite atmosphere.

Seeing Sun Zi Ming obsessively admiring those classical buildings, Jill couldn't help but joke: "Ming, why don't you design the new university like this?" ”

Sun Ziming, who had just arrived from Los Angeles, retracted his gaze and joked: "No, if Yale is built like this, then it is better to donate it to Yale." Sculpture and architecture are frozen music, and what is more fascinating than music is the breath of history. Cut, what am I talking to you about, in addition to making movies, I am also good at music. ”

"Well, if you weren't very good at music and film, President Levine wouldn't want to meet you unless you donate money to Yale."

No matter how you hear this, it seems that Sun Tzu Ming is inferior. However, standing on such a campus with historical heritage, Sun Ziming himself feels like a beggar who has come to beg for alms, which is an instinctive reverence for knowledge.

When you walk into the Gothic office building with a bell tower, in the simple but bookish office, you see the gentle Richard? Charles? Levin, Sun Ziming couldn't help laughing at himself: "Mr. Richard, I haven't felt this way for many years, just like when I was studying, I just finished a fight with someone, but I found that the teacher was standing behind me." ”

After Principal Levine and the other secretaries brought coffee, he quipped with great interest, "I know you went to prison because of a fight." ”

Sun Ziming took the coffee with both hands and said with a sneer: "Sometimes setbacks are also a kind of wealth, if I don't go to prison, I may never be able to make "The Shawshank Redemption". ”

Principal Levine gestured with his coffee, "Perhaps, you are not only a movie genius, but also a business genius, some special experiences are indeed the wealth of life for special people, but for most people it is a nightmare." Okay, let's get down to business, you're a busy man, and I'm not idle. ”

Sun Ziming hurriedly put down his coffee and expressed his sincerity, "Dear President Levine, I have always admired Yale graduates' enthusiasm for education. Graduates of your school have founded Princeton University, Cornell University, John? Hopkins University, Columbia University, University of Chicago, etc., have dedicated the crown of 'Mother of American Colleges' to their alma mater. ……”

Sun Ziming's compliment not only made Principal Levine quite proud, but even Jill and the secretary next to him were proud.

After some compliments, Sun Ziming also turned the topic to himself, and the more he talked, the more sad he became, and finally burst into tears.

“…… After my wife passed away last year, I was in a state of grief and had a serious illness. I even believe that it was my existence that caused my parents and wife to suffer one after another.

Later, when I saw that my daughter was very afraid that I was like my mother, and suddenly disappeared, I realized that I had an angelic daughter besides my wife; That's when I felt like I should cheer myself up and do something for my wife. Principal Levine, when I was a little better, took my daughter to my wife's grave and made a decision: I will devote 50% of my wealth to education during my lifetime, and before I leave this world, I will donate most of my wealth to education, and the rest will be used as a trust fund for my daughter. ”

"Ming, you are a great person", Principal Levine handed a tissue to Sun Ziming, motioned for him to wipe his tears, and wiped the corners of his eyes with a tissue.

"Thank you", Sun Ziming wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said sincerely: "President Levine, I would like to invite you to go to China to prepare for the establishment of a university, can you agree to my request?" ”

It is certainly an honor to be the president of Yale University, but to build an American-style university in ancient China can write itself into history. However, Principal Levine eventually shook his head and declined.

"Ming, with all due respect, I'm not suitable. Ms. Jill told me that you have obtained the consent of the Chinese government to give the future university complete academic freedom, but the university is not a hermit's paradise, it is part of society. I don't even speak Chinese, so how can I communicate with my students and professors in the future, let alone the huge cultural differences between China and the United States. ”

Sun Ziming still wanted to persuade, but Principal Levin waved his hand and continued: "Ming, I know what you want to say, and I also know why you invited me. You are wrong, the president of a university is not a professor, he does not need outstanding talent, he only needs to do three things well, he can run a university well. ”

Principal Levine held out three fingers and explained, "First, good system, which my predecessor has done very well, I have no say. The rest is very simple: one is to recruit the best talent for the school, and the other is to develop a school development plan and set priorities."

