On August 11, a counselor at Southwest Medical University (referred to as “Southwest Medical University”) issued a group message prohibiting students from purchasing second-hand textbooks and electronics, stating that failure to buy new textbooks would result in expulsion. After the controversial statement sparked widespread debate, the university responded on August 13, ordering the counselor to publicly apologize on the grade’s QQ group.
A screenshot of a class group notice from Southwest Medical University circulated on social media recently, showing that a counselor at the School of Integrative Medicine at Southwest Medical University informed the 535 students of the 2024 class group that textbooks can only be purchased from the academic affairs mini-program, emphasizing that “purchasing textbooks through other channels, including second-hand textbooks and e-books, is not allowed.”
The screenshot immediately drew widespread attention on the internet.
Netizens commented, “Medical textbooks are quite expensive. Without the book fee included in the tuition, many students are willing to buy second-hand textbooks. I bought a second-hand textbook for only 10 yuan, along with detailed notes from a senior student. In situations where second-hand books are available, why insist on buying new textbooks?”
“Anyone who has been to college knows how expensive textbooks are… and medical students’ books are even more outrageous, costing hundreds of yuan per set. Many students rely on second-hand books, with notes left by previous students making it easy to highlight key points, much better than new books. Is the school’s statement ‘no purchase of new textbooks resulting in expulsion’ about educational management or dark forces at play?”
Following further escalation of the issue, Southwest Medical University announced on August 13 that they uphold the principle of voluntary selection and independent acquisition, supporting students to purchase textbooks online through official school channels independently, as well as allowing the purchase of second-hand textbooks and e-books. Students facing financial difficulties can apply for temporary hardship assistance.
On the morning of August 11, counselor Du from the School of Integrative Medicine had an emotional outburst and made inappropriate remarks while addressing student inquiries about textbook purchases, causing harm to some students and parents, exposing issues in counselor education management at the school. The counselor has been criticized and educated, and has been ordered to publicly apologize on the grade’s QQ group.
Public information shows that Southwest Medical University is located in Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, and is a provincially administered regular higher education institution in Sichuan Province. It is a “Double First-Class” university in Sichuan Province and one of the first batch of pilot universities for the national doctor education and training program.