CRI听力:University Enrollment Scandal Draws Public Attention

71 students were admitted to the Beijing-based Capital Normal University to study art in 2011, after taking national college entrance exams.

Despite the fact their grades were not good enough to enter that school, they still received admission letters with the words "bachelor's degree" on them.

But soon after classes started, the students discovered they were not being treated the same as their peers.

"Their tuition fee is 10-thousand yuan annually, or about 1600 US dollars, while ours is 17,800 yuan, or about 3-thousand US dollars; they have their own dormitories, while our accommodation is in a neighborhood community; they have classes at the arts school, while we take classes in a building outside the campus."

The university has blamed the problem on a company contracted by the school. Chang Jianyong is the Party Secretary of the Fine Arts College at the University.

"The university signed a deal with Zhiyuan Dongfang to run vocational training courses, not a bachelor's degree program. The company sent out admission letters with the words "bachelor's degree" on them without the university's approval."

He also says the company is not qualified to award college academic certificates, only certificates of completion.

The University has offered to return three years' tuition and a 70-thousand yuan compensation to the students. 68 students have accepted compensation to finish their four years' education, while three chose to quit the school with 80-thousand yuan instead.

So far, the University has denied that it was involved in the enrollment process, but a staffer with Zhiyuan Dongfang does not agree with that statement.

"We have a cooperation deal with the University, and ran all procedures according to their requirement. If they were not involved in the matter, why did they compensate the students? The University has hurt our interests and reputation."

Both sides say they will pursue legal action.

Earlier, the Education Ministry urged all universities to accept the supervision of a discipline watchdog over their admission process. Recently, senior staffers at quite a few universities have been placed under investigation for corruption, abuse of power or embezzlement.

For CRI, this is Li Jing.