After speaking, Levine laughed at himself: "As a profession, the president of a university has two functions: finding talents and finding money, which is not at all complicated as you imagined." ”

Sun Ziming can't invite this Richard? Charles? Mr. Levine, too, had to give up with regret and ask him how he could build a great university, instead of being a speck of dust in history.

President Levine, who is engaged in education, is also happy to propose his own construction, "Ming, the most difficult point is the funding, without enough funds, the university is just a castle on the beach. Now that you've decided to donate your assets, you don't have to worry about it for now. Next, there is how to achieve true academic independence, which is the foundation of the university. ”

Under Principal Levin's explanation, Sun Ziming finally had a clear concept, rather than a general impression in books.

The rules of private universities should clearly stipulate that the funds of the school come from donations, and the donors only have the right to establish the school affairs, and have no decision-making power. In other words, you can't get involved in the management of the school. These are the prerequisites for academic independence.

Academic independence is first and foremost reflected in school management. The management of the school is usually managed by two institutions, except for the School Council, which is headed by the Principal, which is the Faculty Committee. The Faculty Council is responsible for decision-making and supervision of school affairs, while the School Board is primarily responsible for implementation and enforcement. After several years of running-in, the newly built university can gradually realize the purpose of professors governing the university.

Academic independence is secondarily reflected in the academic atmosphere. On campus, academics are free and inclusive. As long as scholarship does not violate human morality, it can be discussed and discussed.

"Ming, there is a saying, you have to remember: I can disagree with you, but I will defend your right to speak to the death. Teachers, teachers and students, and students can argue with each other on the premise of mutual respect, which is the basic requirement of academic independence. Of course, we must not use our words to make a fool of ourselves or abolish them because of our words, still less can we bully each other with a strong hand, speak ill of each other, and engage in personal attacks. ”

"Academic independence should be reflected in the construction of disciplines. For example, even if there are no students applying for a major for the time being, as long as it is academically deemed necessary to save the subject, the subject must be preserved. Academic independence should also be reflected in campus planning,......"

In conclusion, in the words of Principal Levine, academic independence is to ensure that the school can progress in an atmosphere of democracy, freedom, and peace, and that science and ideas can be passed on and developed.

After Principal Levine finished speaking, Sun Ziming thought about it carefully, he had heard these things one after another, but he had never thought about it so systematically.

"Thank you, Mr. Levine", Sun Ziming got up and bowed to Principal Levine, and Principal Levine hurriedly held his shoulders and said sincerely: "Ming, if you really want to build a great school like Yale, you, the founder, must remember: teachers are for students, it is the teacher's obligation to help students, and students do not need to be grateful, they only need to be grateful." ”

Sun Tzuming, who is accustomed to traditional education, doesn't quite understand that 'being a teacher for one day and being a teacher for life' is already something in his bones. Jill, a top student in the business school next to him, knew that his boss did not have the imaginary understanding of Western culture, and explained: "Ming, you can understand it this way, in addition to loving his profession, teachers also rely on it to get a salary. The teacher's service to the students is only his professional norms, not personal morality. ”

Sun Ziming has a clear understanding, Westerners value contracts, while Easterners value identity. It's like George only thinks of himself as a boss, accustomed to business, and then personal feelings; However, Jiang Peng and Li Rui regard themselves as the main fathers, first of all, the belonging of personal feelings and identity, and then official affairs.

Objectively speaking, the contract marks large-scale social collaboration and is the mature expression of modern society. And we Chinese have become accustomed to who is who and who I am, and it belongs to the disconnection and lag behind humanistic thought and economic development.

"Ok, Principal Levine, I still thank you very much for your advice", Sun Ziming stretched out his hand, and Principal Levin shook hands with him.

The two sat back down, and the mild-mannered President Levine also began to fulfill his duties as president of Yale University.

"Ming, do you remember what I just said, as a university president, there are only two job functions?"

Sun Ziming couldn't laugh or cry, the professionalism of these professionals is really very high.

"Looking for talents, looking for money! President Levine, you don't want me to donate money to Yale, do you? I'd like to ask Yale for help, such as textbooks and books. ”