Renmin University of China opens campus for public tours, responding to calls for greater accessibility

Commencing on New Year's Day, Renmin University of China has announced that it will permit public tours of its campus, aligning with the growing demand for increased openness at elite Chinese universities. The university's move comes in response to calls for greater accessibility and admiration from the public.

In a release on Thursday, the university outlined the process for individuals interested in touring the campus. Prospective visitors are required to register their names, ID numbers, and mobile phone numbers one day in advance through a mini-app on the university's WeChat social media account.

Additionally, if any academic activities are open to the public, those wishing to attend can register and gain entry through the organizers. The university emphasized its commitment to regulating the number of tourists dynamically to prevent disorder. It also urged visitors to adhere to proper behavior and avoid entering teaching or office buildings without permission. The university warned that individuals entering the premises illegally or disrupting the teaching order may face temporary or permanent bans.

The registration process is free of charge, and the university cautioned against unauthorized individuals claiming to provide "services" in exchange for fees.

This policy shift follows calls from various groups, including university professors, advocating for greater openness, asserting that universities are inherently public institutions. With the waning impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased push for universities to reopen their gates.

Prior to this announcement, access to the campus of Renmin University of China was generally restricted to students, faculty members, and alumni. Touring the campus was not available to outsiders.

Earlier this month, a Peking University professor shared an incident of bypassing the university's ID-checking policy and being pursued by security guards, sparking online debates on the accessibility of elite universities. Peking University is reported to be developing an electronic system to facilitate public entry while maintaining teaching order, slated for launch in the upcoming semester. During the winter vacation, efforts will be made to address the public's desire to visit the campus.

Peking University and Tsinghua University, often regarded as the top two universities in China, currently open to the public with limited quotas on weekends and holidays, requiring advance registration. The quotas are popular and tend to fill quickly, particularly during peak periods, leaving many individuals disappointed.